There a number of situations that always stood out about Joshua to me:
1. His commission to replace Moses and lead the people:
“Be strong and of a good courage” Deut. 31:6-7, 23
The Lord repeats it in Josh. 1:6, 9, &18 (command in v. 9)
The Joshua gives the same words to Israel in Chapter 10 (v. 18)
2. His handling of defeat. (The defeat at the hands of an inferior force be-
cause of ‘sin in the camp’ poor advice, and over-confidence.)
The Point: No one wins them all How do you handle the times when you think that you lost?
3. His recognition of who was really leading the battle (5:13-15)
Would a general take orders from a captain?
The Point: How do you handle the victories? Glory & Honor to God/Submit to His Leadership in your life.
What can we learn from the recorded words of ‘old soldier’?
I. The witness (testimony) of an old soldier
A. All the victories were from the power of God
23:9 ‘The Lord has driven’; 23:10 ‘he it is who fights for you’;
23:14 ‘not one of God’s promises has failed’
B. He served the Lord until the Lord took him home 23:14
“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth:” KJV
C. He gave them a reminder of their words (their promises)
See 24:21-22; 24:25-27
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the promises we made to the Lord!
II. The warnings of an old soldier
Lets quote I John 5: 21 “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols”
A. Put away the gods (idols) your fathers served 23:7; 24:14; 24:23
B. Keep away from those who would lead you astray 23:12; 24:19
‘Unequal yoking’: II Cor. 6:14-18
III. The wishes of an old soldier (The encouragement and
exhortations [call to action]) At least 5 of them:
A. Be courageous “get in the battle” 23:6
B. Cleave (hold fast) unto the Lord 23:8
(anchor to the soul/trust/faith/hope)
C. Love the Lord 23:11; 24:23 ‘incline thine heart’
D. Fear the Lord (Have the reverent respect for God) 24:14
E. Serve the Lord 24:14 The word serve is used 15xs in Joshua
In Chapters 23 & 24, it is used 13xs. (served 5xs all in 23 & 24)
It used 2xs in 24:15 (served 1x)
Josh. 24:15
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,
choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. KJV
What words are usually associated with anyone who has been in the military? I served. . . They served
What words do most of us look forward to hearing from the Lord some day? Matt. 25:21
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” KJV
Do you think that Joshua heard those words?
Will you hear those words?