JOSHUA God Promised blessing. Joshua 1:5

Moses and Joshua languished as the spies broke their hearts. Their lack of faith stopped their entering the promised land. (Numbers 13:27). ‘While the land flows with milk and honey, the people in the land are strong, the cities are fortified and strong, and we saw the descendants of the giants, Anaks, there’. However, Caleb, who accompanied Joshua, responded, ‘quieting the people before Moses, Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able.’ Caleb showed strong, rugged faith.

Depression gripped the whole nation, as ‘they lifted up their voice, cried and wept all night' The children of Israel, God’s redeemed people cried, ’If only we had died in Egypt or in the desert.’ (Num 14:2). They asked, ‘would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?’ ’Let’s select a leader and return to Egypt’. ‘Moses and Aaron were dejected, falling on their faces, while Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb tore their clothes, ‘If the Lord delight in us, He will bring us into the land, which flows with milk and honey.(v8). The spies’ depressed unbelief contrasted with Joshua and Caleb’s trust. ‘

Moses was disobedient, as in Numbers 20when the Lord directed him, ‘Speak to the rock before their eyes, (a mark of fellowship with Christ the Rock) and it will yield its water, ( v8) Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice, and water came out abundantly. While God was omnipotent in the mighty flow, he was righteous in His judgment. ‘The Lord spoke to Moses,’ Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore, You shall not bring this congregation into the land I have given you.’ Moses was irritated, yet had to admit that the holy God was just. And, too, he missed fellowship with his Lord.

Moses faced a further crisis, when ‘the children of Israel complained there was no food nor water, and their soul loathed this worthless bread’. (Numbers 21:5) Immediately, God judged. ‘The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and many of the people of Israel died.’ They repented, ‘ We have sinned. We have spoken against the Lord. Pray to the Lord that He take away the snakes. So Moses prayed for the people. Rebels may still cry to God for undeserved release from all their sin.

Heaven responded,’ Moses, make a fiery serpent, set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’ (v8) ‘Moses made a bronze snake.’ If a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze reptile, he lived.’ God touched and healed the believer, as he looked to the bronze replica. God’s Son discussed this with Nicodemus, saying, ‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. (John 3) The bronze reptile was a type of our dear Lord Jesus, lifted up on the cross to be our saviour. God recreated those newly-born, and healed them, as they looked heavenwards to their Redeemer.

Moses burst into song, proclaiming the name of the Lord, and ascribing greatness to our God; He is the Rock, for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.’ (Deut 33:3,4) Moses understood his God after forty years of trial and proving. He continued in that great chapter, ‘He encircled him, He kept him as the (iris) apple of His eye.’ (v10) Further he wrote, ‘As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him’ ( v11) We must learn from Moses, who majestically described all God’s lofty ways. Joshua certainly did.

In the same chapter, he rebuked them, ‘that they scornfully esteemed the Rock of His salvation’ (v15) obviously referring to the Rock, Christ Jesus, from which the life-giving waters had gushed. Joshua was alongside, for ‘Moses came with Joshua and spoke all these words to Israel’ (v44), urging him to ‘set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe – all the words of this law ‘. Moses and Joshua knew that this mighty leader would soon to be taken by their Lord. Fellowship was precious and intimate. Joshua valued every word Moses spoke. The 40 years of partnership was over. Joshua had finished his apprenticeship.

Was Joshua present when ‘the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, ‘Go up this mount Nebo, across from Jericho, (where Joshua will have that memorable victory) and view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel’. God’s judgment on Moses for striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it, prevented even this leader from entering the Promised Land. (v49). God’s Word faithfully records all His ways for our present generation. He added, ’And die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people.’ Because Christ is the Resurrection, so our dear Lord could justly take Moses through the valley of the shadow of death.

Moses blessed his people after 40 years of faithful leadership (described by Winston Churchill as the greatest national feat in human history). In Deut 33:26

‘ There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you and in His excellency on the clouds. Moses had proven repeatedly that ’The eternal God is your Refuge. Underneath are the everlasting arms.’ He knew ‘He will thrust out the enemy before you’. He continued his praise, ‘Then Israel shall dwell in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone. In a land of grain and new wine, His heavens shall also drop dew. Do you eulogise your God for His faithfulness?

God showed unlimited grace to Moses, ‘showing him all the land , which I swore unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying ,’I will give it to your descendants,‘ ‘I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over here.’ ( Deut 34:4)

So Moses, the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.’ And He buried him in a valley ‘, most presuming that God did this so that no one should venerate the site of his burial. Moses was with his Lord.

‘Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eyes were not dim, nor his natural vigour abated. (Deut 34:7). God had marvellously preserved His great servant during the last 40 years of desert wandering. The nation spent 30 days weeping for this leader, and mourning his passing. (v8) Moses blessed Joshua with ‘fullness of wisdom’ ‘ laying his hands on him.’ Moses transferred his divine commission to Joshua, so that the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.’ (v) We should mark this step, willingly letting go the reins of government, and counselling those who succeed us in God’s ministry. This facilitated the transfer of authority to Joshua. Constantly ringing in his ears were the promise,

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you, nor forsake you.’