Joshua Generation Part II




CHAPTER   III

THE OTHER FAITH
  1. Introduction
 1.  Faith has different levels

1.  I believe – simply saying that one has faith without any deep conviction – born again and baptized, so I am called a believer
2.  I believe because you believe – declare faith in God and his wonderful ways with every one who believes – no personal conviction – pastor believes, so I believe
3.  I firmly believe – have personal conviction – applied to personal or family life only
4.  Challenging faith – Elijah’s faith on Mt. Carmel – challenging to prove that our God is the only true God – my faith is true faith
 
2.  People with Moses and those with Joshua showed different levels of Faith

  1. Red Sea and Later Incidents
I.  Moses Generation - Exodus 15

1.  Israelites left Egypt in Joy
2.  But soon Pharaoh and his army followed them to the bank of Red sea.

Exodus 14; 10 - 12
10 “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
11 “And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 “Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”

3.  People rejoiced and praised God for the miracle of dividing the Red Sea. – Exodus 15: 1-21

Exodus 15:1 – “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”

Exodus 15: 20, 21
20 “And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
21 “And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”

4.  In the same chapter we see the same people complaining against God for the water available was bitter and they could not drink it.

Exodus 15:22-25
22 “So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. {Marah: that is Bitterness}
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

II.Joshua Generation – Joshua 3

1.  What did Joshua Generation in such situations?
2.  Joshua and his people had to cross Jordan river.
3.  They did not murmur against God
4.  They put their feet into the waters of Jordan and Jordan parted.

Joshua 3: 13-17
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.”

5.    They had faith enough to move forward.
6.    Standing on the banks of Red Sea and asking Moses to do something so that the people can go forward is not a high faith
7.    Walking on the dry ground in the Red Sea need not great faith
8.    But stepping into the overflowing waters need faith
9.    Again when the met defeat with Ai town, they did not murmur.
10.   Instead they fell before God

Joshua 7: 5, 6
5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. {in...: or, in Morad}
6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.”
 
  1. Joshua Generation need no outward sign of anointing and authority
 I.  Moses Generation was concerned with outside looks

1.  Twelve chiefs were send to the land of Canaan to spy over the land
2.  Ten came with evil reports
3.  They looked at the physical strength of the enemies and became afraid
4.  Two, Joshua and Caleb never gave a fig to what they looked like
5.  Two looked at the promise they had, not at the outward looks of the enemies

 Numbers 13; 26 – 33
26 And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
27 And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. {men...: Heb. men of statures}
33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Number 14: 1 - 4
1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

Numbers 14 : 6 - 10
6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8 If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. {defence: Heb. shadow}
10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

6.  God’s response came immediately

Numbers 14: 27 – 31
27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
29 Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. {sware: Heb. lifted up my hand}
31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4(4)
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. {followed...: or, went with them}
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
 
  1. Joshua Generation acts differently
 1.  Another situation
2.  Joshua sends two spies to spy over Jericho
3.  The two men returned and gave a different report

Joshua 2: 23, 24
23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us


  1. Why Joshua Generation need no outward sign of anointing or authority
1 Peter 2: 9 – “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” {peculiar: or, purchased} {praises: or, virtues}

  1. Jesus Disapproves Sign Seekers
Matthew 16: 1 - 4
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

  1. New Testament Faith is greater
1.  New Testament faith is not just stepping into the water expecting a miracle
2.  New Testament faith is walking over the roaring storms

Matthew 14: 23 – 32
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. {boisterous: or, strong}
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
 
CHAPTER   IV

Calling Of God on This Present Generation

 I. A Call for all the People – Joshua Generation
 
This wasn't a promise or a call for just Joshua but for a generation

Joshua 1: 1, 2
1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
 
II.   Characteristics of the Call

 1.         A call to possess a promise given to a previous generation.
2.         We need to learn to honor our past and embrace our future. 
3.         To take things to the next level, instead of starting all over. 

1.    This is a generation that has done a fair amount of wandering around itself!
2.    Not that we haven’t seen blessing, and the provision of God, but that sometimes it feels like we’ve gone round in a circle and are not significantly closer to seeing the breakthrough in our churches and nation that we would like.
3.    The good news is that God is always faithful to his promises, and he has promised to give us a future and a hope!
4.    Part of our inheritance is to see the younger generation rise up and inherit themselves all that we have longed for, and to be bold and courageous in possessing the land.

 II.  Possessing the Promises
 
1.  In Joshua’s days, it was a question of Spying out the land and Physical battles that needed to be fought, with the supernatural intervention of God of course, in first bringing down the walls of Jericho.
2.  Today, we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers in the heavenly realms
3.  But the same principles apply: we need God’s supernatural help to bring down walls.
4.  The Israelites walked and prayed in silence for 6 days, and then on the 7th day, sounded the trumpet and raised a shout.
5.  If we teach children and young people how to pray and praise effectively, then they will see significant spiritual breakthrough in their generation.

 IV.   Establishing A Meaningful Mentorship Model

1.    A new generation of leaders needs mentors, role models, fathers, and spiritual disciple-makers - people who will invest in their lives, not because of what they can get, but for what they can give.
2.    The Moses-Joshua relationship embodies this.
3.    Appointed by God to deliver His people from slavery, Moses understood early on that someone else would lead them into freedom.
4.    He recognized the need to commission Joshua

Deuteronomy 3: 28 – “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.”

5.    As a result, Moses brought Joshua everywhere

1.  Exposed him to the deeper
2.  Truths introduced him to intimacy with God
3.  Empowered growth,
4.  Supported him through difficulty.
 
6.    When Moses visited with God on Mount Sinai, the only other person permitted on the mountain was Joshua.

Exodus 24: 12 - 14
12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
14 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.

7.    At the Tent of Meeting, where Moses and God spoke "face to face," he brought Joshua.

Exodus 33: 11 – “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”

 8.    After deputizing Joshua to lead a militia against a band of dessert raiders, Moses provided spiritual cover from a nearby hilltop - As long as his hands remained upraised, Joshua prevailed - When he tired and dropped his arms, Joshua lost ground.

Exodus 17: 9 - 14
9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

9.    When it came time to preview the Promised Land, Moses sent Joshua and just eleven others. (Num. 13)
10.   When Joshua overstepped his bounds, Moses provided correction. (Num.11:26-30)

Numbers 11: 26 - 30
26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.
29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
30 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

11.   After investing in Joshua for forty years, Moses could confidently expect him to fulfill his destiny and lead the people out of the wilderness that Moses himself could not escape.

I. Joshua failed to leave a legacy

1.    For as much benefit as he received from his mentor, Joshua failed to reproduce the investment.
2.    Men like Caleb and the other community elders served with Joshua as a great team, and even provided leadership for the people after his death.
3.    But Joshua's spiritual legacy did not survive a single generation.
4.    The book of Judges opens with one of the most distressing cautionary tales that too few contemporary leaders seem to understand.

Judges 2: 8 - 12
8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash. {Timnathhares: also called, Timnathserah}
10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

5.    Today, as a new generation of young people is beginning to understand the plans and purposes God has for them, many of them are crying out for mentors.
6.    Will they find a Moses to embrace them, guide them, and encourage them to greatness?
7.    Or will they find a Joshua, someone too busy fulfilling his own destiny to invest in someone else's?

 I.       TAKE HOLD OF YOUR PROMISES

 1.    The book of Joshua is a good one to read if you need instructions on how to walk into what God has promised. It gives the history of Israel's Conquest of the Promise Land.

  There are three major sections in this book. They are:

1. Entering the Promise Land (1:1 - 5:12)

1.  God had to do a new thing in me in order that I might be prepared to enter into the promises – Miracles in Egypt is doing some good to you also.
2.  I had to shed some things and people – leave behind everything in Egypt
3.  He wanted to make sure that He could trust me – Desert life is testing time
4.  I had to die to myself and follow His instructions - even when I didn't understand what the outcome would be – He is training you in Faith Life in the Desert
5.  It was based on "blind" trust.
6.  A trust in a Father that I had never seen.

Crossing the Jordan

1.  we cross from the old life into the new one.
2.  Now that we crossed, do we immediately conquer the land - NO, not yet.
3.  God wants to prepare us now that we have crossed.
4.  We believed Him enough to cross over. It's time to move on.

Be Prepared

    1.  God doesn't want us to be unprepared.
    2.  He will supply us with specific instructions.
    3.  We must learn to focus on Him and remember who is guiding us.
    4.  Don't get hung up on performing the tasks.
    5.  Spend quality time with him so that you are focused. Being too busy will get you off focused.
    6.  Renew your commitment and covenant with Him before attempting to conquer the land.
    7.  This is a Heavenly Partnership.
    8.  God can and does provide miraculously for us as needed, but He also expects us to use our God-given talents and resources to provide for ourselves.
 
2. Conquering the Promise Land (5:13 - 12:24) – Trust in the Lord

  1.  It is during this time that it really doesn't matter about the promises.
  2.  What's important is the person who made the promises.
  3.  If it had not been for Him, the tests would have overwhelmed me.
  4.  Happiness and peace came as a result of knowing that He is with me every step of the way.
  5.  He is the person that I can depend on in spite of the circumstances.
 
evaluate your desires – our obedience to God’s Commands

  1.  This is the time to evaluate your desires and press on to possess all that God has planned for you.
  2.  It's like when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down.
  3.  God will provide specific instructions on what to do in order to make the walls fall down.
  4.  The walls of Jericho represent those obstacles that have been placed in your life
  5.  Those things that have plagued and haunted you.
  6.  Those things that kept you up all night and cause tears to roll down your face.
  7.  Believe that God can make them fall down.
  8.  The key is to follow His instructions.
  9.  It may not make sense, but if God says do it… DO IT!!!
 10. The goal is to get the victory, not intellectualize the process.
 

3. Dividing the Promise Land (13:1 - 24:33)

    JOSHUA 10
1.  Adonizedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and utterly destroyed it; and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them.
2.  They feared greatly
3.  Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon - The five kings gathered themselves together, and went up and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
4.  The men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal for help and protection, for the Israelites had made a covenant with Gibeons to protect them.
5.  So Joshua with all the people of war with him ascended from Gilgal.
6.  The LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
7.  As they fled from before Israel, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died:
8.  Then spake Joshua said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
9.  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.
10. These five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
11. Israelites brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave.

Joshua 10: 24 - 26
24-“And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.”
25-“And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
26-“And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.”

Joshua 10 : 24 -“…put your feet upon the necks of these kings”

12.   Joshua is sharing his victory with others.

       Luke 11:21, 22
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

divideth <diadidomai> Gk. - to give throughout a crowd

13.   Jesus, the strong Man defeats the enemy and divides the wealth among all others

WARNINGS / POTENTIAL SETBACKS

The enemy doesn't have any new tricks
He just uses the same ones over and over again

1.        The Joshua generation failed at the first attempt to conquer Ai

  1.    We need to be our brother's keeper and watch for subtle hints of sin.
  2.    Achan's sin of disobedience brought a curse on the entire generation.
  3.    When God gives us specific instructions, He wants us to follow them.
  4.    Don't change them according to your interpretation.
  5.    Don't believe that He will overlook your "slight" act of disobedience.
  6.    Don't think that He doesn't know when you aren't following the letter of the law.
  7.    Don't ruin it for everybody because of your selfish desires.

2.        We need to be humble, faithful and obedient for the long run

  1.    Joshua did not consult God before his first attempt.
  2.    He was cocky after the first victory, and was relying on his own strength to conquer a small city.
  3.    We do this sometimes. God will give us a glimpse of what is to come. He will allow us to hold our heads up again.
  4.    What do we do? Forget who really performed the miracle.
  5.    We start to think that we can do it by ourselves, BUT we can't.
  6.    We must totally rely on God for guidance.
  7.    We don't know and see everything; only He can do that.
  8.    We should constantly consult Him, even on the small things.
  9.    God doesn't consider anything to be too small.
 10.   He loves you and He wants to see you grow in His grace.

3.        The Joshua generation was tricked into making an ungodly alliance

  1.    Joshua and his leaders signed a treaty without consulting God.
  2.    We must be alert and consult God for everything.
  3.    The enemy will set traps to trick us.
  4.    Appearances can be deceiving!!!
  5.    We have the victory, but the enemy and his troops are not going to let us have it without a fight.
  6.    Unholy alliances can be deadly - this counts with marriages, friends, business partners, organizations and associations.
  7.    If it's God's will, the problems and obstacles will cease to exist.
  8.    The only way that we can be successful is to have a relationship with God.
  9.    Through this relationship, we will find out what and how He would like us to handle things in our lives.
 10.   Trust Him to get you through.

The Key To Victory

Joshua 11:15 – “For so the Lord had commanded his disciple Moses: and Moses had passed the commandment on to Joshua, who did as he had been told: He CAREFULLY obeyed all of the Lord's instructions to Moses."

No comments:

Post a Comment