During the course of his life, Joshua experienced an incredible amount of change, of struggle, and of the Lord’s provision. He grew up in Egypt during the years when Israel was enslaved. He witnessed God’s miraculous deliverance of the nation through Moses. He was right there each time God worked amazing deeds, and right there each time the Israelites rebelled against God. He was one of the 12 spies who visited Canaan, and he and Caleb were the only ones who had faith in God to grant them the land. He lived through the consequences of the lack of faith of Israel. He was with Moses as he met with God at various times, including receiving the Law. Being “second man” is a tough position, but Joshua did it well. He does not get the top billing of Moses, yet was always there, faithfully serving God. When the time came for Moses to pass the mantle of leadership on, Joshua was the clear choice. In Joshua chapter 1, God made it clear that He would bless Joshua as he walked with the Lord. God validated Joshua’s leadership as he led the Israelites across the Jordan River and began to conquer city after city in the Promised Land. Joshua was a man of war, a man of integrity and character, he was a man who led others sacrificially and loved the Lord wholeheartedly. He was a missionary in that he never really had a permanent home, but wandered from one place to the next, sent by God to do His will. His faith led him to do miraculous things against insurmountable odds, and God used Joshua to establish the nation of Israel, His people, in the Promised Land.

In my daily Bible reading, I just finished the book of Joshua and am starting Judges. At the end of Joshua’s life, with a lifetime of experiences in watching Israel and watching the Lord, Joshua gives a farewell address to Israel as he reviews the history of the nation. He ends with a final challenge, and call to follow the Lord. Life and death, blessing and punishment, are set before Israel, based upon their choices. It is the same final challenge Moses gave to Israel at the end of his life (Deuteronomy 28). The choice is set before Israel as to whom they will serve. But Joshua is clear, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” When the people affirm Joshua’s choice and commit to do the same, Joshua knows that their commitment is shallow. And sure enough, when we open the chapters of Judges, within a short time we see Israel forgetting all about their covenant to faithfully serve God as they are pulled into idolatry and compromise.

From the life of Joshua, I am challenged with these thoughts:

1. Serve the Lord wholeheartedly, with integrity and character, throughout your entire life.

2. Be willing to be overlooked, be “second man,” and trust in the Lord’s plan and His timing, to use you in ways God chooses.  

3. Regardless of the choices of those around you, choose to serve the Lord, no matter how unpopular, counter-cultural or difficult.

I pray that by God’s grace He will enable me to reflect these qualities we see in Joshua. Pressing on, Eric