The MESSAGE for September 17, 2023

The Moment

Circumstances often confirm the moment; in Joshua’s case it certainly did. The moment of the commission was God’s moment. God knows when the conditions are right for His work. (Joshua 1:2) “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan.” Moses the servant is dead, but God the Master is not.

The best antidote for sorrow is doing your duty. Joshua’s task was difficult, “Arise and go over this Jordan.” Two million people, plus livestock, the banks flooding and no boats; besides that, the enemies on the other side. God said be strong. (1:6, 7, 9.) This does not mean Joshua was weak. He was to do what was necessary to keep himself strong for his work. “Be strong” Be… be of a good courage… very courageous… good courage… “be not afraid” “Neither be thou dismayed.” (1:9) There shall not any man be able to stand before thee (Joshua 1:5). When God commands, He will enable. Power is needed to conquer the land and it will be supplied by God as it is needed. “Then…” (1:10) Joshua did like David. (Psalm 119:60) “I made haste and delayed not to keep thy Commandments.”

Once a duty is discovered, it should be discharged, Peril attends the neglect of any acknowledged obligations (pink). Joshua did not call the chief officers together to give some advice or to seek their counsel, or to have them vote on what to do. He called the leaders together to give them orders. Make preparation, prepare the victuals. “For within three days, ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land (Joshua 1:11).

By faith Joshua moved forward cross the Jordan. God had said unto him, as I was with Moses I will be with thee. So God backed up the Jordan and Israel went across and left twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan as a testimony; the future generations would know they passed this way.

If you wish success in the Lord’s work, you must be prompt in doing your duty. Joshua’s success is verified by the fact that he did as God had commanded. Joshua not only defeated the military, but he ravaged their city. Burnt Hazor with fire. They did not burn all cities because God had said that he would give them cities that they did not build. (Deuteronomy 6:10) “The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” (Proverbs 13:22).

Joshua took the whole land (Joshua 11:16,23). He did a total Job, “according to all that the Lord said unto Moses.” Joshua 11:23. The hills, and all the South Country, and all the land of Goshen, (not the Goshen in Egypt but the one in southern Canaan) and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same; even from Mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mount Hermon. (Joshua 11:16-17). From north to south, east to west.

The valley speaks of the challenge to overcome trials and troubles and disappointments in life. The plain: This speaks of the ordinary and common in life. We often mistake the plain as easy going, but it is often the hardest place, for that is where chariots will especially oppose. The mountains/hills, these are the great challenges in life. Many people seem to never want to tackle any mountain assignments. They are satisfied with mediocre experiences and achievements. But to conquer all of Canaan you must attack and conquer the mountains as well as the other parts of the land. Joshua made war a long time with all the kings. (Joshua 11:18) To do much for God requires time. We do not accomplish great things for God overnight. We often must be willing to stick with a job for a long time before we see much fruit.

The attitude of the Canaanites was that of a hard heart. “There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon; all others they took in battle. For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts… that He might destroy them utterly. (Joshua 11:19-20). God does not harden people’s hearts until they themselves have already hardened their own hearts through their rebellion to God and persistent pursuit of sin. When God hardens a person’s heart, it is an act of judgment for the rebellion of that person against God.

By faith, “at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims… Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities… there was none of the Anakims left in the land…Only in Gaza, and Gath (Goliath’s hometown) and in Ashdod” (Joshua 11:21-22).

This text is significant in view of the ten spies’ report to Moses over forty years earlier. One big reason they gave for not going into the land to possess it was, “Moreover we saw the children of Anak there… we saw giants, the sons of Anak (Numbers 13:28, 33). Joshua and Caleb did not wilt at the Giants but said we are well able to overcome it…” If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land...” (Numbers 13:30; 14:8) Joshua took the whole land…. and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. (Joshua 11:23) The land rested from war. (Joshua 11:23) To defeat evil and remove it from the land, we must war vigorously against it. Praise His holy name!

Pastor, Rev. Dr. Cullian W. Hill