The Conquest of Canaan

Joshua 1:1-7

MOSES was not permitted to lead Israel across Jordan into the Promised Land, nor even to enter the land. This was because of a measure of presumption he manifested in his second smiting of the rock in order to obtain water for the people. (Num. 20:8-13; 27:12-14) In view of this, it seems a most fitting tribute to his memory that in the opening verse of the book which bears the name of his successor he should be so feelingly spoken of as “Moses the servant of the Lord.” After all, he had been a faithful servant of God, and one of whom it is written that he was the meekest man in all the earth.

While the one act in which his meekness failed him was considered by the Lord as sufficient reason to deny him entry into the Promised Land, he was still looked upon by the Lord and loved as a servant. And when he is brought forth in the “better resurrection” we can be sure that he will be given a very high position among the “princes in all the earth.”—Heb. 11:35,39,40; Ps. 45:16

Joshua had served as a “minister” of Moses, and therefore was doubtless well trained in the art of leadership. Above all, like Moses, he had abounding confidence in the Lord and in his ability to fulfill his promises, for be it remembered that he was one of the faithful spies who, forty years prior to this, had recommended that the Israelites then enter Canaan and trust the Lord to give them victory over the Canaanites.

Because of his great faith, now that God’s time had come for the nation to possess the land, Joshua was given the leadership of the people, and assured by God of victory. To him the Lord said, “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. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon; that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.”—Vs. 2,3

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life,” the Lord said to Joshua. Could any man of God want a more definite assurance of divine help than this! And God made good this promise. After they had entered the land and had celebrated the Passover, one who identified himself as “the captain of the host of the Lord” appeared to Joshua and gave to him complete instructions as to just how he was to capture the city of Jericho. (Joshua 5:13-15) In this experience Joshua was reminded, even as Moses previously had been, that the ground on which he stood while in the presence of this angel of the Lord was holy.

The angel’s reference to “the host of the Lord” would tend to remind Joshua that he was not alone in his fight to possess the land, nor needed to depend entirely upon the bravery and skill of Israel’s army; for there was another army which would fight for them—those unseen forces of the Lord which encamp round about all those who fear him and deliver them. (Ps. 34:7) To have the strategy of the contest clearly outlined was highly important, and then, in addition, to realize that “the host of the Lord” would be there fighting must certainly have given Joshua great courage.

It is a good thing to be “strong” and “very courageous” as servants of God if our strength and courage come from the Lord and by them we are fortified to do his will. To.. Joshua the admonition was, “Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded thee.” (vs. 7) Joshua’s strength was to be manifested in his fidelity to the Lord and to his will. In so doing he could be assured that the Lord would never fail him.

Some naturally possess courage and strength in the face of danger, and this undoubtedly is pleasing to the Lord if used properly in his service. It often happens, however, that those who are bold by nature are prone to take matters too much into their own hands, and attempt to serve God in their own way. They may even deceive themselves, and possibly others, into believing that God is blessing their efforts. Only the Lord, of course, can read the hearts of his people; but it is important that we scrutinize our own motives carefully, and whether strong or weak by nature, to make sure that our one determination is to do the Lord’s will, and to look to him for strength in our every time of need.

“That thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest,” the Lord further said to Joshua. “Prosperity” in Joshua’s case meant victory in driving out the Canaanites from the land, and success in dividing it among the tribes of Israel as the Lord directed. Joshua doubtless also prospered in the sense of enjoying a realization of the nearness of the Lord, and a limited fellowship with him, based upon the Law.

If we are strong and courageous in our service to the Lord, keeping on the armor which he provides, and looking to him for guidance, we will prosper spiritually. Faithfulness to the Lord in this age might well mean the loss of material prosperity, for one of the underlying principles of the narrow way to life is, as expressed by the Master, “Go sell that thou host, and give to the poor.” (Matt. 19:21) But, as so beautifully expressed by Paul, if, through our service to the Lord we should become “poor,” we are abundantly compensated by the knowledge that we have had a share in helping to make “many rich” in the joys of the truth ministered to them.—II Cor. 6:10

The Apostle John speaks of a prosperity of the soul, and links this with the faithfulness of whoever “walkest in the truth.” (III John 1-3) No one on earth could be in a more favorable position than those whom the Lord has blessed with his truth, and in whose lives the joys of the truth are a daily benediction. It is concerning these that the text was written, “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”—Prov. 10:22

Joshua 6:1-5, 20

THE story of how the city of Jericho was captured by the Israelites’ is a familiar one to all Bible readers. Many theories have been advanced as to what might have caused the walls of the city to crumble and fall. It has been suggested, for example, that the vibration set up in the air by the sounding of so many trumpets was the cause. We do not know. What we do know is that Joshua followed the instructions given to him by the Lord through the “captain of the host of the Lord,” and victory resulted for the Israelites.

While it may be possible to find ways of explaining some of the miracles of the Bible along natural lines, it seems to us that a blessing may be lost in doing so. Those who have true faith in God must believe that he is capable of performing miracles, and surely this faith may be applied in all the outstanding things which the Lord did for his people. We are confident that the Lord wanted the Israelites to realize that he had captured Jericho for them, and is not this an important lesson for us to learn, not only in this case, but also now, in the wonderful manner in which he is caring for us?

Spiritual Israelites today have their “Jerichos” to conquer, and futile would be our struggles were we to lose faith in the fact that now, even as then, God is for us, and that his mighty power is being utilized to support us and to overwhelm our enemies. The Captain of our salvation is our Lord Jesus Christ. If we follow his instructions, and keep on the armor which the Lord provides for us, we are sure to be victorious; for it is still true that greater is he who is for us than all they that be against us. Faith that this is so will enable us, even as it did Joshua, to be strong and very courageous.

QUESTIONS

Why was Moses not permitted to lead Israel into the Promised Land? Did he thus lose God’s favor forever?

What was one of Joshua’s chief qualifications for being the new leader of Israel?

Name one of the ways by which Joshua was assured that the Lord would be with him?

Which is better for the Lord’s people: to have confidence in their own ability, or to have the courage of faith?

What did prosperity mean to Joshua, and what does it mean to the Lord’s sacrificing people today?

Should spiritual Israelites today have any difficulty in believing that God is able to perform miracles on behalf of his faithful people?

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