Joshua - The Man

Now we're glad to see you all tonight. Thank you indeed for coming to the meeting and we trust you'll remember that the meetings continue nightly in the will of God each evening at eight o'clock right through from tonight until Friday. And we always ask the Lord's people not only to attend but to remember the meetings throughout the day in prayer.

For without the help and presence of God our meetings will not be fruitful. It's a real joy to be with the Lord's people in Ontario. We have looked forward to this for a long time and we're thankful to God in bringing us safely among you to enjoy the fellowship and the warmth of love in this assembly.

And we acknowledge the kindness of the saints to us over many years that have faithfully ministered of their love and kindness and we're here to publicly thank you each one in the Lord's name. Now having announced we're going to speak on Joshua and the book of Joshua. We trust that these meditations will prove a blessing to every heart.

Now while you may expect me to look and to read first of all from the book of Joshua we're not going to do that tonight. Rather we're going to examine and consider the mentions of Joshua before his book is reached. So let us turn to Exodus chapter 17.

The book of Exodus chapter 17 verse number eight. Exodus 17 and verse number eight. Then came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim and Moses said unto Joshua choose us out men and go out fight with Amalek.

Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him and fought with Amalek and Moses Aaron and her went up to the top of the hill and it came to pass when Moses held up his hand that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed. But Moses's hands were heavy and they took a stone and put it under him and he sat there on and Aaron and her stood 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 and Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword 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 and Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nisai for he said because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Now that last part of the verse is not easy to translate and the margins have given us various readings because there is a hand against the throne of the Lord the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Now that will suffice for our immediate reading we have other portions to read throughout the ministry the Lord helping us. Now it may well be that the younger Christian with us tonight and possibly older ones may wonder why we would consider a man like Joshua who lived many many centuries before our day and one may wonder just what connection we would have with Joshua to warrant such a specific study which I endeavor to share with you in this week.

Well now while this is the first mention of Joshua in the Word of God we have no doubt whatsoever but that he was born in Egypt. Now having been born in Egypt it is clear he was born in a captivity from which he could not release himself that is clear and while he is mentioned as the son of none it is never stated that he was the firstborn but it is possible that he was. So there came a memorable day in his experience whether he was the firstborn or not when in Egypt he saw the lamb being slain and the blood applied and then together they went into the house and they feasted on the roast lamb.

Now that's all very precious isn't it? This is what Joshua must have done in a day before we have read of his name in this chapter and there he awaited the moment of deliverance and that moment of deliverance came the night of redemption dawned and in the morning or by the morning he had passed out of Egyptian bondage never to return to it again. Now having stated that beloved and there is much more to say I think you can understand why we do have a link with Joshua. You and I were born in captivity worse as the hymn says than theirs by far.

Sin held us by a stronger cord yet by thy mercy free we are and we were in a bondage from which we could not release ourselves and thank God for that moment when our eyes were open to behold the sacrifice of Christ the shedding of the blood of the lamb that brought us redemption. We were redeemed says Peter by the precious blood of Christ. So we have a very interesting parallel with Joshua in that experience.

The next thing that we would read in relation to the nation including Joshua was as they traveled you remember and came to the Red Sea. What an experience they had as they approached that place. Now what did that mean? That meant that Joshua was baptized for first Corinthians 10 tells that all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

So he was baptized possibly not in the way that believers are baptized tonight today but he experienced a baptism a very real baptism in that he knew separation from Egypt a separation that could never never be crossed again. And that morning you remember with the host of Israel he saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore and what joy filled his heart. He united with those that sang that sang redemption song and so we can trace and follow experimentally the very pathway of Joshua.

I hope that every soul in this meeting that is redeemed knows what it means to obey the Lord in baptism and to be baptized unto the Lord Jesus Christ as leader and as guide as Joshua knew in his baptism unto Moses. And then one day Joshua looked out in the wilderness and he beheld something he had never seen before. Like all of Israel he didn't know what its name was but he was commanded of God and out he went and he gathered manna and he fed upon the manna.

Now I do trust you see a parallel there as we have been redeemed and as we move through this pathway for God. God fills us feeds us with his son and I trust you today not at this late hour but long before have gathered some manna for your soul and have fed upon the Lord Jesus Christ in his fullness. So you can see beloved although many many years separate us from Joshua his experiences what he experienced is very very much like what we thank God have experienced through the grace of our God.

Now much more could be said but I know that he came with the people of God into trying circumstances. He knew the bitterness of Marah as most of us have experienced somewhere along the line of our pilgrimage and we can relate tonight we can relate very easily and very quickly with Joshua in these many experiences. He would know what it was to be fasting and found a wonderful supply in the smitten rock and that brings us right to where we are in this chapter and although it says Israel the people murmured in verse three I somehow feel that Moses that Joshua was probably distinct from that murmuring.

I would think that he knew better I would hope that he disassociated himself from the murmuring host. Now where is he introduced? I think as I come to study this man's life it is most encouraging to find that although all that I've said includes Israel and involves Joshua it's not until we come to this paragraph in chapter 17 that we have his name and his name occurs one two three as you can see four times in the passage we have read together and what is this passage telling us? Here is a young man and he's engaging the enemy engaging the enemy. Now the enemy is a very subtle enemy dear saints of God.

Amulek represents the subtlety of the flesh. In Deuteronomy chapter 25 when Moses looks at this again he says that Amulek came in and he attacked from the rear and he smote you when you were faint and weary. He knew when to strike he looked upon the tiredness the weariness of those dear people in that day and he smote them from the rear.

He came upon those that were hanging back. Now do trust beloved there's none of that in this meeting. Beware of the strategy.

Beware of the subtlety of the flesh. But I want you to notice the little word then in verse 8. Then came Amulek. When? Just at a time when the people of God have raised their voices in memory.

Now if you go back if you go back to chapter 15 they murmur in verse 24 and if you look at chapter 16 they murmur the word is used I think nine times and here it is again in verse number three. What a tragedy! Ah but listen then came Amulek. Just at the time when they're saying is the Lord among us or not? Is there any evidence that Jehovah is keeping his promise? Is there any evidence that the Lord is with us? And really the question denotes they were fully satisfied there was no evidence.

They were murmuring. And you know beloved the devil through Amulek comes in right at that moment possibly thinking that God would give them up. That God would set them aside with all this murmuring after all that he has done.

The devil probably thought that this was the best time to strike when God would weary all his people. Now listen beloved. I want to be practical and I want to be direct.

I do trust there is no one in this meeting giving opportunity to the devil. Giving opportunity to the devil. Having such an attitude, having such a behavior that would give the devil a runaway into the things of God and amongst the people of God.

We can develop a complaining spirit. We can develop a hostile attitude. We can develop a questioning role.

And you know when the devil thinks the opportunity is there. I want to tell you he will he will use it to the full. Then came Amulek.

When these people were reasoning and rationalizing there doesn't seem to be any evidence of God amongst us. The devil moved in with this hostile foe. Oh saints of God keep all that away.

Judge it ruthlessly in the presence of God. Let me appeal to you. And then it's under those circumstances Moses says unto Joshua choose out men and go out fight.

Fight with Amulek. And here's a young man appearing on scripture for the first time and he's engaging the enemy. And he so engages them as to overcome them.

And therefore I want you to see the first mention of Joshua he's overcoming the flesh. Overcoming the flesh. Now young Christian you're setting out possibly in a long journey homework.

It may be long it may be short I do not know. But here is something that's going to have to mark you if you're going to be used for God. God is going to find anything in you that he can use and develop for his glory.

Here is something that must be early manifested. You must know what it is to overcome the flesh. And if it beats you you're finished.

As far as usefulness is for God. Now get that very clear. Isn't it great? Isn't it wonderful to think that this man Joshua in his first appearance is seen as overcoming.

Overcoming. Now we haven't time to deal with how it all occurred but just let me say that you know how it happened. There he was in the heat of the battle.

There he was down in the valley confronted with this enemy and encountering him head-on in this collision of forces. But there was something else. Up yonder on the hill was Moses with the rod of God in his hand.

And even though his hands grew weary on either side there came those that upheld his hands. And as his hands were upheld Israel prevailed. So beloved it's not in our strength alone.

By no means. Thank God we're stressing Joshua overcoming. But really there's a two sides there are two sides here.

Not only is there the exercise and enterprise of Joshua. But there is the intercessory ministry of that upon the hill. And we are thankful tonight that our great high priest our Lord Jesus Christ requires no human aid to strengthen him.

As a priest he uplifts his hands on our behalf. And beloved if we could just get into the good of that ministry in heaven tonight. As our great high priest intercedes for us.

I'm sure we would know what it means to be overcomers and especially to overcome. Now seven times the name Amulek occurs in the reading. But seven times including that reference I made in the last passage the last verse the word hand occurs.

Seven times. And that's interesting and I trust the Lord will bless that section to you as we move now to chapter 24. Move now to chapter 24 with me please.

Chapter 24 and very quickly let us observe the words of verse 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. Now here's the second mention of Joshua.

And Moses rose up and his minister Joshua and Moses went up into the mount of God. Now listen and he said unto the elders tarry ye here for us. Notice that the plural us.

Until we come again unto you. You notice that? And behold Aaron and her are with you if any man have any matters to do let him come unto them. And Moses went up into the mount and a cloud covered the mount and the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai and the cloud covered it six days.

And the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Verse 18 and Moses went into the midst of the cloud. Now I think this is a wonderful incident in the life of Joshua.

Let us note carefully that these two men ascend the mount. And Moses says to the elders you have Aaron and her tarry ye here and wait for us. Isn't it? And tarry ye here for us until we come again unto you.

So that Joshua accompanied Moses and I would feel beloved as far up that mount as he possibly could go. And then they waited for six days and on the seventh day the Lord called unto Moses. And Moses went into the cloud further up and into the immediate presence of God.

And there's that young man right there. Now do you see that? I'm building a story I hope engaging the enemy but in chapter 24 entering the presence as near to God as he could come. Now listen brother, listen sister.

Do you know that? Do I know that? What do we know of this? Is the presence of God strange to you? Are you allowing things or whatever to deprive you of fellowship with God? Look at this man entering into as near to God as the terms and times would allow him. And remember, I have to hurry, remember six days and then the seventh day and how long did he stay there? He was the last to see Moses go in. The last to see Moses go in.

Now you come with me please to chapter 32. Chapter 32. And I think you understand what is here.

Verse 15. And Moses turned and went down from the mount and the two tables of the testament in his hand, the tables were written on both their sides. Verse 18.

Verse 16. And verse 17 rather. And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, there is a noise of war in the camp.

And so on. Now do you see? He was the last to see Moses go in. He was the first to see Moses come out.

And Joshua has stayed at that place for 40 days. 40 days. What an experience.

I think that you know, as I look at you and you look at me, listen, our holiest moments are our briefest. I'm going to ask you a question. How long can you sustain the presence of God? Ask yourself that question.

How long can you sustain the presence of God? Very, very briefly. At the best. At the very best.

And you know, beloved, these are things that should cause us to think. Now, what has happened? What has happened? You know what has happened. God has given Moses the law.

And while he was transmitting to him the tabernacle and the law, all of the previous chapters, what was Israel doing? Israel was making a golden cup. Aaron and all the rest were involved. And the story is too long to tell.

But listen, there is one man that escaped the corruption. Who was that? The man that was on the mountain. Joshua was never, never associated with the golden cup.

See the preservation of the presence of God, beloved. I tell you, if we knew something of the presence of God in his preservative power, we would escape the defection that's around us. And this man who was engaging the enemy and entering the presence is now escaping the defection.

He's not included. What a mercy. And listen, young Christian, out there there is defection.

Out there there is a defiance of the word and the mind of God. And listen, if you're going to escape it, you have to know more of his presence and more of his word. And that to me is very, very precious.

Now chapter 33, please. Next chapter. And it says, verse 11, and the Lord speak unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.

And he turned again into the camp, but his servant, his minister, Joshua, the son of none, a young man departed not out of the tabernacle. Not lovely. Here you'll find him endorsing the place.

What happened? Who was on the Lord's side? Moses took the evidence of the presence of God outside the camp. And there was established that temporary tent. That's where Joshua is.

He never left it. He wouldn't depart out of it. Has God brought you to his place where he has put his name? Has God brought you to his assembly, young Christian or older friend? How about your feet tonight? Are your feet like Anna that never departed from the temple? Are your feet like Joshua that departed not out of the tent? Why? God has put his name there.

And the glory of the Lord appeared. And that's where Joshua. I hope you see the spiritual parallels that I'm hissing through in relation to the subject.

Now numbers chapter 11, please. Numbers chapter 11. We're making progress and yet there is much we are missing, but we trust the Lord will bless.

Numbers chapter 11, please. And as we come to this chapter, we see, of course, the rejection of the manna. Verse 27, and there ran a young man and told Moses and said, Eldad and Medad do prophecy in the camp.

And Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men answered and said, my Lord, Moses forbid them. And Moses said unto him, envious thou for my sake, would God that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put a spirit upon them, upon them. Now young men make mistakes.

And here is a slight mistake as far as Joshua is concerned. And you know, we can be very prone to misjudgment and it's good that this dear man encounters the adjustment and accepts it. When he heard that others were prophesying, he thought that Moses should silence them because he was God's prophet as we know.

But the experience, Moses said, would that to God that all the Lord's people were prophesied. And you know, beloved, Moses said, did you say this because you were supporting me? That is envious of my position, not that Joshua wanted this position, but that he was sustaining his position over against others. Now that's something we need to watch today.

In the work of God, it's not competition. One against another or one above another. I think we need to learn that.

And I think many of us need adjustment on this. We all have our preferences, I know. But you know, when it comes to the things of God, beloved, those things really should not surface.

And we should submit to the judgment of Moses here, as did Joshua. And that, of course, would enlarge the subject. But I trust you have the wisdom to understand that it's wrong to say, I'm of Paul, I'm of Cephas, I'm of whoever.

And do and have a preference to such an extent that it could result in division. The parallel with 1 Corinthians 1 is very, very evident. Now, chapter 13, please.

And for the first time in verse 8, we read the words of the tribe of Ephraim, Hosea, the son of Nun. Now, that is his first identity as to the tribe. Now, verse number 16.

These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hosea, the son of Nun, Joshua, or Joshua. Isn't that a very precious, significant thing? Now, chapter 14, verse 6. And Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land and rent their clothes.

And they speak unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land which we pass through to search it is an exceeding good land. 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. Only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land, for they are bred for us.

Their defenses departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Fear them not. But all the congregation bad stoned them with stones, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

I think this is tremendous, beloved. You know the story. Israel have now come to a place where they are rejecting the land.

They're suspicious. They're not in faith. God concedes and allows 12 men to be sent to view the land.

And as these men are sent forth, they return. Ten had an evil report, two had a good report. And we're listening now to the words of Joshua and Caleb, and they say, It's an exceeding good land.

An exceeding good land. It says, If the Lord delight in us, here is their argument, then he will bring us in. Here's their admonition.

Only rebel not. Don't rebel. And then here's their assurance.

The Lord is with us. And here's their appeal. Fear them not.

And you'd have thought that people would have said amen. But you know, the people of God can be very, very, very different. That people said, well, stone them.

And they began to abuse them. But just at that very point, they have divine approbation. The glory of the Lord appeared.

The glory of the Lord appeared. Now, what does this mean? I'm perfectly sure, brethren, that at this point of time, Joshua never knew that the land of promise would be the land of his greatest exploits. For God, he didn't know that.

I believe that Joshua's on test, quite apart from all else. I know there's much in the story. But listen, and I appeal to you tonight.

If Joshua had been amongst the ten, he would have disappeared from the page of Holy Scripture from this point. As did the ten. And you know that.

You know that. And mind you, beloved, I'm here to tell you, when you voice your opinion on divine things, you be very careful what you say, won't you? Be very careful. You might be in the majority.

That doesn't mean it's right. The majority here were wrong. The minority was only two.

But they were right. What if Joshua had said what these people said? Well, the land is too great and the people are too tall and all the rest. Ah, beloved, you'd never have heard of him again.

You know, I go to ministry meetings and I share the ministry for the last 40 years. I hear an awful lot of rumblings of people. Well, the ministry's too deep and the word's too difficult.

And I hear people talk like that. I know that they'll never, never be used of God. I know that.

I have lived long enough to hear young men talk like that. My contemporaries did that. Where are they tonight? There's nothing produces more adoration and thanksgivings to God in my heart than when I was a little fellow in my teens, God put in my heart a desire to know his word.

I heard great men, men whose names I haven't time to mention. I didn't understand what they said, but I wrote it down and I pondered it. And you know, beloved, I was only a little fellow as insignificant as a boy could ever be.

And I never thought, never in my life that I would stand like this tonight. But you see, God was testing us and God's testing you. Remember that your attitude to his word will decide so much.

And here's this man saying, it's a good line. Don't rebel. Trust in God.

Don't fear. And even though he was about to be stolen, he stood firm. And the Lord stood by.

Oh, beloved, come into that place. I understand this, that here is this man esteeming the inheritance, esteeming the inheritance. Oh, he said, it's a good line.

Thank God for that tonight. Thank God for men that have come to this experience and know that as far as they themselves are concerned, they're utterly helpless and the word is so vast and the word is so great, but God will give help. Could I get that into your soul tonight? I'm sure it would be a real blessing that you will begin to esteem the inheritance that God has given you.

I have difficulties with revelation. I have difficulties with Ezekiel. I have difficulties with myriad hosts of portions, but friend, we trust God.

We keep knocking. We're just human. And I was pushed out from school at 14 and I never, never, never had the advantage that many, many of my contemporaries shared.

But that doesn't mean you're saying to God, I'm behind the door. I don't know what your circumstances are, but God can help you and God can use you and God can bless you. Depends on your attitude.

Depends on your esteem. This man esteemed the inheritance. Now, let us move on quickly, please.

And we'll come to chapter 26, 26. I think we'll move into 27. There is a reference in 26 in which he is earning the reward.

You'll notice that, but let us get to 27, please. And as we come to 27, verse 12, the Lord said unto Moses, get thee up into this Mount Abram and see the land, which I have given onto the children of Israel. And listen, and when thou has seen it, thou also shall be gathered onto thy people as Aaron, thy brother was gathered and that's leadership terminated.

Moses, you're finished. Finished. No further.

Now, brother, if the Lord said that to you tonight, what would happen? If the Lord said that tonight, what would happen in your life? If something were to come into your experience that would bring it to a termination, what would be attitude? Well, now look what Moses did. Verse 15, and Moses speak unto the Lord saying, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them and which may go in before them. And which may lead them out and which may bring them in that the congregation of the Lord be not a sheep, which have no shepherd.

That's tremendous. Moses might've said, well, Lord, if that's the case, I'm out. I'm finished.

It's all yours. No, no. Moses goes into the presence of the Lord, beloved, and he pleads for the leadership of the people of God to be continued.

I think that's tremendously expressive. And what does the Lord say? And the Lord said unto Moses, verse 18, take thee Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom this is the spirit and lay thine hand upon him and set him before Eliezer the priest and before all the congregation and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put of thine honor, not some, that word some shouldn't be there.

And thou shalt put all thine honor upon him that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And verse 22, and Moses did as the Lord commanded. I think that's very precious.

Very, very precious. You know, some men just couldn't act like that, but Moses did. Here's the features of real leadership.

Even though he had come to the end and couldn't go any further, he went back into the presence of God and pleaded that God would appoint a man over the people that Israel, that the congregation of the sheep, which have no shepherd. And there was Joshua in a state of preparation and in a state ready to receive the approving hand of God upon him. The spirit is upon him.

Lay thine hand upon him, bring him before the priest, bring him before the congregation and make sure, now listen, brethren, listen to this. God says to Moses, make sure Moses, you put your honor upon him. Don't walk out and say, well, now you brethren just carry on to the best of your ability.

I'm finished. It's up to you. No, no.

Moses, you make sure you put your honor upon him. Indicate clearly your absolute integrity and acceptance of what God has done. And beloved, that's important to learn, important to maintain and very, very important to practice.

And therefore he is embracing the appointment. Leadership is now his. Now come to the last passage, the book of Deuteronomy, please.

The book of Deuteronomy and the last chapter of Deuteronomy, Deuteronomy 34, verse nine, And Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom. For Moses had laid his hands upon him, and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. Isn't that tremendous? Now, let us put this clearly to you as we close.

Here he is exhibiting the power, the spirit of wisdom. Now, I like to look at expressions and to present them to the saints of God as they come before us. This expression only occurs four times in your Bible.

It occurs in chapter 28 of Exodus in relation to those that are going to be controlled by the spirit of wisdom to make all things according to the pattern. A most remarkable reference, the spirit of wisdom. It occurs, again, in relation to the assembly at Ephesus, Ephesians 1, verse 17.

And you look at that and you'll find the spirit of wisdom and revelation that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. Here is the enlightenment of that spirit of wisdom in the Ephesian saints. And it is used of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, in Isaiah chapter 11.

The spirit of wisdom is upon him. And now, here it is with Joshua. Now, isn't it a full story? How did we introduce him? Overcoming the flesh.

How does he finally appear before we come to his book? Full of the spirit of wisdom. Overcoming the flesh. Full of the spirit.

Well, I don't think we could get a more apt illustration of what we are supposed to be with the ministry of Galatians before. So, you can see the practical parallels that each of us know. I'm sure we know that we have with Joshua in this simple journey through.

And those mentions of his name are not all mentions because I've admitted several in Deuteronomy that are familiar. But I trust the ones that I have mentioned are the outstanding references that show us a history that now prepares us for a study of the book. And that will be tomorrow night.

We'll look at chapter one and begin the book in his will. Shall we pray? Our blessed God and Father, we bow before thee in the precious and worthy name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we do thank thee for this time of waiting upon thee in the ministry of thy word.

We bless thee for these great chapters, areas of scripture that present to us this great servant of thine. And we would surely be enabled, blessed God, to see that although he lived a long time ago, we have many, many practical and real parallels with him. And while his day was different to ours, it's the same God with the same principles and the same purpose that his will may be performed.

So we pray, blessed God, that each one of us now in thy presence, whether old or young, will take the ministry to heart. And we'll know what it is just to learn from these stages and pages of Joshua's life as we come in thy will to this great book of which he was the penman. So grant us then thy blessing as we look to thee for succeeding nights and for the night that has just passed in his worthy and precious name.