Tag: Joshua 1

Introduction to Joshua – Military Perspective

Book Overview

Personally, the book of Joshua is one of my favorite books in the Bible. The book portrays a victorious living through overcoming battles in Christian life. The book can be divided into three sections: 1) Entering the land; 2) Conquering the land, and 3) Distributing the land. From a military standpoint, Joshua’ sequence of attack reveals many insights. First, the Israelites’ attack route dissected the Canaan area into half by first tackling Jericho and Ai. Then, Joshua defeated the coalition of southern kings. Subsequently, the Israelites fought against the northern kings and defeated them as well. His strategy – guided by God – although not a perfect comparison, reminded me of “blitzkrieg” of Germany during the Second World War. Germany planned to quickly defeat and subdue France with an overwhelming force, then focus on the eastern front to fight against Russia. If failed, Germany knew that it would face a two-front war. Although Germany failed, Joshua and the Israelites, empowered by God, succeeded. After defeating Jericho and Ai, he was able to swiftly dispatch the southern kings, who formed a coalition, with the help of the LORD. Then, Joshua defeated the northern kings. Military strategy was brilliantly executed under the guidance of the LORD God.

The book teaches us to take risks and challenges – in full trust based on our intimate relation with God. Without intimate relation with God, these risks and challenges become a reckless gambling. The size of the land God promised to the Israelites was a moving variable – it depended on the risks and challenges that the sons of Israelite took to conquer the land. His promise was “wherever the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you.”

Most of the book is filled with victorious achievement by the Israelites. However, the book also reminds us of falling short of reaching our potential that God envisioned for us. For instance, the total land size promised in Joshua 1:4 amounts to approximately 300,000 square miles. However, even at the zenith of the Israel Kingdom, under the reign of Solomon, Israel’s territory reached only 30,000 square mile, 1/10th of the promise made by God. Was the expectation of the LORD too much, or the sons of Israelites failed to live out their full potential? We shall find out. 

Joshua as a General 

Before diving deeper into the first chapter of Joshua, it is noteworthy to pinpoint a few events and verses about Joshua in the prior books. It was not a sudden rise that took Joshua to a leadership position. For many years through a variety of roles, including a military general, gatekeeper, servant of Moses, and spy, the LORD God slowly prepared him to lead the Israelites. In this section, I would like to focus on Joshua as a general.

The very first episode of Joshua took place in Exodus 17, not very long after the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea into the wilderness. The first fight broke out, although a reason was not exactly known, with the Amalekites at Rephidim. Moses appointed Joshua to lead the fight. With the LORD’s help and the supporting prayer of Moses, Joshua was able to overwhelm Amalek with the EDGE of THE SWORD. Then, the LORD told Moses a very specific instruction to write this victory as a memorial and recite to Joshua. The LORD gave this victory. 

The fight with the Amalekite could have been the turning point in the life of Joshua. Moses’ first encounter with the LORD was through a burning bush. Joshua’s first encounter with the LORD was through a battle against the Amalek. A very unique experience for Joshua was that his very first “ministry” experience was a fight against the despicable Amalek.

What prompted the fight against the Amalkites in Exodus 17? Also, what prompted the LORD to declare such a strong statement that says “I will be at permanent war against the Amalkite?” Although Exodus 17 did not provide any explicit explanation about the cause of this fight, the book of Deuteronomy provided a few clues. Duet 25:17 showed that the Amalekites attacked all the stragglers at their rear front when the Israelites were faint and weary – this action was considered despicable with no fear of God. Who would be the stragglers at the rear of the march? Naturally, the old, the weak, the young, nursing mothers, lame, and etc. Amalek’s attack must have enraged the LORD, who subsequently declared His judgment against the Amalek.

The LORD’s rage was passed onto Joshua through Moses. In the fight against the Amalek, Joshua became one with the LORD in (justified) anger. Moses, Aaron and Hur prayed on top of the mountain in the vicinity. By the sun set, the Israelites prevailed

What was the lesson of this war? Holy and powerful God. God who defends the weak. 

Imagine as if you were Joshua. The first attribute of God that he experienced was the God who judged the evil – truly the LORD of hosts and the chief commander of the army. 

I think this is very cool – experiencing the God of power and justice in your first personal encounter.

Joshua 1: We must move on

The book of Joshua starts with the inevitable destination for all men: death. The LORD told Joshua that Moses was dead and commanded him to lead the Israelites to cross Jordan to the land that He promised (Josh 1:2). The book of Joshua starts with death and a new mission for the Isrealites. 

Mortal Man and Immortal God

However great they may be, all leaders die at some point. The work of God continues, however. God assigns and raises up a new leader. Although Moses made multiple requests before God to allow him to enter the land of Canaan, the LORD placed a hard stop on Moses. Moses passed away on top of the mountain and the LORD God Himself buried him in the valley in the land of Moab (Deut 34:6). 

However extraordinary Moses was – whom the LORD knew face to face (Duet 34:10) – he died, but the work of God never stops. The work of God to redeem His people from the world began right at the moment when Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3. This work was carried out by Moses, and to be handed over to Joshua. 

Repeated Verse: “Be strong and very courageous”

The command “be strong and courageous” is repeated three times in the first chapter. The same command and encouragement were given to Joshua twice prior to this chapter directly by Moses (Deut 31:7) and God (Deut 31:23). The LORD began to instill His encouragement to Josua before the start of the actual conquest. Repeating a phrase three times is held an important value in the Hebrew language, and what can we say about five times? These five repetitions were to remind Joshua of the LORD’s wholeheartedly support of Joshua’s leadership for the conquest of the land of Canaan. 

God’s Partnership with His People: Simply Amazing

Let’s take a brief moment to meditate on Joshua 1:6: 

“….YOU shall give this people possession of the land which I [the LORD God] swore to their forefathers to give them [emphasis added]”

“You” in this verse was Joshua. Although God was the ultimate leader of this conquest and the all the redemptive work, God was telling Joshua that Joshua would give this people possession of the land. This is simply amazing. God, who is sufficient and perfect, wants to work with His people. God desires to have deep fellowship and partnership with us in accomplishing His work! This attribute of God gives us the followers of Christ immense comfort and encouragement.

As soon as Joshua was empowered by the LORD, he took swift action to speak with the officers of the people for preparation.

Virtuous Cycle

The last three verses of this chapter, from verse 16 to 18, highlight the importance of oneness in the LORD within the community. 

The leaders of Israel spoke back to Joshua to be strong and courageous (Josh 1:18). Where did this statement originally come from? Let’s follow the flow of communication in this chapter. 

The message flowed from God to Joshua, then from Joshua to the officers of the Israelites, then from the Israelites back to Joshua. The original message of God was the encouragement to be strong and courageous. Then, Joshua received this back from the officers of the Israelites. What was flowing among the Israelite community was a virtuous cycle, essential for living out the promise of God.