Faith is NOT just a Matter of Being Positive
What made Joshua different? When the rubber hit the road and it was time to act on God's promise for the land, only Joshua and Caleb were ready to see God's purpose fulfilled in their lives. I discussed Caleb in the last post. But now, what about Joshua?
Numbers 14:5–9 (ESV) Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”
I cannot separate the Numbers 13-14 Joshua from the moments the scriptures have alluded to about him prior to this event. What I mean is, Joshua was not just "positive" by nature. No, things transpired in his life that formed him for faith and not doubt. He was prepared for the Promised land in a way that was very distinguished from the rest. His story begins at the Tent of Meeting where Moses met with God.
Exodus 33:11 (ESV) Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
I think this moment was the beginning of Joshua's heart being steeled for the conquest of Canaan. Joshua was THERE when God showed up to speak face to face with Moses - His chosen faithful servant. In fact, when Moses went back to the people, it says Joshua did not return with him. He had experienced a taste of the Lord's goodness. What else would do?
In that tent, Joshua had a front row seat to God's Word being given to Moses. What would Joshua have heard from that tent? I imagine he listened as God gave Moses the first five books of the Bible. How does it all begin? With God creating the heavens and the earth. God is telling Moses, the "gods" other nations worship by way of the sun or moon or stars are really non-existent and I AM Creator of all these things. It could very well be that Joshua was so filled with faith over the nations the Lord promised to defeat before Israel because Joshua learned from those face to face lessons of God to Moses that the gods of other nations are non-existent and therefore NO MATCH for the God of Israel.
We live in a world filled with bad news and false "gods". I am growing more and more detached from what people in this present age would call "normal." I cannot watch much Television anymore. Movies are losing their draw for me. I am not doing this by choice, mind you. I have not aimed to be "more holy" and "more self-denying" than you for the sake of my own boasting in religious works. I just see God's Word so much more precious than the word of mankind lately.
Let's face it, the word of mankind (in the west) is getting so very confusing. Human sexuality, gender dysphoria, celebrity worship, the longing to be rich, famous or important in other's eyes are all false gods of our present evil age. At the same time, more racial disharmony, less civility, more hostility, and a general systematic decay of our culture has really become distasteful. Perhaps I'm only in a bad mood. But I can only bear so much junk in a given day. It seems the stream is so thick and constant, just a moment of exposure is enough to scatter me away.
When I come to the Word of God I feel it's warmth. I sense the beauty of a life lived in harmony with the Creator. I enjoy the wonder of knowing I am His and He is mine. I rest in the peace that He is Lord over all.
Perhaps these are the lessons Joshua learned. He didn't just have a positive personality. He lived in the presence of God. I want that. I want more of you, God.
Amen.
Numbers 14:5–9 (ESV) Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. 6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”
Exodus 33:11 (ESV) Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
I think this moment was the beginning of Joshua's heart being steeled for the conquest of Canaan. Joshua was THERE when God showed up to speak face to face with Moses - His chosen faithful servant. In fact, when Moses went back to the people, it says Joshua did not return with him. He had experienced a taste of the Lord's goodness. What else would do?
In that tent, Joshua had a front row seat to God's Word being given to Moses. What would Joshua have heard from that tent? I imagine he listened as God gave Moses the first five books of the Bible. How does it all begin? With God creating the heavens and the earth. God is telling Moses, the "gods" other nations worship by way of the sun or moon or stars are really non-existent and I AM Creator of all these things. It could very well be that Joshua was so filled with faith over the nations the Lord promised to defeat before Israel because Joshua learned from those face to face lessons of God to Moses that the gods of other nations are non-existent and therefore NO MATCH for the God of Israel.
We live in a world filled with bad news and false "gods". I am growing more and more detached from what people in this present age would call "normal." I cannot watch much Television anymore. Movies are losing their draw for me. I am not doing this by choice, mind you. I have not aimed to be "more holy" and "more self-denying" than you for the sake of my own boasting in religious works. I just see God's Word so much more precious than the word of mankind lately.
Let's face it, the word of mankind (in the west) is getting so very confusing. Human sexuality, gender dysphoria, celebrity worship, the longing to be rich, famous or important in other's eyes are all false gods of our present evil age. At the same time, more racial disharmony, less civility, more hostility, and a general systematic decay of our culture has really become distasteful. Perhaps I'm only in a bad mood. But I can only bear so much junk in a given day. It seems the stream is so thick and constant, just a moment of exposure is enough to scatter me away.
When I come to the Word of God I feel it's warmth. I sense the beauty of a life lived in harmony with the Creator. I enjoy the wonder of knowing I am His and He is mine. I rest in the peace that He is Lord over all.
Perhaps these are the lessons Joshua learned. He didn't just have a positive personality. He lived in the presence of God. I want that. I want more of you, God.
Amen.
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