Joshua One

Since it is still Sunday as I write this, I am continuing my commitment to write on a passage of scripture. Today, I taught elementary students about Joshua 1. Oftentimes I get the most out of a specific part of the Bible when I endeavor to teach it to young people - I am forced to work it out to it's simplest and most basic level in order to pass on its most important points in a way that is understandable to young people.

For Children's Worship, I have been working through different parts of the Bible. We started over 3 1/2 years ago with the book of Acts, worked through a harmony of all 4 gospels, then started back at Genesis before working through Exodus as well. Recently, I summarized Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy to bridge the history of the Israelites between Exodus and Joshua. I have found in the time I have been teaching the Old Testament one of the themes that continually comes to bear is the covenant God established with the Hebrews - I will be your God, and you will be my people.

In the book of Joshua, the Israelites have just wandered in the wilderness for decades, waiting for all of the people who took part in the decision NOT to enter the Promised Land to die off. I get the feeling that they were getting tired of living in tents.

At this time, God speaks to Joshua. God tells Joshua that, like Moses, he has His support. Wherever Joshua goes, God will be there with him providing him protection and success because of his faithfulness stretching back to the first time the nation of Israel had come to the border of the Promised Land and only he and Caleb voted to enter in.

Then God has these words for his people: "Be strong and courageous."

God states once again His side of the deal. "I will be your God. You will get what I promised you. The deal I struck with your forefathers is in place. Don't let the giants and walled cities and all those other anxieties take hold, for I am with you. Be strong and courageous."

God then states their part of the deal. "Be sure to follow my Laws. I gave them to Moses and I was really pretty specific about how I expect you to 'be my people.' Stick to what I gave you. Keep it close at hand. Temptations and weak moments will not be in short supply. Be strong and courageous."

After he said it twice, it seems that the God really wants to drive the message home. "Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous? I am the One true God and I am with you wherever you go. I will be your God and you will be my people. Now let's go and claim at long last the Promised Land you have been longing for for generations."

The response of His people? "We WILL be your people. We will go to the extent of punishing by death those who would refuse obedience and lead us astray. Our final words - only be strong and courageous."

Even today God wants to be our God, he wants each of us to be His people. We no longer have the Law as a strict guide on being His people, nor do we have the goal of claiming the Promised Land. We have something much better: the living example and Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the eternal hope springing from his death and resurrection.

Only be strong and courageous.