JOSHUA in the Battle
(Download this study here.)
By: Peter Bales
No. 2, November 5th, 2023
Joshua was familiar with God’s presence. We see him lingering in the tent of meeting in Exodus 33. The Bible says, “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.” (Deut. 34:9)
What happened after this?
STRENGTH AND COURAGE
READ Joshua 1 :1-10
Notice that God tells Joshua “Be strong and courageous!”
- What helps you to be strong and courageous?
This reminds us of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 saying, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.” You could combine these by saying, “Don’t worry, be strong and courageous! Seek first God’s Kingdom through his Word and his presence.”
- What does God say will help Joshua to be strong and courageous?
FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
READ Joshua 10:12-14. Notice verse 14, “There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!”
Joshua told God what to do?! What!? And God listened!? How could he have this boldness!?? Was this presumptive? It's not presumptive if you have a relationship.
With friendship we learn what others would want.
- Do you know what your friend’s favorite food is? How does it feel when someone knows what you like and prepares it for you?
Think about Jesus. In John 15:15 he says, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
- Why does Jesus say that he calls us friends?
This is a deeper level than just being obedient. When we are young, we need to be told what to do. But as we grow, our relationships can grow too. Obedience to God is good, but let's go beyond that. Friendship with God! Joshua somehow knew God's heart and was bold enough to tell the Sun to stop!! Think of that level of faith and boldness!
- Do you feel more like a servant of God or a friend of God?
- How does it feel to think about God as your friend? What makes that difficult?
COMMITMENT
Before Joshua dies, he gives a speech to the people reminding them to serve the Lord.
READ Joshua 24:15. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua’s challenge is also our challenge! Who will we serve?
- Why is it important to decide who we will serve?
- What are other things that we might serve other than the Lord?
- How do we stay committed to this decision?
- What have you learned from studying Joshua?