Joshua is undoubtedly one of the great leaders in the Bible. Moses, the great prophet, delivered Israel from the land of Egypt. But Moses would never enter the Promised Land because of his sin (Numbers 27:12-14). Joshua had accompanied Moses since the beginning of the Exodus. He was there when Moses ascended the mountain of God to receive the Law (Exodus 24:13). Joshua had spent his whole life training to lead the people of God being “the assistant of Moses from his youth” (Numbers 11:28). But Joshua’s role as Moses’ successor was by God’s design.
There are several points in the Old Testament Law that we read about God’s appointing Joshua to lead His people. After learning about his death, Moses prayed that God would “appoint a man over the congregation” who would lead them faithfully and shepherd the people of Israel. God then said, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.” (Num. 27:18-20; cf. Deut. 341:14-15) Years later, Joshua would take Israel where Moses never could: the Promised Land. But the land was not vacant.
The future before Joshua would not be easy. But God famously encouraged him saying, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) The first battle ground for God to display His faithfulness came at the battle of Jericho.
There was nothing at Jericho that hinted that Israel would be victorious; at least, naturally speaking. But God had promised Joshua His unceasing presence. But the victory was not going to be won by Joshua’s sword but by the Spirit of the Lord. God provided a plan that demanded faith from God’s people. He said, “You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.” (Joshua 6:3) The promise from God was unwavering, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor” (Joshua 6:2).
Would Israel act faithlessly with Joshua as they had in the past under Moses? By God’s grace alone, they obeyed. The ark of the Lord circled the city while the priests worshiped God and blew their trumpets. On the seventh day, “they marched around the city seven times” and “the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown…and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city…and they captured the city” devoting everything to destruction (Joshua 6:15, 20). Though there was some treachery, by and large Jericho was the beginning of Israel’s victorious conquest.
As this story and many after reveal, the hope of Israel did not lie with their swords and tactical genius. Their strength was in the LORD who reminded them of the source of their success, “I sent the hornet before you…it was not by your sword or by your bow.” (Joshua 24:12) God was always their power even when they labored in the wilderness; and that was the point. The same God who kept His word with Moses was continuing to do so with Joshua.
At the end of his days, Joshua would look back at God’s faithfulness and in a manner similar to Moses speak unto the people. Joshua said, “I am now old and well advanced in years. And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you.” (Joshua 23:2-3) But this knowledge of God’s past faithfulness and present faithfulness was to yield one end from the people: perpetual commitment.
God was not indifferent about the people’s hearts. Joshua made a charge to the leaders of Israel exhorting them to be strong in the Lord, to commit themselves to Scripture, to hold fast to the Lord, and the love Him. With Israel as a whole then, in his last great speech Joshua said, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve….But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
This call of complete allegiance comes to us today through Christ, an even greater Joshua. The name Jesus is even derived from that name. Joshua was teaching us that as individuals and especially as parents we must give ourselves and our little ones to the Lord. So what is your answer to his charge? Will you continue in indifference towards the Lord or commit yourself wholly unto Him? Your children belong to God as well for “they are holy” as Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 7:14. Therefore, they to be set apart tangibly by the sprinkling of holy baptism. This baptism is God’s sign to remind us that “the promise is for you and your children” (Acts 2:39) This is in fact one way where we follow Joshua’s counsel and example to say, “as for me and my HOUSE, we will serve the LORD.” May God grant you such blessing to see His covenant faithfulness even to a thousand generations beginning in your very home.