The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Leader

  • Joshua

    “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

    Joshua 1:9

    Joshua was born a slave in Egypt. He saw the mighty works of God revealed in the ten plagues, providing the exit of the Israelite people out of bondage. Joshua saw the parting of the Red Sea for God’s people, and the destruction of the Egyptian army. About two months later, Moses called upon Joshua to lead an army against the Amalekites. In this battle, as long as Moses’ arms were held high in the air, Joshua was able to lead the people in winning that battle until the enemy was defeated (see Exodus 17:8-16). “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (Exodus 17:14). God wanted Moses to write this victory down and remind Joshua. Have you considered that this was done so that Joshua would remember this as he prepared for the battles in the Promised Land?

    Joshua was called Moses’ minister (a servant). “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God” (Exodus 24:13). This is the time-frame when God gave Moses the “tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written” (see Exodus 24:12). Joshua was with Moses when Moses came down from the mount and saw the golden calf (see Exodus 32:17).

    While the Israelites traveled through the wilderness, Moses set up a special tent where he met with God (before the Tabernacle was built. See Exodus 33:7-11). Joshua stayed in that tent. “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle” (Exodus 33:11).

    Most people remember that Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent to spy out the Promised Land. Only he and Caleb believed God (see Numbers 15). Joshua was not afraid to stand up with Moses and Caleb against the 10 spies, the majority. Joshua and Caleb revealed that they believed God was greater than the difficulties ahead, and God would defeat the enemies for them. However, because the people listened to the ten spies, God declared they would wander in that wilderness for forty years until that generation died. All died in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb, two who believed God. Even with the delay of 40 years to enter the Promised Land, Joshua stayed with Moses. For those 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb watched as the older generation died off, but each day brought them closer to the Promised Land.

    Looking back upon Joshua’s life, notice something. Throughout the wanderings, God was preparing Joshua to be the successor to Moses. Remember the defeat of Og, king of Bashan where Moses encouraged Joshua to not be afraid of his enemies (see Deuteronomy 3:21-28 and Numbers 21:33-35). “21. And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest. 22. Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you” (Deuteronomy 3:21-22).

    Before Moses died, he revealed God had chosen Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (the land of Cannan). “7. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). God would be with Joshua.

    When Moses died and Joshua became the leader of God’s people, God encouraged Joshua. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

    Looking back at Joshua’s life, God had been preparing him for many years for the task at hand.

    First, Joshua had to obey God. We read no hesitation on his part. Even more encouraging is that he completed what God asked him to do. “As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses” (Joshua 11:15). See also: “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war” (Joshua 11:23).

    Remember how Joshua felt at the end of his life. “14. Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:14-15).  

    Have you considered the things God has placed in your live to prepare you for what He has planned for you?

  • Be Strong

    “…Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
    Joshua 1:9

    Have you ever been asked to do something that you felt completely unqualified and inadequate to do? Was it someone you respect or admire that asked you to do the job? How did you feel? Were you terrified? So many questions run through your mind when you are called to do a particularly special job.

    Think back for a moment to Moses in the Bible. There is much recorded about His life and the many things He did for God and the Israelites. He was extremely faithful! He led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt after the Ten Plagues. He led the people to the foot of Mt. Sinai, where God wanted to speak to His people. However, because the people were so afraid to hear from God, Moses went up the mountain to receive the Law from God. Moses led the people through the wilderness for forty years. If you remember, the people complained most of the time! Yet Moses remained faithful!

    At the end of his life, when he knew he was about to die, God told him to appoint a new leader. Have you ever thought of how incredibly intimidating it would be to follow the leadership position of Moses?! Nevertheless, God chose Joshua to lead His people.

    After Moses died and Joshua prepared to lead God’s people into the land of promise, God spoke words of instruction to him. But more than that, He spoke encouraging words to Joshua: “8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:8-9). As long as Joshua would heed God’s Word, he would be prosperous and have good success. He would need to follow those instructions if he were to lead God’s people! But the best part of these verses: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I can’t imagine any more encouraging words from God, Himself! It would be amazing to know that God would be with him wherever he went! There was no reason to fear.

    But wait! I have instructions from God, and even encouraging words of my own that He has promised me (and each person God calls to serve Him) because He called me to love and serve Him. “5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:6-6). I am to walk according to God’s Word, content with what God has for me in my life. I am to do the jobs He has for me to do — for He promises that He will never leave me, nor forsake me. How amazing is that! I can count on God to be my helper, never afraid of what man may do to me. Such comforting words, knowing that He will help me do whatever it is that He has for me to do.

    Do you walk in God’s Ways?

    Do you realize God will help you with whatever it is that He has for you to do?

  • Lesson 1 (Lesson 27): Joshua 1-11: Conquering the Land

    Key Verse

    “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalms 27:1 

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever been afraid of doing something.  Encourage them to share a time they may have been afraid (help them with some suggestions if they have trouble thinking of some-thing, i.e.:  going to a new place they have never been before, standing in front of a classroom alone, meeting someone new, telling someone about Jesus …).  Help them understand that when we do things God wants us to do, He is with us and will help us.  There is nothing to be afraid of.  Today we will see how God encouraged Joshua as he prepared to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.

    Summary:  At the close of Deuteronomy, we saw the death of Moses.  God had appointed a new leader to lead the people into the land of Canaan.  Joshua was the man God chose to lead His people into the land of promise.  If you remember, Joshua had been born a slave in Egypt (where he witnessed God’s miracles), learned much from Moses, and endured the 40 years of wandering.  He was one of only two to live through the time of wandering (Caleb being the other man).  Joshua covers about 25 years of history.  Today we look at the first part and see where the Israelites (lead by Joshua) entered the land of Canaan   (Joshua 1-5), and conquered the land (Joshua 6-11).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  When we walk with God in the ways the Bible teaches, God will be with us.  We should not be afraid of anything.  Joshua proved this in his life as he led the children of Israel to conquer the Promised Land.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 27 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 27 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we made a banner with the verse Joshua 1:9 on it.  We took brown craft paper cut to size to fit 2 dowel rods 12” long.  After gluing the paper to the dowel rods, you could tie brown yarn to each end of the rods to allow the verse to be hung. Write as much of the verse as your class is able.  Remind them that God will be with them when they follow Him, just like God was with Joshua!

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.