Lessons from the last days of Joshua

Lessons from Joshua’s Last Days

Lesson 1:

Pulling together as one is essential for success. We must support each other. Even when it appears that the issue is not our immediate problem we need to be attentive and be proactive in achieving the required objectives.

Joshua 22: 1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh 2 and said to them, "You have done all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. 3 For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the LORD your God gave you.

Lesson 2:
Obedience to those responsible for leadership produces positive results. The Reubenites were clear about what they wanted and had it in their grasp. Yet they denied themselves and obeyed the instructions of Moses. It was not convenient for them. They would have preferred to do otherwise. Yet, they obeyed....to their great benefit.

Joshua 22: 6 Then Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their homes. 7 (To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half of the tribe Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan with their brothers.) When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them, 8 saying, "Return to your homes with your great wealth—with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing—and divide with your brothers the plunder from your enemies."

Lesson 3:
Holding others accountable for doctrinal correctness is necessary even with those who are close to you.

Joshua 22: 10 When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. 11 And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, 12 the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.

Lesson 4:
The sin of individuals can have negative impact on the entire body. Achan was not the only one who died for his sin. When we are members of the Lord’s church we are not allowed to think that ours actions are our own private business. Our actions can invite God’s wrath upon the entire body.

Joshua 22: 18" 'If you rebel against the LORD today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel. 19 If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the LORD's land, where the LORD's tabernacle stands, and share the land with us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the LORD our God. 20 When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, [a] did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.' "

Lesson 5:
Unswerving and undiluted faithfulness to God is demanded of us. We have to be careful about our ties with the “Gods” of this world. Life throws up many things that we can idolize. Our spouses, our jobs, our pursuit of education, our possessions, cable and TV and our friends.

They become idols because we place them before our responsibilities to God.

Joshua 23: 6 "Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. 7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.

Lesson 6:

When you enlist God in your battles we can achieve results far beyond what we can accomplish on our own. The key to success is to commit everything that we do to God.

Joshua 23:9 "The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God."

Lesson 7:
God is true to His word. His promises come to fruition if we remain faithful and obedient.

Joshua 23: 14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.