Week #26 The General s Send Off Joshua 22

Transcription

1 Week #26 The General s Send Off Joshua 22 Presented live on March 8, 2015 I. Introduction and review A. We studied the Cities of Refuge 1. We examined their role in the legal system of the nation 2. And we looked at their possible typology B. We now enter the final section of the book of Joshua C. The division of the lands among the remaining 9 ½ tribes has been completed, but Joshua has some duties to attend to D. We need now to review the agreement between Moses and the the two and one half tribes from the East side of the Jordan [Reuben, Gad, ½ Manasseh] 1. Consider Num. 32:1-6, and Deu. 3: Their agreement was originally with Moses a. What did they agree to? b. To leave their families and possessions on the east side of the Jordan c. And to send their warriors over to the west side of the Jordan in order to fight with the rest of Israel s armed forces and to conquer the land of Canaan d. Consider Num. 32:17 does it appear that they are promising to be the spearhead of the attack, the point brigade so to speak in the ensuing battles [there is a disagreement over this perspective] e. Compare that to Jos. 4: Now consider their promise to Joshua [Jos. 1:16-18] a. Are they saying that they will act as his personal bodyguard and enforcers? Page 1 of 8

2 II. III. b. Whatever you conclude, their complete loyalty to Joshua is being promised E. Now we come to the time of their release The Release of the Eastern tribes A. These tribesmen had done their job and kept their promises [Jos. 22:1-3] 1. How often do we say that about people in the Scripture? 2. The battles, as a nation, had been fought and won 3. They had been away from their families for about seven years 4. Now it was time to be reunited with their families 5. This shows their loyalty and establishes the unity of the nation B. What we can learn from their example: 1. God honors dynamic a. Faithfulness, b. Loyalty, and c. The will to complete one s mission d. Remember: II Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2. God expects from us a. Faithfulness b. Loyalty and c. Perseverance to the end 3. How may can say that? Notice what Joshua does as the leader, as he addresses these tribes and the rest of the congregation [22:4-9] A. He discharges the 2 ½ tribes from their agreement and sends Page 2 of 8

3 them home [22:4] 1. The reason that they were discharged was that God had given the people rest 2. God had promised His people rest [22:4] a. x;wn nuwach {noo'-akh} Meaning: to rest b. But what does that mean? c. First, it is something way more than just physical rest, but does not exclude an aspect of physicality d. It involves both a rest of the body and of the soul e. Most importantly God s rest involves: (1) peace of heart and mind, (2) the assurance of security and protection, (3) purpose and meaning in life, and (4) fulfilment and satisfaction in your person f. Question: What good is victory without security? g. Consider the illustration in part found in II Chr. 16 (1) Bible study guide h. It also intimates a place; that is that Israel has a resting place or place to rest (1) Can we enter into that type of rest? (2) See Heb. 3:7 4:16 B. Thirdly he admonished these two and one half tribes [22:5] 1. An admonition from our pastor memorize Deu. 10:12 2. Joshua may very well have believed that he would not speak with them as a group again a. If so, how would that effect what he would say? b. Joshua being the spiritual leader that he was, was concerned about their spiritual welfare c. The nation had experienced victory because Joshua lead them in obedience and love of the Lord d. And that would be the foundation for continued peace and prosperity for his people 3. He is telling them that as they were in battle obeying their commander and following his commands Page 3 of 8

4 4. They now need to be diligent in obeying the Lord their God in peace time a. What happens to God s people if they are not obeying their God in peace time? (1) Either war will come (2) Or sever economic downturn (3) For the purpose of bringing the people of God back to Him 5. Notice the words and phrases that he uses: a. Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, (1) Be careful rm;v' shamar {shaw-mar'} Meaning: to keep, guard, observe, give heed (a) Make sure that you observe (b) Give it the highest priority (2) To observe hf'[' `asah {aw-saw'} Meaning: to do, fashion, accomplish, make (a) This word is not speaking of sight nor is it emphasizing perspective (b) As used here, it instead is a word of action or doing (3) The object of this action is two fold (a) God s commandments, and (b) God s law 6. Now Joshua speaks of the enablers to obedience a. to love the LORD your God (1) To love bh;a' 'ahab {aw-hab'} or bhea' 'aheb {awhabe'} Meaning: to love (2) The object of their love must be the Lord their God (3) Loving God has always been the first and greatest commandment (see Mark 12:29-30) (a) This commandment speaks of loving with: Page 4 of 8

5 (b) Our hearts, (c) Our souls, (d) Our minds, and (e) Our strength (4) Jesus said: If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. [John 14:15] b. to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, (1) To walk $l;y" yalak {yaw-lak'} Meaning: 1) to go, walk, come (2) This word here speaks of living or ordering your life (3) This meaning of the word is emphasized by the phrase in which it is set: walk in all His ways (4) In order to do that successfully, one must believe that is the correct way to go about living (a) It involves a belief in God and that this admonition comes from Him (b) It also involves an experiencial knowledge of Him and what He will do for the one who chooses to walk in His ways c. hold fast to Him (1) To hold fast qb;d' dabaq {daw-bak'} Meaning: to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch This is the same word used in Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. (2) This word pictures standing firm and never letting go of their Lord (a) Just as a husband should stand firm and not let go of his wife (and the same for the wife) (b) see Heb. 10:23 (3) This word includes the concept of staying true to Page 5 of 8

6 one (4) This cleaving and joining is a result of love and trust d. [to] serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (1) To serve db;[' `abad {aw-bad'} Meaning: to work, serve (2) Their service is to the Lord, not anyone or anything else (3) The phrase with all your heart and with all your soul speaks of the level of their commitment, that is their loyalty to their God (4) This is the natural response of those to who God had given: (a) The wonderful inheritance of the promised land (b) The power to conquer their enemies (c) His presence in the Tabernacle which He had designed for them, and finally (d) Because of who He is, this is the natural response e. Notice the progression: (1) love (2) walk (3) be joined (4) serve f. Loving God involves obedience, loyalty and service C. And finally he blessed them [22:6-8] 1. These east Jordan tribes were rewarded for their faithfulness in fighting for the promised land a. Faithfulness is always rewarded by our God (1) Consider the soul winner: Daniel 12:3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those Page 6 of 8

7 who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (2) Consider the humble believer: Matthew 10:42 "And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." (3) The faithful servant: Matthew 25:23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' (4) The believer who loves and practices goodness: Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. (5) There are many others 2. It was normally the job of the priests to pronounce blessings a. But the common people could bless others b. Especially a leader upon his followers c. Or a father upon his family d. So this scene ends with the great general asking a blessing on his fellow warriors 3. An example of blessing Listen again and again. It s all on-line Believer s Bible Class, & Douglas W. Brady Page 7 of 8

8 The Names of God Part 6 Yahweh Original Name English Primary Important Meanings Translation Scripture Yahweh LORD Gen. 39:9 1. The Holy God who judges us. (sometimes GOD ) Ps. 51: A name said with solemnity. Gen 3: A special name meaning I AM. Ex. 6:1-3 Ex 3: It speaks of timelessness. 5. It is being, the essence of life. 6. God, the uncaused cause. Page 8 of 8