Moses and Joshua are both known as great leaders, but sometimes I don't think that we realize the commonalities and connections between these two godly men. Here are a few of the parallels and connections in the life of Moses and Joshua as God works through them to lead his people from the land of Egypt to the land of Promise:
Moses comes to a place where he is “on holy ground” (Ex 3)
--Moses celebrates Passover with Israel (Ex 12)
----Moses leads Israel across the Sea (Ex 14)
------Moses ascends the mountain with Joshua below (Ex 32)
--------Moses delivers the covenant before Joshua and the people (Ex 34)
----------Moses and Joshua in the wilderness with the people (Numbers)
--------Moses reviews the covenant before Joshua and the people (Deut)
------Moses ascends the mountain with Joshua below (Deut 34.1-4)
----Joshua leads Israel across the Jordan River (Josh 3)
--Joshua celebrates Passover with Israel (Josh 5.10-12)
Joshua comes to a place where he is “on holy ground” (Josh 5.13-15)
Isn't it interesting how their lives focus on God's time with his people in the wilderness? (The above structure is called a chiasm by biblical scholars.) The Passover with Joshua may not seem like a large matter at first, but when you consider that it had not been celebrated for years (none of the males had been circumcised, Josh 5; see the rules in Ex 12) this makes the parallel more striking.
In addition, here are some interestingly similar events:
Both led the Israelites across a boundary (geographical and spiritual) of water
Both won a great battle with their hands extended up before God (Moses with a staff, Joshua with a javelin)
Moses led the first celebration of Passover in Egypt; Joshua led the first celebration of Passover in Canaan
21 May, 2005
Quote for the day . . .
"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." - Viktor Frankl
20 May, 2005
Joshua 22, thoughts on conflict resolution
I want to take our thoughts to near the end of Joshua's life. The promised land is theirs. 600 years of promise have come to fruition, and with all the good that has happened one scene catches my attention. The land is conqured, and the 2 and 1/2 tribes can now return to the east side of the Jordan. They build an altar, and the west bank tribes see this as a threat to national unity, and they arrange a war party led by the grandson of Aaron, Phinehas.
The nation is on brink of a civil-religious war.
"If history is any teacher, the book of Numbers makes it transparent that internal crises (Numbers 11, 12, 13-14, 16, 20) carry a far greater potential to sidetrack the advancement of God's people that does an external crisis (Numbers 22-24). A Korah is more dangerous than a Balaam. God turns curse into blessing, but does not turn rebellion into blessing" (Victor Hamilton, HandBook on the Historical Books, 76).
The charges brought against the transjordan tribes are three fold.
1. They are guilt of apostasy. They have turned away from following the Lord....
2. The two and one-half tribes are guilt of rebellion...
3. The third charge is that of "breach of faith" (Hamilton, 77).
The nation of Israel has several incidents from their past to serve as markers of the dangers of internal strife (Achan Joshua 7 and Peor Numbers 25) and "if one individual could, via his unfaithful actions, threaten the existence of all Israel, how much more could two and one-half tribes do so! Hence, this act of religious malfeasance must be aborted promptly" (Hamiton, 77-78).
As it turns out the delegation come to blot of their brothers are misinformed. At least to Phinehas' credit and those with him, they take the time to discuss the construction of this altar. It turns out that this newly built altar is to serve as a reminder to the west bank tribes that the transjordanians are God's people too.
Boy, our churches would do well today to talk out issues. I can think of numerous stories of misinformed, maybe well-intentioned believers have castigated or even ex-communicated brethern over an issue that they didn't even take the time to find out more information about.
I have even noticed today that once the rumor mill gets started, some of our people don't take the time to check out the rumor at all and assume since brother so and so reported the news that it must be true, or brother so and so found the information of the internet and therfore it must be true.
When we will learn that it is better to talk about our problems however, misinformed or whatever our mis-perceptions maybe.
In youth culture, this sort of thing is real too. She/he said such and such. Maybe we all have encountered this sort of thing with our own kinds or once was caught in the middle of one of these accusastions.
I am working with a young man right now who seems to jump at the first indication of trouble. Someone is talking about him or his family, and he would rather react with his fist than respond with gospel ethics.
History is great teacher. When will we learn?
Could this be a let's talk topic, if we haven't already set those topics in stone? (Gossip, rumors, dealing with these issues, etc.)
The nation is on brink of a civil-religious war.
"If history is any teacher, the book of Numbers makes it transparent that internal crises (Numbers 11, 12, 13-14, 16, 20) carry a far greater potential to sidetrack the advancement of God's people that does an external crisis (Numbers 22-24). A Korah is more dangerous than a Balaam. God turns curse into blessing, but does not turn rebellion into blessing" (Victor Hamilton, HandBook on the Historical Books, 76).
The charges brought against the transjordan tribes are three fold.
1. They are guilt of apostasy. They have turned away from following the Lord....
2. The two and one-half tribes are guilt of rebellion...
3. The third charge is that of "breach of faith" (Hamilton, 77).
The nation of Israel has several incidents from their past to serve as markers of the dangers of internal strife (Achan Joshua 7 and Peor Numbers 25) and "if one individual could, via his unfaithful actions, threaten the existence of all Israel, how much more could two and one-half tribes do so! Hence, this act of religious malfeasance must be aborted promptly" (Hamiton, 77-78).
As it turns out the delegation come to blot of their brothers are misinformed. At least to Phinehas' credit and those with him, they take the time to discuss the construction of this altar. It turns out that this newly built altar is to serve as a reminder to the west bank tribes that the transjordanians are God's people too.
Boy, our churches would do well today to talk out issues. I can think of numerous stories of misinformed, maybe well-intentioned believers have castigated or even ex-communicated brethern over an issue that they didn't even take the time to find out more information about.
I have even noticed today that once the rumor mill gets started, some of our people don't take the time to check out the rumor at all and assume since brother so and so reported the news that it must be true, or brother so and so found the information of the internet and therfore it must be true.
When we will learn that it is better to talk about our problems however, misinformed or whatever our mis-perceptions maybe.
In youth culture, this sort of thing is real too. She/he said such and such. Maybe we all have encountered this sort of thing with our own kinds or once was caught in the middle of one of these accusastions.
I am working with a young man right now who seems to jump at the first indication of trouble. Someone is talking about him or his family, and he would rather react with his fist than respond with gospel ethics.
History is great teacher. When will we learn?
Could this be a let's talk topic, if we haven't already set those topics in stone? (Gossip, rumors, dealing with these issues, etc.)
Quote for the day . . .
"Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive knowledge, and the heart for truth." - Madam Guizot
19 May, 2005
Do not fear . . .
At the beginning of the book of Joshua, the Lord signals his choice of Joshua as the man to step into the shoes of Moses. As Joshua accepts this role, God gives him counsel to guide him in his service as leader of Israel:
"Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged." And at the beginning of Joshua's span of leadership, fearlessness is a hallmark of his service. As a matter of fact, from Josh 1 through Josh 6, all of the fear and terror is on the side of Joshua's enemies. Their hearts were melting with fear. But then Ai happens.
After the disaster at Ai, Joshua trusts less in his judgment. Now he has lost soldiers in combat. Now a loss tarnishes his record. After Ai, before every major battle, the Lord personally encourages Joshua with these words, "Do not be afraid."
Before the return to Ai (Josh 8.1)
Before the battle of the five kings (Josh 10.8).
Before the battle with Jabin (Josh 11.6).
Those words are followed with different instructions or predictions, but the most important part of the message is personal and to the point, "Don't be afraid, don't worry; this is what I want, and I will help you accomplish it."
Why this encouragement? Why the counsel up front to avoid fear? I believe that God well understands the burdens and dangers of leadership and he knows that fear is prominent among them. Some of you might answer that the leaders you know are among the most fearless people that you know. Some of them are; but some of them only appear to be.
Because of their experiences, some leaders struggle with fear. Fear of failure. Fear of falling short of God's plan or desires. Fear of winning the wrong battles. Fear of parts of the job for which we're not suited. Fear of a follower being lost or hurt or worse. Fear of having personal weaknesses exposed. Fear of a personal failure tainting a lifetime of public service. Fear of losing those closest to us because time is given to others who seem to demand it. God simply says, "Do not fear."
But what about discouragement? Sometimes discouragement is nothing but fear gone to seed. After we've avoided the things that make us fearful long enough, things just don't get done like they're supposed to be done. The inertia and the growing list of things to accomplish become the burden of discouragement. Or sometimes, a constant diet of listening to the fears and complaints of those who follow takes on a similar unbearable weight.
There is only one solution. Fear of the event is always worse than the reality. Do not fear, but go and do what God calls you to do.
How did things turn out? This advice becomes so engrained in Joshua's being that he, in turn, counsels his generals with the same advice, "Do not be afraid,"(Josh 10.25). And, in the end, Joshua urges his people to nurture only one fear: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness" (Josh 24:14, NIV).
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Josh 1:7-9 (NIV)Contained in the list of "do's" and "do not's" is a statement that finds echoes throughout the book of Joshua.
"Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged." And at the beginning of Joshua's span of leadership, fearlessness is a hallmark of his service. As a matter of fact, from Josh 1 through Josh 6, all of the fear and terror is on the side of Joshua's enemies. Their hearts were melting with fear. But then Ai happens.
After the disaster at Ai, Joshua trusts less in his judgment. Now he has lost soldiers in combat. Now a loss tarnishes his record. After Ai, before every major battle, the Lord personally encourages Joshua with these words, "Do not be afraid."
Before the return to Ai (Josh 8.1)
Before the battle of the five kings (Josh 10.8).
Before the battle with Jabin (Josh 11.6).
Those words are followed with different instructions or predictions, but the most important part of the message is personal and to the point, "Don't be afraid, don't worry; this is what I want, and I will help you accomplish it."
Why this encouragement? Why the counsel up front to avoid fear? I believe that God well understands the burdens and dangers of leadership and he knows that fear is prominent among them. Some of you might answer that the leaders you know are among the most fearless people that you know. Some of them are; but some of them only appear to be.
Because of their experiences, some leaders struggle with fear. Fear of failure. Fear of falling short of God's plan or desires. Fear of winning the wrong battles. Fear of parts of the job for which we're not suited. Fear of a follower being lost or hurt or worse. Fear of having personal weaknesses exposed. Fear of a personal failure tainting a lifetime of public service. Fear of losing those closest to us because time is given to others who seem to demand it. God simply says, "Do not fear."
But what about discouragement? Sometimes discouragement is nothing but fear gone to seed. After we've avoided the things that make us fearful long enough, things just don't get done like they're supposed to be done. The inertia and the growing list of things to accomplish become the burden of discouragement. Or sometimes, a constant diet of listening to the fears and complaints of those who follow takes on a similar unbearable weight.
There is only one solution. Fear of the event is always worse than the reality. Do not fear, but go and do what God calls you to do.
How did things turn out? This advice becomes so engrained in Joshua's being that he, in turn, counsels his generals with the same advice, "Do not be afraid,"(Josh 10.25). And, in the end, Joshua urges his people to nurture only one fear: "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness" (Josh 24:14, NIV).
Quote for the day . . .
"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistence." - Daniel Hudson Burnham
18 May, 2005
New invitations
As of 12:45 today, "Big Don" Williams has been invited to be a part of our blog. Welcome!
Quote for the day . . .
"Compassion is the basis of all morality." - Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 - 1860)
17 May, 2005
Help for your search . . .
To make things on the blog easier to find, I've installed a topical index to help you find previous postings about specific subjects. This includes a list of postings about specific passages in Joshua. Just look on the bar on the left for the underlined word, INDEX.
Quote for the day . . .
"Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion." - George Wilhelm
16 May, 2005
Quote for the day . . .
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
15 May, 2005
In case you didn't know . . .
It has come to my attention that not all of you know that there are links on some of the postings. Anytime that you see that a word (or words) is underlined (and sometimes the color is different), then that word is probably a link. If you drag the cursor over the word and it changes to a pointed finger, then it is a link. If you click on it, your Internet program will take you to the site, just as a regular internet link would. An example of such a post is Aggies cross the Brazos. See, that was a link within the blog.
The underscored time beneath each post and on the left takes you to a page that has just that post and all of the responses (comments) to it. The underscored line on the right takes you to a page where you can make a comment. Have a happy blog!
The underscored time beneath each post and on the left takes you to a page that has just that post and all of the responses (comments) to it. The underscored line on the right takes you to a page where you can make a comment. Have a happy blog!
Quote for the day . . .
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these." - George Washington Carver
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