Jehovah Commissions Joshua Concerning Canaan
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
3/1/2020 PM
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Text:
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Joshua 1:1-5
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Psalters: |
263, 101, 4, 319 |
- The promised land.
- God had promised to give Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:7).
- Now Jehovah declares that He is ready to make good His promise to “give to them” (2; Deut. 9:1-5).
- Note that the boundaries listed in verse 4 are the ideal boundaries reached under Joshua (11:23; 21:43,45).
- The land of Canaan was a type of final salvation in Jesus Christ, of our eternal inheritance in the new heavens and earth.
- That the land was a gift did not mean the people would possess it effortlessly.
- The land of Canaan was not vacant, simply waiting to be possessed, but was occupied.
- Joshua and Israel would have to go into the land (“your foot shall tread upon”) and fight against the.
- Jordan must be crossed, battles fought, and cities captured before they would enjoy their inheritance.
- The possession of the land would be a consequence of their faith, not their fighting.
- There is beautiful harmony of God’s gracious giving of the land and their going over Jordan and fighting enemies.
- There is nothing contradictory between God’s gift and Israel’s efforts because He is the One Who gives them the desire and the ability to perform the efforts.
- So Joshua is commanded to arise and go over Jordan, he and all the people of Israel.
- God’s assuring promises.
- “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life.”
- “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” God unfailing presence.
- “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (cf. Heb. 13:5b,6).
- This is recorded for our sake also.