Introduction
God commissioned Moses to go to Egypt, from where he ran away into exile, to deliver the children of Israel who were under cruel slavery. Moses fulfilled the task of delivering them and led them towards the Promised Land. Because of the unbelief of the children of Israel, God punished Israel to become wanderers in the wilderness for forty years. Moses lost the opportunity to lead them into the Promised Land, because of his rash act.
I. Possessing the Promised Land
Joshua was given the task of possessing the Promised Land. It was a task in which the existing inhabitants must be evicted, defeated and scattered. Now, watching the progress of Israel in the Promised Land, five kings made an alliance and wanted to defeat Israel. In this context, the Lord encourages Joshua. “And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you” (Joshua 10:8). Three practical implications are evident in this Promise of God.
1) Do not fear them:
This was not just an assurance, or encouragement, but commandment. Joshua had reason to fear as the enemies have a formidable formation of five armies coming together. Israel was an emerging nation. After wandering for forty years, now they were fit to become citizens. To become citizens, they must exercise their call and responsibility to inhabit the Promised Land, evicting the sinful nations. God promised Abraham the Promised Land they are going to inherit. That land would have inhabitants, and their sin will come to full measure so that God could execute his judgement. God was patient with those nations for 400 years, so that they could repent (Genesis 15:13-15). Since they did not repent, now they ought to be judged. God chose to use Israel as His tool of justice and judgement. Hence, Joshua should not be afraid, but bold as instruments of righteousness in the hands of God. Since they are under God’s judgement, they need not fear them, even though they were numerous.
The Lord commanded Joshua not to fear the enemies.Fear is an enemy of faith, other enemies are doubt and worry. Fear could eclipse faith in a believer’s life. Fear and faith cannot coexist. Fear clouds the mind and does not allow clarity in thinking. Instead of seeing God’s Hand, majesty, love, righteousness, power and justice, by faith, many perceive problems, challenges, and obstructions, greater than God. Believers should remember, one who indwells believers is greater than the one in this world (I John 4:4). Fear clouded the vision of Mary Magdalene, that see perceived the Risen Lord as a gardener (John 20:15). Fear paralyzed the disciples they assumed the Lord walking on water as a ‘ghost’ (Matthew 14:26).
Reverential fear for God dispels all fears, including fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). One does not fear death cannot be defeated. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Divine wisdom provides knowledge, understanding, prudence, and presence of mind needed to defeat the enemies. Jacob described God as ‘Fear of Isaac’ (Genesis 31:42, 53).
Fear also paralyzes a person and makes him unfit for warfare and even indecisive. Physical fitness is essential for warfare. So, it is mental fitness. In spiritual warfare, spiritual fitness of faith in the Lord, intimate communion with Him and surrender makes a person fit. Paul writes that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (II Timothy 1:7).
2) I have given them:
The Sovereign God of Heaven and earth could give any nation or king to another. However, he does this with righteousness, holiness, and to fulfill His glorious and eternal purpose. Lord is God of history and geography. Joshua need not fear, because God has delivered or handed over his enemies to him. The enemies could be numerous, well equipped, powerful and highly motivated, but they would fall before Joshua. The horses and chariots could be ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). God who assigns victory assigns it to Joshua and Israel. Hence, the efforts of all the five kings would be futile. God can sometimes commission His angels to destroy the enemies. An angel of the Lord killed 1 85 000 Assyrian soldiers who were invading the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of Hezekiah (II Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36; II Chronicles 32:21).
God neither changes his mind nor lie. (Numbers 23:19) His words are true. God does not edit or deny His promises. The truth is that He has authority, power, and resources to fulfill all His Promises. When the Lord said to Joshua that He had given them, it means a completed task for God. Joshua should believe and inherit the promise.
3) No one could stand before you:
Since, God is with Joshua, no man could stand in opposition to him. The person who is opposing Joshua would be fighting against God. It is impossible for any person to win against God. Paul writes that we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37). The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18). When God is for His people, who could be against His people? (Romans 8:31)
II. Possessing the World through The Great Commission
As God had given Joshua the commission to possess the Promised Land, has commissioned the Church to take the gospel to all creation (Matthew 28:18-20). all humans have a spiritual right to hear the gospel, know the truth, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and become a child of God (John 1:12). From the Promise given to Joshua, the Church could learn three principles of promise, which are applicable to fulfilling the Great Commission. As Joshua was confronted by an alliance of five kings, the Church has to face Satan, his demons or evil spirits, and people who are slaves to him. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He hates the Church and the people of God. His intention is to steal the joy, boldness, and even faith of the people of God. He wants to kill the faith, vision, love for God, and fervency of God’s people. Satan wants to destroy the people of God, so that Kingdom of God is destroyed. Nevertheless, all his efforts are futile and can never prevail against God.
1) Confronting fear
First, the Church should not be afraid of the world, its enormity, complexity, and wickedness.
The world is enormous. The population of the world increases every day. Generally, the births are more than the deaths. Hence, the challenge of reaching people increases as the population increases every day. The enormity of the task could overwhelm the believers, but they need not be afraid. God is greater than the challenge, and He is the one who governs, directs, and sustains the world.
The Church should not be afraid of the complexity of the world. One formidable challenge is the language. There are numerous languages and the Bible must be translated and given in all those languages. Missionaries in the past and now have invested many years of their lives to translate the Scripture in numerous languages. With new digital technology the translation time has been reduced, and the task of having the Bible in all languages could be accomplished fast.
People have different cultures. They may speak the same language but could have different cultural practices and even religion. Most people are proud about their culture and even consider their culture as divine and supreme, and all other cultures as inferior, and even devilish. Nevertheless, God has placed a vacuum in the hearts of people as well as in the culture, which is termed as redemption analogy to reach with the gospel. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The world is corrupt, wicked, sinful, and evil. All humans are descendants of Adam and have the DNA of sin. All humans are sinners and are opposed to godliness. Their heart inclination is towards sin. As gravity attracts all objects towards the earth, humans are naturally attracted to sin. Even those who are born again have to consistently resist sin. Paul writes though he wants to do good, is unable to do good, because sin that indwells in him, but is freed by the Spirit of God. (Romans 7:15; 8:1) These sinners are blinded by Satan, and are comfortable with sin, and some are even proud of their sinful lives. Hence, the task seems intimidating. But God sends the gospel light into the darkest soul to redeem and transform them. (II Corinthians 4:4-6)
2) Claiming Victory
Second, the Church should move forward from the position of victory to possess the whole world.
When the Lord rose from the dead, the sting of sin the death was defeated. Hence, Paul writes: Death, where is your sting, grave where is your victory? (I Corinthians 15:55) Once for all the atonement for sin was done. The blood of Christ cleanses those who believe from all sin. The author of the book of Hebrews write that the Lord took His own blood and entered the Most Holy Place in Heaven and sat at the right hand of the Father, as the eternal High Priest. (Hebrews 9;12) In the Temple or Tabernacle, there is no seat for the High Priest to sit as the task of atonement with animal blood has to repeated again and again. But the Lord entered once in all. Now, he intercedes with the believers.
Gospel preaching is the victorious declaration of God’s gracious work of atonement on behalf of sinful humans. Hence, they need not do any good or auspicious work or rituals or sacrifices to attain salvation. It is not only victory, but also indeed a complete and perfect victory. Paul writes this victory as: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-15) We progressively move from glory to glory, not defeat to glory, but glorious victories to glorious victories. (II Corinthians 3:18)
3) Unstoppable Kingdom
Third, should always remember, those who fight against God will perish. “And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” (Matthew 21:44) Gamaliel warned the Sanhedrin, not to fight against God as they cannot win against God. (Acts 5:39) Daniel foresaw the Kingdom of God which is like stone not cut by human hands but destroyed the huge statue representing the kingdoms of earth and crushing into powder. Then the rock becomes a mountain indicating the eternal kingdom of God (Daniel 2:35; 2:44-45).
The Kingdom of God is described as unshakeable (Hebrews 12:28). The kingdom of God has one unchanging king (Hebrews 13:7). Those who trust in Him will not be moved (Psalm 125:1-2). Believers belong to unshakeable kingdom with unshakeable faith, and hence no one could stand against them.
Yet, as Kingdom citizens the disciples to prioritize the Kingdom of God and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). There is a temptation to degrade priorities of Kingdom into an inferior order of life focus. Warning: A disciple who fails to prioritize may even cease to be a disciple.
Challenge
God calls people in each generation to do great things for Him. William Carey the Father of Modern Missions said: “Attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.” Saints of God through out history have attempted great things and accomplished great things because they believed in God, His empowerment, His promises, and His sustenance. As Joshua accomplished great things for his generation, God is seeking you and me to accomplish mighty things for him. Are we ready for that great call of God.
