Obedience to the Lord- A Prelude to Victory in Christian Warfare (Josh.1:3-18)

The purpose of writing the book of Joshua is to give the history of Israel’s conquest of the promised land after they had journeyed through the desert for 40 years because of their repeated disobedience. This book records Joshua’s leadership of the people of God as he was chosen to be Moses’ successor. The significance of following the word of God is strongly emphasized as Joshua prepares to lead the Israelites into the promised land. Through a mentorship that spanned years of trials and triumphs Moses meticulously groomed Joshua, instilling in him the qualities and skills necessary to lead the people of God into their destiny. The key to his success is his submission to God in listening and obeying Him in everything. 

Joshua was the leader of the twelve spies sent to Canaan before Israel’s opportunity to enter the promised land (Num. 13:4-16). Caleb and Joshua returned from Canaan with a distinct report unlike the majority. It was demonstration of the deep faith and trust in God’s empowering promise to overcome the challenges for a conquest. Joshua, as a brilliant military leader and a strong spiritual influence believed God would give them the land. Moses was not allowed to lead Israel into the promised land because of his disobedience (Num. 27:12-14). God miraculously sustained Israel in the wilderness until a new generation was ready to trust God’s promise for Canaan. The book of Joshua is the story of the generation of faith taking the promised land. This is not a representation of heaven, but a place of rest and security that may be enjoyed by every believer under the new covenant. This is the promise of rest from Hebrews 4:1, the rest that remains for the people of God (Heb. 4:9) that Joshua pointed to but did not completely fulfill (Heb 4:8). Christians are destined to enjoy this rest when they finally cease their pilgrim journey and spiritual battles for a place of security God has promised as an inheritance.

The passage Joshua 1:3-18 highlights several key aspects of obeying and valuing God’s word is crucial for victory. 

God’s covenants as a foundation

Covenants are commitments that bind God and man together in relationship. Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants are to be specially focused here. The promises God gave Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 are the basis for the Abrahamic covenant. God promised Abraham- seed, blessing and land. These promises were formalized into a covenant in Genesis 15. It was unconditional in the sense that Abraham was not obligated to do anything and nothing is mentioned about the time of fulfilment. 

The relationship God established with Abraham’s descendants in this covenant was that of the Father with His firstborn son. The other covenant in view in Joshua is the Mosaic covenant. This was made with the nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai following their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Exodus Ch.2- Numbers Ch.10). God revealed how His people could enjoy a close spiritual relationship with Him. There are significant differences between two of the above covenants. The fulfillment of what was promised under the Abrahamic covenant not at all conditioned-on Israel’s actions, whereas fulfillment of the blessings promised in the Mosaic covenant depended on Israel’s obedience. 

Scriptures reveal that the Mosaic covenant was terminated at the cross of Jesus Christ (Rom. 7:6; 10:4; 2Cor. 3:7-11; Gal.5:1; Heb. 7:11-12). But no indication is given that the Abrahamic covenant has ever terminated. Joshua referred to God’s election of Abraham and his descendants for blessing in Joshua chapter 24, where he called on Israel to recommit to the Mosaic covenant. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new covenant. He had to seal the covenant with His own blood and gave himself as a ransom for many (Heb. 12:24). Under the new covenant we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and we have the peace of God (Phil.4:7). There are many in Christianity who do not reckon Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man but go after the mediatorship of other human beings. It is a deviation from obeying the scripture. 

God’s faithfulness in giving Israel the promised land:

The book of Joshua has often been seen as having two major divisions: the conquest of the land (chaps. 1-12) and the division of the land (Chaps. 13-24). The record of the division of the land ends with chapter 21 and follows the instruction for settlement in the land (22-24). The land was promised to the patriarchs, anticipated thereafter, and finally claimed by Joshua. The record of God giving the land to Israel is a major revelation of His faithfulness to His covenant promise. When God speaks, His word can be relied on. When He promises, believers can expect fulfillment no matter how unlikely it may seem. God’s people anywhere are encouraged by the book of Joshua to rely on the faithfulness of God. “I will give every place that you set your foot as I promised Moses” is affirmed by God to Joshua (Josh. 1:3). A declaration by God to His anointed one, the Messiah in Ps. 2:8 is in alignment with God’s purpose to the people everywhere, ask of me, I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. This verse is a promise of universal dominion, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel. This is often linked to the Great Commission in Mathew 28:19, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty over all nations and His plan to establish His kingdom through the chosen one. This can be seen as an encouragement to pray for the nations and to actively participate in the spreading of gospel to the ends of the earth.

The significance of strong and courageous leadership:

Moses had already recognized Joshua as his successor to lead Israel (Numb. 27:18-23). Though Joshua was not of noble birth or a literal son of Moses, there were many things that qualified him to succeed Moses.

(a). Joshua had led the army of Israel against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16).

(b). Joshua was an assistant to Moses (24:13)

(c). Joshua helped Moses at the Tabernacle after the golden calf disaster (33:7-11). (d). Joshua was zealous to preserve the authority and leadership of Moses (Num: 11:28). 

(e). Joshua was one of the two faith-filled spies among the twelve who spied out the land Canaan.

(f). Joshua was a man in whom is the Spirit (Num. 27:18). 

God used the consistent, demonstrated faithfulness of Joshua to prepare him for this essential role of leading Israel into Canaan. The opening verses of the book of Joshua announce that the time has come for the promises made to Israel through Moses to be fulfilled. The vision of the promised land is reaffirmed (1:4). God’s promise of His presence is transferred from Moses to Joshua (1:5). Joshua is called to “be strong and very courageous” as Moses had already commissioned him (Dt. 31:7). 

The Lord tells Joshua to be strong and courageous three times while he was preparing to cross Jordan (1:6,7,9). The size and duration of the task ahead, the pressures of leading such obstinate people, and the absence of his spiritual mentor, Moses, were heavy on Joshua’s mind at this time. But the Lord was not calling him without enabling him. There were good reasons for Joshua to be strong: God’s promise (1:5-6), a sure victory; God’s word (7-8), a safe guide; a sustaining power. God’s presence (V.9) This courage is to be directed in two ways; first to the battles ahead (1:6), and second, to the keeping of God’s commandments in the form of the book of the Law (1:7-8)  which stands over the whole action of the book. The success that Joshua enjoyed in the task of conquest would grow out of his relationship with the Lord and the law of the Lord. The fulness of the Holy Spirit is the key in serving people. We read that Joshua, son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.

Comprehend God’s plan for the clear direction in life.

There are some earlier passages in the Bible where God promised to give this land to the Israelites. (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:16; 17:7-8; Ex. 33:1-3); Dt. 4:5-8; 7:1-5; 12:2). Joshua was instructed to prioritize God’s word, keeping it on his lips and meditating on it continually, day and night. Yoga practiced widely in the world is a kind of deception, does not bring spiritual deliverance but focuses on emptying our mind. Meditation in Christian perspective is to fill our hearts with the word of God for victory in spiritual warfare. Spiritual leadership is grounded in a deep understanding and adherence to God’s commands. Recognizing God’s time in intervention is important wherever the people of God dwell in this world. There have been prophets lying before the people uttering own imaginations and declaring their God’s word. They are false prophets who appear to speak God’s message and get larger audience. Hananiah, a false prophet declared that the exile of the captives will be over within two years (Jer. 28:10). Here is the emergence of Jeremiah as a  true prophet who declares, “this is what the Lord says, when seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place, for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:10-11).  We find that prophet Daniel also aligned with others in Biblical history to discern the wonderful plan of God for His people. Daniel knew what prophet Jermiah had written that God would not allow the captives to return to their land for 70 years (Jer. 25:11,12; 29:10). God destined His own purpose in our life, and we need to discern to get aligned with it in our daily life. 

Obedience and submission:

The children of Israel were obedient and submissive to the leadership of Joshua. Their declaration in 1:16: Then they answered Joshua, “whatever, you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” That is the proper and profitable attitude of accepting God appointed leadership. These people had experienced the leadership of Israel’s greatest prophet, now they were willing to accept a change in leadership. They said, just as we obey Moses in all things, so we obey you (1:17). We come across rebellious mindset of the people in both Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Spiritual leaders are to be cautious of this in dealing such situations in the churches and Christian organizations. It is significant to create an environment where open and honest communication is encouraged, allowing healthy dialogue and conflict resolution. 

Restoring healthy relationship in Christian warfare:

It involves vertical and horizontal dimensions in life. Joshua strongly advocates for the Israelites to worship and serve the one true God, the Lord and to reject idolatry. He emphasizes his commitment at Shechem, urging them to choose between serving God or the idols of their ancestors and the Amorites. His famous declaration,” But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15), underscores the importance of personal and familial devotion to God. Throughout Joshua 24, Joshua emphasizes that worship involves not just acknowledging God but also obeying Him and remaining faithful. Joshua emphasized the importance of following God’s commands and led the people in rituals like the crossing of Jordan and the taking of Jericho, all while maintaining a focus on God’s guidance. He addressed the issue of Achan’s sin, demonstrating that he held the people accountable for their actions and emphasizing the need for repentance. 

Jesus Christ was teaching a lesson from conversation with the Samaritan woman that God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and truth. True worship is through Jesus Christ, who is the truth (Jn. 14:6), the only mediator between God and man (1Tim. 2;5). When Christ is sanctified in our hearts, purity, integrity, and sincerity gets reflected in our worship. The pattern of relational function in the Trinity, where knowledge of one another, unity and will, and expression of love are evident, becomes the model for Christian. We are to promote loving relationships in a community where people are segregated by class, race, caste, language, religion, ideology, etc. The vertical relationship is foundational, and the horizontal is to be built upon it. 

Christian life is a warfare and needs the power of His might:

The hosts of Satan are committed to hinder and obstruct the work of Christ which lead people to the kingdom of God. Satan has various strategies- discouragement, frustration, fear, confusion, moral failure, doctrinal error, disunity etc. Our battle is against demonic forces that stand up like Jericho wall which Joshua and the people of Israel confronted in the Old Testament period. We must take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand the formidable foes (Eph. 6:13-18. Among them the soldier takes the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Jesus Christ quoted scripture in resisting temptation by Satan three times (Luke 4:1-13). 

Christian warfare or Spiritual warfare is a reality and continues in the present age and increases, so that the Christian congregations need more awareness of the consequences. Satan blinds the eyes of the unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4) and snatches the Word away when it is planted in their hearts (Luke 8:12). He gains physical control and oppresses people, bringing physical harm to those he thus affects (Luke 8:26-39; 9:37-43). He tempts (Acts .5:3; 1Cor. 7:5; I Thes. 3:5). Accuses and slanders (Rev. 12:10), discourages (1Pet. 5:6-8) and persecutes believers (Rev. 2:10). Spiritual warfare is both personal and corporate. Satan attacks churches, mission agencies, and church planting movements. He sows the seeds of doubt, mistrust, jealousy, anger, resentment, pride, and envy. He stimulates opposition from individuals, organizations, social structures and governments, Harsh laws are made in certain countries to hinder people coming to Christ. 

Spiritual warfare is a reality, and the need of every Christian is to have awareness of the spiritual equipment and the power to exercise spiritual authority over demonic power.