The historical context of our study is the allotment of the Promised Land of Canaan described in Joshua 13: 1 through 14:5.
Joshua, the son of Nun, was Moses’ assistant for 40 years as Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness, from the Red Sea to the banks of the River Jordan. Under Moses’ leadership, many miracles were performed, kingdoms were conquered, and vast land on the east side of the Jordan became the Israelites’ possession. Since Moses did not have the privilege of crossing the river to the Promised Land and possessing it, Joshua was commissioned to finish the task.
As we read in the early chapters of Joshua, he won many battles. Miraculous victories were won, as against Jericho. But when there was disobedience, there were also defeats, as in the case of a small town, Ai.
Now Joshua is old. The whole territory has not been conquered. There is a long list of kingdoms yet to be conquered. But his role in possessing the land is over. There is a very significant statement of God in 13:6 — “You divide the land as I have commanded; and I will drive them out!” The following chapters describe how Joshua divided the land in obedience to the command of God.
The victory of Joshua and the Israelites over their enemies, and the possession of the Promised Land, serves as a type of our victories and possession of God’s promises in the New Testament context. Some salient features of this story are to be examined carefully. Moses was the one who was called out to lead the Israelites from Egypt, to take them through the wilderness to the Promised Land, conquer the enemies, and divide the possession among the various tribes. He was a very capable leader, used by God to perform spectacular miracles and win many battles. God certified him to be a very humble person. But for one act of slight disobedience (that we may consider rather insignificant; see Numbers 20:8-12; Deuteronomy 32:51-52) he was denied the privilege of entering the Promised Land.
Moses teaches us a lesson or two here. Moses already had somE victories. His goal and desire were to lead his people across the River Jordan and settle them there in the Promised Land. He could have argued that his inappropriate behavior of striking the rock instead of speaking to it at Meribah did not call for such drastic punishment; it was just a momentary lapse of composure. He did not argue and try to justify his action.
Still water gushed out of the rock. God performed a miracle and met His people’s need, but Moses lost his privilege of crossing over to the Promised Land. God’s performing a miracle does not mean that He overlooks our mistakes and disobedience.
When Moses came to the River Jordan, which was overflowing in that rainy season, he could have waited for a few days or months and crossed the river when the water subsided — no need of a miracle! Unlike our usual responses, this leader submitted to the plan of God, whether he liked it or not. He passed the baton to the next generation.
I remember being with some eminent leaders of our movement more than 40 years ago. One of them addressed me and said, “ Our time is up; now it is your turn to continue the work of the Lord.” Victories are won when a leader does not insist that he alone can finish the task and hang on. Unlike Moses, Saul did not relinquish his kingship when God removed the anointing from him and chose David instead. How sad is the rest of his story!
Joshua was used mightily to continue the mission begun 40 years earlier. Under his leadership, the Israelites won many battles. Now he was old. His immediate task was to divide the land of Caanan among the various tribes. But there is a hitch. There are still some unconquered territories. God says, “I myself will drive out the Sidonites before Israelites.” Now you divide (in advance). The subjugation is God’s business; Joshua’s is to divide, i.e., to distribute among the tribes as if it were theirs. God asks him to exercise his faith. It means that some tribes or families were assigned land that was still under enemy control. Those people might get angry and revolt. The leader has to trust God’s word and obey Him regardless of the immediate circumstances or fear of reprisal from the people. That is true faith. Victories are won when leaders lead in faith and act decisively in obedience to God’s word.
The next few chapters of the Book of Joshua give us the details of how the land was divided. It was not a one-man show. In 14:1 we read that Joshua, Eliazer, the priest, and the heads of the tribes did it together. Let others, especially spiritual people and leaders at the next level, have their say in leadership decisions. There is great wisdom in the counsel of many.
In 14:2, it is mentioned that the allotment was made as the Lord had commanded Moses — by lot. It is always wise to listen to the previous leaders. Victories are won when the new generation respects the previous generation and builds on what they began under the pattern given to them by God. We should be spiritual enough to discern what is of God and what is the old generation’s own doing and teaching. The word of God comes first, then only the traditions established by the fathers. In the present world we live in global communities. When there is a conflict between the propensity to adapt to the new culture on the one hand and to hold on to the old values of our fathers on the other, it is imperative to evaluate the values and practices using Scriptural admonition. Spiritual victories are won when leaders listen to God and fight on Biblical principles, and the people follow them. As we see in Joshua 14:1-5, that is how the Israelites won over their enemies.
For the present-day church, the enemies are not the Philistines, the Geshurites, the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and all the other groups of people that resisted the Israelites and fought against them. We are in a spiritual battle against the devil. He uses many schemes according to the climate of the society and the nature of man. In 1 John 2:16 we read, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (ASV)It is true that Christians all around the world are facing great opposition. Political systems, government authorities, social structures, and in some cases their own families, are against Christians. But the true enemies of the gospel and the church are spiritual forces. The visible opponents are inspired and energised by the devil.
Unlike the time of Moses and Joshua, the church’s victories are not determined by the number of enemies killed, how much physical territory can be claimed as Christian nations, or how big our churches and congregations are. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephersians 6:12 ESV) Our constant fight is against the world system, the self that yearns to be conformed to the world, and Satan himself. The lesson from Moses and Joshua serves as guidelines for our victories, as well.
• Be obedient to God even in matters we may think insignificant. As God’s children, we need to confess even our small failures. Miracles at our hand don’t justify our mistakes.
• Be prudent to recognize when it is time to relinquish our responsibilities to the next generation. Prepare and empower capable leaders to assume the responsibility. As a Christian leader said, “success without a successor is failure.”
• Do not insist on holding on to the traditions which are not Scriptual.
• Wherever needed and whenever possible, consult with your associates on how to put God’s plan into practice.
• Pay attention to God’s directives, whether through the written Word of God or through the Holy Spirit. Interpretation of what you hear should not be biased or driven by selfish motives.
The spiritual victory of Christians, especially leaders, depends on passing three examinations.
The first one is with regard to handling money. Faithfulness and accountability in money matters are necessary for spiritual victory. Whether you are an employee or a minister, if you cannot overcome the temptation to misuse any amount of money given to you for God’s work, or that belongs to someone else, failure in spiritual life is guaranteed. This is the lust of the eye. You saw something attractive and want to possess it. Name it and claim it!
Some years ago, when a Christian leader told me that many leaders of successful Christian ministers could not repent, I was confused and astonished. Then he explained. They have amassed great wealth through their ministry. Money was given mostly by ordinary folk, assuming it will be used for ministry and helping others. When they used it for luxurious living and pleasure and saved for their posterity, how can they repent? Will they repent like Zachaeus and return it for the intended purposes?
The second test is in sexual matters. This is an area where the devil is using very successfully against the kingdom of God. We regularly hear stories about great leaders with successful ministries failing this test. The consequences of this can be monumental. Many immature Christins lose their faith and backslide because a leader in whom they placed a lot of trust failed. The enemies of the gospel use this as a tool to discredit all ministries, leaders, and believers.
I was an ardent reader of a great author. His thoughts and stories inspired me in my writings and ministry. But when I read his recent confession of an extramarital affair for eight years, I could not believe it. My personal faith does not depend on his falling or on his standing firm. Would I still quote him in my writings and messages? I doubt! He declared that he would not write any more books or accept any speaking engagements. What a loss for the Body of Christ! He has repented and confessed his sin and can be restored to right standing with God. But what about his effectiveness as a very useful minister of the gospel and an effective Christian leader?
Every Christian has to be always cautious of this test. It is the lust of the flesh. Sometimes it will be a momentary lapse, and he may confess, and God will forgive him. Often repentance and confession are not easy, and the sinful practice might continue until exposed, and he would be judged to eternal damnation. Even if he were restored, it is possible that many of his followers would fall by the wayside.
The third test is with regard to power and the exercise of authority. Unfortunately, undue emphasis on position and power is prevalent in our society. Otherwise, why do people active in one political party switch to another one with a very different ideology because they did not receive proper recognition in the old one? But this is not confined to politics; look at the bickering for church leadership. All for power! This is the pride of life mentioned in 1 John 2:16.
Once a person comes to a position of authority, he is enveloped with pride. They want to be served always, even in minute matters. They forget that the intensity of spiritual opposition increases at the leadership level. Apostle Peter wrote, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith” (1Pe 5:8-9). Many leaders have lost their minds and their capacity to think clearly (to be sober-minded). James states the same thought in James 4:6-7: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” I hope the leaders, and the Christians in general, will realize that God opposes the proud. This means that, at the moment the devil is approaching as a roaring lion to tear them, their movement and ministry, God also is opposing them because of their pride and arrogance. Then whatever they accomplish is based on their own ability, not on God’s help. What a travesty that will be for a Christian leader!
In conclusion, we can reiterate that finishing well means total victory in all circumstances and at all times over all opponents. Examine regularly whether we are passing all the tests. If not, there are opportunities for retakes. Repentance, confession, and a decision to travel a new path are necessary. Submission to Godly counselors, obedience to the Word of God, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit are quintessential for total victory. Such a journey is the one, retracing the footsteps of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is learning to do everything the Master commanded and modeled – it is a journey of complete obedience to God. And this is the only means for total victory.
Jesus said from the cross, “It (i.e my mission on this earth) is finished!” Paul towards the end of his ministry, said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” This is the declaration of a totally victorious man who finished well!
