PREPARING TO LAY HOLD – Joshua 1:10-18

Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on August 28, 2013 under AM Bible Study |

AM Bible Study Group; August 28, 2013

Joshua 1:10-18

Theme: This passage teaches us great spiritual lessons through Joshua’s instructions to the people before crossing the Jordan to take possession of the promised land.

(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).

Sometimes, people mistakenly think of the Book of Joshua as a book that typifies our entry into heaven. ‘Crossing the Jordan’, they say, is symbolic of entering into our heavenly rest. There are even songs written about it. But as we come to this morning’s passage inf Joshua, it’s important to remember that this isn’t really a book that is symbolic of entering into heaven. The promised land was filled with challenges; and the people of Israel had to enter with weapons in hand and take possession of it. That’s not how we will be entering heaven! Rather, this is a book that teaches us about our life here on earth as God’s people—people who are certainly anticipating a glorious entry into heaven one day, but who are called upon to seize hold of our rich spiritual blessings through Christ for life in the here and now!

All the rich spiritual blessings in heavenly places are ours right now. They have been purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ . . .” (Ephesians 1:3). But even Paul Himself—who penned those words—affirmed, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). And that’s what this remarkably practical Old Testament book is about—embracing our identity in Christ, laying hold of the rich spiritual blessings God has already said are ours; and taking full possession of them in practical Christian living. We’re not to live like people who are still on the east-side of Jordan—living as helpless victims of the sinful passions of the past. We’re to rise up, cross the Jordan, and take hold of the victorious new life that God has made available to us through the resources of Christ.

The land that God was giving the Jewish people was already theirs—given to them as God’s gift. The fact that it was a gift from God is—in fact—affirmed five times in the first chapter (see vv. 2, 3, 6, 13, 15). But they were still on the east side of the Jordan. There’s a difference between being given something, and taking full possession of what one has been given. The land was theirs; and now, they’re about to do enter in and take possession of it.

In verses 10-18, we see . . .

I. THE CALL TO PREPARE TO CROSS OVER (vv. 10-11).

A. In verses 1-9, we read of God’s command to Joshua to be strong and lead the people. Now, having received that command from the Lord, we’re told, “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ‘Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, “Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess”‘” (vv. 10-11). Note that they were to tell the people to prepare provisions for themselves (or, as the King James Version has it, “Prepare your victuals . . .” For forty years, they had lived on manna. But now, they were to begin living off the land. By Joshua 5:12, we’re told that “the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land . . .” God was taking them off the diet of wanderers who were sojourning through the wilderness, and was putting them on the diet of those who had been given the promised land as their own inheritance.

B. The reason they had to prepare provisions for themselves was because they would cross the Jordan within three days and begin to take possession of the land. The mention of ‘three days’ is significant. It points to the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It is by Jesus Christ and His work for us on the cross that we are able to receive the spiritual riches God has for us. And it’s by Jesus (Joshua—”Yahweh Is Salvation”) that we are led to take possession of them. As it says in 2 Peter 1:2-4; “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust..”

II. THE COMMAND TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER (vv. 12-15).

A. Next, we see that Joshua speaks a word to the two-and-a-half tribes that chose to remain on the east of the Jordan. “And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, ‘Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land’” (vv. 12-13). In Numbers 32:1-42 and Deuteronomy 3:12-22, we’re told the story of how these tribes chose to remain on the east of the Jordan instead of seeking to settle in the land of promise. They were attracted to this land because it was good for flocks; but they eventually suffered for their choice. They were often vulnerable to the attacks of the enemies of God’s people. In the time of our Lord, this was “the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee” (Luke 8:26)— where the demon-possessed man dwelt among the tombs, and the people raised pigs urged that Jesus depart from them (vv. 27-39). We always suffer loss when we choose to live close to the ungodly, and and to rely on the resources of this world rather than in God’s promises!

B. Back when those two-and-a-half tribes made this decision, Moses bound them to a promise to support their brethren. If they would not cross over the Jordan to help their brethren take possession of the land, they would have no possessions among the rest of the people of God (Numbers 32:30). To fail to do so would be a sin; and Moses warned, “and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:33). Joshua now called upon that promise. “Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise” (vv. 14-15). They eventually did so; and Joshua released them to return to their land (Joshua 22:1-9); but their physical separation from their brethren began to cause problems right away (vv. 10-34). This is a warning to us that we cannot take possession of our spiritual riches in Christ as God would want us to unless we separate ourselves from the ungodly, and align ourselves with God’s promises. We can’t be blessed by God and flirt with the world at the same time. It’s time to cross the Jordan and be a separate people.

III. THE CONFIRMATION OF GOD-APPOINTED LEADERSHIP (vv. 16-18).

A. Nevertheless—at this time in their history—the two-and-a-half tribes were faithful to support the other tribes in their work of taking possession of their inheritance. We truly need each other in the body of Christ! “So they answered Joshua, saying, ‘All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go’” (v. 16).

B. And note in this how they are faithful to the leadership of Joshua: “Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage” (vv. 17-18). In the days of Moses, when he commanded the people to go in and take possession, the people were disheartened by the spies and refused to do so (see Numbers 13-14). They wandered in the wilderness for forty years as a result. Only Joshua and Caleb remained to enter into the land. Joshua survived that wandering, and is now commanding them—just as he had urged them forty years before—to rise up and take possession of what God was giving them. And they recognized his appointment from God, and obeyed his leadership. When God gives His people good spiritual leadership to lead them into the possession of their riches in Christ, they do themselves a great service by heeding that leadership. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would not be profitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). Praise God for the spiritual leaders He puts in our lives who lead us—according to God’s sure word— into lay hold of all our rich resources in Christ for victorious Christian living!