First Bible study: Beginning Well | Study 2: Continuing Well | Study 3: Finishing Well      Top Exodus 17:8-16; 24:12-14; 32:17-18; 33:3-11 Numbers 14:6-9 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 • Battling Amalek • Waiting for Moses; learning discernment; the "tent of meeting" • Giving a faithful report • New believers accepting God's Word The Christian life is compared to a race. Endurance is necessary (Hebrews 12:1), and we should run with the desire to obtain the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24). The man Joshua lived like that. His life can be studied as a type or illustration of Christ, the leader of God’s people. But in today’s studies we would like to consider Joshua as our example. He served God well all through his life, consistently and faithfully. Joshua was born a slave in Egypt. By contrast, Moses was raised in privilege in Egypt’s palace. They had very different experiences, yet God could use both of them because they were kindred spirits and had the same faith in Him. No matter who we are, that’s the secret of being useful for the Lord. As we look at the beginning of Joshua’s life with God, the first lesson concerns a battle. Up through chapter 16, the main direction in Exodus is, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13). But starting here in Exodus 17, there is conflict. There must have already been a relationship between Moses and Joshua, since Moses knew Joshua should lead this battle. But the text gives the battle itself as the first experience of Joshua. This is what happens to every Christian, too. After we are saved and redeemed by the Lord (illustrated by the Passover and the Red Sea), we begin the Christian life and find out immediately that we have been thrust into a spiritual battle. This battle is against Amalek. Amalek was a grandson of Esau, who sold his spiritually valuable birthright simply because he wanted to satisfy his hunger (Genesis 25:29-34). Therefore Amalek illustrates the Christian’s battle against the flesh, which always wants its own way and disregards God. If we don’t learn the lessons of this battle early in our Christian lives, we will have to learn them sometime, because the flesh is a persistent enemy. Victory first depends on appreciating the truths of salvation seen in the Passover and the Red Sea, as well as enjoying the daily manna, which represents Christ as that bread of heaven who came from God and brings us life (John 6:33). With those experiences as the backdrop, Moses instructs Joshua to lead the battle while he (Moses) will go to the top of the hill with the rod of God. Joshua could have objected to this plan (just as Moses had objected when God called him in Exodus 3). But he accepted Moses’ direction. The passage in 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 shows this same attitude—new believers who accept the word of God just as it is given. From the other side of things, Joshua could have been proud that he was the one chosen to lead the battle. But pride and the desire for honor would be exactly the problem illustrated by a battle against Amalek. Joshua learned that his natural strength was not enough for victory. He had to depend on Moses lifting up the rod of God, showing confidence in His divine authority. This picture reminds us of the service of the Lord Jesus for us in heaven now. He is our Great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Moses initiated the conversation with Joshua. It’s nice that an older believer seeks out and involves younger ones to encourage further spiritual growth. This kind of mentoring relationship focuses not merely on good advice but on God’s plan. Additionally, Joshua would not be alone; Moses would be on the mountain, overseeing the battle. Moses said, “Choose for us.” It’s important to realize there is an “us,” and it includes other believers as well as the Lord. We are not focused just on ourselves but on the relationships God has established. This battle requires perseverance! Sometimes Amalek prevailed, but Joshua continued to fight. We all will find that we give in to the flesh at times, but we should endure, keeping in the battle with the Lord’s help. God wanted to document this battle so Joshua would remember that Amalek will always be an enemy. This is an ongoing battle for every believer, in every generation and at every stage of life. Notice that the Lord gets the glory in victory: “The Lord is our Banner” was the concluding theme of this event. He is lifted up. The sword was used—the word of God—with support for Moses on the mountain from Aaron (the priest) and from Hur (whose name may mean “white,” suggesting God’s righteousness). In Exodus 24, Joshua learns a different lesson: waiting. He had broken the impact of Amalek, which is needed so we don’t become impatient. Moses did not even define how long the waiting time would last. A quiet, private time with the Lord is essential for spiritual growth, however, as other biblical examples also indicate (such as Paul in the desert of Arabia, Galatians 1:17). Notice that Joshua is called Moses’ assistant. He was an attendant, a minister, a servant. We might love to serve the Lord, but are we willing to do that by serving others? John Mark was the assistant for Barnabas and Paul, but he turned back (Acts 13:13). When Moses spoke about the time on the mountain, he told the elders that “we” would return to them; so Joshua knew that he would not move without Moses. Exodus 32 shows that Joshua did indeed wait for Moses all those forty days. Moses and Joshua evidently went partway up the mountain together, while the elders and others returned to the camp. Then Joshua waited while Moses went farther alone. Now, as Moses returns, the noise from the camp below reaches their ears. Joshua makes an assumption based on his past experiences of battle. He learns from Moses a lesson of discernment. In the New Testament, one aspect of discernment is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:10); but we are all responsible to discern between truth and error (1 John 4:6). Joshua had the comfortable kind of relationship with Moses which allowed him to share his thoughts freely. Without harshness or rebuke, Moses explained the situation more accurately, based on what he had learned from the Lord Himself. Joshua accepted this as from an older brother with more discernment about the situation. As Moses and Joshua reached the camp, they saw the people in a most wretched, debased condition as they worshiped idols and engaged in immorality. Moses had left the people in the care of Aaron, who previously had assisted in the battle against Amalek. But now Joshua would realize that you can’t trust people more than the Lord. He also saw that the people were to put off their ornaments. We can’t try to justify our behavior or make ourselves look good when we are standing in the place of repentance. Joshua separated himself from those who claimed the calf was their deliverer. He sought the Lord (Ex. 33:7), and as a result he would have heard God speak directly to Moses in the tent of meeting. This movement outside the encampment is applied in the New Testament to illustrate how Christians seek the place where the Lord’s presence is (Hebrews 13:13). It’s not that they were making a new camp, but it’s simply going to meet the Lord, since the Lord had been ignored inside the camp. Joshua had another experience of standing for the Lord when he and others spied out the land of Canaan. This was the land where God had promised to bring them, and it was proven to be a good land. Yet ten of the spies reported its dangers, while only Joshua and Caleb displayed trust in the Lord. They took an unpopular public stand, and they were immediately persecuted for it as the congregation spoke of killing them. The nation would have rather gone back to Egypt, whereas Joshua and Caleb appreciated all the good things of the land. For believers today, we should appreciate all the heavenly blessings of Christianity, for these are the blessings God has promised to us. Do we enjoy the truths of being forgiven, sanctified, and justified? Do we appreciate that we are sons of God and heirs with Christ? Do we remember that Christ intercedes for us, that He has promised to be with us, that He is coming again for us? The other spies saw the blessings of the land, but they also believed the dangers would overwhelm them. Joshua and Caleb knew that the Lord delighted in them and would be with them. They knew about the dangers but saw these as opportunities for victory. Faith is the key. Faith believes that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Second Bible study: Continuing Well | Study 1: Beginning Well | Study 3: Finishing Well      Top Numbers 27:15-23; Deuteronomy 31:1-3, 7-8; Joshua 5:2-15 Colossians 1:23 • Encouraged to remain faithful • Obeying God's commands • Continuing in the faith In the life of Jacob, there were many years of unfruitful time throughout his younger and middle years. By happy contrast, Joshua not only began well but continued well. He was “a man in whom is the Spirit” (Numbers 27:18). It’s a common feature that those in adversity were controlled by the Spirit of God—Joseph, Daniel, Stephen, and others. Through the prophet Haggai, God has promised His presence, His word, and His Spirit, and these are the three resources for Joshua and for us. When a new leader would be needed, Moses did not assume it would be Joshua. He did, however, ask the Lord for a shepherd. This is always the character of one who leads God’s people. By divine appointment, the Lord confirmed that Joshua was this kind of person. Moses addressed the Lord as the God of the spirits of all flesh; but God’s selection was not on the basis of knowing our spirits but on knowing who had His Spirit. Earlier there had been the uprising of Korah, and at that time the Lord confirmed that He had chosen Moses and Aaron. Now, due to their sin, this transition was required. The Lord intercedes for weakness; but for sin and death He had to die, so He does hold us accountable when we sin. Figuratively, we can add that the ministry of the law, seen in Moses, could not bring the people into the land. Following that thought, Joshua would represent Christ, who brought the ministry of the Spirit (compare 2 Corinthians 3:6). A leader is always more than just someone out in front. Leaders are involved with the people, as indicated by not only “he” but also “them” in verse 17. Joshua stood before Eleazar, the new high priest in place of Aaron who had died. In a sense, this suggests that Joshua is connected with resurrection. He can be considered a picture of the risen Christ. By what means could Joshua lead the people if Moses had already failed? One indication is found in the reference to the Urim, which was one of the stones carried by the high priest. These seem to be used when the people needed to ask the Lord for guidance about something (for example, Ezra 2:63). In addition, the Lord’s presence was promised. Asking the Lord for wisdom and seeking His presence are always the source of our endurance for a task. In Deuteronomy 31 there is a review of what the Lord said to Moses at this time. It includes the phrase that Moses was to put some of his honor on Joshua. This is like conferring “moral weight” from one servant of God to another, which will be recognized by others when one’s life is Spirit-controlled. Leadership starts in the presence of the priest (Numbers 27:21). We have the throne of grace always available. Joshua and Moses met again in the tent of meeting with the Lord (Numbers 31:14). After crossing the Jordan River, which itself contains many lessons, the people entered the land. They are vulnerable, and they are made even more vulnerable by being circumcised. This is an important mark of separation, and for the Christian it represents “putting off the sins of the flesh” (Colossians 2:11). The recognition that we can have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3) is an important step before we can possess our heavenly blessings. Moses dealt with unbelief among the people. Perhaps he had not insisted on circumcision in the wilderness because of the conflict it stirred in his own wife, as well (Exodus 4:24-26). Joshua, however, deals with the fleshly activities of the people, and in this way he is the one God uses to establish the circumcision once again. God gives an additional meaning to this circumcision: Gilgal means “rolling,” and the Lord said He had rolled away the reproach of Egypt from the people through this action. The ways of Egypt, picturing the world around us, emphasize confidence in the flesh. If we imitate the decision-making processes used by unbelievers, we will forget our dependence on God. But this is a reproach to God’s people, and now that had been removed. Having been to Gilgal, the people could enjoy food. First, they kept the Passover. This was a reminder of their deliverance. Second, they ate the manna, which represents the life of Christ who came down from heaven (John 6:33). The manna stopped soon afterwards, because now they had a new source of food: harvested grain. This was the food of the promised land. Some Bible translations call this “the old corn of the land.” This refers not to ears of corn as we might think of it, but to seeds of grain. The grain was old in the sense that it was already harvested and stored up for them. They did not have to do the work themselves! Grain is another picture of the risen Christ in heaven. It sprouted from the seed in the ground but grew above the ground (unlike the cucumbers, melons, onions, and garlic that the people remembered from Egypt, Numbers 11:5). For believers today, we say that we should set our affections on heavenly things, because that is where Christ is seated (Colossians 3: 1). This is the secret of continuing well: keeping our eyes on the Lord and on His promises. Third Bible study: Finishing Well | Study 1: Beginning Well | Study 2: Continuing Well      Top Joshua 23:1-3, 14; 24:14-31 2 Timothy 4:6-8 • Reviewing God's faithfulness • Exhorting the people to serve the Lord; leaving a legacy • Finishing the race Joshua lived a life of consistency—not of perfection, but a life devoted to the Lord. Some start well but end poorly, like King Saul; others start poorly but finish by following the Lord, like Jacob. Yet Joshua was steadfast from early in his life until the end. Some believers have to say, “I wish I had been more like this” or “I wish I had done more of that.” Joshua lived a life of no regrets. Now, at the end of his life, Joshua was concerned about the future. When Hezekiah was told of future troubles, it didn’t worry him as long as he would have peace in his own time. Joshua was not like that, and he wanted the people to remember the Lord after he was gone. He reminds the people that God had fought for them, reaching their consciences; but he also seeks to reach their hearts by reviewing God’s faithful promises (Joshua 23:14). The last words of various people are often very significant: Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Paul, and of course the Lord Jesus Himself. Paul emphasized the grace of God, the word of God, and so on (Acts 20:24-28); here Joshua emphasizes “the Lord your God” a number of times. Timothy had been instructed to remember Paul’s correct doctrine, a good lifestyle, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, and endurance (2 Timothy 3:10-11). Timothy was to continue in what he had learned as a child from his mother and grandmother. These are features of Joshua as well. All God’s promises are always kept. Every believer can say, “Not one word has failed of all His promises,” because in Christ all of God’s promises are “Yea and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20)—that is, they are confirmed to be true. Notice that this was a time of rest (Joshua 24:1). It was a kindness of the Lord to allow a time of peace; but this can also be a danger, because we may fall into forgetfulness and smugness about our own selves, and we may stray from the Lord. Therefore the elders of the people needed this exhortation to serve Him sincerely. It was a time for decisive, consistent service. It’s good to know our history. Their ancestors had served idols on the other side of the Euphrates River (which some translations call “the flood”), before God called Abraham. Will we lapse into following only our historical traditions? More recently, the people had served false gods in Egypt. Will we find this world’s gods attractive too? Or will we be real with God? The lands of idols, Mesopotamia and Egypt, are also the lands of rivers. They did not have to depend on rain from heaven for their supply. This is the attitude of the world: to leave out God. Whose faith are we relying on? The elders could not rely on Joshua; they had to have faith themselves. What about teens who leave for university? What about adults whose faithful parents pass away? We need to have our own faith. Also, we need to know the faith on which we stand. Joshua had already reached this point, determined to follow the Lord. It was first “me,” then “my family,” and together they would serve the Lord. He had influenced them for good; and they were wholly with him, not a hindrance to how the Lord wanted to use him. Joshua’s review of God’s faithfulness gave the people an outline of truth that they could use in response. They simply returned to what Joshua had said. This is an aspect of a good teacher, who provides truth clearly so that those who hear it can hold on to it. Joshua encourages them to consider their intentions. They had idols themselves, too, and these had to be put away. This is the challenge of Shechem, where previously Jacob had buried his family’s idols and now the elders of Israel removed theirs. Don’t play games with God! God is still holy and jealous for His honor (which is different from being jealous of what rightfully belongs to someone else). God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). We cannot sit all day in a conference and then leave and do what we want. Joshua also made a covenant with them, writing a record of that day and setting up a physical reminder of their decisive statement. God allows us to experience specific moments when we know we need to consider our ways and follow Him. These elders responded decisively, and the reality of their words is proven by their obedience (Joshua 24:31). The nation followed God all the days of Joshua and also all the days of these elders, the next generation. Joshua’s faithful example allowed him to influence others even beyond his lifetime, and others finished well because of him. = = = = = This third Bible study was followed by a time for additional Bible teaching. Two short messages were given, and those notes follow. = = = = = Good success By any measure, we could say Joshua had a successful life. He achieved things that are worth achieving. What was worth doing, he did; what he set out to do, he accomplished. We might say, “That was Joshua, a giant of faith; I can’t do what he did.” But the reason for his success is not a secret. Joshua 1:8 records God’s words to Joshua: “Meditate in the book of the law, do what is written, and then you will have good success.” Psalm 1 also illustrates the blessings of the one who meditates in God’s law day and night. Meditation is not emptying your mind, as it is used in popular culture or mystical religions; instead, it is filling your mind with the word of God. Meditation is illustrated in C. S. Lewis’s book The Silver Chair, in which the main characters are supposed to recite certain Signs in order to know which way to go. It’s like putting a favorite song on repeat so we can hear it over and over. It’s the illustration of the clean animals in the Old Testament, who chew the cud—taking in food, then chewing it again, processing it for an extended period. Meditation is both day and night. How do we spend our evenings? How do we use our computers and media? In our digital age, we might say, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouse clicks.” Success is what happened to Mary when she broke her box of ointment and anointed the feet of the Lord Jesus. She heard Him say, “What this woman has done will be spoken about forever.” This is our situation when the word of Christ dwells in us richly (Colossians 3:16). Dwelling indicates finality and rest, like when the righteousness of God dwells in the new heavens and the new earth—not reigning or controlling, but resting. As the hymn writer said, “In Thy presence we are happy.” When we meditate on the word of God, letting it fill and satisfy us, we will have good success like Joshua. The life of faith Read Galatians 2:19-20. Everything we have considered today is contained in these verses. There was the sentence of death because of the law; but now, since I have died, the law is done with me. My old self is crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, He lives; so I also live by faith in Him. Christ is my life. Like Joshua, our faith has to have the right object. If faith is only contained within ourselves, we are like sailors who face a storm at sea and throw their anchor down into the hold of the ship. This leads only to disaster. But the Lord Jesus is our object, because He gave Himself! This display of love attracts us to Him, and then we live by faith with Him before our eyes.