The next Bible character that we will look at is Joshua. Throughout the Bible, God highlights several kinds of superstars. Some are insignificant, but, then God uses them in an amazing way to change the world. Others are born for a purpose and have to endure great trial and desperation to prepare for the mission that God has for them. Joshua, the son of Nun was a man that only desired to serve God and his chosen leader, Moses. In that service, however, God trained and prepared Him to be the man that claimed the long awaited promise of delivering God’s people to the promised land. But that is a ways down the road.
Joshua started as a slave in Egypt, and like many in his world, Joshua saw God deliver Israel from the Egyptians in a way that was unmistakably miraculous and final. After the Israelites were freed, they began their journey toward the promised land. While on their journey, They encountered the Amalekites. Moses saw in Joshua something he needed–a warrior. So Moses asked Joshua to gather an army and lead them into battle against the Amalekites. Joshua did as he was asked, and with God’s strength and Moses raised hand, Israel, the nation of slaves, won their first battle and became a nation of free people headed toward their inheritance.
It is very unlikely that Joshua was thinking that this day would be the start of a 40 year training regimen. He did not expect he would spend a generation in preparation for Israel to take the land God promised. But, Joshua’s faith and obedience as Moses’ assistant would later shape Joshua into the Man God needed to deliver Canaan into Israel’s hand.
God does amazing things through those that will trust and follow Him. He is in the constant process of preparing those He uses. It may take weeks, or it may take a lifetime–but, God will honor the faith of those that will journey with Him. Joshua walked a long way to prepare for God’s plan. What distance are we willing to walk? What mountains are we willing to scale? What abuse and stupidity are we willing to endure to carry out God’s plan? As we look at the life of Joshua, I think we will see we have room to take some more preparation.
God Bless You
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne[c] of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
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