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Moses, the servant of the Lord, led the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness.  He died in Moab.  The Israelites arrived at the outskirts of the Promised Land but on the other side of the Jordan River.  Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because God told him: “You broke faith with Me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites” (Deut. 32:51).  The older generation of Israelites who left Egypt with Moses was also similarly punished because they disobeyed the Lord’s command to enter Canaan 40 years earlier (Num. 14:20-23, 28-30).  In spite of the lack of faith and disobedience of the Israelites, God’s plan and promise to Abraham continued to unfold unabated.  He raised Joshua and a new generation of Israelites to enter the Promised Land.

Joshua was both a brilliant military leader and a strong spiritual influence to the Israelites.  The key reason to his success was his total submission and obedience to God.  When God spoke, Joshua listened and obeyed.  Joshua’s obedience served as an example to the Israelites and as a result “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua” (Jos. 24:31).  But Joshua did not become a leader overnight.  The Lord had long observed Joshua’s heart (Num. 27:18) and had tested him on his courageous and consistent faith (Ex. 17:8-14; Num. 14:6-9), and responsibility (Ex. 33:11).  God encouraged Joshua to “be strong and courageous” (Deut. 31:23; Jos. 1:1-9).  Moses taught, trained and mentored Joshua to serve God in leading the Israelites to conquer the Promised Land (Ex. 17:14; Deut. 1:38).  To prepare the Israelites to accept Joshua as Moses’ successor, God publicly commissioned Joshua (Num. 27:18-21).  The crossing of River Jordan (Jos. 3) and the fall of Jericho (Jos. 6) were orchestrated for the benefit of the Israelites to witness that the Lord was with them and with Joshua their leader.

In his final message to the Israelites, Joshua underscored the importance of obeying God and he challenged them: “So be very careful to love the Lord your God.” (Jos. 23:11), and “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Jos. 24:15)  Let us heed Joshua’s counsel and encouragement and make a fresh commitment to obey God today.  Decide to follow the Lord God wherever He leads and at whatever cost.  His command to you is: “Go and make disciples of all Nations” (Matt. 28:19).