Lectures by Professor V. Phillips Long
Covenant Theological Seminary
What is the relation between the death of Mose the Promised Land? Mose was not going to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 1:37-38). Until he dies, the time is not right to enter the land. Once he dies, God moves forward with His plan. That's why God mentions the death of Moses at the beginning of the book of Joshua. It's as if to say, "now is the time."
Moses is called the servant of the Lord in many passages in Joshua. It's a commendation from God that comes at the end of Moses' life. Joshua was the son of Nun at the beginning of Joshua. Joshua didn't receive this commendation until he died as well (Joshua 24:29).
Joshua was formerly named Hoshea until Moses changed his name. Joshua means the Lord saves (Numbers 13:8 & 16). Hoshea means salvation but in changing the name he made it more specific. Joshua - the Lord saves.
Joshua was Moses aide. He was by Moses side. He was part of the Exodus. He was a military leader chosen by Moses to fight against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-10). Joshua was one of the 12 spies that scoped out the Promised Land (Numbers 13&14). Joshua was the closest person to Moses at Mt. Sinai and the tent of meeting.
It's clear that Joshua was being uniquely prepared to take over for Moses.
The word give begins to appear many times in Joshua. God is going to give them the land. But this giving involves human responsibility. Joshua must move his feet and go.
In Joshua 1:5-9 we see Joshua's charge. There are repetitions.
(1). God will be with you.
(2). Be strong and courageous.
(3). Be careful to know and do what God commanded in His Law.
(4). Blessing is promised for obedience.
Joshua has to move forward with the task and the Torah. It takes courage to do things God's way instead of in our own wisdom. He must not be discouraged in the face of terror.
We must make sure we don't apply the text in an erroneous way. Success is not what we think it is. It's not riches and prosperity and health. It's divine enablement to complete the mission and arrive at the destination God has assigned to us. For us, it's enduring until the end when all things are made new which is what the Promised Land foreshadowed.
Jesus is the most successful person that has existed and will ever exist. Yet He suffered like no other. So success is not how the world defines it. Jesus fulfilled the purpose for which He was sent, therefore, He was perfectly and completely successful.
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