How to Learn From the Life of Joshua in the Old Testament

He was one of the greatest leaders of Israel. Despite that, he felt as though he was in the shadow of another great leader--Moses. Although he felt inadequate for his task, Joshua demonstrates that we can all learn we can do anything God calls us to do, if we follow him. While there are too many things we can learn from the life of Joshua to record in one article, remembering a few highlights of his life can be profitable.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Bible
• Prayer
• A pen or pencil and paper would help.

1. First, read about Joshua in the book named after him. Ask God to help you learn what you can from his life as it applies to your life. Take notes.

2. Moses was one of the greatest leaders in the history of Israel, but everything he did was directed by God, not of his own will. After the children of Israel came out of Egypt, and God used Moses to lead them through the Red Sea and safety from the Egyptians, it is no wonder Joshua felt inadequate to lead the Jews into the promised land, especially considering they had not always followed the leadership of Moses and gone into the promised land. One of the first things we can learn is to not compare ourselves with others. God has a special task for each of us, and we don't need to compare our talents and abilities, or the ministry we are called to, with the ministry of someone else.

3. We can learn that we will only have success in life and be doing God's will if we follow Him and obey His Word. We can't do it in our own strength. Over and over in the first chapter of Joshua, God encouraged Joshua to remember He would always be with him. He told him to obey his word and follow Him, and he would have success. Even though Joshua had been only one of two brave enough to say he would march into the Promised Land and face Israel's enemies, nevertheless, he could have still been afraid after the death of Moses, if he did not remember the God he was following.

4. We can learn that God is merciful and always willing to forgive. Even though everyone, except for Joshua and Caleb (even Moses died) in a generation died because they did not follow God fully. God was still merciful. He was willing to forgive His children and lead a new generation where the old one could not go.

5. We should never forget what God has done in our lives. God had Joshua instruct the children of Israel to place memorial stones to remember His helping them cross the Jordan River. They could also remember crossing the Red Sea and leaving their lives of slaves in Egypt.

6. We can learn there is no such thing as a secret sin. When one of the men in the camp disobeyed God and took possessions from pagans the Jews conquered, God judged everyone. It was only when the sin was dealt with that the rest of the camp was restored.

7. We can learn that we should trust God, not our own ways. God told Joshua and the children of Israel to not attack but to march around Jericho six times silently. On the seventh time, a pitcher was broken, and a trumpet was blown. The walls came down, and the country had a great victory. From a human standpoint, it was not much of a battle plan. God knows best, however.

[AudreyBrown]

on 3/10/2008 I myself have learned scads from Peter. Good article. :)