2023_06_16 Insight Post- Mario Colorado
This week’s reading- Joshua 1, Hebrews 4, Joshua 6, Joshua 24
Joshua 1 captures the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. In this chapter, God encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites. The underlying theme is faith, as Joshua is reminded to trust God’s promises and commands. By emphasizing faith, the passage teaches us that reliance on God’s word enables us to overcome challenges and accomplish great things. The very first verse of this chapter stands out to me because Moses is identified as the servant of the Lord, while Joshua is identified as Moses’ servant. It reads, “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, ‘Moses, my servant is dead.’” (Josh. 1: 1-2a). Remember this point; I will expand on it later.
Hebrews 4 parallels Joshua’s entrance into the Promised Land and the concept of rest in Christ. The passage compares the physical rest that Joshua experienced with the spiritual rest that believers find in Jesus. It highlights the importance of faith in accepting God’s salvation and experiencing the rest that comes from a relationship with Him. Hebrews 4 teaches that proper rest is found in Jesus Christ, who provides spiritual fulfillment and peace. This chapter in Hebrews is a providential reminder as I have been taking on too many tasks and struggling to keep up. As the summer approaches, it becomes necessary for me to deliberately spend time with God and my family together. We enjoy camping trips in nature where Cindy and I can remind our boys to honor God’s creation and reflect on our true purpose: serving Him.
The Book of Joshua details the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. The narrative showcases Joshua’s unwavering faith in God’s instructions and obedience and commitment to God’s plan. Joshua’s example teaches us the significance of remaining faithful to God’s commandments and staying steadfast in facing challenges. It reminds us that God rewards obedience and honors those who trust His guidance. Make no mistake, Joshua had big shoes to fill following Moses. This often causes us to overlook his steadfast dedication and commitment to the Lord. Perhaps it’s because Joshua does not contain the spectacular miracles in the Exodus narrative. To be sure, Joshua is among the Lord’s most faithful servants in the Old Testament.
Joshua 24 is a pivotal chapter where Joshua gathers the Israelites to renew their covenant with God. He recounts God’s faithfulness and challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve. This passage highlights the importance of deliberately following God and forsaking other idols. It emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the responsibility of faithful obedience. Joshua 24 teaches us the value of intentionally reaffirming our commitment to God, recognizing His faithfulness, and living in alignment with His commands. Following up with the earlier point, Joshua 24:29 reads, “After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being 110 years old” (ESV). We observe that Joshua is now identified as a servant of the Lord, the way Moses was. This point reflects how I wish to conduct my journey with the Lord. It is a valuable lesson for all of us pursuing God.
The journey of Joshua, as portrayed in Joshua 1, Hebrews 4, and Joshua 24, offers timeless lessons of faith, rest, and commitment. Through these passages, we learn the importance of trusting in God’s promises, finding rest in Christ, remaining faithful amidst challenges, and committing ourselves to a covenant relationship with God. These lessons resonate with believers today, guiding us on our spiritual journeys.
Mario Colorado
New Hope Intern