Joshua 1:1-2 - Arise

Joshua first emerged as Moses’ aide. He was introduced in Exodus 17:9 when God told Moses to tell Joshua to choose men and go out and fight the Amalekites. Over time, his roles as a slave evolved, he became Moses’ servant. And from a servant, he became one of the 12 spies sent secretly to evaluate the land of Canaan. From being a spy, he transited into being a warrior, a commander in Joshua 1-12. Then he became an administrator in chapters 13-22 and took charge of the division of the land after the successful military campaigns. In the final two chapters of the book, he became an orator, powerfully persuading the people to stay on God’s side and serve Him.

In the opening verses of the book, we see the commissioning of Joshua who would soon continue the mission that Moses had begun. The great servant Moses, who led the people out of the land of Egypt had died. A new leader was needed to lead the people into the promised land. We learn from this that the death of God’s servant cannot prevent God’s work from advancing. Leaders may come and leaders may go, but God is forever on the throne. This assures us that the work of God can never be thwarted when a servant of God is taken out of the scene. God always has someone stationed to succeed in the plan, to take it higher and greater. What is unsettling is the notion that we often look to the human instrument whom God uses rather than to God, Himself. It is important that we remain where God has called us not because of a leader but because of God. When we have that attitude, we are not too perturbed by the leadership changes. Every leader is used for a particular season, the work of God must move on.   

Joshua had been with Moses for a large part of the latter’s ministry. He was being mentored while serving alongside Moses. He saw close-up many things that had happened between his mentor and the rebellious people. He saw how willful, stubborn and disobedient the people of Israel were. He couldn’t imagine how different the new generation that had arisen could be from their griping, murmuring and complaining fathers. It is not too difficult to imagine that Joshua would have trepidation when told to take the lead. Hence, God had to use a very challenging word to urge him to take the lead and get the people into the promised land.

The word God uses is “arise.” In verse 2, God said to Joshua, “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.” It’s a call to be counted. It’s a call to be more involved and active in advancing the kingdom’s work. The call of God to many of us remains much the same as the one He gave to Joshua. We must put aside all fear and trepidation. We must arise, and be counted as we journey with Him, a journey that demands faith and boldness. The challenge is to learn to look upward and recognize the direction of God. Like Joshua, we need to arise and be responsible and take action. We cannot camp in our past, be it a glamorous or a gloomy one. The new season has arrived, a new courage is needed and a new commitment is called for. Remember Jesus’ words in John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” Like Paul, we must forget what lies behind and press forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us arise!