Topical Bible: Obedience: Joshua

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Joshua, the son of Nun, stands as a prominent figure in the Old Testament, exemplifying obedience to God. As Moses' successor, Joshua's life and leadership are marked by his unwavering commitment to follow God's commands, leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. His account is primarily found in the Book of Joshua, which details his role in the conquest of Canaan and the distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel.

Commissioning and Obedience

Joshua's journey of obedience begins with his commissioning by God. In Joshua 1:7-9 , God commands him, "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." Joshua's adherence to this command is foundational to his success as a leader.

The Battle of Jericho

One of the most notable demonstrations of Joshua's obedience is the Battle of Jericho. In Joshua 6, God provides specific instructions for the conquest of the city, including marching around the city for seven days and blowing trumpets. Joshua follows these instructions precisely, and the walls of Jericho fall, leading to a decisive victory for the Israelites. This event underscores the importance of obedience to God's seemingly unconventional commands.

The Covenant Renewal at Shechem

Joshua's commitment to obedience is further illustrated in the covenant renewal at Shechem. In Joshua 24, he gathers the tribes of Israel and recounts God's faithfulness, urging them to serve the Lord with sincerity and truth. Joshua 24:15 records his famous declaration, "But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua's leadership inspires the people to renew their covenant with God, emphasizing the collective call to obedience.

Lessons from Joshua's Obedience

Joshua's life offers several lessons on obedience. His account highlights the necessity of aligning one's actions with God's will, even when the path is challenging or unclear. Joshua's success is attributed to his faithfulness in following God's commands, demonstrating that true leadership is rooted in submission to divine authority. His example encourages believers to trust in God's promises and to act in accordance with His Word, knowing that obedience leads to spiritual victory and fulfillment of God's purposes.

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Joshua 10:40
So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
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Joshua 11:15
As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
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Library

Joshua
... The people solemnly pledge themselves to obedience, xxiv.23-28. Then Joshua's death
and burial are recorded, and past was linked to present in the burial of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joshua.htm

Joshua and the Angel
... Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the ... Men
will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 47 joshua and the.htm

The Siege of Jericho
... The cheerful uniform obedience of Israel to Joshua stands in very remarkable contrast
with their perpetual murmurings and rebellions under Moses. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the siege of jericho.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... The name Joshua in the Old Testament is equivalent to Jesus in the New (Heb.4 ... the
matter of religion he was actuated by a spirit of implicit obedience to God's ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... Now they hoped to have been too hard for the Israelites, because Joshua was dead;
but when ... they exhorted them to do what they ought to do in obedience to their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

Deuteronomy.
... To lead Israel to obedience and to warn them against disobedience ... There is also the
appointment of Joshua as Moses' successor and the farewell song of blessing ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter v deuteronomy.htm

Stones Crying Out
... And thus at each stage the divine causality, Joshua's delegated but absolute authority,
and the people's prompt obedience, are signalised; and the whole ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/stones crying out.htm

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... had showed to Israel, and which should have inspired them to glad obedience. ... Here
we may observe that, according to Joshua's last charge, the extermination of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

The National Oath at Shechem
... of the fathers, so that we need not wonder that Joshua selected it rather than Shiloh,
where the ark was, for the scene of this national oath of obedience. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the national oath at shechem.htm

Our Captain
... Joshua's career has in it a great stumbling-block to many people, in that ... Unhesitating
obedience to His authoritative command will deliver us from many of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/our captain.htm