Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History - Ch. 2

I. Introduction

A. Recap Last Week - Joshua's Preparation
B. This Week - Three Changless Factors

II. Recap - Joshua's Preparation

A. God had a plan - Joshua was the heir apparent
B. In Israel's 40 years of wandering Joshua learned many things about both leading and about his God, Yahweh

1. God does not tolerate rebellion
2. True power comes from God
3. God is always immediately present
3. Sin amongst God's people is terrible
4. Merely using the name of God is not sufficient
5. God can and will guide
6. God's glory must come first
7. God doesn't follow man-made rules
8. A man of God must stand and trust God
9. God keeps His promises
10. True spiritual leadership comes from God
11. No one is indispensable, yet each person is unique and important

III. Three Changless Factors

A. One - The Written Book

1. Pentateuch - God directs Moses to write down the law
2. Read Deuteronomy 31:9
3. Schaeffer calls it "propositional, verbalized communication from God to man"
4. Book was to be accessible by the people - read Deuteronomy 31:9-13
5. God commands Joshua to read, talk, know, and follow the Book - read Joshua 1:1-8
a. "law not to depart from Joshua's mouth" - talk about the Word
b. "meditate on it day and night" - cognitive activity, think about it.
c. "observe to do all that is written therein" - follow it, do it!
6. Joshua's acceptance of the Book was the beginning of the Canon
7. Joshua, as he lead the people, had an objective standard - The Book
8. Today, we too, have an objective standard to follow - The Bible (it is changeless)

B. Two - The Power of God

1. Read Joshua 3:7-17, 4:14-18
2. God again demonstrates His power - power of God upon Moses now associated with Joshua
3. God also emphasized this point during the battle with the Amalakites
a. Moses held his staff high - Israelites prevailed
b. Moses grew tired and lowered staff - Amalakites prevailed
4. God is in charge, He has the power; yesterday, today, and tomorrow

C. Three - The Supernatural Leader

1. God is a being - alpha and the omega, without end
2. Continuity of a Person - Read Joshua 5:13-17; 6:2
3. At end of his life Moses spoke about this continuity - read Deuteronomy 31:2-8

D. Three Changless Factors Today

1. Continuity of authority in the Book - read 2 Peter 1:19-21, Revelation 22:18-19
2. Continuity of the power of God - read Matthew 28:18. God has been, is, and always will be in charge
3. Continuity in the Supernatural Leader - read Matthew 28:20
4. Conclusion - Schaeffer says "Each of the three great changeless factors that stood at such a crucial time as Joshua's, at the change from the Pentateuhal to the post-Pentateuhal period, continues unbroken. There are changes in history, but these three things go on without changing. We in our battles in this century have the same book, the same power, and the same leader."

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

(1) Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History, Frances A. Schaeffer, InterVarsity Press 1975