Joshua 1: Just Three More Sleeps

Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your Welcome to Chapter by Chapter for your journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter by Chapter, 7 minutes a day, seven days by Chapter, 7 minutes a day, seven days by Chapter, 7 minutes a day, seven days a week. Join us each day and share it a week. Join us each day and share it a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this with others so they can join this with others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. journey that will be life-changing. journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the We'll stop at unexpected places on the We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses journey and be challenged. Some verses will create aw wonder and we'll have will create aw wonder and we'll have will create aw wonder and we'll have chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We others we'll find joy and comfort. We others we'll find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all, the journey to change, but all in all, the journey to change, but all in all, the journey will be worth it. Once in a while, we will be worth it. Once in a while, we will be worth it. Once in a while, we may take a detour on the journey and may take a detour on the journey and may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on hear from some of God's servants on hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter their favorite passages from a chapter their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their of scripture and let them give you their of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small insight. Every journey needs a small insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get detour occasionally. The best way to get detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the the most from this podcast is read the the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to Chapter by Chapter. And today's chapter is Joshua Chapter. And today's chapter is Joshua Chapter. And today's chapter is Joshua chapter 1. Just three more sleeps. I chapter 1. Just three more sleeps. I chapter 1. Just three more sleeps. I remember the first time I heard the remember the first time I heard the remember the first time I heard the substitute word for days as sleeps. substitute word for days as sleeps. substitute word for days as sleeps. Precious friend was entering a new Precious friend was entering a new Precious friend was entering a new season of ministry and would soon step season of ministry and would soon step season of ministry and would soon step away from a place he served faithfully away from a place he served faithfully away from a place he served faithfully for decades. And he said to me, "I am for decades. And he said to me, "I am for decades. And he said to me, "I am finished in 10 more sleeps." He would go finished in 10 more sleeps." He would go finished in 10 more sleeps." He would go to bed 10 more times and a new season to bed 10 more times and a new season to bed 10 more times and a new season would be upon him when he awoke on that would be upon him when he awoke on that would be upon him when he awoke on that 10th morning. It would be just three 10th morning. It would be just three 10th morning. It would be just three more sleeps and the children of Israel more sleeps and the children of Israel more sleeps and the children of Israel would be in their new season. Can you would be in their new season. Can you would be in their new season. Can you imagine the feeling when you were just imagine the feeling when you were just imagine the feeling when you were just three sleeps away from the end of the three sleeps away from the end of the three sleeps away from the end of the 40-year disciplinary time that was 40-year disciplinary time that was 40-year disciplinary time that was imposed upon you by the unbelief of your

imposed upon you by the unbelief of your imposed upon you by the unbelief of your forefathers. The children of Israel forefathers. The children of Israel forefathers. The children of Israel would wander a year for every day they would wander a year for every day they would wander a year for every day they delayed to go into the promised land delayed to go into the promised land delayed to go into the promised land because of the bad report of 10 spies. because of the bad report of 10 spies. because of the bad report of 10 spies. And here in Joshua 1, they will complete And here in Joshua 1, they will complete And here in Joshua 1, they will complete that judgment season and enter a battle that judgment season and enter a battle that judgment season and enter a battle season. The battle for the land will season. The battle for the land will season. The battle for the land will take seven years. They will conquer from take seven years. They will conquer from take seven years. They will conquer from the river to the sea and get their the river to the sea and get their the river to the sea and get their inheritance. Joshua tells his leaders to inheritance. Joshua tells his leaders to inheritance. Joshua tells his leaders to tell the people the good news of three tell the people the good news of three tell the people the good news of three more sleeps. Verse 10. Then Joshua more sleeps. Verse 10. Then Joshua more sleeps. Verse 10. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, commanded the officers of the people, commanded the officers of the people, saying, "Pass through the midst of the saying, "Pass through the midst of the saying, "Pass through the midst of the camp. command the people, saying, camp. command the people, saying, camp. command the people, saying, "Prepare provisions for yourselves. For "Prepare provisions for yourselves. For "Prepare provisions for yourselves. For within three days, you were to cross within three days, you were to cross within three days, you were to cross this Jordan to go in and possess the this Jordan to go in and possess the this Jordan to go in and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving land which the Lord your God is giving land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess it." Can you imagine the you to possess it." Can you imagine the you to possess it." Can you imagine the buzz that was happening through the buzz that was happening through the buzz that was happening through the camp? Can you imagine the excitement, camp? Can you imagine the excitement, camp? Can you imagine the excitement, the relief, and yet the fear of the the relief, and yet the fear of the the relief, and yet the fear of the unknown? The desert nomads will now unknown? The desert nomads will now unknown? The desert nomads will now become a formidable army. They will become a formidable army. They will become a formidable army. They will fight unceasingly until the inheritance fight unceasingly until the inheritance fight unceasingly until the inheritance is in their possession. Joshua and 3 is in their possession. Joshua and 3 is in their possession. Joshua and 3 million people are three sleeps away million people are three sleeps away million people are three sleeps away from their new season, but God is still from their new season, but God is still from their new season, but God is still active to get them ready. There'll be a active to get them ready. There'll be a active to get them ready. There'll be a new leader and new preparations for this new leader and new preparations for this new leader and new preparations for this new season. 14,600 new season. 14,600 new season. 14,600 equals 40 years in days. Joshua 1 is equals 40 years in days. Joshua 1 is equals 40 years in days. Joshua 1 is 14,57 14,57 14,57 days since the bad report of the 10 days since the bad report of the 10 days since the bad report of the 10 spies. The book opens with a death and a

spies. The book opens with a death and a spies. The book opens with a death and a phrase. we have never heard before. This phrase. we have never heard before. This phrase. we have never heard before. This is Joshua 1:1. Now, it came about after is Joshua 1:1. Now, it came about after is Joshua 1:1. Now, it came about after the death of Moses, the servant of the the death of Moses, the servant of the the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses's servant. Moses's son of Nun, Moses's servant. Moses's son of Nun, Moses's servant. Moses's 30-day funeral took place a chapter 30-day funeral took place a chapter 30-day funeral took place a chapter earlier, and now a man full of wisdom earlier, and now a man full of wisdom earlier, and now a man full of wisdom steps into the shoes of this colossal steps into the shoes of this colossal steps into the shoes of this colossal leader. What comes next for Joshua is leader. What comes next for Joshua is leader. What comes next for Joshua is the best thing for this new leader. It's the best thing for this new leader. It's the best thing for this new leader. It's words that were never said before. Here words that were never said before. Here words that were never said before. Here they are. The Lord spoke to Joshua. When they are. The Lord spoke to Joshua. When they are. The Lord spoke to Joshua. When Moses died, Joshua would now be God's Moses died, Joshua would now be God's Moses died, Joshua would now be God's instrument in the new land. This is a instrument in the new land. This is a instrument in the new land. This is a key moment for Joshua. Up to this point, key moment for Joshua. Up to this point, key moment for Joshua. Up to this point, Joshua is an echo of what Moses hears Joshua is an echo of what Moses hears Joshua is an echo of what Moses hears from God. And now Joshua will be God's from God. And now Joshua will be God's from God. And now Joshua will be God's first voice to the people. From Exodus 6 first voice to the people. From Exodus 6 first voice to the people. From Exodus 6 to Deuteronomy 34, you read almost a to Deuteronomy 34, you read almost a to Deuteronomy 34, you read almost a hundred times the Lord spoke to Moses, hundred times the Lord spoke to Moses, hundred times the Lord spoke to Moses, but never the Lord spoke to Joshua.

but never the Lord spoke to Joshua. but never the Lord spoke to Joshua. Though Moses is gone, God's voice is Though Moses is gone, God's voice is Though Moses is gone, God's voice is never gone. Though the workman be never gone. Though the workman be never gone. Though the workman be removed, his work goes forward to its removed, his work goes forward to its removed, his work goes forward to its ordained completion. The great Puritan ordained completion. The great Puritan ordained completion. The great Puritan writer Matthew Henry said, "God will writer Matthew Henry said, "God will writer Matthew Henry said, "God will change hands to show that whatever change hands to show that whatever change hands to show that whatever instrument he uses, he is not tied to instrument he uses, he is not tied to instrument he uses, he is not tied to any. God will continue to speak. He just any. God will continue to speak. He just any. God will continue to speak. He just needs obedient leaders. This new season needs obedient leaders. This new season needs obedient leaders. This new season and new leader would have a new charge. and new leader would have a new charge. and new leader would have a new charge. Be strong and courageous. Moses told Be strong and courageous. Moses told Be strong and courageous. Moses told Joshua this in Deuteronomy 31. And now Joshua this in Deuteronomy 31. And now Joshua this in Deuteronomy 31. And now Joshua is told it again in Joshua Joshua is told it again in Joshua Joshua is told it again in Joshua chapter 1. These are his words that he chapter 1. These are his words that he chapter 1. These are his words that he will need to successfully lead these will need to successfully lead these will need to successfully lead these people into battle. God says in verse 5, people into battle. God says in verse 5, people into battle. God says in verse 5, "No man will be able to stand before you "No man will be able to stand before you "No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I've all the days of your life. Just as I've all the days of your life. Just as I've been with Moses, I will be with you. I been with Moses, I will be with you. I been with Moses, I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you. Be will not fail you nor forsake you. Be will not fail you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous for you shall give strong and courageous for you shall give strong and courageous for you shall give this people possession of the land which this people possession of the land which this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. I swore to their fathers to give them. I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and courageous. Be Only be strong and courageous. Be Only be strong and courageous. Be careful to do according to all the law careful to do according to all the law careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Do which Moses my servant commanded you. Do which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right nor to the not turn from it to the right nor to the not turn from it to the right nor to the left so that you may have success left so that you may have success left so that you may have success wherever you go. Then again in Joshua wherever you go. Then again in Joshua wherever you go. Then again in Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or strong and courageous. Do not tremble or strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is be dismayed, for the Lord your God is be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. And then the with you wherever you go. And then the with you wherever you go. And then the people tell Joshua in verse 18, "Anyone people tell Joshua in verse 18, "Anyone people tell Joshua in verse 18, "Anyone who rebelss against your command and who rebelss against your command and who rebelss against your command and does not obey your words in all that you does not obey your words in all that you does not obey your words in all that you command him shall be put to death. Only command him shall be put to death. Only command him shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous." Joshua hears

be strong and courageous." Joshua hears be strong and courageous." Joshua hears these four words three times in these four words three times in these four words three times in Deuteronomy 31 and four times in Joshua Deuteronomy 31 and four times in Joshua Deuteronomy 31 and four times in Joshua 1 from Moses, God, and the people. These 1 from Moses, God, and the people. These 1 from Moses, God, and the people. These were not Moses's words. They belong to were not Moses's words. They belong to were not Moses's words. They belong to Joshua. Someone said, "The best way to Joshua. Someone said, "The best way to Joshua. Someone said, "The best way to understand those four words is by understand those four words is by understand those four words is by remembering it is a timeless call to remembering it is a timeless call to remembering it is a timeless call to mental fortitude and steadfast faith. It mental fortitude and steadfast faith. It mental fortitude and steadfast faith. It means choosing to move forward and take means choosing to move forward and take means choosing to move forward and take action despite fear, uncertainty, or action despite fear, uncertainty, or action despite fear, uncertainty, or daunting circumstances anchored by the daunting circumstances anchored by the daunting circumstances anchored by the belief that you are supported and never belief that you are supported and never belief that you are supported and never alone in the challenge." I think Joshua alone in the challenge." I think Joshua alone in the challenge." I think Joshua needed to hear it seven times for the needed to hear it seven times for the needed to hear it seven times for the seven years they will be at war with 33 seven years they will be at war with 33 seven years they will be at war with 33 kings. The Lord spoke to Joshua and it kings. The Lord spoke to Joshua and it kings. The Lord spoke to Joshua and it was clear and it was redundant. The book was clear and it was redundant. The book was clear and it was redundant. The book of Joshua opens with the word now which of Joshua opens with the word now which of Joshua opens with the word now which implies that their story will continue. implies that their story will continue. implies that their story will continue. Though death is hard to process, it's Though death is hard to process, it's Though death is hard to process, it's not a hard stop to God's plan. All that not a hard stop to God's plan. All that not a hard stop to God's plan. All that God had done in the previous five books God had done in the previous five books God had done in the previous five books is not finished because one man has been is not finished because one man has been is not finished because one man has been removed from the scene. God is always removed from the scene. God is always removed from the scene. God is always moving forward. And the death of one moving forward. And the death of one moving forward. And the death of one great man doesn't stop the great work of great man doesn't stop the great work of great man doesn't stop the great work of God. God will raise up another servant.

God. God will raise up another servant. God. God will raise up another servant. Joshua is 85 when he assumes leadership. Joshua is 85 when he assumes leadership. Joshua is 85 when he assumes leadership. He's been training for 40 years. He will He's been training for 40 years. He will He's been training for 40 years. He will lead the children of Israel till he is lead the children of Israel till he is lead the children of Israel till he is 110 years old. And when Joshua dies, he 110 years old. And when Joshua dies, he 110 years old. And when Joshua dies, he will be called what Moses is called. The will be called what Moses is called. The will be called what Moses is called. The most common word attached to Moses's most common word attached to Moses's most common word attached to Moses's name over the 40 years was this word, name over the 40 years was this word, name over the 40 years was this word, servant. The book of Joshua reiterates servant. The book of Joshua reiterates servant. The book of Joshua reiterates what God wants people to remember, what God wants people to remember, what God wants people to remember, Moses, my servant. It's mentioned three Moses, my servant. It's mentioned three Moses, my servant. It's mentioned three times in Joshua 1 in verses 17 and 15. times in Joshua 1 in verses 17 and 15. times in Joshua 1 in verses 17 and 15. And it's mentioned about Joshua at his And it's mentioned about Joshua at his And it's mentioned about Joshua at his funeral in Joshua 24:29. It came about funeral in Joshua 24:29. It came about funeral in Joshua 24:29. It came about after these things that Joshua, the son after these things that Joshua, the son after these things that Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being 110 years old. I think harder than being 110 years old. I think harder than being 110 years old. I think harder than being an army general, a leader, a being an army general, a leader, a being an army general, a leader, a battle strategist, is being a servant. battle strategist, is being a servant. battle strategist, is being a servant. Joshua gets the title at the end because Joshua gets the title at the end because Joshua gets the title at the end because being a servant is a lifetime pursuit. being a servant is a lifetime pursuit. being a servant is a lifetime pursuit. Joshua begins right and ends right. Now, Joshua begins right and ends right. Now, Joshua begins right and ends right. Now, let's get to all the in between that let's get to all the in between that let's get to all the in between that needed a servant leader. And it all needed a servant leader. And it all needed a servant leader. And it all happens in three more sleeps. Thank you happens in three more sleeps. Thank you happens in three more sleeps. Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every for joining chapter by chapter. Every for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the chapter from the greatest book, the chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God, seven minutes a Bible, the word of God, seven minutes a Bible, the word of God, seven minutes a day, seven days a week. We'll see you day, seven days a week. We'll see you day, seven days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.