General_Joshua_ A_Manual_for_Overcomers

Transcription

INTRODUCTION
GENERAL JOSHUA
“Among the Alien Corn” A Manual for Overcomers
Introducing Joshua
April 2013
In the Spring of 2008, it came into my heart to make some observations on the life and times of General
Joshua. The spiritual engagements we were confronting as a local church paralleled Israel’s and Joshua’s
conflict as they sought to enter Canaan and subdue its demonic inhabitants. Putting it in its most basic of
forms, The Lord gives, the devil resists as we seek to enjoy our inheritance in Christ. Ultimately, the
people of God failed to possess all that The Lord had intended and the record in ‘Judges’ is a depressing
indictment on that spiral into disobedience. Paul’s warning could not be clearer, “With many of them
God was not well pleased”. And again, “Let us therefore fear”, and yet again, “For if Joshua had given
them rest”. Their example of unbelief should hit us as a steam train so that the impact ensures we obtain
and maintain all that The Holy Ghost desires us to receive. In this calling, only soldiers need apply.
They say a week is a long time in politics, well a week in the Kingdom of God is an eternity and it’s been
five years since I wrote this meditation on Joshua. In reviewing the material for public consumption, I
decided to avoid the temptation to rewrite some of the paragraphs or delete some of my encouragements.
As one would hope, my understandings have significantly developed over the years and so I would
humbly suggest that in receiving these notes, that the diligent person would compare my present
positions on the church and the kingdom incorporated in more recent publications. Not that I perceive
any mistakes in 2008, but simply that the way I have been led to outwork some of these truths may be
different from the way our precious Shepherd leads you.
Everything is life in The Spirit and without that daily walk of communion, we are doomed to guesswork
and the weakness of our own mind and will. It was said of Dennis Thatcher that he was always there but
never with her. Thank The Lord, His promise to us is that He is always there and always with us. Joshua
discovered that as he fell before The Captain of The Lord’s host. “He abides, He abides. Hallelujah, He
abides with me.” After forty years of walking with God, I am fully persuaded that as The Lord was with
Joshua, so He can be with us.
Today’s question is sobering. Multitudes have some acknowledgement of Him but so very few are in turn
acknowledged by the throne, and on the answer to that query, so so so much rests. “Let us work out our
own salvation with fear and trembling” lest in any way we let these things slip. For His Name’s sake.
Wayne R. Thomas, April 2013
A Manual for Overcomers
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INTRODUCTION
Introduction (Personal)
Two days before I had concluded the second volume of my life story ‘A Fool by Heavenly Compulsion There’s Always More’, a needful rest, a mini sabbatical was anticipated. Those three weeks would have
to wait. For, while viewing the BBC Panorama programme, a spark flew upon my mind. Alan Johnston
the BBC journalist, while working in Gaza, had been kidnapped and held hostage for 114 days. He
experienced a miraculous deliverance, The Lord undoubtedly preserving him. Three months after the
events, Alan gave an interview about his imprisonment and eventual release. The interviewer asked him
what had kept him going during that time. His answer gripped me. While in Africa, as a small boy, his
mother had taught him a poem by Keats: ‘Ode to a Nightingale’. At the end of the seventh verse, Keats
refers to Ruth in the Bible who “stood in tears, among the alien corn”. “That phrase”, said Alan, “
‘among the alien corn’ kept coming to me a few times each day and every day, it sustained me. For I
also”, said Alan “was among the alien corn”.
As Alan quoted that poem, the phrase took hold of my heart like a vice. Suddenly I could see how the
characters of the Bible lived ‘among the alien corn’, often literally, as Abram in Canaan, Joseph in Egypt
and Daniel in Babylon. They were far from their original home and in a foreign land and then,
ultimately, they were people of another world, who for a time were “strangers and pilgrims” in the
earth. “This world is not my home I’m just a passing through” was their theme song! As I waited before
The Lord, I could see a whole series of books that could be produced under this banner. The material
was summarised by the strap line, ‘A manual for overcomers’; which subsequently dropped into my
spirit. The first volume was written in the autumn of 2007 over a five week period. “Eve and the
Serpent”. I’m unashamed to declare that on one or two occasions during that November I felt like the
spiritual attention and pressure was going to kill me. Ancient evils and inspirations from those earliest
of times and area attacked me in an unsubtle fashion. If it hadn’t been for a host of warrior angels
protecting me I probably would have ended up in hospital. Refreshed now from a Christmas and New
Year break, it was time for ‘Joshua’ to come forth. Maybe ten to fifteen manuals will be written in total. I
hope with you to look forward to their ‘delivery’.
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INTRODUCTION
Introduction (Subject)
‘The Lord has given a land of good things. I will press in and make them mine’: words of a rousing song
we sing ‘in church’. A little tougher to experience on the Monday morning. For, although ‘the children of
Israel’ were given the land of Canaan, they had to fight for their lives to secure it! A truth easily
forgotten in a ‘now generation’, in a ‘name and claim it’ generation. In a generation that’s rightly been
told ‘we are saved by grace’ but somehow omits to add the grit that has to accompany grace and the drill
that has to accompany the thrill. Nothing is automatic. The ‘Blessings in Christ’ certainly do not just fall
out of the sky. For, although The Lord freely gives us all things, there is a power in the earth that
contests that truth and abundance.
When General Joshua led the Israelites into the Land of Promise, the present occupiers of the land
didn’t welcome them with brass bands playing and balloons waving. On the contrary: they opposed them
with all the demonic and military might available to them! The very same thing happens to us. We catch
hold of a truth and seek to walk in the enjoyment of it, yet suddenly ‘all Hell breaks loose’ to oppose us in
that hour. We want to ‘take ground’ but the gates before us refuse to simply open up and allow us to just
stroll on in. We can fail. We do lose battles as Christians – it’s a sobering idea, for Israel never
‘possessed’ the whole land. Some of the tribes did not occupy all the land that was allotted to them. The
physical natural land - a parallel to our inheritance in Christ. The land has become a man, and the ‘ites’
are demon power. In ‘the fight of faith’ we endeavour to enter, conquer and occupy. We shall see that
two and a half of the twelve tribes didn’t even cross over into the Promised Land, but settled on the East
side of the Jordan. It’s sobering and our calling is clear. “Look to yourselves, that we lose not the things
which we have wrought, but that we receive a FULL REWARD”. 2 John 8 (see also Ruth 2:12).
One of the greatest comforts to my heart and mind in thirty-five years of Christian ministry is the
understanding that He is the Head of the Church - not me; that I do not have to become the fourth
member of the Godhead; that He is building His church. Jesus is on a mission and He kindly invites me
to join in with Him. He is the potter, I am the clay. It’s primarily about Him, not me. A Godheadcentred viewpoint on life. For our Joshua story demonstrates that The Lord Jesus is the Captain of the
Lord’s hosts, a truth that Joshua early had to catch. It was The Lord going into Canaan. It was The Lord
leading His people into victory. It was The Lord using Israel’s armies to cleanse the area of demon
power. It was The Lord – that’s the comfort of my heart that delivers us from the terror of obtaining my
own victory. So I fight from victory - not for victory. I am now “seated together with Christ in heavenly
places”. It is I that am enthroned by Christ. It is the Christ that’s advancing. As Moses sang “He hath
triumphed gloriously”. For us, triumph is Calvary and an empty tomb. For triumph is spelt ‘an empty
tomb’, a Risen Lord.
We follow the life story of Joshua from the Exodus to Moses’ declaration to Israel, i.e. from Exodus
chapter 17 to Deuteronomy chapter 34. After that we arrive at the book of Joshua itself. There are
twenty-four chapters in the book called Joshua. This is not a regular Bible commentary on every word
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INTRODUCTION
or maybe every single truth, but will instead emphasise the first eleven chapters more than the next
thirteen because, quite openly, that’s where the action of ‘overcoming’ is recorded. Within chapters 1 to
11 we shall give more attention to chapters 1 to 2 for there we see the final preparations of the man,
Joshua, and the people, Israel, before they cross over into Canaan.
This is going to be quite a journey, so hold on, take your time, and stop here if you wish to remain who
you are! We all, I guess, have life mottos we like to believe define us. One of mine is ‘there’s always
more’. Bold I know, but this is more than theory for me, a brief glimpse of the first and second volume
of my life story will assure an honest heart of that. Brother, sister, do your best and commit the rest.
May, on that great day, you receive ‘a full reward’. To that I walk and pray with you, always for His
name’s sake.
Wayne R. Thomas. Washington, England. July 2008.
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PREPARATIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING
Preparations for understanding
Genesis to Deuteronomy
It feels ‘wise’ to give some spiritual, Biblical and historical information before diving into our main
meditation. As they say a text without a context is a pretext, so please be patient as we endeavour to
build up, climb up toward, ‘Joshua’s heights’. If you wish to move straight to the ‘really good bits’, page
fifteen is a good place to start!
Thanks for staying with me!
Good – so you’ve not run ahead. The tortoise and hare come to mind. It’ll be worth it. We are called to
love The Lord with “all our minds”, not just our heart. Though I do sympathise with ones that rush
ahead. Goodness knows we have suffered with enough barren drivel over the years! “Whoever is wise,
and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of The Lord” (Ps 107:43).
Well said, Mr Psalmist.
My wife loves jigsaws
A few months ago a friend gave her a one thousand piece Thomas Kinkade jigsaw. Whenever she does
one she always establishes the border of the picture first. The framework into which the bulk will then
find its place. The frame gives design and dimension and direction to the ultimate image, be it a boat or
a mountain.
It’s always good to start at the beginning
The Bible begins at Genesis not Matthew. The truths therein begin to lay a frame, foundation, for all
that follows. It is a habit of some to pop into the Bible, especially the Psalms, as if one were looking for a
tablet and a sugary coffee – a quick pick-me-up. Though on rare occasions in our weakness that can
certainly help, the systematic study of Scripture is the way forward. We read a newspaper, we study the
Bible. We could drop by parachute into Joshua chapter 1, yes and be blessed, but fail to ‘see’ the deeper
and bigger picture that The Holy Spirit had on His mind. Again, let’s be patient and begin at A, not J.
Progressive revelation
We read in Deuteronomy that we are to “Love The Lord thy God”. That does not occur in the books
before it. We read in 1 John that “God is love”. We do not read that in the books before it. The Bible is
designed as a progressive revelation. It moves from mountain peak to mountain peak. It takes a
comprehensive overview to keep the truths in tension. A skill to “rightly divide the word of truth” is
required or we end up, as these illustrations show, off centre.
1. If we only read Ecclesiastes on life after death we would be in a right mess for it seems to
contradict the New Testament.
2. The Crusaders justified their actions upon Old Testament Scriptures.
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3. Oliver Cromwell conducted much of his work in an Old Testament spirit, taking up physical
swords ‘In the name of The Lord’!
4. The Ten Commandments hang on the walls of churches.
5. David Koresh used verses in Chronicles to explain why he horded an arsenal of weapons at the
Waco ranch of the Branch Davidians: “They rifled the city”.
Body of truth
The Bible is as a Body. Cut it in one place and we bleed to death. As an organic whole, it is
interconnected and interrelated. Truth in Genesis is the same truth in Revelation. Truth does not alter,
though its unfolding does. Truth does not contradict truth. The “just shall live by faith” was true for
Abram in Canaan as it was for Paul in Corinth or John on Patmos.
People centred
No little red book has fallen complete from the Heavens with the title ‘Thoughts from Chairman God’
embossed on the front. The words that disclose His person, His purpose, His passions come to us
through people: individuals as Abram, Isaac, Jacob and, especially in our present study, through Joshua
and the children of Israel. We see His heart and mind revealed in the engagement of characters, then
with a whole nation. So not treatise or dogmas or a set of rules, but personal; person to person. The
Living God is a personal God. The whole of His disclosure is to people like you and me, i.e. ordinary!
Shadow land
A space rocket that leaves the earth casts its shadow back upon the earth’s surface. One knows there is a
substance ‘above’ because of its ‘shadow’ below. Shadow is never the exact replica of the substance. It
lacks detail. It is intangible, an outline. The shadow is there as a pointer to the one who made it. The
O.T. with its ceremonies and observances is the shadow pointing to the substance who is Christ. Luke
24 and Colossians 2. The earthly Joshua is a shadow - a type, a kind of our heavenly Joshua, The Lord
Jesus Christ who leads us into the Promised Land. The name is the same. Joshua, Yoshea, Jesus,
‘Jehovah saves’. In the wonderful K.J.V. of the Bible it even uses Jesus’ name when Hebrews is speaking
of Joshua! (Heb 4:8)
I once knew a man, a good speaker, who only ever preached from the O.T. That is such a giveaway. I
once knew of a church, Plymouth Brethren Church, that only taught from the O.T. That is such a
giveaway. Such folk who love the shadow more than the substance are not experiencing the New
Covenant in Jesus’ blood. They are the ‘god-fearers’ of the Acts record. The O.T. is there to illustrate
doctrine, not formulate it.
Friends we are on a journey
What’s the difference between a tramp and a pilgrim? A pilgrim is going somewhere. We walk with God;
movement, development from glory to glory, strength to strength, from weak faith to strong faith.
Abram moves from altar to altar, Joshua from city to city. It is not static but dynamic. I read of a vicar
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who couldn’t find a vibrant spirituality in his established church and practice and so has begun to study
Buddhism to make up for his lack. How terrifying. That’s not the Christian life I enjoy, for every day I’m
conscious of moving on, growing up into Christ and seeking those things which are above. Move on
brother. Force yourself out of the rut – it’s a grave in disguise!
There is an enemy
As C.S. Lewis’ characters and J.R.R. Tolkien’s characters found on their journeys, there is a determined
foe bent on withstanding us. This foe has three main faces: the world - our own flesh - and the Devil.
Our forward advance is hindered by any of these three blockages.
The spirit of this world and its value systems; our own natural flesh, areas of which may not yet have
yielded control to the Holy Spirit; and Satan and his hordes who use the world and our flesh, energised
against us. The fortified cities of Canaan provide us with a splendid view of the Christian warfare. For to
possess what we are given in Christ requires us to ‘dispossess’ the foe who lays claim to territory and
treasure, and he is an intelligent adversary. Both skill and strength are required to displace the darkness
and enjoy the land. Force is needed to overcome “the strongman, armed” (Lk 11).
Beggars on a beach of gold, oh!
The Lord’s stated and documented will for us, is Heaven’s very best, as Paul so majestically put it. If
Father has already given us the Beloved Son, He will not withhold any good thing (Ps 84:11; Rom 8:32).
Some Christians feel mocked by the Bible’s description of the normal Christian life. That’s not what I
see in the mirror! I never want to be like that. Very few of us will ever quite be like Joshua or Paul, but
the salvation they knew and The Lord they served is just the same today. He hasn’t changed. His desire
to deliver has not changed. The human heart has not changed. His Holy Spirit has not flown back to
Heaven, and the power of His blood is as fresh today as it was upon Calvary’s Cross. Stop feeling sorry
for yourself. Walk out of your own pity-party. Examine your repentance from sin, faith in Christ,
baptism by full immersion, and a datable experience of the Spirit. And throw away those beggarly
garments!
A brief history of Israel
If we don’t move on we’ll be here forever and, as we know, a good message does not have to be eternal
to be immortal! Ask Abraham Lincoln about his Gettysburg address. Speaking of Abraham that’s a good
place to start.
In Genesis 11:28, the youthful Abraham leaves Mesopotamia with his father, Terah, and begins a
journey which eventually sees him settle in the central hill country of Canaan, which today is called the
West Bank. During Abraham’s lifetime Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed (Gen 19), an event
preceded by severe famine which decimated the population, forcing Abraham to take refuge in Egypt
(Gen 12). The line continued with Isaac, the son who survived sacrifice. Isaac was the father of Jacob
who in turn had twelve sons, the second youngest of whom was Joseph.
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The story of Joseph begins with his brothers’ jealousy and their attempt to do away with him. They sell
Joseph to a group of Midianite caravan-ers on their way to Egypt, and they in turn sell him into bonded
slavery. Meanwhile the brothers spill goat’s blood on Joseph’s fine coat of many colours and take it to
Jacob saying that his son had been killed and eaten by a wild animal. The seventeen year old Joseph
becomes a servant in the household of Potiphar, commander of the guard, where he makes himself a
valuable asset to the estate until he suffers the amorous attention of Potiphar’s wife. His rejection of her
advances results in the woman making accusations of sexual harassment and he is duly sent to prison
for his supposed crime. In confinement the young Joseph befriends two courtiers, the king’s cup bearer
and the royal baker who have been sent for punishment after some unexplained indiscretion. Joseph
foretells their future by interpreting dreams.
About two years after his release and return to the palace, the cupbearer informs Pharaoh of the young
Hebrew’s skills as a ‘seer’. Pharaoh has been troubled by a recurring dream in which he sees seven fat
cows coming up out of the waters of the river Nile and then seven lean cows following behind them. The
lean cows devour the fat cows (Gen 41). Joseph interprets the dream as a period of seven years of plenty
for Egypt followed by seven years of famine. The king is impressed with this analysis and promotes
Joseph to vizier, Prime Minister of Egypt, with specific instructions to prepare for the anticipated
famine. The new minister, now thirty years old, sets about organising the storage of large quantities of
grain during the years of plenty and at the same time brings Egypt’s agricultural programme under
central government control. Joseph’s reward for protecting the land is a royal decree which eventually
allows his brethren to settle in the Eastern Nile Delta where they receive help from the terrible famine
currently ravaging vast areas. For after a series of encounters with his older brothers, Jacob is finally
reunited with his favourite son. The Israelites settle in the region of Goshen.
At the beginning they number less than one hundred persons (Gen 46), but within a few generations
would multiply so that the whole land was full of them (Ex 1). In the meantime Joseph dies, is
mummified and buried in an Egyptian tomb (Gen 50). The Pharaoh becomes concerned at the rapid
development of the Israelites and eventually takes action to counter the growing threat. He enslaves the
Israelites and orders the culling of the new born male children.
In this climate of fear and oppression baby Moses is born (Ex 2). His mother places Moses in a reed
basket and sets him adrift on the Nile. The baby is discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter who is unable to
have children of her own. She adopts the baby and raises him at the palace of Pharaoh as a prince of
Egypt. When he matures, Prince Moses discovers his true identity and wishes to identify himself with
his own people. He kills an Egyptian who is beating an Israelite slave, and in fear of his life flees into
exile beyond the reach of Pharaoh’s wrath. His journey takes him to Sinai and the tent of Jethro, a
Midianite priest, whose eldest daughter Zipporah he marries.
Moses has an encounter with He who reveals Himself as “I am that I am” (Ex 3). Moses receives
instructions to return to Egypt to lead ‘I am’s’, chosen people out of bondage and into the Promised
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Land. Moses makes his way back to Egypt and confronts the Pharaoh. The Egyptian king refuses to
allow his slave population to leave and so the battle of wills between Moses and the Pharaoh begins. Ten
plagues are inflicted upon the Egyptians, the final one of which, the death of the firstborn, forces the
king to capitulate (Ex 12). Moses leads the people into Sinai where they reach Mount Horeb and receive
the Ten Commandments (Ex 20). Forty years of wandering follow, at the end of which Moses dies and is
buried on Mount Nebo overlooking the Jordan valley and the Promised Land beyond (Deut 34).
Any dream will do – no!
“Joseph and his amazing technicolour dream coat”; a musical interpretation of the life of Joseph by Sir
Andrew Lloyd Webber. Within it, a song entitled ‘Any dream will do’. One can sing along to it quite
easily, it’s a catchy tune. In this world it may be largely true ‘any dream will do’ for a seventeen year old
setting out in life. In the kingdom of God the opposite is the case. It doesn’t matter a great deal if we sell
sweets or shoes, or work in manufacturing, or the financial services. But underlying and inspiring the
Christian is a specific dream; a unique hope; a well defined goal. For the Old Testament saint, it was to
experience the enjoyment of ‘The land – Canaan’. For the New Testament saint, it is to experience the
enjoyment of ‘The Lord – Christ’. Not just any land and not just any lord. There could be no mistake to
the identity of the land God was giving to His people. It wasn’t a switchboard of options. Nor in our
‘multi-faith’ era is there any confusion to the honest heart insistent on true truth - “For God hath made
that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36; 1 Jn 5:20).
Abram and ‘The Land’
Abram is called by God to leave Ur in Mesopotamia and move west, not initially knowing his final
destination: “Now The Lord had said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and
from thy father’s home, unto a land that I will show thee” (Gen 12:1; Heb 11:8-9). Genesis 12:5 informs
us, “and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came”. The
sacred writer is emphasising this because of the fifteen year pause at Haran (Gen 11). The land at this
time is occupied by others; by Canaanites, Genesis 12:6, “And the Canaanite was then in the land”.
Nevertheless the one who is the ultimate real estate agent and property owner “appeared unto Abram and
said ‘unto thy seed will I give this land’” (Gen 12:7). For, “the earth is The Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”
As Abram and Lot’s flocks became fruitful, some tension arose between the two sets of herdsmen. To
remain in peace, Abram invites Lot to choose which area he wants. Simply put, Lot decides on what
looks the most fertile. The Lord then ‘comes’ and reiterates the Promise -Land again to His servant (Gen
13:14–17). By the beginning of Genesis 15, Abram is bold enough to ask The Lord concerning a delicate
but basic matter. Lord, you speak of ‘seed’ but right now I have no children, so all my substance will go
to my steward. The Lord then promises Abram a child, a seed, a son that will come forth with his wife,
Sarai. This is beyond our brief in this present manual, suffice to say twenty-five years later Isaac was
born and the promise fulfilled. For now our eye is on the Land, and Genesis chapter 15 is a critical
passage, so please bear with me as we read through these breathtaking prophetic phrases. Please do not
rush through these verses.
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Such a defining statement
Genesis 15: 13–21 “…And he said unto Abram. Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a
land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also
that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great
substance… But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is
not yet full…. In the same day The Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I
given this land, from the river of Egypt, unto the great river, the river Euphrates: the Kenites, and the
Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites and the Rephaims and the
Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites and the Jebusites”. Wow!
Five hundred years later
Five centuries pass from the Promise to its fulfilment. Five hundred years from Abraham to Joshua.
When Abraham died he owned only a graveyard within the Land of Promise. The boundary of the Land
had been defined and the names of ten tribal peoples had been given of those that had originally
possessed the ground.
The covenant
Genesis 15:7-12. A covenant is made between The Lord and Abram. Walking between the cut up pieces
of animals God is saying “may this happen to me if I fail to fulfil my word.” In the place of shed blood,
God establishes His promise with Abram. He places Himself under an obligation and is prepared to selfdestruct Himself if He fails to honour His word. Upon the word of God, the throne stands. A failing of
word and the universe would literally collapse (Heb 1:3). The Lord knew exactly what He was doing
here. No one outside Himself forced Him into this. This is what He decides; this is His word of purpose
and promise - you will have that Land.
The Lord understands commitment
God knows what it is to put His life on the line for others. ‘This is what I will do for your people. If I fail
then I will cease to be God, consumed in a bloody holocaust.’ The Pastor who has to call the church to
‘commitment’ every Sunday is either very naïve or is seeking to shepherd goats and not sheep. As God’s
people, we understand commitment - it’s called Calvary’s Cross and a man with a nail scarred hand!
“We love Him because He first loved us”.
Salvation History would be worked out in this Geography
Our God saw David reigning in Zion; heard the baby cry at Bethlehem; knew of Gabatha and Golgotha;
witnessed Galilee and Capernaum; and awaits His appearing on the Mount of Olives. All in the Land all in His Land - and a nation’s significance, depended on how He touched and dealt with ‘that place’.
Witness then His hand engineering decade after decade through Abram to Isaac to Jacob to Joseph to
Moses to Joshua, and at last the taking of the promised real estate. This was no arbitrary purpose. The
Land’s very size and structure, global position and weather patterns, topography and river systems, all
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chosen and overseen to reveal spiritual truth. Uniquely designed to show us His word, wisdom, ways
and worship! (Deut 11)
How big is your God?
Maybe we believe in Jesus Christ, go to church, try to be good and end up in Heaven. If that’s it for you,
then think again. Go back to the blackboard. For the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the
God of Abram, Isaac and Jacob; the God of Israel; possessor of Heaven and earth; Lord over the
nations; King of creation….! Let’s lift up our eyes from ‘my personal saviour’ (which I do not despise), to
glimpse Him head over all things to the church; Alpha and Omega. How big is your God? Small…. or
great? Think beyond ‘me’ and ‘self’, to the church. Think beyond church, to the Kingdom. Think beyond
Kingdom, to the King. Think beyond King, to The Lord of all universes and time. Think beyond The
Lord of the universes, to a heart at the heart of all things who thinks about us all day long. Think
beyond.
The promise reiterated to every generation
It is The Lord’s kindness that He repeats at critical junctions the original promise given to Abram; to
Isaac (Gen 26:1-5); and to Jacob (Gen 13:15; 28:1-4 and 48:1–4). Then spoken by Jacob to Joseph (Gen
48:21), and reiterated to his brethren, “I die, and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land
into the land which He swore to Abraham to Isaac and Jacob, and Joseph took an oath of the children of
Israel, saying God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from there” (Gen 50:24–25).
Always stand with the toehold
Both Abram and Isaac experience famine while seeking to fulfil the will of God. When they go into
Egypt they face moral defeat. For when promise is given, the gift is contended at that moment. That
became their place of testing and triumph, living and dying. They only had a toehold – no more than a
field to bury their loved ones, but it was the place of faith. This was to be their inheritance. When Isaac
desires a bride she is brought to him from another country into Canaan. Jacob is called to return back to
Canaan after twenty years, though he believes his brother is baying for his blood. When Jacob desires to
go to see his long lost son Joseph in Egypt, he seeks permission from The Lord to cross out of Canaan’s
borders. When Joseph is to die, he insists that his final resting place is Canaan.
What you have received doesn’t look very impressive right now. It’s little more than a seed, an idea, a
burden, an instinct, a verse, a psalm, a quickening, a line from a hymn. You’re almost embarrassed to
speak it out though you have tested the spirit and it has not withered over the months. Stay with it.
Keep it in your heart as Mary. “Do not despise the day of small things”. A grain of mustard seed… faith
can move a mountain (Mark 11:20–26).
The Lord has the right to gift what He wishes
Being God comes with certain strengths! The man who complained of his wages was told “Is it not
lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?” (Matt 20:15). The Spirit of God distributes gifts as He
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sees fit. Such is His right and privilege as Almighty God. As the potter, He has complete mastery over
the clay. As He is a good person, He is always seeking our best. He rejoices in “instruments of
mercy” (Rom 9–11). I need not shout at God and show Him the holes in my shoes. He is Father, He
knows. He will give us what we need and quite often what we want.
We have the right to receive what He gives
Hebrews 11:1 “Faith – is the substance of things hoped for…” It is the title deed to the gift. The presence
of expectation in the heart is the evidence that good gifts are on the way down the track. It is the
assurance “that the wagons of Joseph are coming”. A guilty conscience and demon attack will question
and query my right to receive. But I rest on His character and covenant, sealed with blood. As a son I
can boldly take hold of what He gives. The Lord gives; we take; Satan contests. That challenge usually
has a human face and voice. John 1:12 is a useful sword – use it!
A desk, a chair and a bicycle
Dr David Yonggi Cho of South Korea pastors the largest, numerically speaking, local church in the
world. As a young Christian The Lord taught him the way of faith. He had a need for a desk, chair and
bicycle. So he specifically asked for them and waited on God. A few weeks later they duly arrived. Cho
likened the experience to pregnancy. The seed is received, germination occurs, and then delivery. The
Divine statement, the word that creates faith, is the guiding motivation for the Bible’s saints. Putting it
simply, ‘they believed God!’ Were they perfect? No. Moral mistakes are recorded. Yet in critical social
situations they chose to ‘believe God’ above their feelings or circumstances. Their deliverance was
usually worked out in the regular course of life; a home, a baby, a prayer, even in prison. The word
‘came’ and by patience “they inherited the promises”.
“Great is thy faithfulness”
You can depend on Him. You’re not hearing me. You can depend on Him. Trust Jesus! Too simple? The
Lord knows how we function in experience. He sees our situation exactly as it is, and as to the hesitant,
to Gideon, to Thomas, He will be gentle with our doubts! Greater than man’s failure is The Lord’s
faithfulness. Man’s delay is not God’s denial. Unbelief prolonged Israel’s wanderings, but they did enter
the Land! We will come back again and again to this truth understanding. It is the foundation to
everything else. As a perfect gentleman, God’s word can be trusted!
When the nation grew its whole foundation rested upon promise
The covenant made with Abram, Isaac and Jacob was deeply inscribed upon God’s people’s psyche and
the oath taken from Joseph was before them every day (Gen 50:25). A few hundred years pass from
Genesis 50 to Exodus 2 and under the taskmasters’ whips, the scripture records, “they cried, and their
cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage….and God remembered His covenant with Abraham,
with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Ex 2:23–24). We cannot live without hope!
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When Moses experiences his burning bush, The Lord’s commission is another reiteration of the
PROMISE. Every Christian minister needs a burning bush engagement to look back on when the going
becomes tough. “I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them
up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey, unto the
place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites, and the Hivites and the
Jebusites” (Ex 3:8). When Moses’ assistants are discouraged The Lord, again, reassures his senior
servant. Exodus 6:4, “I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan,
the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers” and verse 8 “I will bring you in unto the land,
concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a
heritage: I am The Lord”.
His covenant and oath
The Lord does everything in His power to assure us of His word. To each generation, He gave
overwhelming reasons to trust Him. He has cut a covenant with Abram. As if this was not enough, He
places Himself ‘under oath’ for He ‘swears’ to do what He has stated. It is the basis to what we see in a
court of law, when with one hand on the Bible and the other hand raised in the air the individual
‘swears’ to speak the whole truth…and nothing but the truth. (Gen 26:3, 50:24; Ex 13:5, 11, 32:13, 33:1)
Paul in Hebrews 6 uses this as an illustration to those who are now depending on the N.T. Gospel in
Jesus’ blood. God’s word is that all who trust Christ will be saved! (Heb 6: 13–19) As there is no one
greater than The Lord, He ‘swears’ within and upon Himself not to alter the word of covenant that He
has made. There are approximately eight thousand promises in the Bible. Israel built upon one - and
was not disappointed.
A development – we cannot ignore
The Promise was The Land. To that end The Lord placed Himself, willingly, into a covenant and oath.
There is development within the covenant: to bring them into the Land He must first bring them out of
a land. That is not done in a casual manner. All is enacted to foreshadow and anticipate the Gospel story
that was to come; the cross and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Price
The blood of the lamb was the price paid by another to secure protection and the ‘passing-over’ of the
Angel of death. The applied blood saved them. When The Lord saw the blood on the doorpost, He
‘passed-over’. Thereafter in memorial and ceremony, that blood is called the ‘blood of the covenant’ (Ex
12 and Ex 24). For that blood sealed ‘safety’ ‘salvation’ ‘deliverance’ from the punishment upon Egypt.
No lamb, no Land. When Moses has The Lord’s commitment and the requirements upon Israel written
into a ‘book’ form, that book is called “the book of covenant” (Ex 24; Jer 31:31–32).
Power
The Israelites came out of Egypt by price and power. The crossing of the Red Sea, ‘the Reed Sea’,
baptised unto Moses all the people (1 Cor 10:1-2). When the Christian ‘disciple’ is baptised in water, he
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is planted into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 6, “buried and risen with Him”: Into
the water and out the other side; Egypt is now behind them. A separation has taken place. We are
delivered “from this present evil world” (Gal 1:4), which is “the will of God our Father”.
Do I need to mention that Egypt represents ‘the world’: In its fleshy wisdom, its false religion, its
material wealth and power, its organised force, its ambitions, its value systems, its pleasures, its
persecution of The Lord’s people, and its Pharaoh as a kind of Satan ruling over all… Not forgetting its
overthrow and ultimate destruction. Micah 7:15 describes God’s power at the Reed Sea as a unit of
measurement. The N.T. has a new unit - our Lord’s resurrection (Eph 1).
Exodus, the book
As Genesis is ruin, so Exodus is redemption. It is an out going. The book covers forty-four years of
subjection; two months of journey; then eleven months and nineteen days of encampment at the foot of
Mount Sinai. From Exodus 12 to Joshua 2 is the journey to the land, yet there is no movement recorded
from Exodus 20 to Numbers 10! It took forty hours to bring Israel out of Egypt, and forty years to bring
Egypt out of Israel.
Exodus, the journey
“Cometh the hour – cometh the man”: Moses, or Moshe - a Prince of Egypt, raised in its arts and culture,
trained in its military might. As a boy, when his name was called out in court the Pharaoh shuddered
and never knew why! In earlier life The Lord exposes us to learn those skills essential for later ministry.
Fishers of men. Rabbinical training for Paul and, for Moses, Egypt’s ways and warfare, and then Sinai
and knowledge of the terrain – where leadership is obtained not by popularity but by obscurity. Moses
learned to deal with mutton-headed creatures! Woe betide the man or demon that seeks to withstand
The Lord when His hour has come. There is a heavy cost for stubbornness. After the ten plagues Egypt
was destroyed agriculturally, politically and militarily. The fact that fifty percent of his workforce wanted
to ‘leave’ must have rather disturbed the Pharaoh. His own ego heritage was exasperated by the demongods of Egypt. Mass graves, hurriedly dug, have been found in recent years, filled with the remains of
many children! (Ex 9:16 and Rom 9:15-17) The Lord directly settled Moses’ heart. Arthur Blessit wished
to hire a nightclub for a Gospel presentation. The owner refused. Three days later the Evangelist
returned. ‘Will your God let me sleep if I let you preach at my club?’ (Ps 106:23).
The Lord’s people marched out…
As a Victory in Europe march; soldiers, a huge parade - not as ‘The Ten Commandments’ film portrays,
but with unburied bodies, and scenes of desolation. This was no rabble, or just a crowd. Israel marched out
in due order, within their tribes – banners waving, each of the six hundred thousand men at arms within
His own army/division. There is no comparison with the Mormons’ trek to Utah or Mao’s march over the
mountains of China. For this two and a half million people are ‘The people of God’. A people for His name.
The chosen people. A special people among all of the nations of the earth. “The Lord has led forth His
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people with joy and His chosen ones with singing”. No dog barked as they left. With huge wagons of spoil,
they left in the night, in the month Abib. (Ex 6:26, 7:4, 12:17, 13:18; 51; Deut 7:6, 16:1; Ps 105:43–45)
A physical movement
Heading south at about fifteen kilometres per day, progress was painfully slow. Three days came and
went as they passed by the waters of Marah (the bitter lakes north of Suez). Moses knew he had to bring
the people to the wells of Elim, now Ain Musa, with its twelve artesian wells and palm trees. One month
after leaving Egypt, the people arrived at the valley of Alush and, after complaining, began to eat
“angels’ food”.
A spiritual action, accompanied by miracle and wonder
From first to last, this is no natural and normal trek of rebellious refugees. It involves the gift of
miracles in the plagues; the pillar of fire – central heating; the cloudy pillar – air conditioning; the
Judgement of God upon the ‘gods’ of Egypt, therefore a spiritual struggle for release; the provision of
manna and quail to feed a few million; water out of the rock; shoes that did not wear out. The Angel of
The Lord went before them, all this and more in answer to prayer. (Ex 7:9, 12:12, 13:21, 14-19, 20, 23,
32, 33:2, 34; Num 11, 14:22, 20; Deut 29:5; Ps 105; 1 Cor 10: 1-3)
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Joshua Begins
Exodus 17 is an excellent example
As Israel travelled south, Amalekites were travelling from the North hoping to exploit the weakened
borders of Egypt. They clashed at Rephidim. The slightest idea that this was simply a migration of
slaves who got lucky is blown away by this story. The column, as it moved, may have been as long as
twelve miles; the weak and the elderly toward the rear of the marching mass. As always the enemy
attacks here. As in all local churches, the frayed edge will be hit first; the mixed multitude, the
fleshbound Christian, the sick, the children – all areas of weakness. We have an intelligent adversary.
The Lord says go and Amalek says stop! Nothing has changed (Deut 25:17-19), for Amalek is the flesh what we are apart from the grace and Spirit of God - in conflict with the spiritual nature.
Joshua is ordered into the public arena to face the fierce marauders with a physical sword while Moses,
with Aaron and Hur, go atop a hill. It’s not one or the other. Both private and public, physical and
spiritual, are here working in perfect tandem. Moses lifts up the rod of God with his assistants
supporting his wearying frame. With his hands up Israel begins to win. When his hands/rod drops,
Amalek begins to prevail. What a classic illustration of preaching - wielding the sword; and praying upholding the rod. Imagine the damage when one is overemphasised to the detriment of the other.
What a huge learning curve for Joshua’s training. C.H. Spurgeon had fifty believers praying below his
pulpit in the basement at the Metropolitan Tabernacle as he ministered. How wise!
The throne was attacked
This was a vicious unprovoked assault. The senior demon-gods, goat-like in features, energised the
Amalekites. The Holy Spirit was holding up the upholders. The evil principality is slashed and wounded
as the rod is kept aloft, blackened and bruised. As Moses’ hands lower the demon prince is seen to be
healed and re-invigorated (as Wolverine on the X-Men films). A golden stream of energy comes down
upon, and is seen entering Israel’s army, strengthening and inspiring. But when Moses lowers the rod
the energy stream begins to be cut off. Moses is surprised by how quickly he becomes tired, the powers
of darkness pushing his arms downward by wearying spirits. There’s a third force on the battlefield - the
unseen, the spiritual.
Both Joshua and Moses had to fight and persevere as if the other man was not there; Joshua learning to
look to His invisible God and trust in The Lord. The co-operation of the rod, the sword, and His God the seen and the unseen. The mutuality between public and more private ministry, as perhaps between
husband and wife - my wife is the prayer and I am the preacher. And among elderships, again with
some giftings more hidden than others. You can’t have prophet-prayers despising pastor and teachers,
and pastor-teachers dismissing prophets. Just pray and the battle is lost. Just preach and the battle is
lost. The doors to the church will remain open for a while but you are going backwards. All spiritual
advance is conditioned upon respect among the gifts! Acts 13:1, “there were prophets and teachers”.
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It’s a question of authority
Amalek was attacking Israel, but her demon-gods were attacking Israel’s God. It was a spiritual
engagement. The hands of Amalek were tearing at the Almighty’s throne. To have lost a military victory
at this junction could have seriously messed with The Lord’s season and purpose. The principalities
knew that. The morale lost in a defeat would have substantially weakened Israel’s advance and left them
nursing their wounds for decades as a tribal people locked into the southern area of the Sinai. The
N.I.V. of Exodus 17:13-17 says “for hands were lifted up to the throne of The Lord” - the enemies to pull
down and the three old men intercessors to hold up. A great victory was wrought with a new disclosure
of The Lord’s character; “Jehovah Nissi”, The Lord my banner. The incident would serve as a banner of
The Lord’s help and protection in the future.
Thus we have the first mention in the Bible of Joshua
Joshua appears on the scene in Exodus 17, known to Moses - a military warrior, an SAS sinewy type.
Fearless, faithful, soft-hearted and tender toward his Lord; hard and steely-hearted against his Lord’s
enemies. His name appears in various forms; Oshea or Hoshea which developed into Jehoshua,
Jeshuea, Jesus. This new and extended form of his name more closely associated with his God, a
commemoration by Moses and Israel of a memorable triumph (Num 13:16). The name-change was a
reward for valour, not dissimilar with Jacob becoming ‘Israel’. Overcoming changes us, our name and
nature (1 Chron 7:27). An addition takes place. We are not the same. It’s as if the DNA of the victory
actually enters our being. We become overcomers, not simply they who overcome. As El of Elshaddai
enters Jacob’s soul ‘Isar-el’, so Je of Jehovah enters Je-shua’s soul. Revelation 2:17, “To him that
overcometh… a new name”.
A further note on Amalek
Amalek is the first to attack Israel after she has crossed the Red Sea. Israel has not attacked them. In
Numbers 13:29, Amalek’s HQ is described as on the borders of Canaan and they are called “the first of
the nations” for their military strength and aggression (Num 24:20). Amalek was a grandson of Esau!
Our warlike flesh will resist us at every possible advance in the Spirit. Flesh (which can use our body,
but is not identical with) can be so strong as to often times appear as spirit. It despises birthright and is
hostile to all that is of The Lord. Equally so, all that is of The Lord and His Spirit is hostile toward the
Amalek-like-flesh. One can love a man as a brother and at the same time seriously dislike his
dependence on ‘flesh’. One of those was going to die. It was a fight to the death. Amalek suffered such a
bloodied nose they didn’t attacked Israel again for thirty-eight years! The word-sword wielded,
empowered by the authoritative prayer-rod, is The Lord’s answer to Amalek’s desire to oppress,
conquer and enslave (Ex 17:16; Ps 83:4; Rom 6–8; Gal 4:29, 5:17; James 4:5).
Preparation of a new and suitable spiritual leadership: Keep your eyes open for a ‘Joshua’
Moses’ choice of Joshua was not haphazard. It was borne out of the prayer chamber. As an assistant to
the senior leadership Joshua was given opportunity to minister without bearing all the responsibility.
The first church I pastored in, acknowledged me first as the pastor’s assistant. Then having proved
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myself, I became the Assistant Pastor. Again having further proved myself, I became the Associate
Pastor. It gave me time and space to grow up, from twenty-one to twenty-four years old. It was sensible
and I appreciated it. Moses had his Joshua, Elijah his Elisha and Paul his Timothy and Titus.
Our call is to replicate the anointing within the apprentice. Our Lord invested a significant portion of
His ministry time into discipling twelve ‘learners’. Your Joshua will be aggressively loyal, a man,
hopefully not single, probably younger in age and experience, who keeps in regular communication. He
is prepared to give his life for you and the sheep, and seeks no earthly reward or compensation. Such
men are rare but are there. The apostolic call will oversee the raising up of more than one new Joshualeadership, because of the multiplicity of congregations needing elders. So do not be confused if three
Joshuas are rising up around you! Let him/them spend time with you, socially as well as at prayer
meetings. Do not under or over-expose him to ministry - both are weaknesses. You do not want him to
feel used and exploited and risk resentment, neither ignored and despised because of your insecurity.
Danger is you’ll lose him. Ask for skill – wisdom and The Lord will grant it (James 1:5).
Sinai: “I shall be their God – and they shall be my people”
The children of Israel continue their journey to the foot of Mount Sinai. They encamp here for almost
one year. The people are constituted as a nation with law for conduct within the Promised Land. There
are times when The Lord wants us to be still. Withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of public ministry
where we wait on His word, receive fresh revelation and then follow the cloud in renewed obedience.
The book of Leviticus exclusively covers this extended stop-season. Compare chapter 1:1 with chapter
27:34. The people have obtained fellowship with God by blood and bread at Passover (Union and
Communion). They have obtained, now they are taught how to maintain that fellowship. A walk to God
and a walk with God. How they can remain in life and liberty within the Promised Land. Often times
when we meet a situation, the Holy Spirit has been teaching us weeks in advance how to face and deal
with it. Through dream, vision and prophecy we are prepared with knowledge and wisdom for a
successful outcome.
The new covenant people
Paul in 2 Corinthians 3 and Hebrews 12 makes it abundantly clear that the blood-soaked covenant
sealed in Jesus’ blood does not include Sinai, rather - “Ye are come unto Mount Zion”. Not that we will,
but that we have done so already! As a heavenly people of God we “are seated together with Christ in
heavenly places – blessed with all spiritual blessings”. We boldly come before the throne of God. This is
not for the super-duper Christian, or just for the Christian who has died and gone to Heaven. This is
now, here, for us to experience and enjoy. We have two addresses, two places of residence, Washington,
England and the heavenly places, all at the same time. By repentance and faith we have entered into the
New Covenant, depending not on our good works, but Jesus’ blood and righteousness. This new
agreement is of righteousness, Spirit and glory. It gives us an open face before God; an unveiled
communion, an unfolding glory. For us now it is not externals - rules and regulations, lauded over by a
specially clothed professional priesthood, having to meet in a designated building three times a year.
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The Lord seeks a people to give Him His worth-ship in “Spirit and in truth”. Praying and praising at the
kitchen table just as easily as at the communion table. A spiritual people, offering spiritual sacrifice
(Phil 3; 1 Peter 2; Rev 1).
The mountain of The Lord
Moses has been among the people, then before the people and now he is above the people, able to take
the throne and willing to take the towel (John 13). The Lord is ever calling us – higher. Angels
accompany us as we climb the “hill of The Lord”. That hill is the task laid out before us by Heaven. It
will look and feel like there’s a hill before us we have to climb. Climb and rest. Climb and rest. It will
look daunting. Keep placing one foot in front of the other. Keep your heart and hands clean, for the
heights of increased communion beckon (Ps 24:3–5; Isaiah 2; Rev 21:10).
Moses came up the mount by invitation for revelation. For forty days he received detailed arrangements
for the Tabernacle and its service. Aaron, Moses’ brother and Hur, probably Miriam’s husband, with
seventy elders were on the lower slopes. Joshua accompanied Moses so far and then, at the plateau,
remained as Moses went higher (Exodus 24:1, 9, 13, 18, 32:7 and 15–17), The Holy Spirit ministering
His word into his heart and pouring oil upon his head. During the forty days Joshua is left alone! Forty
- the number of trial. What a test of patience, faith and fidelity, quietly waiting on God’s slow methods.
The Ministry of Christ (Phil 2:5–11), involves us assisting others to scale their God appointed hill. Our
turn will come when we are as Moses, receiving and administering the will of God for our generation as
opposed to guarding The Lord’s man on a lower base level camp.
The loneliness of leaders
The one who must always be in human social company will never fulfil his full destiny. It takes time to
be holy; loneliness is part of the price for separation to service. Not hermits mind you, or monks. Prayer
is a corporate family act; yet also alone we shut our door and pray. The loneliness consists in the few.
On this road there are few and among the few, are God-appointed gift men. And among those few, a
small number are actively doing the will of the Father. As the natural climbing fraternal is an exclusive
group, so God’s man will feel separated and at times, isolated. He will have few friends and colleagues,
but that small number will be a fierce band of brothers, high in the thin cold air.
Everest – the untouched ground
Recently Sir Edmund Hillary passed on. He was eighty-eight. Along with his partner, Sherpa Tenzing
Norgay they were the first recorded human beings to stand on top of Everest, the world’s highest
mountain. One gives honour where honour is due. On 29th May 1953, Sir Edmund and Tenzing climbed
upon untouched ground. That day upon the summit Sir Edmund placed a cross. At camp 1X they
launched this assault. The equipment there had taken years to prepare! It was the ministry of others
that assured the two men of success. Moses ascended and received for The Lord’s people. Joshua
remained at his post for Moses on this occasion. Disappointment was to follow.
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The people of God cast off restraint
On returning toward the camp Joshua believes he hears fighting, but Moses hears singing. They both
hear, but one’s discernment is sharper than the other’s. With the absence of Moses’ authority, Aaron has
been encouraged to build a ‘golden calf’. We cannot fail to notice the difference between Joshua’s
faithfulness and Aaron’s unfaithfulness. It does not go unnoticed. After all that the people had seen and
heard they still fall very quickly into idolatry. Religious flesh seeks to make a ‘god’ in its own image (Ex
33). This is the gold and god of Egypt - Apis the bull, worshipped by the Egyptians, or the image of the
cow-goddess Hathor. Now they had something tangible, visible, comforting. “Where there is no vision –
the people perish” (Prov 29:18). Where there is no word revelation of God the people cast off restraint.
In the absence of the now voice of The Lord - an oracle of God (as in 1 Sam 3) - that keeps eternal truth
and values and the reality of The Lord before our eyes, The Lord’s people “quickly” descend into a
drunken, debauched, dancing mob.
I once had a vision of a congregation in Newport, South Wales prancing around a golden calf, doing
what they wanted - “Come into the new thing brother, its true freedom”. They could not see the
difference between freedom to do the will of God and love the brethren, and anarchy to serve one’s own
dancing, selfish ends.
As the financial offering basket went around, gold rings and earrings were deposited within it to be
fashioned by the Aaron leadership into what they desired - an all singing, dancing, naked church.
Impressive to the flesh, impressive to the world, but a disgrace to The Lord Jesus (Rev 3:18). No wonder
worship leaders come under so much spiritual attention. Go figure! Are you absolutely sure the praise
and worship of the local church congregation of which you are a part is reaching the right God? Or is it
being siphoned off to a demon, false, religious principality idol?
The sword and the sanctuary
A cleansing: It comes by slaying among the people and a separation of the sanctuary. Such is the cost for
spiritual compromise. A disciplining by cutting. Some will need to go; a removal of members; a surgical
operation among leaders and people.
The Lord dwelt among His people in the Tabernacle / Sanctuary. It is removed out of the camp. The
presence of God is lost. Aaron should be in charge but he is not. After his reprimand he refuses to bear
full responsibility - “it was the people”…and out popped this calf. In Exodus 33:11, another name is
spoken of as being at the Tabernacle and overseeing matters in that hour: “Joshua, the son of Nun, a
young man, departed not out of the Tabernacle”. You cannot lead The Lord’s people into idolatry, and
therefore immorality, without personal consequences. Conversely, you cannot remain faithful to the
man and word of God without also reaping certain consequences: Aaron, on your knees. Joshua, praise
The Lord. “Young man”, you who are fifteen or sixteen years old yet, devoted to The Lord as Joshua: Let
no man despise thy youth. Continue regular attendance at the local church. It will save you!
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You can lose it
While encamped at Sinai, The Lord brings to Israel’s understanding the loss that comes from
disobedience in anticipating the conditions and conduct of the covenant - that “He would be their
God….and they would be His people”. In Leviticus chapter 26, He spells out what is required for
continual occupation of the land and of their inheritance. Forgetting The Lord, disobedience to His
word, fashioning themselves as the nations around them, will see them disposed. An enemy would enter
and remove them into captivity. Upon repentance The Lord would again remember the covenant and
restoration would follow.
The apostolic injunction is always “He that thinketh he standeth take heed lest ye fall”. Nothing is
automatic. One cannot fail to be sobered by the latter history of God’s people; invasion by Assyrians,
Babylonians, and Romans… The Lord sees how we value our salvation and gifts! In the love of election
there is also the love of appreciation. Israel was to The Lord a son, a servant, a soldier; appointed and
anointed (Deut 7). As a son he could dishonour his father. As a servant he could disobey his master. As a
soldier he could disgrace his Captain. A failure of commitment, courtesy and courage (Deut 4:25-27,
8:20, 9:24, 28:63; Ps 89:20-37; Isa 1:24). The language is unambiguous.
Two made it into Canaan
The Christian life is indeed that; a life. It’s dynamic not static. Our life is in the Son and if I cease
believing in Him, I cease receiving His life. Faith is an ongoing act. The branch has no life apart from
the vine. The sheep have no life apart from the shepherd. In John 10 our Lord declares, “they shall
never perish”. Amen. Who shall never perish? The verse before declares, “my sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me”. I am eternally secure as I follow The Shepherd! If I continue in the
faith I shall be saved. If I behave in a high-minded fashion, I could be cut off. Failing to labour into rest
could mean dying in the wilderness. Of all that generation, the adult generation that left Egypt so full of
faith and hope, only two individuals walked into the Promised Land forty years later! Thousands and
thousands failed to enter because of ‘unbelief’. Caleb and Joshua made it. Paul laconically states in
Hebrews 3 verse 16, “not all”. Only two didn’t lose it. Two men entered into rest. The idea that I can live
as I like because a ticket to Heaven was secured when I decided to believe on Jesus at eighteen years of
age is not in the Bible. We can lose our crown and our name can be removed from the Lamb’s book of
life (Jn 10 & 15; Rom 11; Heb 3:14; 2 Jn; Jude 1:5; Rev 2, 3, 3:5). Saul; Judas; Demas.
The story of arrested progress
The book of Numbers resumes the story/journey where Exodus left off. The cloud lifts and for three
days they travel north. We're on the road again. Chapters 1 to 14 cover the move from Sinai to Kadesh
Barnea. Chapters 15 to 20 cover the transition of the dying of the original people who came out of Egypt,
to the growing up of the new generation. Then chapters 21 to 36 cover that new generation going from
wilderness wanderings, to Moab, and preparing again to enter the land. Please note carefully that there
is a time line gap of thirty-seven and a half years between the end of chapter 19 and the beginning of
chapter 20! Deuteronomy 2:14 and Numbers 1:1 with Deuteronomy 1:3 covers the whole forty years.
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The book of Numbers contains the taking of two census; one at the beginning before the thirty-eight
years of wilderness and the second at the end of the book after the wanderings. The number is virtually
identical, around six hundred thousand fighting men over the age of twenty. Numerical growth is an
indication of spiritual blessing. Acts records the various thousands that came to faith. It’s right and
proper to know who are under our care. On the other hand, King David paid a heavy price for his
census. The arm of flesh will fail us! Do not be dominated or dictated to by numbers. Such was the
pastor who proclaimed he had between three and four hundred in his church - the number was actually
thirty-nine, which is between three and four hundred! Remember our Lord’s congregation went from
thousands down to twelve, and he questioned whether they were going to leave! (Num 1:46, 26:51; Jn 6;
Acts 2:41, 4:4, 6:7)
The march ensues in divinely determined stages. Keep in mind the two. Two generations, two
numberings, journeys and instructions. Chapters 1 to 4: The camp’s outward form; the census to
determine Israel’s military strength; and the camp strategically distributed for orderly military mobility
with a quadrangle twelve miles square! Chapters 5 to 9: The camp’s inward condition; the services of
Levites are appointed; the razor and the water - God’s word together with our discipline. The tribe of
Judah led the way with ‘praise’ going before. Praise gives prayer wings. And prayer transforms promises
into requests. A good habit. All is mainly ready for the advance on Canaan’s land. Some are specifically
warriors or workers, yet all are worshippers.
The Lord led the way
The cloud lifted, the trumpet sounded and Moses cried, “Rise up, Lord and let thine enemies be
scattered” (Num 10:33-36; Deut 1:30, 4:27). As our shepherd and captain He goes before us, searching
and clearing the way for us. We listen and look for His movements, and are wise to move with Him. We
do something else and wonder why we are fruitless (2 Sam 5:24; Jn 21:6; Acts 13).
The Ark of the Covenant, though usually positioned at the centre of the camp, moves toward the
forefront. He asks us to be followers. At the commencement and conclusion of each day’s journey Moses
sang a prayer-song, seeking The Lord to rise and scatter and rise then rest and settle. David the psalmist
picks up its inspiration in Psalm 68:1-2. When The Lord moves preceding us, He carries all before Him
as a consuming fire, rushing whirlwind or earth remover. When The Lord is on the move, nothing and
no one can stand before Him. The foolish try, human or spirit. And it’s suicidal!
The people of God are not happy
Chapters 10:11-13 to 13:26, and Deuteronomy 1:2 confirm there is movement. No sooner are they on
their way however, than they are complaining. Let me register here that legitimate observations,
clarifications and discussion, are vital for walking in the light. This complaining is different. This is a
whole way of life! Not simply complaining but complainers; a professional class of gossipers and
murmurers. When the Israelites left Egypt the Bible describes the “mixed multitude” that accompanied
them: Free loafers, Egyptians and slaves of other nationalities, who recognised a good thing when they
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saw it. The land was decimated and His people’s hour had come; ‘they seem like a good bunch, I’ll join
in’. Such individuals now began to make their rebellion and unbelief heard (Ex 12:38; Num 11:4; Deut
29:11; Neh 13:3; Zech 8:23). Poisonous attitudes quickly spread. These are democrats. Theocracy and
the rule of God’s Kingdom through gift-men are not for them (Acts 14:2; 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11; Heb
12:15). They live on the social and spiritual edge of the church, not fully integrated. They attend services
but are not yet converted. They reveal themselves by their language, complaining and murmuring
rather than praising and singing. Everything is wrong, from the colour of the pastor’s tie, to the position
of the communion table. When the authority / anointing is weakened, then watch them come forth. A
good shepherd will not be taken by surprise. He oversees sheep. Goats always say yes – butt!
Dissatisfaction with manna: Chapter 11 of Numbers. ‘All we eat is manna for breakfast, dinner, tea,
supper, Monday, Tuesday… In Egypt we had such a rich variety. How come we only hear the word of
God? Spice it up a bit. Let’s have some entertainment, a more acceptable diet.’
Dissatisfaction with ministry: Chapter 12 of Numbers. Moses’ ministry and marriage is the subject of
discussion. The word and his wife. Roast pastor for lunch! Again, there is a normal manner of debate,
discussion and communication. The young man who requests a copy of the church’s financial accounts
cannot automatically be labelled a rebel. The sweet older lady who asks for an explanation of why you
want to replace the pews with chairs cannot automatically be labelled a rebel. They may be, but it’s not
the question that you are listening to but the attitude!
Here we see poisonous attitude and inspiration reached the leadership/eldership. Jealous pride reared
its ugly head. Moses’ own brother and sister question if he is fit to lead! The sighing could have been
singing but the whining was of those not enjoying the wine of the Spirit. Those who murmur without a
cause are soon given cause to murmur. It’s a serious misjudgement to dismiss murmuring as a natural
weakness that should not be taken to heart. No. It is a major fruit of a major tree. It is a major symptom
of a deadly disease. Look for the root. Look for the original inspiration. It will be unbelief toward the
Word of The Lord. Bottom line, the people did not believe God; therefore they did not wish to receive
Moses. The one represents the other. They are dissatisfied with the manna and ministry. Their lives
were beginning to be uncomfortable and inconvenient. It’s the same old story. In consequence, Miriam
becomes a leper, diseased. It takes Moses’ meekness and majesty to restore her! It is a grave sin to
speak against The Lord’s servants. He will defend them (1 Sam 15:22-33; Ps 68:6). David’s refusal to
touch The Lord’s anointed (Ps 105:15, 107:10-11). Listen to yourself talk!
“These things were our examples”
1 Corinthians 10: 6-11. We dismiss murmuring and gossiping as perhaps little mistakes or sins. The
murmuring is symptomatic of the deeper. It’s the rumblings of a deeper storm below. Scratch the
surface and you will discover a hornet’s nest of rebellion, unbelief and discontent. These are not happy
people and all the world is going to know. The malicious and aggressive complaining against the pastor
is a malicious and aggressive murmuring against The Lord. They are despising the God who gave
manna and ministry. The anger is directed against The Lord Himself!
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As the God-appointed eldership (one hopes so) seeks to take the congregation forward into the Promised
Land, when it is The Lord leading forth, such characters constantly appear out of the woodwork: whether
it be an Evangelistic thurst, a new building, weekends of prayer with fasting, appointing a new deacon,
releasing funds to support the unemployed, establishing a Bible seminary, or radio station. These
characters may even be disgruntled former members. Again I write, their inspiration is one of unbelief.
They may simply refuse to believe you have heard from God. Your request to go forward is resisted and
denied in their heart and from their mouth. They are tempting The Lord to kill them! Numbers 11, 12,
14:35; 1 Corinthians 10:10, 11:23-34; especially v 30 where sleep means dead, prematurely dead! See also
Hebrews 3:19. Moses was upset by the murmuring. It got to him, no doubt energised by the ‘accuser of
the brethren’. The Lord helps by providing him with the consolation of good men around him and a
vindication against those who have become his enemies, e.g. the seventy and the leper Miriam. Not so
long before, she was seen praising God with the timbrel (Num 12). My, how times change.
The Lord was listening to all this!
Deuteronomy 1:34. The poison of unbelief and rebellion against God’s covenant and counsel is
spreading disease-like throughout the mass of the people. All along the Almighty is listening in on every
word and every grumble. He reads the heart. After all they have seen and heard! (How quickly the
disciples forget the feeding of the five thousand when it came to feed four thousand!) In Numbers 14:27
and v 35, The Lord calls Israel “this evil congregation”. It’s an evil heart that refuses God’s Word and
ways; it is departing from His, unto another. Idolatry! The murmuring gives the game away. It has its
own personal agenda. The people have a hardened heart (Heb 3:12, 4:2 and v 11). The example is there,
see it! (Also, Num 11:18).
Be very very careful what you ask for – you may get it!
A lady once declared, if I cannot do my housework I no longer want to live… guess what? The people
requested meat. They were bored by the manna bread. Though the same every day, it contained all the
nourishment they needed (as a new born baby finds all it needs in milk) (Num 14:2 with v 29). Every
day for the next weeks The Lord answered their request and gave them quail. Imagine eating fried steak
for every meal for days. One soon demands change! They wanted meat, they got meat. The primacy of
God’s word; teach it, preach it, read it to the people. It is The Lord’s provision for His people’s
sustenance. Paul charged Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim 4:2; Heb 4:12).
Joshua’s misplaced zeal in defending the senior man
The unbelieving murmuring of the people is the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. It was just
too much to take. Moses is almost overwhelmed. It was “too heavy” for him. The Lord’s answer is elderdelegation. The days of one-man ministry, the super pastor, were over. The New Testament always
speaks of a plurality of elders. Work with what you have, especially when the church is young. Appoint
another who is ‘elder’, and best fulfils 1 Timothy 3 qualifications: Thirteen character requirements with
one mention of gift. Not the other way around!
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The spirit on Moses is taken and placed upon the seventy, who begin to prophesy. Oh to have been
an…‘eagle’ on the wall! The seventy were selected and invited to gather at the Tabernacle. Possibly
because of ceremonial uncleanness, two men remain in the camp. When the Spirit descends, all seventy
receive, including the two. The two offices in the local church, elders and deacons, must be men of the
Spirit (Acts 6). Perceiving some area of disobedience or disorder, Joshua wants the two men restrained.
‘This has to stop’ he thinks. ‘They are not among the proper people in the appointed place. Moses, the
people’s hearts and minds will move in their estimation and admiration of you, and go toward the two.
Your respect level will drop. You are the prophet. That must be safe guarded.’ ‘That ‘elder’ is receiving
an awful amount of attention you know pastor. It’s dangerous.’ Moses is magnanimous and self
disinterested and retains a wise and gracious attitude: “Enviest thou for my sake”? (Num 11:29) As long
as they are of ‘the seventy’, do not restrain a growing group within the church! (Mk 9:38-41) Oh for a
heart at leisure from itself!
The prophethood of all believers
It is possible for a young man to be too keen for the honour of his Senior Pastor. Rather have that than
the reverse however! Guide him in grace concerning the workings of the Spirit. Among appointed men,
we acknowledge the ‘pot of oil’! Here, as Moses appoints the seventy, we see a mini ‘day of Pentecost’. In
Acts 2, the Spirit is taken from The anointed one and distributed in power upon the 120 disciples (Acts
2:33). “Ye may all prophesy one by one” (1 Cor 14:31).
The Lord’s gifts do not need examination
As a young man I worked in a jeweller’s store. A person could request to examine a diamond. They might
return a few times to examine the object. We could, with the approval of the management, obtain other
specimens by ‘sale or return’, for them to look at; ‘appro’ it was called. Similarly, if I am going to purchase
a new car I give it a thorough check and a test drive. Alternatively, what The Lord gives does NOT need to
be checked. He has done the checking for us. It needs to be received. He only gives ‘good gifts’.
Moses is given an apostolic-like instruction - “Send thou men”. Here in Numbers 13, the idea to spy out
the Land appears to have first originated with The Lord. A comparison with Deuteronomy 1:22 shows
otherwise. It was the people that first initiated an examination of the Land. For five hundred years they
have watched and waited for this hour. Now it has arrived they want to check it out first, for nearly six
weeks. But time is of the essence: ‘Do you want this gift or not. Do you think I’ve made a mistake? Stop
hesitating. I set the Land before you. Take it, take it now’! ‘No’ cries the faint hearted hiding behind a
mask of reason. ‘Steady, we have to check this out first. Let’s examine the geography and military. Sense
must prevail! Hang fire, caution!’
Joshua the spy
Numbers 13:8. Joshua is a representative head for Ephraim. Twelve men are chosen. Travelling north
on the eastside they then move to the West and South. Probably surveying in pairs, the scouts obtain an
overall feel for the Land.
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Grapes and Giants
Moses had been quite happy to allow the scouts to go. I wish he hadn’t, but I have some sympathy.
Sometimes we must allow the people what they want, even though it is not The Lord’s perfect will.
Remember Samuel. Such is the insistence that we cannot force the issue. Spirituality is a delicate flower.
We create an environment for growth, yet The Lord gives the increase. Some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold
or some one hundred-fold; the soil of the heart being soft or hard (Mk 4; 1 Corinth 3; Heb 3). One can
only encourage what is there. Our call is to encourage, not to force.
Every man has the right to choose the level of life upon which he is going to live
The twelve men all view the same land, at the same time, with the same commission, but two parties see
completely different situations. Their estimation and report is divided. Ten see one situation and two,
Caleb and Joshua, see it in another way. The difference could not be greater. The ten see giants with a
faint awareness of grapes. The two see grapes, with a faint awareness of giants. The ten exalt the
difficulties, the two exalt The Lord. The ten look through the eyes of natural fear, the two, through the
eyes of spiritual faith. If Joshua had entered the Land blind-folded his report would have remained the
same. He did not gain his information from what he saw.
The Promise, through from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is what animated and inspired him. That
Promise dominated his heart. He looked at the Land through that lens, from the standpoint of that
WORD. The grapes were fact; bunches of 10-12lbs. The giants were fact; “the sons of Anak”; giants Nephilim of the family of Goliath through from Genesis 6. There were canons to the left and canons to
the right; opportunity and opposition are twins. They always go hand in hand. We cannot have one
without the other; “open door = many adversaries”. But truth, the truth of the WORD OF PROMISE,
was a greater reality than the facts. It was a fact that Abraham and Sarah were passed the baby-making
stage, but the truth was what The Lord had said - the WORD OF PROMISE in their situation. The ten
failed to see what God could do in the face of the enemy. Dominated by unbelief and therefore fear they
failed to include in their calculations The Lord and His word. Their estimation, though factual, is called
“an evil report”. The majority were wrong. The minority report was right. To this day some
congregations and elderships are governed by the minority’s wishes because of this incident! If only it
was as simple as that. But it is not. If The Lord is not initiating an advance, the majority may well be
right to refuse to advance, maintaining a sweet attitude naturally. The minority may be on an ego-trip.
It happens, especially with building programmes; (please rent if you can). (Num 13:26-33; 1 Cor 16:9)
The super positive are nearly stoned to death
The people believe the ten over the two. They were pre-disposed to do so! They were already prepared
to throw in the towel and return to the familiar, wilfully oblivious to the slavery part! The majority’s
report simply confirms their worst suspicions - “I knew it! We cannot go forward, lets go back. I always
felt we were on a fool’s errand”. Joshua and Caleb are not only sure, positive and full of faith, they are
super-positive. God’s gift of faith knows. It is knowledge. The same Lord who had dealt with the
Egyptians would now deal with the Canaanites - “We are well able - we'll eat them for breakfast”! Be
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bold, be strong for The Lord thy God is with thee. It seemed the more the two declared their faith, the
more the ten and the people were provoked. A clash ensued. Joshua only just managed to come out
alive. The natural man can become extremely agitated by the person dominated by the Word and the
Spirit (Num 13:30).
Through Heaven’s eyes
In 1994 I was praying at 12:00 with five brethren. Suddenly, to the eyes of my spirit, The Lord revealed
a large area north west from where we lived and ministered. I saw, as if from an eagle’s vantage point,
the North West of Cumbria, England. From that hour I knew The Lord had given me that land. As we
pioneered new churches in the following years, my biggest headache was other ‘Christians’ who felt we
were trampling on their territory. They were fearful, threatening and abusive. I went ahead anyway (Life
story Volume 1).
Mission impossible to fulfil
When Israel faced Canaan - the giants - to the majority, were an opposition too big to hit. Difficulty
dominated their view. The enemy filled their eyesight. They acknowledged that the Land was good, but
the ten put the difficulty between themselves and God. It was impossible to conquer: ‘We cannot do it’.
Mission impossible to fail
When Joshua and Caleb saw Canaan, it was an opportunity too big to miss. Similar to when David faced
Goliath - the giant. “We walk by faith, not by sight”; “Without faith it’s impossible to please God”.
Numbers 14:9 says, “their defence is departed from them, and The Lord is with us”. Spirit principalities
were running for the hills. They feared what was about to face them. The Lord and His angels go before
a praying people. The victory in the Heavens was secured; mopping up remained. Shadows had fled.
They were on the threshold of something great
One bold push forward and their feet would have stood on their inheritance. Courage oozed out at the
decisive moment. Cowardice, disguised as prudence, called for further information. Israel is but a
stone’s throw from the prize. Agonisingly close, at Kadesh Barnea on the very border.
The catastrophic failure – the tragedy of unbelief
Their God had sworn through covenant and oath to give them the Land. They journeyed on promise.
Unbelief is the greatest of all sin - it can take a man to hell (Jn 3:18; 16:8; 9). Within two years of
leaving Egypt, they are at the gates of Canaan, the Land of the promise. Fulfilment beckons. It’s right in
front of them. They are staring it in the face. This is it. This is their destination. It was what their
prophet founders and fathers had proclaimed for centuries. That word was continually placed before
them - the coffin of Joseph a fixed object lesson.
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No stomach for the fight
I once purchased a white Renault 5. Driving down the motorway, the engine failed. A huge cloud of white
smoke bursting forth and it was all over. It was forever changed. A congregational collapse of nerve; a
falling short; fear taking hold; the very fibre of our being weakened of strength. We are dead men. Left to
our devices we shall fall at the critical hour. The self-preservation instinct comes to the fore – survival;
the saving of life, of our wife and little ones; ‘I feel like a grasshopper, I’m just overwhelmed’. But
Matthew 16:25. It’s only the word by the Spirit that makes us strong to persevere in the fight (1 Jn 2:14).
Moses’ prayer request is refused
Moses did not enter the Land, nor Aaron or Miriam. After all he had seen of The Lord, and all he had
been to the people - prophet, governor, father - he does not enter the Land of promises. He sees it, from
a distance (Deut 32:48-52). Moses had lost it at ‘the waters of Meribah’ (Num 20:10-13; Ps 32, 33,
106). Disturbed by Miriam’s death, the lack of water and the people complaining, again, Moses loses
his cool. He is instructed to speak to the rock, but instead strikes it twice, in anger, and acts as if he
causes the rock to gush forth water. ‘What else do you want from me – you rebels?’ Provoked and
agitated he speaks out of the heat of his spirit “unadvisedly with his lips”. Unbelief was in his heart. He
did not believe that The Lord would continue to help such a people with water and warfare or would
ever take them into the Land. This provided Joshua with a massive learning manual. As a
representative, the leader had given a wrong impression of The Lord to the people and is said of The
Lord “not to sanctify me”; that is to say, not to have preserved The Lord’s identity as one who is fully
committed to always do good for His own. Years later, Moses asks permission to enter the Land, but his
request is denied (Deut 3:20-27). We learn.
A provoking people
We have a responsibility to protect The Lord. His honour is manifested through us. We bear His
reputation. His “Spirit” is provoked, agitated, stirred up, and angered at ungratefulness. It’s where
Moses vented that heat that cost him his inheritance - at the people and not to The Lord; public not
private.
The people are The Lord’s, do not take it personal!
We ‘lord it over’ the people when we think they belong to us! As if we had produced them and they are
our property. 1 Peter 5, the people are the sheep of His pasture. He is their God, they are His people.
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. Give The Lord His church back, His purchase by His blood; His
body. Joshua witnesses his father / mentor not make it. Make sure, as Joshua, you learn from others’
mistakes.
Law will never take us into our inheritance, in Canaan or in Christ
As the receiver of the law on Sinai, Moses is ever associated with a time when men are told – ‘do this,
and live’; ‘do not do it, and die’! An Old Testament rule-based, law-like ministry never led anyone,
including themselves, into the Promised Land. There are some ‘big’ ministries right now in the USA and
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Northern Ireland that fulfil this truth. There’s a huge gulf between attaining and obtaining; between
striving and receiving. A law-ministry creates guilt and fear and a discouraged people who never quite
feel good enough before The Lord; a people dominated by ‘should’ not ‘could’!
What the people did not - believe
As a father, He had promised Israel as His son, an inheritance. The Land was the gift of God. Son, show
your maturity; possess it. As a God, He had provided and protected them as His covenanted people.
Miracles, wonders and signs and an outstretched arm. The fire, cloud and manna; He had carried them
on eagle’s wings. He had been faithful to His Word. It was unmistakable. As a warrior, He had fought
for them. Kings and kingdoms lay dead at their feet. The Lord as a man of war had gifted them victory
after victory. Like Nelson’s sailors, they had ‘lived in victory’. And now with Canaan in sight, they had
blown it! (Gen 15; Ex 15, 19:4; Deut 1:30-31 and 32:12)
At Kadesh Barnea we go forward or backward
In the Christian’s place of Kadesh Barnea - right on the borders of Canaan, the Promised Land - all will
be defined by this hour in our history. There is no neutral ground; we cannot stand still. To refuse to go
forward is to go backward. Which best describes you? Discontented and dissatisfied; angry with the
elders over your lack of money, or healing, or spouse; feeling like your going down a blind alley, led
down the garden path; attracted to your old life, associating with compromised people. Or
alternatively, admittedly a bit nervous, but excited about the possibilities ahead; reviewing The Lord’s
kindness in the last years and detecting His hand; not sinless maybe, but making wise decisions each
day; quite contented; assured that God is good all the time and on your side; your closest friends love
The Lord and reverence His word; the other day you kissed the Bible.
The Hebrews that Paul wrote to were in danger of going back. Their Kadesh Barnea was the person and
work of Jesus Christ. After initial faith in Him as the Promised One, they were turning back to the old
and familiar. Persecution and confiscation of goods unsettled them. Paul by the Spirit exhorts them to
continue, to press on and in and not “fall after the same example of unbelief”. A Land of rest awaited
those who persevered – their inheritance in Christ (Heb 3 and 4, and 10:32-39). The word and throne of
The Lord were available; avail yourself, watch less TV (Heb 4:12-16).
The Lord brings us out, that He might bring us in
Deuteronomy 6:23. Coming out of Egypt is just the beginning, not the end. It was always The Lord’s
heart to give them their own Land. Brought out, to be brought in. It’s never enough to move out of what
is wrong, we must press into what is right. The initial entrance into the Kingdom by repentance, faith,
water-baptism and Spirit reception is step A. Dozens of advances are still before us. We've stopped far
far too early if we stop there. Examine the teaching you are sitting under. The rich young ruler had only
kept the negative commands; what he hadn’t done. Our Lord’s call is a positive one. Give! Follow! Live!
Do not be defined by what you do not do. I’m out of slavery but am I in liberty? Moving on from being a
lawful slave to a loving son. I’m not sinning, but am I singing? Do not be hoodwinked. Catch The Lord’s
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bigger picture, the big sky. Am I enduring my Christian walk or enjoying it? Is my life more like sand or
milk? You are blessed to battle. There’s always more.
God’s emotions over Israel’s failure
A loving father plans to give his son a brand new Porsche car for his 21st birthday. The boy drives a rusty
dilapidated mini. How would the father feel if, having given him the keys on his birthday, the son hands
them back preferring the old and unsafe mini? Not happy, I should say! Paul’s words in Hebrews 3 and
4 are grieved, offended, angry, disgusted, wrathful, loathing, abhorring, spewing out, rejected, and
wearied of. That describes a person severely upset. The rejection of the car / land reveals a heart that
“despised its inheritance”. That prayer burden you have felt is a sharing of The Lord’s grieving over His
children, for ungratefulness saddens The Lord’s heart. He feels sick in His stomach (Ps 95; Rev 3).
Joshua “wholly followed The Lord” – so it is possible!
Amidst the darkness, a ray of light, for someone is getting it right. Among the 100,000s of Israelites,
God’s people, two are different. Two are fully devoted. Not two thousand, not two hundred. Two. Two
individuals, Caleb and Joshua. It almost beggars belief. Sobering in the extreme. Is it any different
today? I fear not! Are you telling me that hundreds of Christians are missing it? That a vast majority of
the Christian church is failing to experience and enjoy its inheritance in Christ? Yes. Yes I am. Some do
have a taste or toehold; but I speak of fullness - what we could have known of The Lord at a particular
junction and point in time.
For we are called to increase all the time in holiness, usefulness and
possession of the inheritance. Numbers 14:24; 30; 38; 32:11-12; Deuteronomy 1:36-38; Joshua 14:8-9;
14, includes Caleb. Paul declares Romans 15:29.
Consecration
It is possible to be perfect in obedience. Not sinless, but no lack of obedience; fulfilling all The Lord asks
of us. Arms that are full of an offering to God, set apart only for Him and His glory. As a little boy with
no money to give, stood in the church’s offering basket and gave himself. Suffused by the Spirit of God;
animated to please Him above all others; bold, generous, courageous, “chosen”. If Joshua had this
testimony in his age, surely we may in our age of grace! (Heb 11:5; 2 Tim 4:7; Rev 3:4)
There are those who do not wholly follow The Lord
“They have not wholly followed me”, Numbers 32:11. He knows the heart. He sees. He weighs us up.
Some of Paul’s most disturbing words, Philippians 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which
are Jesus Christ’s”: Seeking our own ends; satisfaction, comfort, fulfilment, happiness, success, security,
glory. It’s awful enough among God’s people; it’s more serious among the pastors whose call is to be the
example of faith and love. 1 Timothy 4:12; modelling The Lord’s ways, wisdom and word as a garment,
we the pastors shall receive the greater correction (1 Cor 3; James 3:1). The ten leaders who brought a
“slander upon The Lord / land” (Num 14:36), an evil account and report, thus accusing God of weakness
and foolishness, experienced a greater punishment from The Lord. The greater the light – the greater
the responsibility. Because of their report “the heart of the people did melt”; in morale, in strength, they
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were sunk down and discouraged. Those ten men were called to be pioneers, they had actually been into
the land for a few weeks. Yet they helped to condemn a whole generation to the wilderness. I’ve been to
churches where a whole generation is missing. There are folk aged seventy to eighty and fifteen to
thirty, but the whole middle-aged area is completely wiped out. Scary. Israel suffered a heavy price for
failure. The Lord will destroy those who destroy His people! (Acts 5; 1 Cor 3:17; Rev 2:16, 2:22-23 & 3:3)
Ministerial ambition and authority
What is it in our nature that makes a man desire to be a pastor over three people, rather than a deacon
to three thousand people? Dissatisfaction grips some of Israel’s most senior tribal leaders. They accuse
Moses of having a self-appointed ministry. Quite a remarkable charge considering the miracle-attested
way The Lord had delivered them. Discontent blinds! It’s irrational and does not yield to regular logic. A
wise pastor will conduct two to three gatherings a year where the eldership sit before the people and
present themselves accountable. Questions and queries are received, thus undermining any
undermining. It’s our call to frustrate the frustrator, and rob the robber of opportunity to do harm!
When Pharisees murmur, all are touched by the same spirit - leaven - that rises up and fills the whole.
They cannot conceive of another ‘better than themselves’ or more ‘senior’ than themselves therefore
they must reduce all to the same level - dwarfing everyone around them so that they themselves appear
better. The promotion of self involves the demotion of others.
It’s moral democracy
In such a church all are perceived to be equal, for The Lord is equally with all, the priesthood of
believers. In Numbers 16:3 the princes say to Moses, “all the congregation are holy”, hopefully. Yet the
mistake is that moral equality does not equate with ministerial duty. Is everyone like Moses or David or
Paul? Clearly not. As in marriage, husband and wife are equal in the dignity of creation and redemption,
but the man has the senior role of authority leadership – to provide and protect. Moses’ response to the
accusations thrown at him is to remind the princes of the privilege of their calling, Numbers 16:9,
“Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation
of Israel…”. Significantly, they use the same language in a charge back to Moses: “Is it a small thing that
thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness”. This
reveals the bankruptcy of their minds. They use Moses’ own form of words. The paucity of the enemy’s
position is revealed! Accusations and counter positions. Moses defends himself by seeking to assure the
malcontents that Egypt’s deliverance was not his good idea but was The Lord’s doing (Num 16:28).
To desire high office can be from a healthy motivation (1 Tim 3:1), but the man should be “not a
novice” (1 Tim 3:6). Alternatively that desire may be little more than satanic; Isaiah 14:13 “… I will ascend
into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…” and Ezekiel 28. In Numbers 17 we see The
Lord’s authority enjoys vindication; the budding rod, the producer of life and fruit and power. Ministry is
more than the right words; the accusers are destroyed. (Ps 23-26, 106; Phil 2; Jude v 11 and 16)
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Time line please
We are reminded that there is a gap of almost thirty-eight years between Numbers 19:22 and Numbers
20:1. In parallel, the same time lapse occurs between Deuteronomy 1:46 and 2:1.
“Unfeigned faith”
When the Israelites realise they’ve ‘blown it’ they muster a new enthusiasm and go off without Moses’
blessing to attack the Canaanites. Not a good idea. Spirituality and activity can appear to be very similar
and yet they are worlds apart. We hear the call of the evangelist to an increased commitment to Christ.
The next day we begin to witness for our faith in a renewed fashion. Three weeks later we are seriously
discouraged from encountering constant rejection. We have gone fighting or fishing in answer to the
desire the evangelist generated within us by clever, emotive stories. But we acted presuming on The
Lord’s help to successfully work and witness for Him. We did not give time to wait on that word for the
confirmation of the Spirit; for The Lord to give the nod (Num 14:40-45). We have an enemy who will
use scripture to encourage us to jump off the pinnacle of the temple and prove our identity in God; ‘If
you claim – you should be able to do’ (Matt 4:5-6). Paul rejoiced in the genuineness of Timothy’s faith,
born out of living in the word, and disciplined waiting upon God (2 Tim 1). When we ‘try’ to work for
God we end up bruised and bloodied – unnecessarily! 1 Samuel 15, we see Saul makes this mistake.
The circles of your mind
After the failure at Kadesh morally and militarily, Israel travels south to the area around the gulf of
Aqaba. With the phrases “ye abode in Kadesh many days”, and “we compassed Mount Seir many
days” (Deut 1:46 and 2:1), we are stunned and saddened seeing Israel going around in circles. Israel’s
wilderness wanderings, though moving, travelled nowhere. All the time, Moses and the Ark remained
relatively static for long periods of time only moving for water and pasture; there is no record of travel.
Is it possible to go round in circles for forty years with nothing to show for it? Can this happen to a
Christian or a church? We have already noted the fruitlessness indicated by the two numberings, the
census conducted at each end of the wanderings. That whole original generation dies in the wilderness
during the next forty years; Miriam, Aaron and then Moses among the very last ones to die. The sacred
writer picks up on one or two significant events. Those events are deaths! “Carcases in the wilderness”,
funeral after funeral. After forty years they are as poor and landless and restless as when they began.
The Lord’s government was fixed
It’s possible in church life to be confused because we are seeking to pray and do The Lord’s will but feel
as if no actual advance is taking place. It may be the impact from a previous generation hitting the next:
Disobedience casting a long shadow. Israel placed The Lord under examination for forty days. His
response, ‘I will put you under examination for forty years’, and nothing or no one could alter that.
David, although forgiven for his sins, suffered for the next twenty years! We all reap what we sow. The
Lord Himself cannot alter that law. (Num 32:13; Josh 5:6; Ps 95:10)
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The breach of promise
Numbers 14:34, “ye shall know my breach of promise” - a very disturbing phrase. The Lord can change
His mind. The promise was ultimately fulfilled, but to another generation, to the children of the
children of Israel. The clock stops, the word placed into abeyance. In limbo, locked into a twilight world;
suspended animation, as if all has stopped, because it has! He does fulfil His promise to Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob; the Israelites do enter the land. But the people’s response of disobedience cost them their
enjoyable experience of inheritance. Israel had broken the Covenant, so the blessings were withheld;
locked. His purpose was altered. There was a withdrawal, an alienation; His holding back.
We will find Him faithful when we are. We can be ‘saved’ and still lose our lives! The original promise of
Genesis 15 will come to pass, with the nation accepting the regulations of Sinai when they said ‘Amen’;
but in the time that followed their disobedience to The Lord’s terms excludes them from their
inheritance. The only other use of the Hebrew word ‘breach’ or ‘occasion’ - meaning quarrel, removal,
alienation – is in Job 33:10.
They remain His people – but with a wilderness experience not a Canaan enjoyment
Such is His faithfulness, though sorely grieved, that He does not ultimately cast them off. Bought and
brought out of bondage, His purpose was always a people of inheritance. In “despising the pleasant
land” and refusing to “enter their rest” Israel forfeited fullness and the best, yet still received ‘grace – in
the wilderness’ (Deut 6:23; Heb 3). For greater than man’s failure is God’s faithfulness! Man’s delay is
not God’s defeat. (Deut 2:7, 8:4, 29:5; Jer 31:2; Ps 105:8-12; 1 Cor 1:8-9; 2 Tim 2:13; 1 Thes 5:22-24;
Heb 3:2, 3:9 and v 17)
The good is the enemy of the best, and the best is the enemy of the good. Because a pastor / people only
have a vision of the ‘good’, they believe they are in Canaan when in fact it is but an experience of The
Lord’s grace in the wilderness. Yes, out of Egypt but not yet into Canaan’s rest, bounty, satisfaction and
stability! For there is always more! (Acts 18:24, 19:1-7, 28) In Luke 2, Simeon knew the Spirit’s leading
and revelation but that wasn’t an Acts 2 or Ephesians 5 ‘outpouring of the Spirit’ experience! Give
yourself to that which creates an appetite for eternal things, to that which ignites a flame upwards
toward Heaven in praise and prayer; a holy discontent to your present level of experience.
‘The Church in the wilderness’
Acts 7:38, Psalm 78. Though they failed at Kadesh, The Lord continued to lead, provide and protect.
They were still His people. Yet that should not be confused for Canaan! Here’s a people not fully
devoted, caught up in externals, glorying in what they have done; Acts 7:41, they “rejoiced in the works
of their own hands”. Whether for good or bad, whether a fancy building or a golden calf, such
behaviour/attitudes is idolatry. The Israelites forgot The Lord’s past help. In their heart they were half
in Egypt (Acts 7:39). It fosters a deep hidden frustration - ‘Is this it?!’ - and confusion, thinking surely I
am in the right place with the right people if I am in a church! If you are in such a church, speak to
elders. It may be that you are being locked and blocked - you may need to move on.
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A legitimate wilderness experience
Yes for forty days our Lord was “driven” into the desert. That certainly was not for sin! All faith, its
alloy, is tried and tested and the Devil “sifts us like wheat” (Lk 22; 1 Pet 1:7). It’s training for reigning,
pruning for more fruit; all His sons receive chastisement (Jn 15; Heb 12). Israel could have arrived at
Canaan’s border after eleven days (Deut 1:2). But The Lord led them south not north. Two years on,
Canaan was before them! Those two years were for development; learning, listening, seeing His
goodness, military preparation, sand to encourage the desire for milk and honey. This was wilderness
before war (Ex 13:17-18). This was The Lord’s gymnasium; ‘the school of God’ (Deut 8). A lack of
response to light and life would lead to a deeper cut of the Father’s knife (Jn 15).
Joshua went ‘through’ the wilderness but he was never ‘in’ it!
Caleb and Joshua knew The Lord’s presence as a cooling shadow over them. Their minds were refreshed
among many a parched person; those two men were walking human oasises (Ps 17:8, 121:5; Isa 32:2).
On a level Joshua suffers for others’ disobedience - he was physically in the same situation. But
emotionally and spiritually he was enjoying the Promised Land long before he stepped foot into it. Such
are the consolations of The Lord. (Ps 1, Ps 84; Jer 17:7-8)
Find one of the ‘two’ in your church area. Stay close to those people. He preserves the innocent. Sand
was in Joshua’s shoe but not in his heart. For forty years Joshua knew what that nation could have
been….if only! Such a mixture of sadness and gladness in his heart, as at a Christian’s funeral – such a
mix of feelings (Isa 53; Heb 1). But the people were more miserable in the wilderness than in Egypt, not
enjoying either world but stuck between the two. The call is into the ‘one’ world, as to the Laodiceans in
Revelation 3:20.
We are robbed of our inheritance by doing what we like
It’s not major sin that deceives us, but subtle compromises within ourselves. The chambers of the mind;
self indulgences; misuse of alcohol; gluttony; unclean literature; lack of forgiveness; manipulation/
witchcraft; worship of self; stubbornness that is not strength; indifference; casual half-heartedness (Gal
5). The vast majority are not loud-mouthed complainers, or fly-in-the-ointment kind of people, but are
those who are just too content with what they already have. The dangers - legalism on one side and
license on the other: Opposites, but each as dangerous as the other. As the striding edge of Helvelin - the
danger of falling down one side or the other into disaster… I urge - Turn your back on your old life of
longing and lusting. “Too low they build who build beneath the stars!” (Deut 6:4-5, 10:12; Ps 78:38-41)
‘Ceasing from our own works”
Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. It is much harder to cease from good works than bad: Reliance, dependence,
seeking to impress God and balance the ledger. When we finally give up, we are reduced to but one
option - the blood of Christ. It is like the story of the man hanging onto a cliff edge: He calls out “Is
anybody there?” A voice calls back, “Let go!” He doesn’t let go. He calls again and again and again, “Is
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anybody there?” Finally his strength fails. He let’s go. And he falls… only three foot onto the ledge
below!
We need to ‘go on holiday’ from what we can naturally produce by our own efforts; natural kindness etc
is not the fruit of the Spirit’s indwelling. Like a child with the contents of his potty saying, ‘Look,
mummy, at what I've done’: That’s how The Lord sees our natural kindness and natural efforts when
they are not born of the Spirit. Instead, we wait on God and His work in us: We hear/receive a word;
acknowledge it; lay it before Him; wait six weeks for His strength; His sanctifying power comes; the old
now becomes distasteful; we are quickened, feeding the right hungerings. He saves us. He becomes our
Salvation, “to will and to do of his good pleasure”. Wait on God! (Isa 30; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:12-13) Rest in
Him; give up relying on yourself, like a ‘weaned child’. Move from working for God, to working with
God –therefore it is all to His glory. Sin hardens, yet also when we try and fail our heart is hardened, for
we have not given up a self-life based on effort. We are ever coming to the place where two ways part;
one leads to the land of promise and one to a hardened heart. A hardened heart - calloused, insensitive,
unimpressionable - says ‘tomorrow - I’ll work harder, I’ll try harder’… but the Holy Ghost says ‘TODAY
– I will do it’. He who hesitates is lost – literally. Our destiny depends on responding in time for there
are no unbelievers in Hades.
The Lord’s call upon us is for more than ‘successful failures’
‘A successful failure’ - a phrase used by Jim Lovell quoting NASA’s description of the Apollo 13 mission
(by Tom Hanks in a film version). The mission was successful because amazingly there were no
fatalities. It was a failure because they never arrived at the moon and so did not fulfil the mission’s aim.
The Japanese attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbour in 1941 is also sometimes depicted in
a similar vein. Thousands perished and twenty ships were sunk or seriously damaged, yet none of the
fuel dumps or the deep water docks were hit, so repairs were able to be carried out! An unusual lapse on
the part of the Japanese - The Lord was clearly blinding and baffling the mind of the Japanese High
Command!
Many remained satisfied with deliverance out of Egypt, for them that was enough. It was a ‘successful
failure’. They had tasted some of God’s blessings. Some of their requests were answered and yet
somehow, they felt worse for it (Ps 106:15). Their bodies were fatter but their souls were thinner.
All God’s blessings for all of God’s people
The twelve spies represented the twelve tribes. It was intended that no one was to be left out of the
blessing, so all were represented. All tasted the grapes and had a chance. The lesson of their story is the
danger of settling for less - maybe because others seemed to be in the same boat. But they could have
known The Lord’s fullness; “Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings”, Ephesians 1:3 - milk,
honey, wine and oil awaited Israel. She settled for manna and quail. Lord, increase our capacity for the
opportunity!’ There is faith, hope, love, joy, peace to be had in The Lord - I speak of quality of life. Yes
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we will still have moments of lowness, expressed for example when we pray for others, Romans 9:2, but
the richness of life in Christ cannot be expressed (Eph 3:8 and 19).
There were some outstanding acts of devotion: Phinehas stood up
The will of God be done; nothing more, nothing else, nothing less; always, everywhere and at all costs.
We are encouraged to see another name enter the volume of spiritual heroes, though they would not
have considered themselves as such. Psalm 106:30-31, “Then stood up Phinehas”. The story is in
Numbers 25. Israelite men are having relations with Moabite women. Phinehas runs a couple through
with a spear. He is commended as “zealous for my sake”. So even in ‘dire straits’, when all are going
wrong - people all around you are walking in disobedience - it does not mean that you have to. Be your
own man or woman – be God’s man!
There is “no way” in the wilderness
The word “aimless” sums it up very well. “We had a ‘nice service’; the pastor gave a ‘nice message’; the
choir sang a ‘nice song’; there was a ‘nice’ sense of The Lord’s presence.” “Yes, and then?” “Well… then
we went home!” Week after week, the same evaluation and expectation. Oh! The church may have the
ability to conduct ‘nice’ services but may actually be going nowhere! Psalm 107:40, He “causeth them to
wander in the wilderness, where there is no way”; no road, no direction, no foresight; no quantifiable
spiritual achievement; never feeling as if we've arrived somewhere; meandering in all directions;
involved in dozens of christianised activities… but lost the path.
Geographical explanation
In the spring of 1407 BC the twelve tribes marched down into the Arabah once more and then headed
north to Zalmonah, recorded in Numbers 33:41. King Arad the Canaanite, who had repelled the
presumptuous Israelites raid thirty-eight years earlier near Kadesh, once more challenges the large
force approaching his territory. At Hormah, Arad’s army is destroyed (Num 21:1-3). Moses would have
naturally preferred to have taken the Israelites through Edom and along the king’s highway, but King
Rekem of Edom, descendent of Esau, had refused his distant kin to access Moab and Ammon by
journeying through his territory for fear of reprisal from his northern neighbour (Num 20:14-21). Moses
reluctantly takes the more inhospitable root, skirting Edom on its western side, and heading north
through the Arabah basin.
The children of Israel head past Oboth and cross the valley of Zared into the borders of Moabite
territory. Continuing along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea to the ruins of Zoar, they reach the gorge
of the river Kerak (its modern name), up which they climb to reach the southern boundary of the tribal
kingdom of Ammon. The progress of the Israelites eventually sees them camped down on the plains of
Moab for the winter. As a great tented city they are situated at Abelshittim, to the East of the Jordan
river, just north of the Dead Sea (Num 21, 33).
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The Anglicans and Methodists said “No”. The Roman Catholics said “Yes”
At a church in Windermere, Cumbria, we desired to reach out with the Gospel into the town. As we
rented a school building slightly off set from the main road for church meetings, a building with greater
prominence would be helpful. The local Anglicans and Methodists refused to rent us their buildings,
producing lame excuses, but the Roman Catholics with the agreement of the local bishop said yes. For
thirteen Sunday nights we / I preached Christ and healed the sick and oppressed, at a ‘Roman altar’.
That was a learning curve. Joshua was about to witness the enemy’s obstinacy and aggressiveness:
“Why should we help Israel by granting passage through our lands?” Even with the promise not to use
their water and crops, Edom and Ammon said ‘no’.
Nations today are very sensitive concerning their ‘airspace’ and become aggressive when that territorial
region is breached. Those nations of Edom and Ammon were not within the land of Canaan, the
prescribed area of promise, and therefore could have remained neutral. But fear, pride and demonic
pressure would not allow them to be seen to be aiding the people of God. Our Lord declared, “Those
who are not against us – are for us” (Mark 9:40). A great principle to work by! It sometimes surprises
me who chooses not to be my enemy! The Ammonites and Edomites, Moabites and Midianites not only
refuse help, but add insult to injury by arming and facing Israel. Not only a refusal, but aggressive
rudeness. There was no need for that – that was a big mistake. One day I’ll open my letter file to the
public - what a shock the contents of that would be. Those nations east of Canaan paid a heavy price for
their attitudes: “He that toucheth you touches the apple of His eye” (Zech 2:8). What aggressively comes
against us, comes against The Lord.
Save our sandcastles
A child was in distress in the sea on the coast of Cornwall, south west England. The coastguard vehicle
was on the scene within two minutes. Holidaymakers had made elaborate sandcastles. They refused
permission for the rescue truck to pass through their temporary creations. Abandoning the truck the
lifeguards had to run a third of a mile to the drowning child. They only just saved his life with mouth to
mouth resuscitation. What heart attitudes cause men to behave in such a fashion – to think that our
temporary human creations are more important than the salvation work of The Lord.
Our ‘playing at church’ can risk the souls of our community. This is not a past time we are involved in.
We are not running a fish and chip shop! We are involved in eternal life or death! The next time you
‘refuse’ a development in the life of the church just re-check your motivation. It can be a shock!
Religious Christian denominations will always remain set on looking after number one, whatever the
claims of the lowest common denominator ecumenical soup. Religion didn’t assist our Lord, or Paul the
apostle, it sought to murder them! Do not be over surprised - don’t go looking for rejection but be
prepared for it. Joshua’s schooling and observations continued a pace with these experiences. He filed
it all away. (Saul and David subdued and exacted service from Edom, 2 Sam 8; Isaiah 14). Do not fight
every enemy, or treat every enemy as an enemy, at least not in that season. Choose your moment. Some
social norms need to be acknowledged – if you’re cooking your tea and the enemy attacks, you don’t
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have to immediately respond to that attack! You do not have to follow the enemy’s agenda for your life.
What goes around comes around… The Lord will remember.
The curses of witchcraft
Joshua 13:22: “In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of
Beor, who practiced divination”. Balaam is the ‘madman’ often speaking gibberish and insanity,
possessed by a senior chief demon. This is the very same spirit animating the ‘prosperity gospel’,
guiding and guarding it’s own. Those wishing to hold onto their own land, riches, people, reputation
and positions, seek to hire a ‘Balaam’ who will curse the people of God (Num chapters 22 to 24). Tell me
about it!
I’ve met men in Nigeria, sacrificing to the Devil on Saturday, then leading a large ‘church’ on the
Sunday... what a mixture of gift and inspirations. But The Lord turns cursing into blessing: In January
2008 I lifted a curse off the England football team placed there by men in Portugal. This Midianite
prophet, Balaam, has his imitators today who follow his way, his doctrine, his error. 2 Peter 2:15: The
way of Balaam. Jude v 11: The error of Balaam. Revelation 2:14: The doctrine of Balaam.
What men will do for money! That is all Balaam was about – gaining the wages of unrighteousness.
Truth can come out of an enemy’s mouth - Acts 16:16-18, but it doesn’t make them true, 1 John 4:1-3.
We can expect The Lord’s hand - Matthew 7:22; John 11:31; 2 Peter 2:16.
The craft of whoredom
The inspiration to ensnare Israel came from the same source as the curses. Where the direct assault
may fail, the indirect is far more successful: Witchcraft and women of Moab. These ‘ladies’ suddenly
appeared and began to ‘seduce’, court, intermingle with Israelite men. The speed of what followed is
breathtaking - idolatry and immortality, two sides of the same coin. Numbers chapter 25 - “Whoredom
– Baal-peor”; Israel was warned back in Exodus 34 and Leviticus 20. The spiritual uncleanness
proceeded and accompanied the physical uncleanness. Baal-peor; this Moabite god of uncleanness. Men
to women or women to men, our enemy will use what he can to separate us from The Lord: Numbers
25:18; 31:16; Deuteronomy 4:3; Psalm 106:28; Hosea 9:10.
But - “we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor 2:11); (cf, A Manual for Overcomers; Eve and the
Serpent). Some things in life are neutral; antiques, sport, cars. Other material is full of unclean seed.
Let’s beware of what we are following, what’s catching our eye, what we are separating unto, what we
are joining into. These powers are so infectious in uncleanness that though a plague from The Lord
destroyed the main men involved; the spirit that animated the ladies to seduce the Israelite men to this
shame was not removed till quite some time later.
The counsel of the mad prophet Balaam to bring unclean and unrestrained s.e.x. into Israel’s camp was
very cunning and clever because its inspiration was demon intelligence. Israel became joined and in
union with that spirit that was animating Midian. Not only attacked but attached! What do we love?
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What are we sacrificing ourselves unto? Who are we selling ourselves unto? That will be the oppression
upon us, felt or not! A young man is involved ‘in martial arts’ and draws on energies from the East
enhancing his abilities. Years later the bill comes in - he became suicidal and depressive. The
destructive spirit now wants its pound of flesh. It will be paid! Baal means Lord, peor means opening.
The ‘Lord of the opening’: That principality that is expert at opening up breaches in the armour upon
God’s people! 75% of Christian ministers that fall can be traced to its activity; invariably, adultery. We
are to be set apart to and for God by the Word and Spirit (Jn 17:17; 2 Cor 6:14, 7:1; 1 Thes 5:23), “…I
pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.”
“Spring up, O well”
The answer to a spirit is another spirit. Israel was at the well of ‘Beer’. (I have relatives who bear that
surname. It fits. Beer by name and beer by nature.) But here we speak of another drink. Num 21:17:
“Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, oh well; sing ye unto it”. In a seasonable hour, a well is
discovered amidst some bushes and cleared by the prince elders. A song of thanksgiving arises from the
people as with one voice they praise God for His provision. Water equals life, especially in the East. As
Abraham’s wells, not re-dug but reopened, so it is in the spiritual life. Philistine earth or Idumean
bushes cover over the flow and robust thrust of the “well of living water….” so that it ceases to spring up
“into everlasting life”. We lose the bubble we once enjoyed. Friend sing more, forgive your debtors,
remember The Lord’s goodness, speak in tongues, prophesy, play your instrument, clap your hands,
shake your own soul, ‘be filled with the Spirit, keep on being filled with the Spirit’. (Gen 26; Jn 4,
7:37-39; 1 Cor 14; Eph 5; Col 3)
You will not sing for long and stay miserable, miserly or murmuring. The song of gratefulness will
realign your spirit again with The Lord. Singing praise songs to The Lord will unlock, unleash, uncover
the dam imposed upon your internal rivers of water; expect an earthquake (Acts 16:26).
Keith Green wrote a song ‘Spring up o well – within my soul’. That’s a good a place as any to start. Faith
singing by addressing our own soul! All this and more Joshua, as Moses’ assistant, assimilated and
recorded – ‘that man doth not live by bread only’, holiness unto The Lord, that The Lord was quite
prepared to chastise or punish, that praise is the power of Heaven and that “the weapons of our warfare
are not carnal, but ultimately they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”. Write
your own songs.
Israel gained victories on the way to Canaan
The Lord’s people had to fight to come to a place where they were positioned and postured to enter the
land of the Promises. “We wrestle”… Enemies are faced, intent on ‘resisting and withstanding our
forward movement’: ‘Kings’ are fearful at losing their territorial hold and authority. As they marched up
that East area of Canaan, relief and rejoicing filled their hearts. The forty years was over. We can be sure
that many in the camp, and especially the government, counted out and down those forty years. ‘Only
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thirty-seven to go…Only two years to go….’ And then ‘Hallelujah’ the word of command to Moses, “Ye
have dwelt long enough in this mount”.
Some areas they skirted around as an inconvenience to be dealt with later, others they confronted
militarily and overcame - notably Og, King of Bashan, and Sihon, King of the Amorites. Deuteronomy 3
informs us that Og was a giant of a man, of a king, of a principality and power. For just before we arrive
at the borders of Promises, giants block our way. We are believing we are in and doing the will of God…
and then enters no small degree of confusion and turmoil, for it is very far from plain sailing. A giant is
standing before us; a super-size enemy, stronger than we’ve ever encountered before. This is not rocket
science! Take it as a backhanded compliment. What does the powers of darkness fear the most? Your
usefulness and initiation into the ‘realm of the supernatural’. Hell will fight with all its might.
Remember, you are the one that’s advancing, going forward, taking ground and “being guided into all
truth”. You initiated this fight. What did you expect the enemy to do? Roll over and run away?
Hopefully no teaching you have received has given you that false impression. It will roll over and run,
but you have to make it do so by standing firm, holding your ground, new ground, and not rolling over
and running away. You may not possess all the sensory feelings and convictions you would wish for:
That’s fine, wait on The Lord; position yourself for openness and The Lord will move all along before
you. You’re about to experience a destruction upon your Og that you can tell your grandchildren about.
It will be a source of great encouragement thereafter. The Lord did that….. He will do this! (Num 21:33;
Deut 1:4, 3:1-17, 31: 4; Josh 2:10, 12:4; Ps 136:18-20)
You have entered “the land of the giants”
Deuteronomy 3:13. You have entered the land of three-eyed Og, ‘the sons of power’, and have not even
entered Canaan yet! Sobering! Og was not the last giant but the last remaining one in that area: His
bedstead was thirteen and a half feet long suggesting he was eleven to twelve feet tall! The remnants of
the creatures created from the time of Noah, Gen 6: The Nephilim, or Rephaim – ‘the strong ones’. The
Zuzim and Anakim (Gen 14:5, 15:20), these ‘kings’ that we face are, in their world, famous, mighty and
great. For when the psalmist sings his history-based praises, that The Lord’s “mercy endureth forever”,
these are the terms he uses to describe the people of God’s enemy in that hour. Be assured, Joshua was
in the vanguard of the action. Psalm 135:10-11 “Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings; Sihon
king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan” and Psalm 136:17-19, “To
him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy
endureth for ever”. Such victories magnify The Lord’s goodness.
When The Lord is going to help His people, again, it is compared to these original engagements and
over-comings. Psalm 68: 22-23, “I will bring again from Bashan… that thy foot may be dipped in the
blood of thine enemies”. Those who have gone before, “preparing the way of The Lord”, will be able to
“leap” into other territory from what has been conquered (Deut 33:22 with Josh 19:40-48). This land
has high mountains; Mt Hermon – “The hill of Bashan” - sixty to seventy cities with walls and gates
“brasen”, famous tree forests of oaks and infamous “bulls”. This enemy is unsubtle - brasen, bullish,
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brutal - which were at the crucifixion of our Lord, bashing and bruising his soul; crashing and crushing;
senior, unclean principalities. (1 Kg 4:13; Ps 22:12; Ezek 27: 6, 39:18; Zech 11:2)
The Hebrew for ‘Bashan’ is faithful. In this place and against this prince, Israel proved ‘faithful’. In the
future the ‘fruit’ of the area would serve Israel, in land, in hills, in trees and in manpower. Each victory
serves to strengthen for the next gruelling encounter.
There are victories outside of Canaan
The Christian who has not as yet appropriated and realised “All spiritual blessings” can still know
victories because he is “on the way”. He is on the way to “Beulah” land (Isaiah 62:4). Our Lord will grace
us with assistance as we seek to arrive there. He knows our heart; He sees our desire to ‘get there’. Israel
is yet east of the land of promises and has to fight serious and senior foes to position themselves to
enter the land. The presence of ‘giants’ does not, of itself, indicate that we have entered the land.
However, such an encounter should encourage us to know that we are approaching a fresh experience in
our God. Draw strength from the encouragement. For the enemy to go to such lengths to block you,
bodes well for imminent river crossings and entrance into “the rest of faith”.
The Lord will not make us enjoy all we are in Christ Jesus
Two and a half of the twelve tribes seek Moses’ permission and blessing to settle on the East of the
Jordan, outside the borders of the Promised Land. The area looks suitable and attractive for there are
much cattle there and the grazing is suitable to rear their own herds. They are predisposed to desire this
land by what they already possessed! It answered their immediate, felt need. ‘This will do fine. Why
journey any further, why risk any more loss?’ Moses, quite rightly allows them the desires of their heart,
to come so far and no further. There is an ease in church life which the Holy Ghost will not fight. He
doesn’t forget where the church people are called to be, but he will allow us to forgo the best, the all, the
‘always more’! “If any man will come after me, let him…follow me” (Matt 16:24). Forced spirituality is a
horrible spectacle to behold. It’s a violation of the human will, which is always afforded the ultimate
dignity from our Lord, even unto Hades.
The young boy was growing tomatoes. None were forthcoming. Wanting to please and impress his
father, he purchased some from the local market and tied them onto his own tomato plant, impressive
but dead. I know of churches where all is a bit too easy, a bit too laid back. There is no awareness of the
battle, the Christian warfare, and failing to obtain victories is a case of - ‘it must have been the will of
God’. A case of ‘whatever will be will be’ - more fatalism than the Christian faith. Yet one can only
encourage what's there, so you pray for an increased “hunger after righteousness”; anything else would
cause a fracture in your relationship within the body. Moses let the people off the hook and left them to
do what they wanted to do. He never again raised the issue with them…only The Lord knows what
might have been for Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh (Num 32:1-5, 34:13 & v 15). Our Lord
watched the rich young ruler walk away. He placed before him discipleship but made no effort to lower
the cost or ease the call (Lk 18:18-24).
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Borderland church
Deuteronomy 29:8. In borderland church the people have come so far, they have defeated enemies. Yet
now the two and a half tribes say – ‘no further please’. ‘We are committed, you understand, but this
place right here is comfortable and convenient. Do not keep on to us about crossing the Jordan. Maybe
its right for you nine and a half tribes, so go ahead’. ‘Physical healing, the Spirit’s immediate guidance,
speaking in tongues, miracles, prophesy, exorcisms, please - you go ahead. We'll be fine here’. If they
had been whole-hearted they never would have requested this (Num 32). The idea of the inheritance
was in their head, but not in their heart. They knew they were part of God’s people, but did not drink
deeply of the “Spirit of adoption”. It is our responsibility to govern our thinking by what God has
promised! Let’s not cling to the safety of what we are already possessing. Our calling is never what we
are currently enjoying; the best is yet to come (Prov 4:18; Hos 6:3; Phil 3:12-14).
At borderland church they despise their spiritual inheritance
What is greater or more important than our heavenly calling? It is a high and holy thing. To our Lord’s
call some said, “I have married a wife, I cannot come” (Lk 14:20). There is a list of various excuses. The
legitimate becomes sinful when it clashes with His ownership over our lifestyle. When that call comes,
even our wives and children become second, as and when their interests and His clash. The word ‘hate’
used in the Bible means to not ‘love’… If there is ever a clash, our love for The Lord outweighs our
commitment to family. This incidently is in their best interest. We decide who we are going to please
and impress. Where do we want to be known - in Heaven or on earth? To our family or to our God? The
evil spirit calls out in Acts 19:15 to amateur Jewish exorcists “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who
are ye?”. Paul and Barnabus paid a heavy price for being recognised in the Heavenlies. Do you wish to
be known in Heaven and hell. We serve, scrupulously devoted to an audience of ‘one’. Do not settle for
second best. Determine somewhere deep inside that you will experience the very best The Lord has
purposed for your life - the words ‘if only’, will not then be inscribed on your tombstone. (Num 14:31,
15:31; Ps 106:24; Isa 5:24; Mal 1:6; 1 Cor 11:22; 1 Thess 5:20)
Israel’s place was inside Canaan not outside of it!
Two and a half of the twelve tribes request to stay this side of Jordan - a reasonable request. Yes,
reasonable according to this world’s wisdom, according to the sight of their natural eyes, what their eyes
took in. A head knowledge, but head knowledge alone, though sensible maybe to our wider family, will
never enrich us. We'll all get by but miss His enrichment: “The blessing of God which maketh rich and
addeth no sorrow to it”. The two and a half tribes are a form of the worldly Christian - a contradiction in
terms, dominated in mind and body by this world’s opinions, values, prejudices, senses, directions, and
appetites. Years later when armies from the East sought to conquer Israel, the two and a half were the
first to go into captivity. They were also the first, on the edges of the Promised Land - miles from its
centre of worship, to fall into gross idolatry. We have been warned! Oliver Cromwell said of his son: “I
would have him learn a little history, for those who forget history are condemned to re-live it”. ‘Do I love
The Lord more today than I did one year ago?’ This is answered by, ‘do I obey The Lord today more than
I did one year ago?’ (Jn 15:9-10) Otherwise my journey has been interrupted - I’m in the process of
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ceasing to be part of a ‘Pilgrim people’, and I’m simply a nomad. It’s possible to forfeit our share of the
Promised Land, attracted as Lot toward Sodom.
There are Christians who do good outside of Canaan
It would not be the complete picture if we stopped here concerning the two and a half tribes. It would be
unfair and irresponsible, for the two and a half did accomplish some good. Israel’s leadership could see
that if the two and a half stayed on the East of Jordan and chose not to enter the land, the effect on the
nine and a half would be seriously undermining as they sought to accomplish prolonged military
campaigns. In short they would be discouraged that brethren were not standing with them. Moses was
able to arrange an agreement that a fighting force would support the nine and a half until they had
secured the occupation. As it required seven years to conquer the majority of Canaan, no doubt a rota of
leave and rest would have been established, as with units at times of war.
A church at ease can still give the support of men and monies to their brethren who are on the frontline.
I’ve witnessed this on a number of occasions. Inter-local church co-operation can be a true joy. Its
absence can seriously undermine a Christian soldier’s morale and resolve. If those at ease fail in their
support of others, they will be doomed to a desert and the leaders of the new pioneering work will share
The Lord’s ‘anger’ and displeasure at those at “ease in Zion”. Beginning to come forth out of a
wilderness wandering, they could be sent straight back into the same experience. Nothing is automatic.
Numbers 32:6-15; Amos 6:1, “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of
Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!”
The two and a half did maintain a kind of unity with the nine and a half, a unity according to their own
design, Gilead proving more attractive than Canaan. We need each other, and should not be quick to
dismiss fellow believers. A local church will have the natural, carnal and spiritual among the people, as
Corinth had, even with unbelievers in attendance. Let’s not write off those whom The Lord is still
seeking to bring right in. Be patient for as long as you can.
Joshua, as Moses’ successor, is inducted into the shepherd’s calling
Numbers 27:17. For forty years Joshua had been Moses’ assistant, his right-hand military general.
Moses is about one hundred and twenty years old, Joshua eighty years old. I was once asked if I
believed I was an apostle. I answered: “I am not a novice” - that was after thirty years in Christian
ministry. Joshua had stood “among the alien corn”. He was tried and tested. He had persevered. He was
no meteor, no five minute wonder. Born into Egyptian slavery he had witnessed all the major events of
deliverance, law-giving, Kadesh failure, wilderness wandering. All his peers, bar one, had passed away,
their bleached carcases strewn in the desert. Through it all he had kept his attitude sweet and his heart
“in faith” for covenant land – that which was promised to be fulfilled. Observing Moses at close
quarters, he understood the responsibilities and sensitivities of leading such a people. He had fought
and been faithful.
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He is now to be promoted. He is to be the first among the elders, the senior man, the shepherd of the
flock of God. Numbers 27:20, this is a calling of honour. Numbers 27:18, he is separated from among
the people; the Holy Spirit is upon him. Numbers 27:18, he will be initiated into office by the laying on
of hands. Numbers 27:19, he is to be given a charge. This is to be public. Numbers 27:20, the people are
called to obey him. Numbers 27:21, he will be in close association with other gift men. Numbers 27:21,
the guiding counsel of The Lord is available to him - the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ of the Urim and Thummim,
stones of black and white indicating a positive or negative. Joshua is to administer the prophetic word.
Num 32:28, he is a witness to the two and a half tribes’ commitment. Numbers 34:17, he is to oversee
the division of the land into lots for the nine and a half tribes. He is full of wisdom (Deut 34:9), that
insightful wisdom of God which causes us to see the bigger picture in every situation. (Jn 21; Acts 1, 6,
13; 1 Tim 3; Titus 1; Heb 13; 1 Pet 5)
I’ve personally known three inductions into the pastoral call: At Caerphilly in South Wales, at Doncaster
in South Yorkshire, and at Ambleside in South Lakes in Cumbria. I was twenty-two, twenty-five and
thirty years old. Since then I have given the charge to a few dozen men, lately to our own son, David, at
Washington Christian Centre in the North East of England. That was a particular joy. Having read
before him the charge of 2 Timothy 4:1-5, he unexpectedly announced, “Yes I will. Amen”, which we
have now added to the usual proceedings. So Joshua son of Nun is initiated into the pastoral calling;
Israel’s new and future leader, willingly taking the reins, receiving testimony directly from The Lord; a
man that performed his duty and was dominated by convictions. He had spent a lifetime taking orders a “man under authority” in the school of obedience. “The heights by great men reached and kept were
not attained in sudden flight, but they while their companions slept were toiling upwards in the night;
and now thou hidden from our ken in Midian desert Sinai’s hill, Spirit of God thou hast thy men,
waiting thy time to do thy will.”
Joshua has developed strength, and skill to wield it. He is anointed and appointed. We cannot make a
man what he isn’t, but it is the present eldership’s responsibility to acknowledge where the pot of oil is
and ensure the congregation’s approval. We would normally give the church body one month to indicate
any concerns (Num 24, 27; Deut 34; Prov 16:33). Joshua was not identical to Moses; he was not a
prophet or a civil ruler. Those who follow us do not have to fill our shoes. We work with what the Head
of the Church gifts as men into His church, He knows the need of the hour.
Deuteronomy - the book
After thirty-eight years Israel are back to where they started, approaching the borders of the Promised
Land. A whole generation has died out. The number of fighting men available to bear arms is almost
identical; then 603,000 at Kadesh Barnea, now 601,000 forty years later. Quite extraordinary. They had
flat-lined, and only reproduced themselves. There had been no increase. So here we are again. It’s
‘Groundhog Day’! Disobedience led to rebellion, led to judgement, led to exclusion. Now the people
reassemble. There’s a new numbering, a fresh advance this time coming toward the land from east to
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west, from the plains of Moab. Final preparations are about to be made. A new generation with a new
leadership.
Miriam, Aaron and Moses do not enter the land.
Each represents three different areas of ministry that will not take us into the Land: Prophecy,
priesthood and law. They are replicated later but only after Joshua has taken us over and into the Land.
Our heavenly Joshua , The Lord Jesus Christ, fully fitted to lead us into green pastures and still waters.
Miriam the prophetess, Aaron the priesthood, Moses the law. When we witness conferences, teachings,
books or magazines emphasising one of these areas of ministry truth to the detriment of others beware. Remember, heresy is truth distorted. Neither the prophetic in itself, nor praying in itself, nor
holiness in itself - as if discipline was an end in itself - will lead us into the Land. When He, our Lord, is
the centre and circumference everything else lines up in its place.
If we expect, appoint and hope that a Miriam-ministry or an Aaron-ministry or a Moses-ministry will
finely thrust us into all of The Lord’s best, we will be out of alignment, seriously disappointed and
confused. Seventy-five percent of all ‘Joeys’ (Jehovah’s witness – so called) are ex-evangelical believers!
It is not by accident that none of these three - Miriam, Aaron or Moses - lead the way into Canaan. That
which takes us out of Egypt will not be that which takes us into Canaan. The Lord uses different giftmen at different times for different ends. What the evangelist begins, the pastor-teacher continues, the
prophet inspires, and the apostle’s government-ability forges with strength and structure. This is the
way for us into the “rest of faith”.
Deuteronomy is the second ‘giving of the law’
As the first generation has died out and gone, the children of the children of Israel are now provided
with a detailed presentation of The Lord’s requirements upon them. Desiring us to walk in the light, He
will give us all the disclosure we need for life and conduct: “God is light and in Him is no darkness at
all.” I have yet to meet any individual who whole heartedly longed to know and to do the will of God and
failed to discover it! (Col 1:9, 2:2, 4:12)
The first eleven chapters of Deuteronomy look back to recall and reflect; the rest of the book looks
forward with resolve and anticipation. Life is lived forward. We glance to see where we have come from
and gaze to where we are going. Our eyes, by design, are placed in the front of our head. We always end
up where we are looking!
There are thirty-four chapters in Deuteronomy. To save repetition it’s sensible to lay out its main truths
in a brief fashion. This will save us from reams of regurgitation and yet ensure we do not omit and miss
anything precious and pertinent to Israel’s entrance, conquering and occupation of the land.
Deuteronomy gives us both pitfalls and prospects, for every age has similar causes of failure and
decline, and of progress and victory. Israel moves into a ‘new experience of church’; from a tent to a
house; from manna to milk; movement to a new revelation of God – the love of The Lord toward His
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people and therefore the love of The Lord toward each other. For the nature of our God determines the
way we live! (There is no mention of love in the first four books of the Bible). Deuteronomy is one of our
Lord Jesus’ favourite books. Its ‘spirituality’ clearly impacted his spirit. He quotes and refers to this
book more than any other, thus confirming its historicity and authenticity, i.e. when it was written and
that it was written. He has added his authority to its truths which He used as a sword to stop the enemy
in his tracks.
A meal in itself
A few months ago, my wife and I ordered a Chinese takeaway, soup followed by the main course.
Having eaten the soup, Cora declared, “That was a meal in itself”. One was nearly full from the starters
before we moved on to the chicken and chips! May each of these truths prove to be for us ‘a meal in
itself’.
Deut 1:6-8
Divine revelation. Determined resolve. Delightful realisation. Always the order.
Deut 1:6, 2:3
Progression
Deut 1:11, 2:7
Blessing
Deut 1:21
Fear not 3:2, 22
Deut 2:3
Hardened heart
Deut 3:22
The Lord’s battle 1:30, 3:22
Deut 3, 9:2
Sons’ of power. Giants 2:20, 3:11
Deut 4:37, 10:15
The Lord’s love and delight
Deut 4:6
Wisdom
Deut 4:29
Seeking The Lord
Deut 4:31
Lord faithful
Deut 4:40
Long life 5:16
Deut 5:15
Lord’s arms
Deut 5:27
Let God speak
Deut 5:29, 8:2
Heart 10:16, 17:20, 30:6
Deut 6:3
Lord’s word
Deut 6:20, 4:9-10
Teach children
Deut 6:24
Our best intentions at heart
Deut 7:3
Unequally yoked
Deut 7:25
Covetousness
Deut 7:6, 14:1-2, 26:18-19
A special people
Deut 7:6; Lev 20, 2:.8
Holiness, separate ourselves, He sanctifies us. 5:18
Deut 7:7-8
Lord’s love
Deut 7:15, 28-29 and 60
No feeble one among you 7:15
Deut 7:16
No pity on enemy
Deut 8:14
Forgetting The Lord
Deut 8:18
Wealth
Deut 8:20
Conditional occupancy 1:35
Deut 8:20, 10:16
Stubbornness 9:6
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Deut 9:4, 12-31, 1:26, 43
Canaan’s wickedness
Deut 9:5
Grace
Deut 9:24, 32:15
Rebellions
Deut 10:20, 4.4
Stedfast 4:9
Deut 10:8
Ministry to The Lord
Deut 10:21, 1.27, 8.10
Ingratitude 2:36
Deut 11:2, 13:3
Chastisement, discipline, 8:2, 13:3
Deut 11.10.12
Works and grace
Deut 11:21
Heaven on earth
Deut 11:25, 28:10
Enemy frightened
Deut 12:10; 28:65
Rest yes/no
Deut 12:20, 19.8; Ex 34:24
Enlargement 19:8
Deut 13:1
False prophets v5
Deut 13:3
Proven by
Deut 14:2
Separated body
Deut 14:26, 12:15, 20
Enjoy what we can
Deut 14:28, 15:10, 16:17, 29
Financial giving. 12:6, 16:10, by ability
Deut 14:29
Orphans and widows
Deut 15:2
The Lord’s release
Deut 15:9
A wicked heart
Deut 15:70, 18:6, 28:47
Serving The Lord, with joy
Deut 16:21
No groves around the altar, the naked splendour of the cross
Deut 17:14
A king as others
Deut 18:11
A charmer 18:10 ventriloquist
Deut 18:15-19
The prophet to come. John 1:48, Acts 3:22
Deut 19:14
Landmarks
Deut 20:8
Fearful, return home
Deut 20:14
Spoil
Deut 20:16
Utterly destroy 7:2, 12:2
Deut 22, 6:19
Enemy cast out 7:1
Deut 22:5
Mixture
Deut 23:5
Curse into blessing
Deut 23:16
Fatness and fullness
Deut 24:5
Domestic priority
Deut 25:18, 9:14
Amelek
Deut: 26:11, 12:12
Rejoice v18
Deut 26:19
Honoured
Deut 28:7, 2:25, 11:25
Invincible 7:24
Deut 28:12, 4:20, 10:9, 32:9-10, 33:19
Israel is The Lord’s treasured inheritance 4:7
Deut 28:29, 33
Oppressed
Deut 28:30
Disappointment
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Deut 28:66
Fearful
Deut 29:17, 32:17
Idols belial 4:16, 16:11, 16:12, 19:7, 29:17
Deut 29:18, 32:32
Gall and worm wood
Deut 29:29
Revelation
Deut 30:6
Circumcised heart
Deut 30:7
Curses onto enemy
Deut 30:11-18
Word in heart Rom 10:5
Deut 30:20, 7:15, 34:7
He is thy life
Deut 31:20-21
Deals with us in time and space
Deut 32:20, 1:32
Unbelief
Deut 32:41
Sword of The Lord
Deut 33:19
Treasure in sand
Deut 33:27
Divine support
Deut 34:9
Laying of hands
Moses on the plain of Moab
Only days from death, yet full of life and light, Moses places before Israel for a second time the
requirements of the Covenant upon the people. Sinai the first time, and now here near Mount Moab.
Representatives, elders and leaders of the tribes, princes are gathered together. Moses has a Spiritgiven, prophetic-poetic song to God, where he exults and exalts the wonderful qualities of The Lord.
Goodness, graciousness, greatness. The song is written down and kept, Deuteronomy 33 and 34. I
remember hearing a song spoken by the Spirit through a sister, the sister never hesitated throughout
the twenty-nine verses! Moses goes up into the mountain and dies, The Lord conducting the funeral /
burial. The Devil fought for his body but was refused, Jude v 9. For a month the people mourned. What
a suppressed life we British can lead; different cultures can teach us how to suitably express and release
emotion. Most men I know suffer with emotional constipation! The emblem for England should be the
cucumber not the rose, a cool and stiff upper lip! Joshua was moved by sadness. They had laughed and
cried together for forty years. Moses was faithful in the house. He lives in glory. (Deut 27:9, 29:1-2,
31:30, 32:44; Matt 17:3; Heb 3:1-5; Rev 15:3)
What Heaven intended to be a journey of hundreds of miles had, through “unbelief”, become thousands of
miles. Yes, our walk with God from altar to altar, location to location is a journey, which takes time. Please
Lord deliver us from detours and cul-de-sacs! Growing from children, to young men, to fathers – as from
blade, to ear, to full corn. Two men out of two and a half million have made it. They come a second time
to Canaan’s border. A fresh advance is a foot as now we approach the book of Joshua (Mk 4:28; 1 Jn 2).
We are on the way to the Kingdom
With repentance, faith, water baptism, and the conscious datable reception of the Holy Spirit with
spontaneous, spiritual speech, we enter the Kingdom. We are, at the same time, on the way to the
Kingdom. Our Lord mentions church twice, but kingdom one hundred times. It is for both now and
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then. Canaan was never meant to typify Heaven, if only for the reason that there are no ‘giants’ in
paradise. Today we enjoy His Kingdom rule internally by the Spirit, tomorrow externally, no doubt still
by the Spirit. “Thy kingdom come on earth”: Heaven is in us long before we are in Heaven. I pray this
pilgrim is making some progress, not simply, as a colleague of my brother once declared as they left a
shift at the steelworks, “Mark, another day nearer the crem”! (crematorium). (Matt 8:11, 13:43, 19:23,
21:31, 26:29; Jn 18:36; Col 1:13; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Tim 4:1; 2 Pet 1:11; Rev 11:15)
The Rhema word of God: “We live….by every word that proceedeth”
Through general encouragement, and battle tactics, The Lord is about to speak to Joshua. And He
speaks to us. It’s direct to our spirit; sometimes an audible voice (unheard by others) spoken in the ear
as to Samuel; or impressed as ideas and pictures upon the mind, which we then interpret. Whether
from an angel, the coming alive of a song, a word through the pastor or prophet, a meeting with The
Lord
- such a ‘proceeding word’ brings life. I have known maybe seven audible voice instructions,
twenty angel directions, fifty scripture quickenings, three hundred prophesy confirmations, one
hundred visions and so forth. Although I’m quite sure it’s far more than that, that is what I’m aware
and conscious of in thirty-five years in the Christian life and ministry.
‘A word of God’: The spoken, specific, personal word and direction; the five percent of unwritten
knowledge that we need. Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of The Lord doth man live” (Rom 10:17; Eph 6:17). Joseph and his dream,
Nehemiah, David, Ezekiel, Amos, the angel to Joseph, Paul in the storm (Acts 27 and 2 Cor 12). As we
read the written word, we keep our eyes and ears open for the Rhema word. In the absence of a spoken
specific word, we act according to the light we have so far received. It is The Lord’s responsibility to be
the ‘Head of the Church’, to inform and instruct us in His ways. In the wilderness temptations, our Lord
Himself did not rest on His personal dignity in dealing with the devil. He says: “It is written…”, out of
which he draws individual truths as a sword against the tempter (Deut 6:16, 8:3, 10:20; Matt ch 4).
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CHAPTER ONE
Joshua Chapter One
The command to be courageous
Joshua 1:6-7 & v 9. The word of command brings with it, strength to fulfil it. All His instructions are
enablings. Power comes with the promise. A huge task lay before the man, Joshua. He was flesh and
blood, prone to the same fears as us. The Lord would not have told him “be not afraid” if it wasn’t a
possibility. His people, family, the whole nation, were homeless. The pressure upon his soul would have
been extraordinary. To ‘do’ God’s word requires courage.
Los Angeles held a competition to come up with a city-motto; the winner - ‘Vision to see, faith to believe,
courage to do’. The command not to fear occurs about eighty times in the Bible. It’s a hollow mockery to
tell a man to pull himself together without providing the strength to do so. To tell a nervous person not
to worry or an alcoholic not to drink can be quite cruel. This is not our God. Implicit in His word is
power to do. Joshua’s courage was not self generated. He looked away from himself and, believing The
Lord’s promise of His presence, drew down ‘power for the hour’. He knew his own weakness and The
Lord’s strength. The Lord never asks us to do that which He will not strengthen us to do. Joshua
received strength from the realised presence of The Lord and the reliability of the promise of His Lord.
The word to Ezekiel is the word that lifted him up. Ezekiel 2:1-2, “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand
upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the Spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set
me upon my feet”. For the word is the word of the Spirit. To receive the word is to receive Spirit. He
speaks to us and breathes on us. One of the reasons for the missionary failure rate is the person received
human HQ guidance which did not contain Divine strength within the direction (Gen 1:1-3). The Lord
said – and the Spirit breathed. Instruction and impartation. The Lord will not mock us. What do you
think The Lord expects of you - nothing but failure? But The Lord gives us His Holy Spirit that we need
not fail. A Joshua filled with ‘the word’ was a Joshua filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 is paralleled by
Colossians 3:18. One is Spirit, the other Word, they are synonymous (James calls it - wisdom).
Faith makes things possible – it does not make them easy
Encamped east of the Jordan opposite the fortified city of Jericho, faith filled General Joshua’s heart.
Good men are said to be “full of faith and the Holy Ghost”. Joshua was fully persuaded that what The
Lord had promised, He was able to perform. Together – it could be done. Our call is neither ‘to do and
not pray’ nor ‘to pray and not do’. The next seven years would be tough – but it would deliver most of
the land of Canaan into Israelite hands. What I cannot do He does, that I may live; He will not do what I
can do, that I may grow. We do the possible, and He does the impossible. The Lord’s blessing does not
mean I do not have to put on the workman’s overalls. To live by faith does not spell laziness! Joshua
moved by faith but still had to draw his sword, study and develop his map-strategies, walk around
Jericho, and lead a ruthless holy army. Biblical faith is not stuck in the mind, in the head; simply
creedal, cerebral and all upstairs. (My Dad used to say he was like a bungalow – nothing on top!) But
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faith in the word, in the kingdom, means ACTION – movement. It means obedience. It believes then
behaves.
What was true about Israel?
The Lord had sworn the land was theirs (Gen 15). Every statement of God was built upon these pillars.
His justice and holiness will not suffer Him to deceive, forget or change. His goodness and power makes
Him willing and able to perform. A man was speaking to a non-Christian. “Do you believe the Bible is
true?” “Yes I do.” “Do you believe what the Bible says about you is true?” A little more hesitation!
What is true about you?
You may wish to write the answer down and make a list of fixed reference points, (remember feelings
and the enemy’s work – are not true). Each of the conquests in Canaan was ordered so as to exhibit that
success was due to ‘faith in God’, not due to the arm of man. “The just shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38) not just some full-time Christian workers. What Joshua witnessed was ‘Faith wars’. No wonder Paul
prayed: ‘Father, that the eyes of their understanding being enlightened’ (Eph 1:18). This is a prayer for
Christians. We can be so slow and dull; so quick to forget (Lk 24:25; 2 Pet 1:9).
For revealed to us in His word is what is true, who we are, what we are and where we are! – Saints, in
Christ, seated in heavenly places. In 1985, all I had was my identity. I was a son and a servant of The
Lord, not a bad place to be!
The great commission of Joshua: Precepts and promises
How did The Lord define ‘success’ for Joshua? Joshua 1:7-8, “that thou mayest prosper…and then thou
shalt have good success”. Success and prosperity for Joshua was to fulfil the will of God. That’s as simple
and stark as one can express it. It was achieving the mind of Christ; entering, conquering, occupying
and dividing Canaan for The Lord’s people. Thirty years later, aged one hundred and ten, Joshua in his
farewell address declares: “I have divided unto you…not one thing hath failed…all good things are come
upon you” (Josh 23:4 & v 14-15). No wonder he is now in the heavenlies carrying a deep satisfaction in
his soul! Joshua fulfilled the precept and experienced and enjoyed fulfilled promises and the fullness of
God’s promise. As he obeyed precepts, he was able to enjoy promises (Deut 5:29, 6:24; 1 Jn 5:14-15).
Joshua’s firm and inflexible adhering to the written Law of God - confirmed and inspired by the spoken
word of God - assured total success. We should not underestimate the presence and pressure of spiritresistance he felt. It churns the tummy and clouds the mind, seeking to paralyse our will or agitate us to
do something outside of conforming to The Lord’s heart for us.
It’s wonderfully ambiguous
In reading again the way General Joshua sums up the conquest of Canaan in chapter 23, you wonder
who did the conquering, Joshua or Jesus? The Lord is said to have done the fighting. There is an ease,
almost an easiness, to the conquest and yet they fought for their lives! A sling and a stone? A jawbone of
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an ass? A word of command given against sin, sickness and spirits? Where is it that we begin and The
Lord ends? The Holy Spirit gives the power to will and do and then rewards us for saying yes. Amazing.
It’s time to move, so get on with it – He is not going to drop you
“Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount”, Deuteronomy 1:6; “Arise, go over this Jordan”, Joshua 1:2.
Providence works with us. We can talk and think about it, forever. An hour and season comes upon us.
Assured in our calling by the experience of His presence: “I will not forsake thee”. In the Greek of
Hebrews 13:5, ‘never’ is in the triple negative: ‘I will never, never, never forsake you, let you down, or
drop you’ (in the language of the courting couple). You may be facing angry men and ferocious demon
power, yet – ‘I’m here son. You’ll be ok!’ Our natural parents may have failed us; a loved one we trusted
hurt us; a friend let us down. Rejection is a powerful experience that enters deep into our soul and if
energised by spirit power can be very debilitating. As a result we look up to Heaven and see our Father
through jaundiced eyes but… “God is not a man that He should lie” (Num 23:19). Bidding us to move
forward, we are accepted and beloved. His presence does not depend on this world’s attainments! The
task before us is a mighty one, but there is an Almighty one with us. His presence means that He will
not fail you – so you will not fail! If you turn up – He will hold you up. Praise His name!
Instruction and encouragement
Joshua 1:10 & 18. The officers / elders need to be instructed and encouraged. I’ve witnessed this as a
weakness in my own life; where the pastor does not instruct and encourage the people with the
revelation he has received. The pastor, if so privileged to be full-time in word and prayer, is daily caught
up in kingdom matters: Acts 6:4, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry
of the word.” But the people he leads have to ‘go’ into the world to earn their way. He meets with them
at church services, fired up to go forward. Full of spiritual wisdom, revelation and inspiration, it’s easy
to forget the people are not so prepared. He quickly becomes disillusioned with the congregation’s ‘lack
of commitment’ and suffers inward collapse. He either resigns, or else ministers out of emotional
frustration – no one wins.
How much healthier if he had passed on his ‘revelations’ to delegated men, who in turn passed them
onto others. The loaves and fishes went from our Lord’s hands, to the disciples’ hands, to the
multitude’s hands. “The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (John 6; 2 Tim 2:2). Just because I’m aware
of revelation from the throne, does not mean the elders or the people are, and as pastors we should not
act as though they do. It’s dumb, but I’ve done it. One forgets that the congregation are not privy to all
you’ve seen. We get what we inspect, not what we expect. We wonder why the people are not believing
in a certain fashion and then realise it’s because we've not passed on what we've received. Revelation
must be administered.
The Lord had spoken to Joshua, now Joshua must speak to the people. Remembering that not all
revelation in the body is given directly to us, - we work with elders and prophets - yet all revelation that
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is given must pass through our hands to be seasoned. As it’s our responsibility to lead, we need to be
aware of all the Holy Ghost is saying to the congregation as a people, though not necessarily all the Holy
Ghost is saying to each individual person. Joshua received it then administered it via officers / elders
who bring official matters to the congregation’s attention: Financial, organisational, appointments,
various dates and decisions etc. The commissioned General now gives his commands to his officers who
give them to the people, who proclaim their loyalty to the new leadership (Josh 1:16-18).
The kingdom is based on authority
The kingdom is based on authority lines or else the congregation is just a rabble, a pile of bricks. No
freelancers or prima-donnas make it into Canaan. Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over
you (or among you)”. Be obedient and submit to those men who are appointed; those who are not
“being lords over God’s heritage but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet 5:3). Otherwise they lose their
right to govern and to care and become a one man rebellious circus – a disgrace to Jesus Christ.
Authority is the word; a God-given right and responsibility to govern. Like a husband with his wife,
parents with their children, employers to employees, the state to the individual citizen, the elders to the
people, the apostle to the elders, the teacher to the pupils. This is a critical hour for Joshua and the
people. Such a time has been upon me maybe ten times in the last thirty-five years. It is not a case of
calling for the people’s allegiance every other week with, “Thus saith The Lord”. The church can be led
‘quietly’ for years as we just get on with doing the will of God before us; living by the light we have
received. Sensationalism is not of God’s Spirit. (Acts 16, 20; Rom 13; 2 Cor 10:8; Eph 6; 1 Tim 2:2 & v 12;
Titus 2:15; Heb 13)
Rabbits not rafts, steaks not ships
Joshua 1:11 “Prepare you victuals” – this is a bit more than a packed lunch. They were not going on a
Sunday school picnic. On leaving Egypt in a rush, Israel had not prepared suitable sustenance, running out
of food very quickly. Now food, animals and liquids are prepared for the journey and battle ahead. There is
corn to be roasted among the fields of Canaan but it is a little way off. The manna - the supernatural
sustenance supplementing their rations when nothing else was available - would cease as soon as they
entered the land. The timing reveals its origin. See Joshua 5 (Ex 12:39, 15:27, 32:6; Deut 11:14-15).
The Israelites face a river at a time of flood, but Joshua makes no mention of boats to ferry the people
across. He’s bright enough and simple enough to command only that which he has been commanded of
The Lord. The nature of the situation calls for increased provision: Food for the congregation must be
supplied to correspond to an hour of intense advancement - just as the sportsman will burn up masses
of calories to support his extra exertion. In the same way, church leaders must perfectly time intense
seasons of days and weeks in the word, way beyond the regular, to match exactly with a critical advance
in the work. The extra input, strength, provision, sustains the people as they press forward. It is
exhausting work. Meat must be in the house or the hour will fail to achieve its desired end. This could
work one of two ways: The pastor/apostle will know a critical season is coming and so will arrange for
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either extra word provision - a Bible teaching week / weekend, or for a prayer and fasting week /
weekend. He is inspired to prepare extra ‘victuals’ for the people because The Lord intends in that hour
to move the whole work forward. Either way extra provision is the call.
Joshua calls the people to do what they can. The Lord, he trusts, will see to the crossing of the river. We
see to our business and The Lord sees to His. It is not for us to concern ourselves or to interfere or to try
and seek to help our God in His word and work. He is capable of being God. He knows our need. He’s
bright enough to see there’s a river that stands before us and entering Canaan’s land. For now – just
pack the lunch!
The congregation’s primary requirement of its leaders and elders
For forty years Pastor Moses has led God’s people. Now he has gone home. The Lord told Joshua
“Moses my servant is dead”. He told Joshua something, gave him information he already possessed.
Joshua obviously knew his father in the faith was ‘dead’. The Lord was emphasising the succession and
the need for moving on from suspension. For thirty days Israel mourned. Now, let the past go - glorious
though it was - a new leadership is arising. Joshua would never fill Moses’ shoes, but he must follow in
his shoes, though as a gift-man he is quite different. Each man had a different work to do for The Lord’s
people as the seasons developed. Before, the need was for a civil national leader, now for a military
national leader. Later, Israel would have a prophet/king as their national leader.
Joshua 1:12-18 - Joshua reminds the two and a half tribes to fulfil earlier promises. Fair-dos, they agree
with only one request: Joshua 1:17, “only The Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses”. This is
an impressive, responsible, reasonable and spiritual ask. ‘Fine, Moses is gone, you’re the new boy on the
block. We are happy to assist you, but you must be like Moses in this one area; General, we've got to
know that God is with you’. The assumption is - if He’s not, then we are simply following a man and
therefore our efforts will be wasted and that’s just not something we're prepared to die for! We are
giving our choice young men into a military campaign; our main concern is the presence of God with
you. With Him all will be as well as it can be, without Him all will be as bad as it can be.
A Christian church has the right to expect the confirmed presence of the Holy Spirit among its elders. Of
all other gifts, endowments, abilities, character qualities, experience, personality, skills, training; this
above all else should be your primary concern. Look for His presence in miracles, signs and wonders;
prophesy, vision, dream; healing; words of knowledge and wisdom; faithfulness in the development of
the character of the saints; baptisms of new believers; a sense of knowing where we are going; the
driving out of demon power; the inexplicable; the hate of the world; the celebration of the death and
resurrection of Christ; love, joy, peace between the elders; a cohesive glue around the people; the
presence of angel protection; the non-believer proclaiming “God is in you of a truth”. God’s people have
a legitimate right to look for this in the body and its senior men. If no signs are accompanying us,
maybe we need new elders/eldership (Mk 16:15-20; 1 Cor 14; 2 Cor 12:12; James 5:13-18).
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Follow the man who is following God. It may not be the easiest, but it will be the best. Join that chariot
that is the most likely to help bring you into Canaan. They may not have all the answers, but they are
hopefully asking the right questions. These people follow the ‘cloud’. They receive the ‘now’ word of The
Lord. I’ll stand with this people. Our prayer is for you, our position is with you. As the two and a half
tribes – ‘we will not weaken your hands, General, we are here to serve the rest of the Body. Lead the
way, we stand with you, v 18 “only be strong and of a good courage”’; The Lord’s presence would ensure
this. They expected what The Lord had commanded: The courage that is borne out of Communion. His
presence leads to perseverance. You may be ‘among the alien corn’ Joshua, General, brother, but we are
with you. We need each other. The two and a half tribes kept their word. Their loyalty was firm. What a
discouragement it would have been if the brethren didn’t turn up.
Joshua is encouraged by the
presence of the brethren, armed and ready. They have made their inheritance this side of Jordan but are
prepared to help the others, for the nine and a half tribes to secure their promised rest. The strong are
called to support the weak and not to indulge themselves. This is no game (Num 32; Rom 15; 2 Cor 2).
Joshua insists, we are not just here for ourselves: Support the brethren, your own ease must not blind
you from the needs of others. Such is the Spirit of Christ, it is the more excellent way. It’s the heart that
brought our Lord from Heaven!
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Joshua Chapter Two
The caution of faith
Smith Wigglesworth, one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival, is known for the phrase, “Fear looks
– but faith jumps”. The SAS motto - ‘Who dares, wins’, the world’s wisdom - ‘He who hesitates is lost’.
All of these have strength and some truth within them. In most situations, and most of the time,
boldness works. Equally so, there is an hour when it would not be faith, but foolishness, to dive in.
Brother Wigglesworth was almost certainly correct when one applied his maxim to healing the sick. An
aggressive stance against the powers of darkness is a suitable posture. But to apply the statement right
across the whole of a believer’s walk would be irresponsible.
Israel’s army commander ‘looks’ at what is facing him at Jericho. He needs information and
confirmation. But he is not activated by fear, rather - faith. Faith can be filled with caution. Joshua,
using the young spies, wishes to check the strength and moral of his adversary; the disposition of
troops, the type of defences. “We walk by faith – not by sight” but that does not mean I go out of my way
to poke both my eyes out! It simply means that ultimately in any decision making, I am not dominated
by the natural and external when it contradicts what the Word and Spirit of God are saying. When our
Lord faced the demonised man he asked him, “What is thy name?”: We do well to know who or what we
face. Joshua wanted an intelligence-appraisal of his enemy. In studying them he would not be stopped
by them; that was already settled. He believed God. General Joshua was moving by the light that he
possessed in that hour. He did not yet know he would be walking around the walls, not seizing those
walls. We have the benefit of seeing what was coming.
The faith of God will work differently in the gift that I am and have, from the gifts that you have. It is
not identical. Moses and Joshua were not the same Gift. The “operations, administrations and
manifestations” of gift are varied. And the faith of God in one person may be ‘great’; while in another it
may be ‘little’. We are members of a ‘body’ and it is the same ‘like-precious-faith’ (2 Pet 1:1) - that
inward persuasion, but the outworking of gift even within the same kind of gifting will be different. Are
all prophets’ prophesyings alike?
Far from it - look how different John the Baptist and Jesus of
Nazareth were! More than one pastor owes at least an apology to brothers he has forcefully encouraged
into business ventures, attributing his faith and his gifts to that brother, only to find the business sadly
fails. Churches have taken on large mortgages beyond their means, apparently trusting God, but The
Lord was never in it.
Faith can say stop as well as start. It can say no as well as yes. It can say death as well as life. You lose
something, as well as you win something. You’re mocked, as well as you’re honoured. It can say be
single or it can say be married. Slow down or speed up. The light from the throne that shines through
the prism that is you, makes more than one colour. Joshua had been a spy. It was part of his experience;
it’s the way he thought. It’s now been forty years since the tragedy at Kadesh Barnea. He has not ‘seen’
the land since then. The spy detectives will provide him the confirming details of what he believes and
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knows. By the proclamation to “arise” (Josh 1:2), and by the Spirit and his own instinct, Joshua knows
the hour has come for invasion. D-Day is here.
Preparation is not anti-faith
Noah had to build the Ark and Moses had the Tabernacle built. Preparation was made for our Lord to
celebrate Passover; prayer proceeded Pentecost; Paul proposed and planned to visit Rome. We speak of
‘crisis’ - the event, momentary and instant - and ‘process’ - the ongoing outworkings stemming from
that event. Crisis: the spontaneous, instant Gift of faith, received in a moment, achieving beyond the
natural; and process: the Life of faith and faithfulness that, year on year, fulfils the will of God as one
sees it. Joshua, as most of us, received the word - the crisis - and then lived the life - the process. The
Gift and Life of faith. Unless we are told otherwise, trusting in God in the ongoing process of the Life of
faith does not obliterate all normal and natural preparatory procedures. I still lock my car doors and my
house doors at night though in my heart I believe God will keep us in “ease and safety”! I believe his
angels preserve us in our journeys, but that doesn’t mean I can drive foolishly and continue to enjoy His
shield: “Thou shalt not tempt The Lord thy God”, for “faith without works is dead”.
Recon
Setting off on their ‘secret’ mission, the spies swim across the Jordan and check the area around
Jericho. Before we entered the town of Galloway in south west Scotland, and before we established a
work in the North East of England, we sent a car of men to ‘see’ the situation on the ground. It brought
great reassurance that we were on the right road, the Holy Spirit guiding us to specific individuals and
towns. Examine what is before you.
“The faith of God’s elect”
The reason for Joshua sending the spies begins to become more apparent. Trust your leaders - often we
do not see all that’s going on. There is a family in Jericho that must be saved. Rahab exhibits “the faith
of God’s elect”; she is a vessel of mercy. Even in an unclean city she has an unclean reputation. Hearing
the reports of supernatural help for these anticipated foreign invaders, she believes that none other than
The Living God is with them. Her help to the spies brings a “household” salvation. By grace she enters
the line of The Messiah, Matthew 1:5 (Rachab).
The enemy melted; they were defeated before they were defeated
The Canaanites’ hearts were ‘melting like wax’, disheartened and discouraged even before a shot had
been fired. Armies march on morale. The Divine reputation of the Israelites proceeded them - the devils
believe and tremble. The powers and energies inspiring a regime or a place tremble as one stronger
approaches. Before I visit Haiti, I see spiritual worms and maggots running for their lives. The fear of
God grips the enemy and they are emotionally and mentally defeated before you turn up. Human
military forces seek to copy this by war cries, drums and psychological warfare techniques. The demonic
defence that sustains the enemy collapses and hearts dissolve as ice in the sun. (Ex 15:14-16, 23:20-33;
Deut 2:25; Josh 5:1; James 2:19)
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“Truly The Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land”
Joshua 2:24. Moses, Aaron and Miriam are gone. It’s inconceivable that Joshua didn’t have some nailbiting moments. His heart leapt at the spies’ report. Tears filled his eyes. He’s been through an awful lot
these last months and years. Relief and rejoicing mingle together. The General loved The Lord. His only
agenda and ambition was to please The Lord. “Truly The Lord hath delivered into our hands all the
land”, declare the two spies, echoing Joshua’s own words and heart from four decades before.
The testimony of God’s protection upon them in the past assures them that their armies will experience
the same provision. (I really enjoy testimony services; we have three or four every year on a Sunday).
The ‘truly’ of the Old Testament and the ‘verily’ of the New Testament are twins: They speak of “the full
assurance of faith”. Our enemy is far more scared of you than you are of them. Even if ninety percent of
your town were witches, you would still prevail - “No weapon that is formed against you shall
prosper” (Isa 54:17); “I give unto you power…over all the power of the enemy” (Lk 10:19). In the face of
that resistance you feel, call its bluff! As one once said, the Jerichonians neither had the wisdom to
surrender or the strength to stand. Shame that!
Know your enemy
“We are not ignorant of his devices” says the apostle of Satan’s ways (2 Cor 2:11). When the Americans
first went up against the Germans in World War II at the Kasserine Pass in North Africa, the American’s
took a licking. Their senior commanders decided to bring in General George Patton. Eleven days later at
El-Katar the Germans took the licking: General Patton had studied the enemy’s tactics, particularly
German Field Marshal, Erwin Rommel’s book, ‘The Tank in Attack’. One doesn’t have to become
proficient in understanding the ‘works of darkness’, but we all need an overall picture of the ways of the
powers of darkness - their ‘devices’ - deceptive, divisive and destructive. The reassurance of the spies
provided this for General Joshua. His eyes were opened. He looked forward to meeting the lady who
had assisted his troops. You are advancing; an enemy holds the ground; an intelligence-appraisal will
arm and reassure you for the conflict ahead. Await The Lord’s timing and be ready to move. Be not as
the centipede who, counting his one hundred legs, never actually went anywhere: The ‘paralysis of our
analysis’. Count the cost, then move. (See my manual, ‘Eve and the Serpent’, for further notes on 2 Cor 11)
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Joshua Chapter Three
We are on a mission
This good man has waited a long time for this hour. He takes hold of it. As the sun rises, he is in his
place, ready. This is not the time for a lie in! In the hour of advance all our powers are bent for the
engagement; alert, standing in heightened spiritual awareness. We are on a mission! This level of
preparedness cannot be sustained for long or else the congregation can be worn down unnecessarily. DDay may be delayed for a day or two because of the weather, but you have troops on ships geared up in
the English Channel. There’s a small window of opportunity which must be taken, now.
The ‘how’ of posturing God’s people for an advance
The leadership moves the people from Shittim down to the plain land at the Jordan. They are being
prepared for a strategic move forward. The river Jordan is the boundary between the old and the new;
between being inside the Land of Promises or outside in the wilderness. All will be changed after they
have gone in. Jericho will be before them and the waters will be behind them. The elders/officers
educate the congregation of The Lord regarding their responsibilities. There are two, observation and
sanctification – to be clear sighted and to be clean from sin.
1. Observation of the new
Until now the cloud has led them, now the ark of the covenant goes before them. Leaving a half a mile
distance between the ark and the people allowed all to see the way forward (Josh 3:4): Clear guidance
and uninterrupted vision. No room for confusion. Place the word of testimony before the people. Clear
communication is crucial.
2. Sanctification: They are renewed
Today is always the preparation for tomorrow. Our moral condition today dictates the miracle
completion of the morrow. Purity precedes power: A weekend of prayer and fasting from good, regular
enjoyments and marital responsibilities in order to more fully seek The Lord and cleanse the soul so
that there is nothing in us hindering The Lord’s manifestation. Carelessness and sloppiness will lose us
the day. All idolatrous artefacts, attitudes or actions are cleansed and cleared away. Unforgiveness,
bitterness and divisions are faced and dealt with. DVD collections are examined and some discarded.
It’s a spring clean, nothing is left to chance. He is God - the Holy Spirit. We align our character and
conduct with His nature. Joshua 3:5, “And Joshua said unto the people, sanctify yourselves: for
tomorrow The Lord will do wonders among you”.
Our leaders must be prepared to get their feet wet
“Ye shall stand still in Jordan”, Joshua 3:8, 15. The priests carry the ark of testimony; the Word goes
before the people. As they step into the edge of the waters – then the intervention / miracle occurs, and
not before: Our elders are our example (1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 2:10; Titus 2:7; 1 Pet 5:3). They enter and
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engage with impossible situations before the wider church does. They face the flowing torrent first, no
boats or bridges in sight. They are seen to be vulnerable. Gethsemane precedes Calvary, and Calvary
comes before the empty tomb. These priests were out there, putting their all on the line, risking
everything – for Christ and His people. Jordan means ‘the descender’. Buried with Christ, we humble
ourselves. In this hour of strategic advance, the priests - the prayers, the prophets, the praisers - must
abide in a dangerous position. Joshua – leave them there!
The place of honour in the Christian ministry
The Lord honours those who honour Him. In the Pentecostal Mission where I was raised, as I went to
preach the elder would pray, ‘Lord, hide our brother behind the cross’. Even as a fifteen year old, I knew
it didn’t feel quite right! The Christian minister, pastor, apostle does not honour himself, except in
exceptional circumstances: The only time Paul would emphasise his person and office was when he was
rejected by the churches he had established, endeavouring to ensure continued access for himself and
therefore continued ministry of God’s Word and Spirit.
The Lord is about to ‘magnify Joshua’; that is, to make him bigger in the eyes of the people. For the God
who had opened the Red Sea, is the same God who would open the Jordan river. The presence of God
was the honour, was the sign, and achieved the respect. Through implicit and prompt obedience, the
General’s person and office would ‘begin’ to be exalted. He did not go looking for that exaltation but
neither would he refuse it. It was the kind assurance of His God, how could he? In his heart he was a
servant. He desired the best for the people. If he accrued God-given notoriety, then he was humbly
grateful. After all, if one member is honoured – all are. Joshua had not taken this honour upon himself,
it was Heaven’s appointment. And Heaven has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and
teachers. We do well when we acknowledge The Lord’s gift men amongst us. Them that are willing to
take the towel and able to sit on the throne. Seek them out and support them. Do not let your ‘Joshua’
be without “double honour”; no prophet is without honour, except…..(1 Sam 2:30; Jn 5:44; Eph 4:11; 1
Tim 5:17; 1 Pet 5:5-6; Heb 5:4-5)
Some of Moses’ honour was received by Joshua in his association with the senior man; Num 27:20,
“thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may
be obedient.” Now Joshua’s own account would be opened. Some go seeking authority, but if we go
seeking after fulfilling responsibility we shall receive authority commensurate with it! Our ambition is
not to crave acknowledgement of ourselves and ‘our’ ministry, but to seek to be useful - a vessel fit for
the master’s use. He will raise you up in due time. He that is greatest is servant of all. It’s always the
case that some will honour you and some will dishonour you, for we will always have an enemy; 2
Corinthians 6:8, “By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true”.
Devotedness never passes unrecognised when its worth is being recognised by the throne. Authority
from the throne authenticates. Exodus 19:9, “And The Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a
thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever”; Joshua 4:15,
“And The Lord spake unto Joshua, saying…”.
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Having reached our limits, be still. His arm will be made bear
The priests went as far as they could; the ark’s weight increasing, the waters thrashing, their nerves
trembling. We proceed to the limit of our own capabilities and responsibilities. We observe and obey the
word as we see it. After that, stillness reigns. We are in the critical moment. If we go any further we
drown, if we go back we will be disowned. They didn’t have to wait forever, though it will feel like that.
It takes great strength to do nothing and just – stand. We want to move and help ourselves, or God! For
we bear on our shoulders the reputation of The Lord, and all eyes are watching, friend and foe. How did
I get myself into this situation – because I obeyed God?! I look silly. To panic now would lose the day
and repeat the collapse at Kadesh Barnea. The Lord does not embarrass us. Modern Hebrews have a
saying, it goes something like this: ‘To know a miracle of God we have to jump in, be in the water up to
our necks before the miracle happens’. Does that ring a bell?!
At the strategic hour the leadership will know what to do and bring reassurance to God’s people
Joshua 3:9-13. Joshua has received the ‘word of The Lord’. He knows in detail what to do. There is no
second guessing, there is no floundering. Before a major event, situation, crisis, advance, the Holy Spirit
will deliver instructions for the way forward from Christ, our head. For months before, the senior elders
will be being given and will be gathering words of knowledge and wisdom. They record these. They
build these together under the Spirit’s supervision. They test it, they speak it out amongst themselves.
This helps to refine things. The clock will be ticking down to the appointed hour. This will be confirmed
in their own convictions and in their circumstances. In their own hearts, the deed is done, the river is
crossed, the people are over long before it’s occurred in the natural sphere. You’ve seen it already; it’s a
done deal; you have the “evidence of things not seen”. Joshua declares the opening and crossing,
comforting God’s congregation. This is the way, this is the word.
In January 2006, I told the people that April to May would be a season of visitation – and so it was. It
was a bit scary to do that, but the intimations were clear, the prophets could see an unusual outpouring
of the Spirit’s presence. To declare it meant we would prepare for it, and it reassured the people that
their leaders knew what they were doing. It was an unmissable opportunity. I had to be careful not to
try and bring about the manifestation by my own gift and ability. The Lord helped! Joshua encourages
the people. Draw assurance from yesterday for tomorrow.
The boundary and frontier consisted of more than just water
The intimidation to fear and the insinuation to guilt are almost overwhelming on such occasions. The
land promised is before us. We have journeyed to the right place and position. Expectation is running
high. Your future is on the line. Suddenly the natural takes on a greater dimension. The river that
previously looked fifty foot wide now appears five hundred foot wide. It has taken on another aspect.
Another power fills the water.
What was a natural situation one minute, (relationship, money,
misunderstanding, concern, need, loss) has ‘blown out’ of all proportion and become a monster
mountain looking down upon you. Unexpected memories and fears arise. It’s as if something or
someone is blocking your way. You try and pull yourself together; ‘get a grip, don’t be so silly’; but the
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swollen torrent remains before you. Canaan and God’s gift lies just ahead. A little while ago you could
see it! But now your heart is racing and your mind has become mush. We are resisted at the border.
As much as The Lord desires us to have what He has promised, and He knows we have caught hold of
that purpose, there is an enemy that denies us our inheritance and possession. In such an hour stay very
close to the word you have received and those who gave you it. Note here: many devotional
commentaries suggest at this point that the crossing of Jordan represents death with Christ and rising to
newness of life; some form of deeper holiness, dying to self and living for Jesus. Others suggest that this
hour represents ‘Baptism in the Holy Spirit”, trying to map the story onto the pattern of the Christian’s
journey. I struggle with both of these ideas and feel they are an unnecessary, artificial imposition upon
the scripture and story. Keep it simple. At various critical moments, strategic to the church and the
individual advancing in Christ, we face an intimidating barrier seeking to block us off from what The
Lord seeks to give. Since we are determined to receive His best, we ‘stand in the evil day’ in His word
and His wisdom, searching the scriptures for ourselves. You have a hunger and thirst and He has fruit
and gifts for you that someone doesn’t want you to enjoy! He will help you test the spirits. Then, hearing
The Lord’s voice - we enjoy visitation and the victory: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood”.
When we read and put Psalm 114:3-5 together with Habakkuk 3, we understand that evil spirit and power
infested the river, else why would The Lord be angry with water? The Canaanites through their witchcrafts
had pronounced curses into the Jordan, calling on their ‘gods’ to hold the invader at its natural boundary.
The Psalmist asks: “what ailed thee, O thou sea”. That is not the language spoken to a liquid, to the water
itself - an inanimate object. The river Jordan however was very animate, and experienced The Lord’s
indignation. ‘What do you think you are doing?’ He rebukes the Jordan, just as He rebuked the waters of
the Red Sea, just as He rebuked the spirits in the Gospel story! (Ps 74, 77, 106) The Lord longs to give us
life, Spirit, a gift, or a house or job. We can expect His distinct help to bring it to pass.
The dominion miracle
He does not work despite us, but with us. Joshua has received the ‘rhema’ word. And the priests and
people fulfil the instructions given to them. We are the body of Christ. The military and priestly
ministries worked together. Eliezer is willing to submit to Joshua’s leadership and vice versa. We are
stronger together than apart. One will chase one hundred but two will chase ten thousand. It doesn’t
trouble me if men wish to trace the stopping of the Jordan waters back to an earthquake. The Lord uses
means. The point is, it occurred as Joshua sent the priests with the ark into the edge of the river where
they then stopped. And it started again when he instructed them hours later to exit the water. The
timings were so obvious to all who witnessed that day.
In excess of two million souls, and over a million animals, crossed on dry ground that day. The waters
mounting up to Heaven forming a huge wall on either side. Normally in that season the whole valley
would be inundated with the melted waters from the Lebanon. Could anyone fail to feel that God was
among them? His dominion as the living God, The Lord of all the earth, over the natural and
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supernatural. The major demon principalities residing in the river – huge animal-like, fire-breathing
creatures - are flushed down into the pit as the waters flooded away. As a tsunami, a Spirit-tidal-wave
clearing and cleansing even up to the opposite bank. Where The Lord’s people are in faith, there is The
Lord’s kingdom seeking to impose His arm of dominion. (Gen 1:26; Num 24:19; Ps 72:8, 114:2; Matt 10;
Col 1:16; Jude v25)
No enemy troops are recorded as occupying the western river bank. Looking on from Jericho’s walls
some five miles away, they are perplexed, paralysed and panic stricken at the astonishing and blinding
sight they behold. The gates of hell will not prevail to withstand such an overwhelming advance; it
would be suicidal for man or demon to try!
The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry about how it will cross rivers!
Joshua knew the waters would open. The same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that parted the Red
Sea would make a way through the Jordan river. His nerves were tingling with fire that day. The
excitement in his heart almost unbearable to his frame; the rejoicing in his heart mixed with grim
determination in his face, shining as a lighthouse. Think King Leonidas of the Spartans, think John
Rambo of the cinema movie, and then multiply that by ten! So was this General upon the eastern bank
of the Jordan that day. The man is on fire with the intensity of God’s power and purpose. ‘I do not
understand all that is before me. Some of the future I cannot fully grasp. The swollen waters block and
mock my way. Yet as far as we can know in our own hearts, we are doing the Father’s will and word. To
such a people, rivers will open. I trust when I cannot trace, for He “maketh a way in the sea”. I cannot
see his footprints, they are there but under the waters.’ ‘When I cannot see the way let me trust and still
obey. He that bids me forward go cannot fail the way to show’. The enemy watching asked, ‘how is he
ever going to cross over?’ Their own spies could see no bridges or boats being prepared. Their derision
would soon be turned into dereliction.
When you do what is right, it turns out right. God’s care for Joshua and His people is witnessed that
day, “for His mercy endureth forever”. What cheering arose! The Lord can cope with doubt; it is
unbelief that is an affront to Him. I look at the black swelling waters of the river before me. It is
unattainable. I will not deny that. Can my own wisdom and resources sort this out? Others are looking
and depending on me. Be assured, the arm of flesh will fail those who successfully resist our God, for
our good is linked to His glory. What is good for you in pursuit of the heritage, is good for God in the
exalting of His name. Everyone wins. The Jordan, ‘the descender’, with accelerated movement, stands
obstinately in front of us. Do your known duty to God and man, and natural laws will be suspended for
your advancement, promotion and enjoying of “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ” (Eph 1:3).
Undertaking enterprises beyond our normal strength: The priests stood firm
A man’s vision must exceed his grasp. If we are only ever involved in the shallows, we’ll never have
opportunity to see “the arm of The Lord revealed” (Isa 53:1; Acts 3). At His bidding we can walk on the
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water; yet His bidding followed Peter’s asking! ‘I want to do what you are doing Lord’. Peter walked on
the word, as Israel did that day. The water – was dry! (Josh 3:17) We are immovable and firm because
we stand on that which is immovable and firm. We grow to share the character of what and who we
trust and rely upon. The Lord was walking into Canaan. His dominion was in them and their dominion
was in Him. He is the rock we follow. In the natural we would be overcome and overwhelmed, but we
are not! A sustaining hand holds us up. The priests experienced strength from Heaven in their bodies
and beings. Watching everyone else pass over, their hearts remained steady. Are we such a pillar, or a
caterpillar? They saw their own wives and children pass over, and they stood still in their appointed
place. A captain said to his son on board their ship, ‘Stay here son. Whatever happens, do not move.’
Soon after, a battle raged and fire swept the vessel. The young boy was found burnt and dead at the very
spot he was commanded by his father not to leave. Jesus is proud of those men, as was Joshua. He
could trust them; they remained at their station, they upheld the word. If it is just me left under a tree, I
will preach Christ and life in the Spirit. (Ps 107:23-24; 1 Cor 15:58; Phil 1:27)
What's the worst that could happen?
We lose over lives! But another has done that already, fulfilling his father’s will at thirty-three years old.
So if we die – we will rise again! That is “the joy set before us”. Senior pastor, do not be too quick to
remove men out of threatening circumstances. The priests that were left there did not forget that day in
a hurry! The presence of God was represented by the ark. Their devotion and consistency kept His
person among the people. Where you are, He is (Ps 23; Isa 43:2). Persecution and pressure is the
normal experience of the church and God’s people. Our Lord was a man of sorrows. Through death and
resurrection He, as our forerunner, has gone before us and tasted death for every man. He is the
Captain of our Salvation (Heb 2:9-10), the first fruits (1 Cor 15:20), the head of the corner (Mk 12:10),
His enemies are being made His footstool! (Heb 10:13)
Note - do not push the type
The ark went before Israel into the dark waters, not Joshua. As we have said, the shadow is never an
exact replica. Those who seek in the parables to ‘make’ every part of the story signify a spiritual lesson
do violence to the Divine intervention. Joshua is a state official. Church and state were indivisible.
Joshua could stone to death those who would not obey his commands (Josh 1:18). His army was
conscripted not voluntarily enlisted. We are not called to force men into Canaan. We present the New
Testament Covenant and endeavour to persuade men to repent and believe, presenting obedience as an
attractive life option.
“The priests stand firm – on dry ground”
Terra firma. In the strategic hour, as we are following Him (to Calvary and Resurrection, Phil 3:10) not
even a puddle will be under our feet. When The Lord does something, He does it well (Gen 1). The man
was invited to stretch out his withered hand, the man who was lame – to stand. God’s blast of wind blew
dry the river bed. No mud was sticking to the priests’ or the people’s feet. No one slipped or splashed,
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no child jumped in a puddle. We will not be touched by fire or water. No man ever walked on a highway
such as that! (2 Kg 2:8; Ps 66:6; Isa 44:27; Nah 1:4; Rev 16:12)
The arm of The Lord is not shortened
Obedience brings the power. For the second time, Joshua witnesses the waters part. The conversion of a
soul; answers to prayer; angel deliverance; receiving the Spirit; healing the sick; casting out spirits: It is
all The Lord’s power. His arm made bare, revealed and stretched out (Josh 4:24). What a reassurance
for the future conquerors: If Jordan’s flood cannot keep them out, then neither will Jericho’s force! Yet
no priests standing firm = no power. Beyond the open door is a new and fresh anointing. When we pray
for the sick and step forward – at the same time in our heart we take a step back that His power may
come forth. As it was ‘against’ the ‘water’, so His anger is in every manifestation, toward sickness, spirit,
pride, death. In that hour, that which possessed a habitation and a foothold within the illness, or fear, or
obstacle or stronghold, are in for big trouble. Isa 50:12, “Behold at my rebuke I dry up the sea. I make
the rivers a wilderness; their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.” With the
withering of Jordan thousands of fish perished no doubt providing Israel with a fish supper that night!
(Isa 53:1; Acts 11:21)
Key transitional points: Crossing our Rubicon / Jordan
Five hundred years of promise are about to become fulfilment. Every day, they drew nearer to its
realisation, when promise and prophesy would become possession. They are ‘moving’ from wilderness
to Canaan’s land. From the temporary to the permanent. In a season of ‘movement’ - an alteration in
the Heavenlies, an increased appetite, the converging of circumstances, the arising of a need, the
appearance of new contacts – be alert. Don’t lag behind or run too far forward. This is a leap ahead, but
don’t make it a step or a bridge too far (Arnhem, Holland, 1944). In 49 BC, Julius Caesar crossed the
Rubicon stream from Cisalpine Gaul into Italy thus making a commitment from which he could not
turn back. He went all the way, just as the Israelites. No waters would ever again open to let the
Israelites out. Their fate and destiny was irreversibly sealed in crossing the river. They handed over
their futures into God’s hands. When Cora and I were crossing from the North West to the North East of
England in March 2007, all was theory and unreal until the signed legal paperwork was exchanged and
completed. Then we were on our way. To have remained (and it was an option), would have meant a life
of semi retirement – at fifty! Having repented, believed and been baptised, His Lordship gives Him first
claim over our lives. He takes it and thereafter acts as our owner and possessor. Woe betide the
backslider, for The Lord does not simply walk away and relinquish His claim!
The development of this world is lavatories before laptops
A country’s capacity to absorb and benefit from new technology depends on basic forms of
infrastructure already being in place. It is more glamorous to put plasma screens into schools than to
build a new sewerage system but most of the time, in order to go high-tech you need to have first gone
‘medium-tech’. That’s the way of this world but this does not always carry over into the kingdom of God.
The leaven, the net (Lk 5), the seed, all accomplish beyond the natural course of life. There is indeed a
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development process but it does not depend on normal and natural criteria. One hundred and twenty
gather on the day of Pentecost; one hundred and twenty has moved to three thousand one hundred and
twenty by the end of the day! The strategic hour is an intense, accelerated progression.
During our visit to Ghana, 2007 some gave witness that The Lord, through the ministry, did more good
in four days than had been done in the previous eighteen years; both sobering and uplifting. In a car, we
go from first to second gear and so forth. But here, we go from first to fifth in His hour of invitation and
power, like passing through a tunnel into a stadium. ‘Normal and nice’ movement is suspended. Haste
and aggression is the order of the day, for we are passing into Enemy Country. ‘Ah, now I’ve moved on
and over, all will be well’. No - now problems really begin. To possess we must dispossess. We’ve
obtained a promise; a prophesy is fulfilled; we are filled with the Spirit. Great. We’re fully committed.
And now… now we also have a new enemy, defiant and devilish, to resist you from going another metre.
Why was it that when we decided to be baptised, an old girlfriend suddenly appeared?! Why, when we
desired to bless the church with a £1000, did a large bill turn up out of the blue?! Why when we wanted
to be prayed for and anointed by the elders, did a horde of irrational fears circle around us or our family
want to visit that we've not seen for three years?! The Wild West has called us, it’s a new frontier, but it
is wild. One has called us forward, another is pushing us back, sabotaging what grace is giving. Normally
evolution is better than revolution because its fruits are more lasting, but not in the Jordan hours.
The beginning of faith is what God has spoken: His word, His message is the warrant for my action.
Fact, faith, feeling. The enemy says I’ll fail; The Lord says I’ll have good success. The whispering voice
as a record player in my ear says I'm on my own; The Lord says “I will never leave thee or forsake thee”.
In the 2007 Superman film, Superman says to his son, “You are different, sometimes you will feel like
an outcast, but you will never be alone”. Canaan stands for a decisive change in our spiritual experience,
a greater rest, greater bounty, greater triumph.
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Joshua Chapter Four
A speaking God
The contrast with the ‘gods’ of the nations was the God of Israel, Jehovah in Covenant, was a Living
God. Alive, He had the capacity to speak; Josh 4:2 “saying” (Ex 33:11; Num 14:14; Ps 115:5). The Lord’s
communication was personal; as friend to friend, as a general to a colonel, as a father to a son. It was
clear, not optional, directive, full of detail and intelligence. This was no cheese moment and restless
night for Joshua with a vague early morning impression on his soul. It is written that The Lord met
Moses as friend to friend and spoke face to face with him. Was Joshua’s experience any less? And this is
in the Old Testament! How much more in the age of the Spirit will The Lord speak?! ‘Let God speak –
and I will listen’. (Acts 8:29, 10:19, 11:12, 11:28, 16:7, 21:4, 27:23-24; 1 Cor 12; 2 Cor 3; Rev 2, 3:6, 12:10,
17, 22:17, 29).
A sermon stone
A memorial is to be erected, a remembrance helper is to be established. No ornate displaying, no statue
to Moses or Joshua. Twelve stones are to be piled up where the priests stood on the river bank (v9) and
twelve stones are to be carried out to set up on the land (v8). One pile invisible and one visible. Twenty
years later the stones were said to be still in place. Hundreds of memorial stones stand in our towns and
marketplaces, etched upon them the fallen soldiers of two world wars Memorials, from Nelson’s
Column to Princess Diana’s stream. As no representation of God could be fashioned, the simplicity of
twelve large stones suffices to remind God’s people of His parting of the river. No such request was
made at the Red Sea - the Egyptian swords and spears on the sea coast, a constant reminder in their
hands! Jacob’s pillar or Samuel’s Ebenezer - an ‘aide memoir’. A physical visual help to keep before us
The Lord’s goodness; the material – just stone.
I'm surprised how quickly I forget things. (The weakest ink is stronger than the best memory. Keep a
diary, calendar, post notes, texts). Psalm 74 and Psalm 114 celebrate the miracle of the sea and the river
- the outstanding help of God. What would He not do for His people, and yet Israel forgot. That is, its
power no longer impinged upon their lifestyle; its power to inspire was lost. Psalm 78:11, “And forgat
his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them”. Can a physical form be a help to faith and love? A
photo, a lock of hair, a ring, a letter, a gift? It points to another, we are reminded and give thanks. No
selfish motivation moved Joshua that day. It was a Divine instruction. He certainly had plenty to
consider and had no desire to perpetuate his own name with a memorial. It was no ‘Trump Tower’ or
Nixon Library. The Lord had said He would honour His servant; a sanctified mind intent only on God’s
glory will enjoy a magnified life among men. Thus a memento, a standing record, is made to keep before
their children’s lives the greatness of God.
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We celebrate The Lord’s death and resurrection every weekend
The Table of The Lord is far more than just a memorial; it is a communion with Christ – with all that He
did on the Cross (1 Cor 10:16). Yet it is, on its lowest level, an aide memoir to the heart, of the love of God
in Christ – a heart that so easily loses sight by the spirit of this world. It is a re-member-ance – a rejoining
of the members, the limbs, of the body, and a rejoining of memory and life (Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:23-34).
As we see in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30, men and women can become sick, and even brought to a premature
death, by partaking in a heart attitude that is bitter and unforgiving to another brother or sister. This
indicates that the Table is more than just a memorial: By partaking of bread and wine in faith, we ‘eat
Christ’ - John 6:32-58. John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to
me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:51, “I am the living bread
which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I
will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
A note on the physical: Hebrew and Greek thinking
Greek thinking, which our education system and society propagates, divided up the spiritual from the
material in a way the Hebrews never did. The Hebrews saw God’s involvement in creation and created
matter as more intimate and connected than the Greek philosophers did: His Spirit could indwell a
person, come upon a person, cause a donkey to speak, divide rivers, speak to men and His Spirit be
invested into a dead prophet’s bones: There is no artificial divide. Not that a tree is God; He has a
separate existence from that which He has made. But He is intimately and continually involved in our
world and universe. The cosmologist cannot understand what holds the universes together. Measuring
gravitational impact, they find something is missing in their equations: eighty-five percent of what
exists cannot be seen but must exist in theory, and is termed ‘dark matter’. Colossians 1:17, even a
Sunday school pupil understands: “He is before all things, and by Him all things consist”. It is Him –
His power - that holds all things together! Hebrews 1:10, “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid
the foundation of the earth; and the Heavens are the works of thine hands”.
We need to catch this Hebrew understanding of God’s intimate involvement with His creation by the
Spirit. One has called this the de-greasing of the church. So it is that the Spirit of Christ - the power of
his death and resurrection - moves through the bread and wine, and also through the Baptismal waters,
imparting life and cleansing (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21).
It’s good to celebrate
Stones were ‘set up’ on a mound of earth at the camp in Gilgal, on a rise or hill. All over the UK, mounds
of stones stand upon mountain tops; cairns in Scotland; where I lived in South Wales is named
‘Twybalm Tump’! The celebration of a good day - the launching of a local church, the induction of a
godly and gifted pastor - should be encouraged, acknowledging these as signs of God’s goodness and
provision. A place of remembrance for future generations. What legacy can we lay down for tomorrow’s
Christian? A record – of His works!
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“What mean these stones?”
Joshua 4:21. The miracle was no longer there to be seen. As time moved on and eye witnesses passed on,
a physical visible witness remained of God’s power in parting the waters – the stones. The miraculous
was followed by that which was a little more mundane, but ordered by Heaven: Heaven is fully aware of
the weakness of the minds of men. A date engraved in a stone in the Methodist building, the crutches
hanging on the walls of Pentecostal missions in Wales are testimony to healings that happened through
the ministry of Stephen Jeffreys (1876 – 1943). Raise a visible witness to God’s power. Write your life
story; place a personal text on your wall; display a sign of personal testimony on your desk or in the
garden. Please though, not a crucifix - The Lord is no longer helpless on a cross, but is alive in power. I
wear a silver star ring of King David on my right hand. It speaks to me that I am a man of God and a
member of God’s illustrious family. Raise up a physical reminder. It will evoke praise. The Lord acted
for you! Beware though - the sign can become an idol, as Israel with the serpent pole! (2 Kg 18:4)
The God of Jordan and Joshua is exactly the same - today
The idol of wood would rot; the god of stone be smashed; the idol of brass be smelted; but… The God of
Israel was and is living and unchanging and unchangeable. Trust in His word then, His word is sure
today: Those who repent and believe are forgiven of sins. Those who receive the Spirit can be endued
with power from on high. Those who are obedient, shall know a fullness of joy. Those in need, He will
supply. He who opened the Jordan and magnified His General Joshua - The God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob - is The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday, and today and forever”,
Hebrews 13:8. Has His power diminished? Has His desire to help His people ceased? Has His intense
interest in our good failed? The Lord that was with Joshua, is the same God that was with Peter and
Paul, and is the same God that is with you! Not a day older, not a fraction weaker, not a penny poorer.
Malachi 3:6, “For I am The Lord, I change not…”. Such a Lord must be served and treated with due
respect and reverence. Over-familiarity with the holy can breed contempt. He is a consuming fire.
The perfect arrangements of place and timing
If Israel had risen in faith at Kadesh Barnea, they would never have needed to cross the Jordan. They
would have invaded across a dry farmland area with the Red Sea a distant memory. The Lord had
overseen their disobedience and brought about a fresh display of His power, a display filled with many
valuable and up-to-date spiritual lessons. To have come in from the South would have meant no Jordan
opening. Coming in from the East however, ensured a spectacular and strategic display of their God’s
power and dominion. What else would have been that effective in girding and inspiring for the protracted
military campaigns ahead? It’s all in the timing. The forty years in the wilderness was The Lord’s
imposition of chastisement upon His people. Only Caleb and Joshua would make it into Canaan. They
entered Canaan five days short of the full forty years. A tiny sign of The Lord’s grace, and on the very day
the lamb was to be selected for the Passover celebration four days later (Ex 12:2-3 & v 6; Josh 5:10).
His timings are perfect. We should mark His moments, watch His timetable, rejoice in His seasons. He
is never early and never late. He rules over all and is the Head of all things to the church. He makes
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everything beautiful in its time and “will perfect that which concerneth me” (Ps 138:8). Frustrated and
agitated, we panic that nothing seems to be happening. We wait on Him for the hour of salvation, but
nothing appears on the horizon. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, - deliverance. A phone call, a letter, an
apology, a cheque, a cleansing, a reconciliation with family or friend. When we check out the story, we
find He had been working all along, adjusting heart attitudes and engineering circumstances. Our jaw
drops - with all else He is watching over, He continues to bring all the threads to one point within one
hour for us! How does He do that?! For us it feels in the nick of time, but for Him it is the ordered,
obvious culmination of a series of events that He has superintended for us. After raising the memorial,
The Lord desires Israel to remember this deliverance from Egypt.
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Joshua Chapter Five
Canaan’s enjoyment is always based on the power of the blood
The entrance into the Promised Land was at the time of the Feast of Passover. This was no accident.
This was Divinely designed, for the shedding of blood is at the foundation of every deliverance we
experience. The death of the lamb and the sprinkling of its blood secured initial protection from death.
They ate the Passover meal thus, in communion with the Lamb (Josh 5:10-11). A communion and a
covering. A deliverance for them and a destruction upon the enemy. As they ate, they ate in hope that
what their God had done to the Egyptians, He would do to the Canaanites. What He had done in the
past, He would not fail to do in the future. At Gilgal, they celebrate Passover. Thousands of lambs are
killed. The smell of blood fills the air and a hearty meal is enjoyed by all. All through the wilderness
years they had not celebrated national deliverance by blood. (Num 9:1-5 is the last time we hear of
Passover celebrations. From silence thereafter, we infer this to be true)
No sin or spirit leaves us without the cleansing and communion with the Lamb’s blood.
Sceptics and rationalists seek to remove ‘blood’ references from hymns and Bible translations. But all we
receive depends on the cross and the death of our dear Lord Jesus. (Jn 1:29; Eph 1:7; Heb 9:22; Rev 12:1)
The appropriation and application ‘sprinkling’ is everything. By faith we experience the power of the
cross for our initial salvation and forgiveness, and for our ongoing sanctification – being made clean in
our daily lifestyle. Romans chapters 5 and 6. I am in communion - contact and experience - with His
blood by the Spirit. The Spirit energises His offering once for all - the answer to a condemning conscience
and an accusing enemy - or else it is a dead piece of cold information (1 Cor 2:2, 10; 1 Jn 5:7-8).
Napoleon Bonaparte studied a red mark on his maps. It represented the Duke of Wellington and his
army. “If it was not for that red mark I would have conquered Europe,” he said. Our adversary hates the
‘red mark’ – the blood and the cross. For thirty-eight years, no obedience had been witnessed in the
Passover meal ordinance (since Num 9:1-5). This new generation under Joshua were more spiritual and
alert than their fathers. They do not rush on to siege Jericho but rather are keen to fulfil their devotion to
God’s Word! Their fathers had lost sight of the power of the blood; the sprinkling on the doorposts and its
celebration thereafter. For four decades it had been in abeyance, suspended; its covenant power – lost!
A new anticipation and quickening of grateful hearts seen at The Lord’s Table is a strong indication that
a new era is about to dawn. Not ritual observance and ceremony, but delight in relationship. That week
of Passover, a deep satisfaction entered Joshua’s soul. He was ‘Mr Satisfied’! The experience of all those
who walk in obedience to the light of God’s word: Hebrews 1:9 “Thou hast loved righteousness, and
hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows”. (The idea that communion must be in the evening ‘The Lord’s supper’, and must be with
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unleavened bread, is legalistic madness. 1 Corinthians 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye
may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us”).
A new experience in Heaven’s provision
Joshua 5:11-12. It will feel different. For forty years, the ‘manna’ supplemented Israel’s diet. When
needed, it would appear before them. But if you have money spare in the bank account do not expect a
widow to place a chicken on your doorstep! No sooner have they crossed into Canaan than the manna –
stops! Canaan is a fruitful, cultivated land. The Canaanites have fled in terror from a God who can open
and close a river. Their prayers to their ‘gods’ have not been answered. For miles around they run for
protection into Jericho. God’s people simply pick up and use what they had left behind. From now on
their provision would come not from the sky, but from the land.
We are ‘saved’ in the fulfilling of appointments
I attribute my own and our families’ preservation largely to our regular attendance ‘at church’. Now in
my fiftieth year (2007), I have known weekly attendance with the people of God for forty-five years. We
are saved in community. I attend to what He has instructed me before I go looking for special or
unusual direction from the throne: “Remember me”, He has commanded; “Do not forsake the
assembling of yourselves together”; Provide for the financial needs of the local church, the needy and
the ministry; Continue in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers.
The piece of coal that falls out of the fire will soon be cold…Iron sharpens iron; birds of a feather do
flock together. I fulfil the ordinary - my regular responsibilities - and He will bring about the extra,
extraordinary ministry as it is needed. It is cultish witchcraft to expect the one without the other – it
will take us into a selfish, ‘Walter Mitty’ world of unconnected faith. The word ‘saint’ does not appear in
the New Testament, the words ‘saints’ does. “Doctor, Doctor, I’m having Disney spells” - it’s no wonder.
You can become isolated because of hypocrisy within the church and ultimately the hypocrisy of the
‘holier than you’ crowd. You will have no separate dormitory in Heaven!
George Fox, in his zeal for an internal and spiritual faith, went too far in the abolishing of ‘means’:
Water Baptism and The Lord’s Table. The hyper-Calvanist does the same in his endeavour to avoid any
dependence upon ‘works’. But the statement ‘by faith alone’ is nowhere to be found in the Bible… odd
that! For James chapter 2 is as inspired as Romans chapter 5! It’s not faith or works, but a faith that
works. It is profound arrogance for the ‘reformed’ pastor to believe himself wiser than the apostles Peter
and Paul, who both preached and practiced Baptism and the Table. (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38, 2:42, 19:1-17;
1 Cor 9:11, 11:23; Heb 10:25; James 1:27) The Salvation Army do not practise communion lest it affects
their evangelist efforts. How pathetic is the wisdom of men!
When a church is re-identified as the people of God
For forty years, Israel had not practised the rite of circumcising the male child at eight days old. This
sign of the Covenant was not seen upon them. A whole new generation had not undergone the painful
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cut. This is a startling omission. Genesis 17 is clear. A soul that remained uncircumcised had “broken
the covenant” and would be “cut off”. It is possible for us to “neglect so great salvation”. Can a people,
can a local church, exist and yet forfeit Divine favour? Can the doors of a ‘church’ building be open, call
itself Christian, believe in the Bible, even believe heartedly in The Lordship of Jesus Christ, and yet not
bear upon it the sign and token that they are The Lord’s people? The distinguishing features of a heart
that has been cut by The Lord’s sanctifying sword are not there. No wonder the world is confused. We
can make our claims to God’s history and activity with us, and yet have no undeniable, distinct signs
that the Spirit of The Lord is among us and for us.
The Israelites are promised the land, but the fulfilment of the promise had been suspended because of
continued disobedience (Num 14). But now the clock is moving again and the command for
circumcision (Josh 5:2), indicated they had re-entered into the full favour of Jehovah. In his kindness,
He had not withdrawn every form of provision and protection. Even as a backslidden people they
enjoyed the provision of manna. They had been His people in name only; they had reputation, but for
forty years they had not been a light to the nations. The candlestick had been removed. The Spirit and
reality of the covenant was suspended. But now a new day dawns and The Lord returns. He allows the
restoration of the sign because the substance is again in place. Now He can reveal His mighty works.
Jordan opens, the men receive ‘the token’, and the Passover is celebrated. Joshua must have been
ecstatic.
Church and kingdom life is not so much our acknowledgement of Him but His acknowledgement of us:
A localised people commissioned, counselled and confirmed to be His representatives, ambassadors, to
that geographical and spiritual area. There are hundreds of groups of Christians in pleasant buildings
with Christian signage, singing The Lord’s praises… but the Head of the Church refuses to acknowledge
them as His light in that community. Individuals will be salt and light within that group, but corporately
that church is missing it! To such a people the knife must come. It will be painful before it will be
purposeful. A black man sat outside a church building in Atlanta, Georgia USA. The Lord came to him,
“What's wrong son?” “Master they won't let me in.” The Lord’s reply, “They won't let me in either...”
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into
him and will sup with him, and he with me”, Revelation 3:20. The Laodicean church kept The Lord
Jesus outside through its lukewarm attitudes, yet The Lord still calls to the individual to let Him in and
enjoy an evening meal together. Joshua and Caleb had been those individuals - just the two of them now, how he rejoices as the whole nation enters into Canaan and drinks deeply of God’s favour and
friendship. To such a people, Moses’ prayer is answered (Ps 90:13-17).
Cut to the heart of the issue/matter
Go for the jugular - the heart of the matter is always a matter of the heart. We must have a heart Godward in its devotion. Check what you pray in the night season. I have two prayers, ‘Guide me O thou
great Jehovah’ and ‘I love you Lord’. Though circumcision was an outward sign that Israel would
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possess the land, the sign was private and God-ward. The Hebrews did not walk around ‘exposing
themselves’ to prove to the nations and world that they were God’s people! The call was and is to
“circumcise the heart”. To such a people The Lord will reveal His works and glory. (Lev 26:41; Deut
10:16, 30:6; Jer 4:4, 9:26)
The Lord has always desired truth in our inward parts - an open and honest desire to please and obey
Him (Ps 51:6). The Lord comes with His flinty knife and cuts away, removing from us “the sins of the
flesh”. Submission to His surgery is a death, burial and resurrection experience. It’s the sanctification of
the Spirit’s sword - and the pruning of the Father (Jn 15; Rom 6; Col 2; 1 Pet 1).
We see the work of God
To those who scratch at the bottom of the barrel; those searching for a sign of the Spirit’s presence;
those who cannot remember when the last person was healed or the last manifestation of God’s power
was seen. To those who take refuge in the number who attend, or how active the members are, or how
much money was given to Christian aid, or how dignified the elders are, or how well the drama group
did: If everything that takes place during your Sunday service can be explained by such natural terms
and definitions – then you are in a human-driven social club, not the Divinely-formed church of the
living God…
Jordan has just opened! The inexplicable is among them. They are witnessing the supernatural. God is
among them. The promises of obedience are among them. Everywhere you look, the power and
presence of the Spirit is at work. This is not just a group of like-minded folk who decide to spend a few
hours each week under the roof of the same building! If we remain satisfied with just The Lord’s
kindness - with the manna - we lull ourselves into a false sense of security. God’s will is always Canaan
for His people, not simply existing on bread in a wilderness. The New Testament Church - walking in
obedience to all the counsel of God, enjoying all the blessings of God, expressing the fullness of the
Gospel - will witness and ‘see’ the works of God manifest among them: That which cannot be explained
as just natural gift or polished talent. Tongues, healings, miracles, exorcisms, angels, revelations of
God’s heart and mind in prophesy. To those who are walking in the power of the covenant, whom The
Lord has remembered, they will see the hand of The Lord – revealed. (Ps 90:16-17. Also Acts 2, 3, 4 and
11; 1 Cor 12 and 14)
The beauty of God is upon them in holiness - an attraction, a magnetism, a sweet aroma, colourful,
creative, harmonious, all and everyone in their place. Established, firm, though perhaps only a small
number of people, but because it’s God’s work it stands for decades. Naturally it should disappear and
fray at the edge, but the planting of The Lord withstands the tests of time and tensions. They stand as
one man, with one mind and one mouth. Welcome the word that cuts – it will save your soul. James
1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the
engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
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Gilgal – ‘And the burden of my heart rolled away’
When Israel lost her way, the Egyptians, the people and the spirit of this world mocked and jeered:
“Your God has abandoned you, He obviously doesn’t care anymore – if He ever did! You're on your own.
His designs and desires for you were bad, not good. Actually His aim, clearly, was to destroy you. Your
God has deceived you and been mischievous”. “Carest thou not that we perish?” (Mk 4:38).
But the public, power-filled act of Jordan, and the circumcising, and the Passover devotion, meant that
the ‘reproach of Egypt – is rolled away’ as a great stone, a sword in the soul that wears down the heart,
now taken away. God has an answer to give! And it will come through and to an obedient, covenanted
people. The forty years have come to an end. Those once disobedient have been removed. Another
generation has arisen, a generation that when The Lord says go – they go. The taunt and stigma is no
more! (Ex 14:3, 32:12; Ps 39:8, 42; Ezek 16:57; Rom 2:24)
Pray and hope that we are not the cause of bringing reproach onto the Name of The Lord Jesus. 1 Peter
2:15, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish
men” (1 Pet 2:12; Titus 2:10-12).
Military madness but moral wisdom
All men under forty are house-bound. They have just entered enemy territory, and with quite a bang!
But the army is not standing ready to fight - instead it is having a salt bath recovering from minor
surgery! About fifty thousand men guard the tribes who had already been cut, in case of a surprise
attack from the Canaanites. What military commander would incapacitate the strength of his army
immediately on entering enemy territory?! A most unsuitable time for administering circumcision. Why
not do it before they crossed over? This is not natural wisdom!
The miracle of the river had been witnessed by the Jerichonians – and they became paralysed. All
energy and fight had flowed out of them. In short, the enemy was more incapacitated than God’s people.
God’s men were in their tents healing, but the enemy was in their city – in horror! This is no regular
army. This is God’s army. This is holy war. Rejoicing was in Israel’s camp but no songs rang out in
Jericho. What they had hoped would be a sure barrier of defence had been so ‘easily’ overcome. The
enemy are in shock and awe. Joshua knew that unless he ‘observed to do all’, Joshua 1:7-8, and fulfilled
every requirement of The Lord, he would have not just a debacle but a massacre. This was moral and
spiritual, not earthy and natural. He was fully aware that no uncircumcised person could partake of the
Passover. Cutting precedes cleansing, repentance comes before belief (Ex 12:48).
At the strategic hour, cutting and cleansing will be emphasised among God’s people
The Word and the blood applied by the Spirit: Suddenly one feels The Lord requires more, that we are
stepping up a gear. That DVD with swearing in it has to go; every attitude is examined for bitterness or
unforgiveness; a letter has to be destroyed; a cheque sent; a phone call made. The prayer is, “Search me
O God”. This may seem fanatical to ‘English Christianity’ - so be it. It’s not men I’m seeking to please.
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The knife is applied and the blood shed. God’s people shed their own blood before they shed their
enemy’s blood! Calvary precedes every resurrection. A shedding, before a spoiling.
When Israel or the church refuse to submit to the sword of God’s word, and will “not endure sound
doctrine”, Canaan is forfeited. It will feel like ‘something’s gone wrong’! Every decisive advance for the
individual or the Body will always involve a deeper incision into the heart. Yes - it’s painful. It
differentiates within us what is of us and what is of The Lord. What can stay and what must go (Heb
4:12). The eldership that has replaced the Word of God - the logos and rhema - with a ‘Ken Dodd
tickling stick’ will know a serious reprimand from Heaven (2 Tim 4:3-4). The natural man and mind has
always considered The Lord’s word, way and wisdom, ‘moronic and foolish’. The cross is the ultimate
example of this (1 Cor 1:17-31). To pander at all to that rejection attitude is not overlooked by Heaven.
No wonder the young people of the church will go, frustrated and unbelieving; ‘If this is church life,
then I might as well be in the world!’ Joshua opens the campaign with one act of devotion after another.
We are “a living sacrifice” and the true Jew of God. Romans 2:29, “But he is a Jew, which is one
inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of
men, but of God” (Also Rom 12:1-2).
Many have been inoculated with a mild form of Christianity which has made them immune from the
real thing.
Before I travelled to Africa, the nurse injected me with a small dosage of the disease I needed to be
protected against. One’s immune system then creates the defences in the body to keep at bay the more
virulent forms of attack. In the same way, many have been inoculated by a mild version of ‘Christianity’
that keeps them from the real Christian message. They now see and feel and evaluate the Christian faith
and church life as little more than a plastic-coated placebo, a moral pick-me-up; an acceptably
presented, socially comfortable message that gives no pain or offence to even the man in the moon. It’s
a form of sorcery, as if ‘God’s’ people are drugged! When the ‘normal’ Christian message is then seen
and heard, it is interpreted as cultic, extremist, divisive and exclusive - bordering on spiritualism - and
therefore rejected out of hand. From this general malaise, a few seeking truth will be plucked from the
mass of the humanised and ‘Christianised’ lost.
The power of The Lord’s engagement with men in the past can be enjoyed – today
The Lord’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob now comes ‘in power’ through and to Israel. All is
in place: ‘The cup of the Amorites is full’; God’s armies have crossed the Jordan; Egypt’s reproach has
been ‘rolled away’; and the sign of the covenant is undeniably marked upon the flesh and heart of The
Lord’s people. All that God does is forever.
Good men have prayed and prophesised before us and for us… and we “enter into their labours”, John
4:38. The Spirit’s roots can be drawn on many years after they have been planted. Philip in Samaria
drew on the witness of the woman at the well. The oil upon Charles Wesley as he was inspired to write
hymns will come upon us as we sing hundreds of years later. Smith Wigglesworth ministered in the
early years of the work we were previously involved with in the West. It’s inconceivable that we were not
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drawing from what he laid up seventy years ago. In the North East of England where we now minister,
the saintly, prayerful monks of the 6th century laid a huge foundation and fountain: That heritage, we
take hold of and enjoy today. Trusting the blood and yielding to the Word will release to us the same
spiritual dynamics that Joshua experienced. Is the New Covenant in Jesus’ blood weaker than the
covenant God made with Abraham? As the true ‘Israel of God’, Abraham is the father of those filled with
faith, children of promise, possessing our inheritance in the Heavenlies. John the Baptist, as a prophet,
moved and administered in the “spirit and power of Elijah” the prophet. We can, as apostles, move and
minister in “the spirit and power” of Aidan, Cuthbert, the Bede, and others!
After individual separation to God and corporate celebration of the feast, Israel are almost ready to face
Jericho. ‘Make me a captive Lord – and then I shall be free’. They have seen His power; they have
literally felt His promise in their person in the act of separation. Three extended military campaigns are
before them. They will face thirty different demonically-inspired tribal armies arranged against them.
Master and commander
Joshua chapter 5: 13-15. Joshua is now literally ‘among the alien corn’. He has entered enemy-occupied
territory as the head of two million people, the equivalent of the entire population of Birmingham, UK.
He has an army, well-trained, ordered and disciplined. After forty years, they are ready and eager to
prove their worth. The camp is only a few miles away from the main fortified city, Jericho. The whole
area is said to be vast woods of trees. With his young lieutenants a little way behind him, and his
bodyguards maybe one hundred metres away, General Joshua is walking in the fields. He has an awful
amount of information on his mind. The pressure on his soul cannot be described. He mutters the
words of God he has secretly received; the oil upon them brings some soothing relief. Jericho is before
him. Jordan is behind him. He has been studying his maps. The two scouts have helped to fill in some of
the details.
In the absence of further instructions, he is praying and waiting and wondering how to seize the city.
He loves his men as his own sons. The idea that some may be lost is so hateful and horrifying to him.
Moses had passed onto him the military methods of the Egyptians but they are not rising up in his soul.
They leave him cold. The evening is fast approaching; the sun’s setting beams glistening on the city’s
whitewashed walls. The walls seem to be speaking: “Impenetrable, impossible, you’re dead meat. This is
the end. What a waste of space. You're all going to die. Go home you bum…” He shakes his head. The
attack on his mind and spirit eases, but the ‘how’ to take the city remains, and take it he must because it
is too great a threat to leave behind them as they advance northward. It’s been harvest in the last few
weeks so their stores will be full. The city could hold out almost indefinitely…
Jericho
Jericho controlled access to the hill country of Palestine from the Jordan. The city’s location made its
capture the key to the invasion of the central hill country. The year is 1406 BC. For two generations, the
walls of this stronghold - Jericho - have been built and rebuilt. It is an impressive fortress city. Any
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attacking army would have to cross a deadly killing zone before even reaching the walls. Encircling the
city is a four metre high stone wall supporting the base of a steeply sloping glacier-like slope. At a 35°
angle, the slope is covered with a lime plaster coating, its slippery surface almost impossible to scale. On
top of this mighty earthen rampart stands a seven metre high mud-brick wall, three metres thick at its
base. From top to bottom the height of Jericho’s perimeter rampart and wall is twenty-two metres, and
overall thickness more than twenty-four metres. A frontal assault on such defences could only result in
mass slaughter as arrows, sling-stones and fire rained down on any assailant mad enough to attempt to
scale the slippery slope. The spears of the attacking troops would hardly reach the top of the fortress
wall. The city king governor of Jericho should have been filled with confidence- but he wasn’t. The
psychological war had already been lost!
Commander in Chief
‘A man with his sword drawn’: Joshua has been surveying the enemy’s fortifications. On a natural level
he could be excused for feeling overwhelmed. Even with a standing army in excess of half a million men,
he was experienced enough to know that the next weeks could prove to be a bloody affair. The words
continued to ring in his ear – “as I was with Moses so I will be with thee”, “I will not fail you…success”!
He drew deep from these fountains. This is a Gethsemane experience. The air was cooling but he
sweated, as it were, great drops of blood. He believed the word, He believed God. He knew in his spirit
all would be well, yet his emotional and physical frame quaked with apprehension. “O my Father, if it
be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt.”
As I was climbing on a mountain side near Coniston, Cumbria, the lead climber fell backwards over my
head. I was literally paralysed with fear for thirty minutes, my body would just not move, full stop. In
my heart and mind I knew I would not fall or die, yet everything else in me was petrified! Joshua is a
steely warrior, but he is also flesh and blood, an earthen vessel.
Joshua meets Jesus
Yonder, there is a movement - the light and shadows change, a slight noise, he looks up and a soldier is
fairly close. He ascertains from his uniform and attire that he is not an Israelite, not one of his men.
Strangely, it’s not obvious whether he is a Canaanite either. Walking toward him with more curiosity
than panic, the General wishes to know if this man with a drawn sword is a friend or a foe (Josh 5:13).
That’s a legitimate question given the circumstances. No doubt the Canaanite federation had their
trained assassins. Joshua has an awareness of his worth to The Lord’s cause and Kingdom. There is
something about this individual that he cannot pin down… and military leaders are not comfortable
with ambiguity. For them, there is no neutral ground. This is an hour for clarity. It is kill or be killed; it
is you are with us or against us. If a friend, return to your regimental order; if a foe, prepare to die! This
is no vision but a physical appearance, tangible. Surprised but undaunted, Joshua is about to be
engaged by the Son of God. The greatest encouragement of his journey, an encounter that will sustain
him for the next fifteen years of his earthly life, especially in times of severe trial.
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At 10pm on the 4th February 1999, I was in my study at Windermere. It was like any other day up until
that point. In the morning, I had finished preparing a message for the coming Sunday morning. Going
up into town I spent forty minutes having dinner with Cora; administration between 2 and 3 o’clock,
and visitors seeking some counsel in the evening. My third visitor was still with me when it happened. It
was not something I had ever expected to experience this side of Eternity and the Judgement seat. It
was my greatest spiritual occasion in twenty-eight years of Christian life - as it was then.
We were chatting away about the Kingdom of God and how I was sure He would provide for this
person’s needs. With no warning, no preparation, no lights or sounds or anointings, or any such thing two eyes appeared in the wall next to the door directly opposite me, no more than eight feet away. The
eyes were white, as white hot metal, and simply stared at me as I held their gaze. It was The Lord Jesus
Christ! For about ten seconds we looked at each other. There was no form of a face or a body, just two
bright shining eyes. If He was standing on the floor, He measured about six feet in height. As I
continued to look into The Lord’s eyes, I was caused to be able to read His mind. All I can say is that to
look into His eyes was to look into His mind. I saw love. I saw infinite love. I saw a love that just went
on and on; it just didn’t have an end. I thought I knew something of the love of Jesus, until that
moment. I know the Scriptures; I’ve known something of the Spirit; I've preached on these things all
over the world and yet I was shocked at how little I had comprehended of its magnitude. No wonder
Paul says ‘the love of Christ passeth knowledge’ and human calculation. It was a hundred times greater
than I had imagined.
As I continued to look, the love moved from a general affection to a personal revelation, for that love
was directed toward me. In His mind I could see His love for me. The nearest word I can find to sum it
up would be ‘delight’. He delighted in me as an individual. It was, well, almost as if He was entertained
by my life – that as He looked on it, it was as a Father ‘entertained’ by a son’s playing with lego on the
floor, trying to make a building. Jesus was delighted in me and He was taking pleasure from my life.
Wow! As quietly and as suddenly as He had appeared, He was gone. The friend with me had not seen or
heard anything.
In the next two days, three visitors came into that room and each had an identical experience. As each
one stepped over the threshold of the room, they instantly started to cry. The glory had penetrated into
the very fabric of the study and a melting sensation was their reaction. Four months later, when a
prophet visited us, he placed his hand on the wall where our Lord had appeared and declared, “There’s
enough anointing in this wall to send any spirit hurtling into the Abyss”. My pastor confirmed the
visitation. He said, “In prayer we come into His presence; on this occasion, He had chosen to come into
your presence”. This affirmation that I was indeed a man of God in the area had been made abundantly
clear. After all the rejection through the years; rejection that had come in every imaginable form from
accusation to innuendo, name-calling, disturbing letters, mockery, rudeness and so much more. Here,
before me, The Lord Jesus Himself had appeared and had opened His heart to my gaze. “Wayne, that’s
what men think of you but son, this is what I think of you.” What a colossal benediction on my life and
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ministry. I couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful experience. I would still feel the pain in the
months ahead from being ‘despised and rejected of men’, but my encounter with the Saviour had
removed ‘the sting’ from the spears and arrows. When our daughter Elizabeth was two years old, I
would place the hot fish finger partly in my mouth to take ‘the heat out of it’. She could then eat it safely.
Some crazy attitudes and accusations came my way in the following months and years, but it would
always be different now. Jesus delighted in me; therefore everything else was simply detail – trivial in
comparison.
One hundred years ago in Paris, a dear Christian lady lay dying on her bed. Family and friends had
gathered around her. They were becoming agitated at a request the lady was making, that they could not
understand. The lady kept repeating the same word over and over, again and again. The word was
‘Bring’. Bring? Bring what? Friends, family, food, a drink, her favourite broach – not even a Bible
settled her. The home-calling was very near, in a matter of minutes she would be in Paradise. Summing
up the last remnants of her strength, she finally managed to blurt out the phrase. “Bring forth the royal
diadem and crown Him Lord of all”.
Previously The Lord had manifested His word and mind to His servant Joshua by His Spirit; usually as he
slept, and directly to his spirit. This is altogether different. Now the second member of the Godhead
comes to him. The Lord Jesus in human form, but not yet human flesh - that is still 1400 years away in
Bethlehem. The invisible revealed in Christ: “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father”, John 14:9 “Who
is the image of the invisible God”, Colossians 1:15. In the Son, the Father and Spirit are ‘seen’. He came to
Adam, to Hagar, to Abraham, to Jacob, to Gideon, to Manoah, to Daniel. The one like unto a Son of man;
the Angel that went before them; the Rock that followed them. Now that one, stands before Joshua.
At first the General did not recognise the person as a Divine being. The Lord cloaked Himself initially
and then disclosed His might and majesty as the conversation moved along. This is more than a man,
beyond simply friend or foe. ‘I am, absolutely not, a Canaanite or an Israelite. I am, beyond siding with
one party or another. I am beyond the party politics or military conflicts of one man against another. I
am the one who stands with him who stands with me.’ As Cromwell said, with both Royalists and
Parliamentarians claiming God was on their side; “I guess”, he said, “that God wonders who is on His
side”. This is the strength of ‘The Persons’; ‘nay’ for soon He will prove Himself a friend and much more
than a friend to Israel’s army. The same one, witnessing Israel’s disobedience could ‘turn’ and become
their enemy and foe, and “rejoice” to dispossess them from the land! (Deut 28:63; Isa 1:24-28)
Whatever our label, our colour, our party, our denomination, The Lord will be with those who are with
Him. This will often surprise us. Luke 9:50, “And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not
against us is for us.” (Also: Jn 14; Col 2)
“Captain of the host of The Lord”
Joshua 5:14. Joshua is about to set forth on the military conquest of Canaan. Seven years stretch before
him. He is about eighty years old. What an encouragement this is: A strength, an invigorating
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experience, the power of God surging through his whole being. A ‘heavenly vision’; a life altering
experience. As the Captain and Head, the forces of Heaven and earth are at His disposal. One of
Joshua’s forefathers had worked in the house of Potiphar, who was “the captain of the guard”. Joshua
therefore understood the position’s implications immediately. He had many captains under him, of
thousands, hundreds and fifties. They were appointed to lead.
Now, The Captain has arrived on the scene. Israel’s armies are under His command: “mine armies and
my people” (Ex 7:4). His possession, His ownership, “the hosts of The Lord” (Ex 12:41). 600,000
fighting men. In 2008, the whole British army totaled 115,000. He is the “leader and commander to the
people” (Isa 55:4). Angel armies are also under His command. “All His angels – all His hosts” (Gen
32:1-2; 1 Kg 22:19; Ps 148:2; Lk 2:13).
Even when the powers of darkness thought He was in their power, The Lord had twelve legions of
angels available to summon and call upon; (Matt 26:53), “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and
he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” Revelation 5:11, “And I beheld…
many angels…and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands”. Multitudes of ministering, servant spirits constantly moving between Heaven and earth, up
and down Jacob’s ladder, fulfilling and executing the commands of the throne for the benefit of those
who fear Him, (see in Psalms, “Lord of hosts”). He is, praise His name, ‘The Captain of our
Salvation’ (Heb 2:10). As our difficulties increase, our encouragements increase accordingly. As Joshua
looked upon the man, peace wafted over his soul. How seasonable His ‘peace, be still’ comes upon us.
We remember that angels refuse the worship of men (Rev 22:8-9), but this person accepted Joshua’s act
of reverence and obedience for He is ‘The Lord’ (Josh 6:2); Hebrew - ‘Jehovah’.
No sooner had Joshua become General, than he is an assistant – again
For forty years Joshua assisted Moses. He saw to his needs, he ministered to him and served him
faithfully. He followed him. Charged by Moses, he entered and became Israel’s Senior Military
Commander… and this was no ‘Dad’s army’! His authority and reputation had been sealed at the
miracle of the river. He is the leader among his people. Now another has come along, suddenly arriving
on the scene. And he is claiming to be Israel’s General and Commander.
The determining crisis of his life
As far as Heaven and The Lord’s workings are concerned, we only possess that which we have given
away, a child, a company, a position. His way is Calvary then resurrection. One moment, quite
legitimately, Joshua is thinking his thoughts and making his plans. Suddenly he has to decide whether
to choose to yield himself and his sword up to another! He casts himself to the ground and worships.
His whole body heaving with love and devotion to God. Joshua is ‘giving up’ being the commander. He’s
yielding, submitting. In his heart he is down on his knees. Now not only anointed as a warrior, but fresh
oil comes upon him as a worshipper.
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Joshua had to fall before Jericho fell. If he had hesitated or failed in his reverential acknowledgement,
Jericho may never have fallen, certainly not to General Joshua at the head! Asking the will of his Lord,
he is commanded to remove his shoes (Josh 5:15). Canaan is no holy land but where The Lord’s
presence is revealed, that becomes a glory place. The Holy Spirit records the detail - “And Joshua did
so”. Complete prostration and surrender is now expressed. At His feet, Joshua is at His mercy. “Not my
will but yours be done. Reign in me sovereign Lord – reign in me”. He is handing over the command of
his life, of his men, of his people, of his destiny. “You are my life, my hope, my strength”. The Lord had
given him command; he now hands it back. He is The Lord Jesus Christ; we cannot have him as Jesus –
forgiver of sins - without God and Lord of our lives!
There is a shift in position
With the sword out of its sheath, ready for action, The Lord Jesus had clearly not come to be a
spectator. He is not here to supplement but to supplant us! Until now Joshua believed he was a holy
warrior fighting for God, going ahead, putting the ‘boxer’s chin’ out. From now on, he ‘sees’ he is
fighting with God, behind His Captain, following sensitively His every order. A growth in faith has
occurred. Not that Joshua is obliterated: In Exodus 12:17, Israel’s army is called ‘yours’ by The Lord.
Joshua remains the General, only now there is seen in the field, The Supreme Commander; as
Eisenhower was to Alexander, Montgomery, Bradley and Patton. Joshua rejoiced in this and did not
rebel. He was no prima-donna. His heart was purely fixed on the good of his people and the glory of his
God! “Faith which worketh by love” (Gal 5:6).
The Lord, as Captain, had always been there, leading the armies of angel and Israelite. He had been the
unseen commander. In the presence of love to God and man, The Lord Jesus will manifest Himself.
John 14:21, “… he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
myself to him.” As Joshua stepped back, he gave The Lord His rightful place. Joshua is displaced in
favour of another, it is a transfer of authority and yet he remains General. Those who bow before God
are the only ones who can stand before men. In Joshua’s heart a burden lifted. With the revelation,
responsibility seemed to lift off his shoulders. Anxious thoughts were banished. Now, all did not depend
on his skill and strength alone. In public, Joshua was the leader and God supported him in his
leadership, but in private, in his heart and attitude, he was the servant, obediently seeking the
commander’s plan of campaign and carrying it out with meticulous care.
Step back brother, pastor. In your zeal you’ve pushed forward, wanting to advance the work of God. Let
The Lord step ahead of you. He was never meant to be following you. He is the shepherd. The pastor,
though an under shepherd, is still ‘a sheep’ himself. One step behind, not one step ahead. It’s the faith
way. He is with you. He’s not asleep. His sword is drawn. He is on a mission to cleanse Canaan of a
Sodom-like uncleanness and witchcraft. As His instruments, He will use the usable. You can count on it.
You will not miss out. Stay postured kneeling; the invasion is imminent. Faith arises; there love casts
out all fear as such a great and good Lord leads us forward. His word - “launch out into the deep” - is on
His lips. He is ready to defend and deliver. As Isaiah and Saul, we kneel before The Lord our maker:
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Isaiah 6:9, “Go, and tell this people”. Acts 9:6, “Go into the city”. Those who know best how to
command, know best how to hear and obey ‘men under authority’. The greatest is the servant of all, we
love the ground that He walks upon and would dare kiss the dust under His feet.
The reason for the forty days
When our Lord rose from among the dead, He did not return immediately and permanently to the
Father. He spent the next forty days appearing to His disciples and then disappearing. The purpose was
to show to these men that even when they couldn’t ‘see’ Him, He was present. His command was to ‘Go,
and lo, I will be with you’. Even if they could not trace Him, they could trust He was present; where two
or three are gathered together in my name... He was keen to be home, yet He ministered among them
“with infallible proofs”, for nearly six weeks. In their praying, preaching and persecution He stood with
them, stretching forth His arm, opening hearts, baptising with the Spirit, guiding them to fresh
endeavours.
“A man with a sword drawn in his hand”
Twenty five years after these encounters, as the General spoke out his memoirs of The Lord’s work, he
records “I…drave out…the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow” (Josh
24:12). Certainly a sword is involved but it was God’s. It is the ‘sword of The Lord…and of Joshua,
Gideon…”. Isaiah 27:1, “The Lord with His sore and great and strong sword”; Isaiah 34:5-8, “My sword
shall be bathed in Heaven… is filled with blood…”
- dripping out, satiated with the blood of His
enemies. For first and foremost the Canaanites were so completely identified with the powers of
darkness, that they were God’s enemy. He was against them. Joshua never ever forgot the look in the
Captain’s eyes, the fire, the ferocious determination against the enemy. Such intense desire; blue
lightening surrounded him. He becomes aware of angels around The Lord, many angels, armies of
angels. He wears no armour but a white garment. Years later, one would write of His ‘terrible swift
sword…for our God is marching on!’ (Ps 44:1-8, 45:1-5)
The work in the Heavenlies comes first: Its impact on earth will follow
It’s a misnomer to consider that because a work is in and by the Spirit, it will therefore remain unseen
and invisible. As if work and warfare in the “heavenly places” is somehow nebulous, uncertain. That we
must take it ‘by faith’ that something is happening. We may consider that praying, preaching, praising
and prophesying of course is good, but not really impacting in the real world. It’s out there; floaty,
gaseous, ‘other’! This is a colossal misunderstanding. Ephesians 1:3, the Christian is one who has been
“blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”; Ephesians 2:5-6, he has been
quickened together and raised up together with Christ and made to “sit together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus”. Ephesians 3:10, God’s wisdom is seen through Him unto “the principalities and powers in
heavenly places”. Ephesians 6:12, he wrestles “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly
places”. (Note: not ‘high places’ as the King James Version translates. The translators could not grasp
that the good saint and a bad spirit could dwell in the same realm and sphere). Colossians 3:1, “If ye
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then be risen with Christ (since you are risen), seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth
on the right hand of God.” God is a Spirit and inhabits a dimension parallel to the physical and material.
The ‘spiritual’ world is more substantial than the material. The saint brings his ministry to a real
throne, surrounded by real attendants, with twenty-four elders and a full rainbow displayed.
When I ring my bank one mile away, it is routed via India thousands of miles away. The call will
‘connect’ me in seconds but it has passed in and through numerous telephone exchanges, stations and
cablings. We bring our requests, intercessions, confessions, praises, songs, heart, love and faith to the
throne, and it is routed back into the earth by the one Holy Spirit. The Spirit inspires and interprets the
will of God: The Lord spoke and the worlds were made. The promise was spoken to Abram, and the baby
came. The dream was given to Joseph, and he indeed sat on Egypt’s throne. Jesus blesses the bread, and
it is multiplied to the multitude. Paul commands the demon, and the girl is freed. They sing praise songs
in prison, and the earthquake opens the prison doors! For ‘whatever is bound in Heaven, is bound or
loosed on earth’ (Matt 18:18). The Christian faces this present world via the throne. God is brought into
every aspect of his life: “In all thy ways”…he acknowledges…the presence of God. When he faces a
situation which is a struggle, as Joshua with his Jericho, he submits and serves The Lord, wishing only
what his master desires. He is a follower. The Lord is interposed between the saint and the situation.
Joshua faces Jericho via the throne. His prayer and praising has ‘brought’ The Lord into the situation.
It is transformed. Heaven sanctifies and interprets the request and it becomes a win-win situation.
Joshua is met by the Captain from the ‘other’, yet Jericho here and now on earth is brought down. The
promise is activated by faith’s obedience, via the throne, and the kingdom advance is ‘seen’ in this
world. Marching on Downing Street regarding a moral issue is less profitable than an hour on our
knees, seeking The Lord’s intervention. When Peter was imprisoned, the church prayed without
ceasing. Chains were released and gates opened. The spiritual life does not mean a separation from
touching and influencing ‘this’ life. It does mean a life with the Captain of The Lord’s hosts; life lived via
the throne, life that moves in tandem with the Spirit. Stood before his men Joshua was a General,
kneeling before His God, Joshua was a servant. (See prayer in the life of our Lord Himself: Before
crucial decisions; under trial; Gethsemane. He lived via the throne). The delay in ‘seeing’ the answer
may be as Daniel experienced. He prayed the word and will of God, but senior demon forces withheld it.
A delay can also be because of a character development that’s needed. (Dan 10 and 2 Cor 12). Both
received answers; one 21 days later and the other was a ‘no’.
The General moves from a warrior, to a warrior-worshipper
“Loose thy shoe…and Joshua did so” (Josh 5:15). It falls as part of my responsibility as an ‘overseer’, as
a watchman over the flock, to observe from time to time the congregation at prayer and praise. I look to
see what is taking place; who is especially ‘in the Spirit’ that day. There’s always one with his hands in
his pockets, chewing; another is kneeling; another is sat down, day-dreaming; another is reading the
Bible; another’s face is beaming with glory; another ones arms are outstretched toward Heaven… The
body’s posture accurately reveals the soul’s attention. I’m usually pleased, occasionally I’m worried. The
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Father looks throughout the earth for those who worship in spirit and in truth. As a people, we always
move from thanksgiving, to praise, to worship. Moving from what He has done, to who He is. Always
moving forward, “I bow my knees unto the Father” (Eph 3:14).
On this day, the General is flat on his face. Before he receives any instructions, his relationship to and
with The Lord is defined. How quick we can be to get new believers to ‘do’ things, to work. Our prime
responsibility is to create a simple and spiritual environment for God’s people to “loose their shoe…”.
The pastor / preacher can be too anxious to speak, to give instruction, to ‘get on with it’, to go ‘demonbashing’ or ‘saving the lost’ or ‘relieving the poor’; all quite acceptable aspirations. But I pray this activity
will come out of the inspiration of ‘meeting with God’; laying before Him leisurely, in communion, just
happy to be at His feet, not rushing to go off anywhere. If we let the people abide in His presence - sit
before Him, tarry, lovingly gazing upon His person and presence - we need have no worry over whether
they will be committed, motivated or ‘fired up’ to go, for no man can commune with The Lord Jesus
without that person receiving a commission. Communion will issue forth a commission. It will come
forth directly from Him and not from us. We can be so keen to hurry through the singing, praise, and
time around the table, so that they can hear from us - so we can motivate ‘them’ to give, and go, and
grow. Steady yourself. A moment is required for the zealous, young, fired up, ‘bananas for Jesus crowd’ –
they must first be engaged by The Lord, to remove the earthly of this world: ‘I’m fighting a cause, let’s go
…!’ - pause; Selah. “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.” Joshua is engaged by The Lord.
His response? “He bows self down”. On that most suitable of responses his future was secured.
Let us look into the face of Jesus
I met with our band of prophets. Revelation was coming forth. At one point we needed confirmation for
a family in a move they were contemplating. So I said, “Let us look into the face of Jesus”.
As we
deliberately turned our attention directly onto His countenance, fresh disclosures of His heart and mind
came forth upon our consciousness. The family were confirmed in their decision. I cannot make The
Lord come into my presence. I've known that, once… in January 1999 and not before or since. The New
Testament call is for us to enter into His presence; to come before His throne with boldness; to say when
we pray “Our Father”. What we do know is that as Joshua pursued the light he had and did his best to
fulfil the word in his heart in the line of duty; The Lord Jesus came to Him. His promise is that “He that
hath my commandments, and keepeth them… I will love him and will manifest myself to him” (Jn 14:21).
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Joshua Chapter Six
Operation Jericho
On 13th February 1944, the RAF was on a mission over occupied France to bomb the prison at Amiens
and hopefully release French resistance fighters who were in captivity there. Eighteen Mosquitoes
dropped their bombs and of the seven hundred held, two hundred and fifty managed to escape. That
mission had a code name; it was “Operation Jericho”.
A critical and bold advance is just before us. The Holy Spirit has encouraged us. We take hold of the
word. An appetite to enjoy more of God’s rest bounty and triumph is on the horizon. As an individual or
as a church, we want to ‘go for it’. The trouble is – on that same horizon stands a fortress, a fortified
city, a heavily-defended obstacle, aggressively blocking our forward journey and it will not yield to
fleshy enthusiasm and energy.
The folly of men and demons – fixed fortified positions
When Israel came out of Egypt, the Amalekites attacked the rear of the camp; the weak, the young and
very old lingering at the back. They achieved some success. But here, Jericho is a fixed position in which
the Canaanites stand. The guerrilla war of the Amalekites was far more sensible for the enemy; at least
there they inflicted casualties. Here, not one Israelite will fall! The French built the Maginot Line. A
fixed wall of concrete, armour and steel. The invading Germans simply went around it! Hit and run
worked. Standing still behind a wall did not. That reinforced wall in your life, it’s coming down. That
reinforced wall blocking the local church from going forward, it’s coming down. That reinforced wall
around the city, though it’s been there for hundreds of years, it’s coming down!
“The Lord gave the Word…”
As Joshua lies on the ground outside his Jericho, The Lord Jesus gives him ‘the word’. In the past, he’s
had the word of encouragement, he’s had the word about the land passed down to him from Abram….all
the way through Moses. Now, he receives very specific and detailed instructions for the taking of
Jericho. The stronghold is in the way. It is part of a network of defences endeavouring to keep the
‘enemy’ out. The Lord God in His light is pushing ahead, the stubborn walls of Jericho will just have to
yield. That can be done the easy way or the hard way. The soldiers and rulers of Jericho choose the hard
way. What if they had shown some humility and common sense? They’ve witnessed the Jordan open
and close; a change of lifestyle and allegiance was always theoretically possible! Acknowledge Israel’s
God…and… But it was not to be. Their cup of sin was full; judgement was coming; their hardened hearts
are hardened by The Lord. He will get glory upon His enemies. Times up, it’s too late. The enemy will be
forced under a rod of iron, at the point of His terror-ible swift sword!
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Take a step back
Not a Christian retreat, not a backward step, but a process step, a perspective step. We can try and fulfil
the word of The Lord and place ourselves under pressure before we've received it. Usually, we live our
lives loving the brethren, seeking to do good, carefully fulfilling the word that we have. That is
understood. But this is a ‘5% hour’ – that is to say, the hour of the strategic advance. This is out of the
regular, normal course of life. This is a ‘who do I marry?’, ‘is that career right?’, ‘do I accept that
pastorate?’, ‘which home is in the best location – for the kingdom?’, ‘do I buy that piece of ground?’
kind of decision. We are reading and praying, yes, and we are sweating and experiencing a swimming
head also. Take a step back. Go and lie on the floor before The Lord. You are too advanced and are
becoming frustrated. Go and deliberately place yourself before The Lord. I've locked myself in a
bathroom before now and said, ‘Lord Jesus I will not let you go – until you bless me with your clear
word’. You do not know what to pray, ok, then pray for the prayer. Ask Him for what to request. Step
back out from the throne then to get your bearings, and then with a renewed clarity come before Him
again. Only this time, because He has given you a specific word in a dream, prophesy or scripture… one
can ask with boldness. The young child that not only knows his father is good but has specifically stated
he can have a bike, is in rather a strong position to make his request, with thanksgiving. “Dad, you
promised me a bike the other day, and I’m grateful for you and it, thank you for fulfilling your word, I
love you”. To such a one “his joy will be full”. Speaking in tongues quietly to God in our private devotion
is a sure-fire way of giving the Holy Spirit opportunity to drop names, faces, burdens, requests,
situations into our heart. The answers may seem like distractions; what is on His heart can surprise us.
David Wilkerson was shocked that while in prayer in the mid-1950s, a newspaper photo of young boys
outside a court house in New York kept coming to his mind’s eye. Eventually it dawned on him it was
the answer to his praying, and not simply the wanderings or imaginations of a distracted mind. ‘Teen
Challenge’ was the result. (Rom 8:26-27; 1 Cor 14:2-4;!Heb 4:16)
Jericho’s gates of Hell: “Now Jericho was strictly shut up”
Jericho was the principal stronghold city of the Canaanites. It is a frontier, fortified obstacle to Israel’s
forward progress. Israel have been fitted and furnished ready to advance. Jericho has received
reinforcements, increasing the number of armed men. They are bright enough to know that if Jericho
falls they are all in trouble. All military units are secured behind the walls. Jericho’s gates are shut,
bolted and strengthened, and they wait the inevitable onslaught. The church, and the Christian, are not
passive and defensive, but positive, offensive, taking the initiative. She and we are in this ‘present evil
world’ to salt and light its most darkest and decaying places, to wrestle with principalities, to pull down
strongholds and to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed. In short, to work with Him who has
determined “to build my church – and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it”. No power of death
will be able to hold out against the strategic hour when the church marches and pushes violently
forward. The city walls looked impressive, yet in seven days they would be ‘flat’ into the ground. “The
cities are walled and very great” is the accurate report of the ten unbelieving scouts. This is the challenge
of faith to outward sight – it was impossible. (Num 14; Josh 24:12; Matt 16; Rom 15; 2 Cor 10; Eph 6)
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Bolts and bars
The situation facing our forward development is fastened with bolts and bars. We happily acknowledge
this is no Yale lock blocking us, no patio door, no wooden fence. This present darkness has grown up
over hundreds of years. It is both holding in and holding out. What it says goes within its environs,
amongst its goods, and in the spiritual space above. It has used any material it can to bolster its defences.
Any mind matter that will restrict the man of God’s movement: Academics, ‘isms’, religions and
scholars; paganism and heathenisms; cults and new age philosophers; fears and phobias; freemasonry
and superstitions; witchcraft and uncleanness; idolatry and immortality; unbelief and division.
Internal and external
Our own individual lives will have Jericho’s walls; ‘defensive mechanisms’ that have grown up through
the years to resist love. Problem is, in resisting human love because of hurt and rejection - ‘I won't let
that happen to me again’ - we are also resisting the love of God which seeks to be “shed abroad in our
heart by the Holy Ghost”. Our thoughts and ideas, our fears, our sensitivities, our deepest secrets and
traumas, have all conspired to reinforce the shield – the armour we have built up. We continually look
for signals to justify that wall. ‘Yes I knew it. I’m no good to anyone. No one cares about me anyway’ and up go the walls, keeping out the Spirit of God as they grow higher and deeper. In not letting anyone
near us, becoming more and more unapproachable, our heart becomes coffin-like, dark and airless,
hard, cynical, loveless. We are dead while we live. To acknowledge the accuracy of the deception, is to be
90% on the way to a ‘deliverance’. It takes great faith to allow the armour of God to defend us rather
than defend ourselves. We tell The Lord how we feel and ask for His help. Wait for God. Six weeks later
light will come…and the walls that make up the castle of our heart will begin to come tumbling down.
The Lord will replace our old, self-painful walls with His Holy Ghost generated ‘armour’. He will not
leave us ‘vulnerable’. He is too kind and wise for that.
The non-submissive Christian
We must not forget that Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10 are related to the church, not to the world.
“Casting down imaginations – and bringing into captivity” is Paul’s description of the spiritual ability he
has to ‘impose’ authority on disobedient Corinth. There are lines in the sand. Especially in a ‘new’
church work great patience is required and sweetness of spirit to accept certain behaviour from those
who have not yet come to ‘maturity’. But then a judgement must be made when those older in the faith
who ‘should know better’ behave in an ungracious and ungenerous manner. All we do reflects the
nature of the God that we serve. The Corinthians were questioning Paul’s ‘rights’ over them, some even
doubting whether he was ‘in Christ’! As to an erring child, he fulfilled his responsibility to correct.
Imaginations and reasonings had built up in some of the Corinthian saints’ hearts that resembled an
internal Jericho. As all good fathers, he fought to maintain access to his children. In another picture,
Paul had introduced Christ to the Corinthians and, as a courting couple, did not want another suitor
stealing their affections. To reject Paul was to reject Christ – to reject the ministration of all Christ had
to bring through him. In the kingdom they were inseparable. You could not have one without the other.
The way you treated one was the way you treated the other! (1 Cor 3; 2 Cor 10 & 11)
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The mind of the lost
The heart of the unbeliever is as a fortress that has to be conquered. “Having the understanding
darkened… the blindness of their heart” (Eph 4:18). The Gospel has been suitably sculpted by God to be
a power to demolish and dispel; to ‘save’ man. It comes with a spirit of faith and love and ‘much
assurance’ to convince and convert. Every conversion is a miracle. The heart is ‘persuaded’ of eternal
realities. Through their years in education, the theory of evolution, and events in life - ‘why did my
mother die like that?’ - the natural disposition of the heart is confirmed in its hardness and unbelief.
The person is not alone for ‘the Prince of the power of the air’, “the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not” (2 Cor 4:4). As surely as demon power and influence bound and
blinded the Jerichonians to the God of Israel, so today, nothing has changed. There is a deceiving spirit,
a seducing spirit and a spirit of error, all aggressively at work to steal the seed from the listener’s heart.
Through a loving compassion, the Gifts of the Spirit act as a dynamite, ‘demolishing’ every high thing
that withstands the knowledge of God. We have many converted to Christianity, which is fine, but that
was never meant to be the end. Disciples of Christ is what we are commissioned to reproduce. The
Gospel of God, of Christ, of grace, of the kingdom, assaults and apprehends the individual. Those who
hold out and resist the Spirit of God pay an awful price for wilful disobedience.
Our villages, towns and cities
The generations past in the British Isles were a dark people, that practised magic arts; pagan, heathen,
idolatrous. With the arrival of the Light of the Gospel some inroads into the ignorance were achieved.
Communities of faith were established, churches were founded, and the baser activities of men were
subdued. England constitutionally became a ‘Christian country’. With the break from Rome in the 16th
century (so that the king could have some legal cover for his promiscuous ways), a ‘Church of England’
came into being. With the availability of the scriptures, the Protestant Reformation took hold with
various interpretational emphases leading to a host of ‘denominations’. Each area had its ‘vicar’
representative of Christ for that geographical community, with the irritant of small groups not ‘coming
under’ the local parish system: Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Quakers. Now here is a
man looking for Christ. He expects to find him at church. Invariably all he meets with is a system; a
denominating attitude, a religion, a set of rules and regulations. He is disillusioned, and remains lost.
Indeed he is more ‘lost’ than before “twofold more the child of Hell” (Mat 23:15). He had a little hope
when he ‘went’ to church but now he is driven into Buddhism, Islam, and ‘ology’, for his soul is still
seeking to meet its hunger! Why is a man more oppressed going to ‘church’ than to the theatre? Why is
a man more oppressed going to a Christian book shop rather than a secular book shop? Mick Jagger
said, “Jesus Christ is fantastic. I just can't stand the church”.
When Jerusalem becomes Jericho
That is a sad day, for Jerusalem - the church - is mother; the mother of us all. She is the one who is
made to embrace us, to comfort us, to put her arm around us, to receive us as we are. That’s what all
true mothers are like! All the prodigal retained was the knowledge of his father’s character - Christ
receiveth sinful men. What a terrible day when the church that is meant to help, becomes the very
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hindrance to the lost finding Jesus - the church becomes the problem. ‘O look someone’s coming, let’s
hide Jesus’. A city set on a hill defies its identity when it is hid. Christian preachers will make up the
front row of Hell… Those who move away from the Word to be able to fulfil the ‘traditions’ of men. A
move from the absolute, to the arbitrary. Liberal committees decide which portions of the scriptures are
suitable and acceptable to ‘modern’ man. This, in turn, begins to reflect the moral maze of the masses,
which in turn, is strengthened, encouraged and enforced by demon power. In one generation, a
Christian church can move from the “apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42), to “the doctrines of devils” (1 Tim
4:1). The powers of darkness will pursue and foster any idea, opinion, concept, abuse of authority,
teaching, or interpretation, to keep men and women from finding Jesus Christ.
Walls that were designed to be of salvation, praise, righteousness, truth, receiving the lost and
preserving ‘the saved’, become hard, unloving, unwelcoming, respecters of persons, cultic,
authoritarian, impressed with outward appearance and rationalistic. They become barriers to the heart
seeking Jesus, and simply imprison ‘the saints’ who now cannot acknowledge the whole ‘Body of Christ’.
Over time these walls become almost unassailable - secular and sacred working together to resist any
attempt from the Spirit of God to do good to those imprisoned within the city limits. “When a strong
man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace” (Lk 11:21).
Seeking the welfare of the city will lead to being stoned. Joshua and Caleb were nearly stoned for their
faithful minority report. David was almost skewered to the wall when Saul threw his javelin.
The
Pharisees sought to stone our Lord, but he serenely walked away through the ‘maddening crowd’. Paul
is left for dead having been stoned at Lystra by the Jews for seeking to bring the glad tidings of the
‘Gospel of Peace’ to the Gentiles. I fear nothing has changed! Seek to do good by the Spirit, and one is
soon bruised by stones and spears. Again, this persecution and rejection is inspired and agitated by the
evil one.
In March 2008 at Washington Christian Centre we conducted a weekend of prayer with fasting. The
agenda was - no agenda. We came together to seek The Lord. Three such weekends were planned. After
one hour on the first night of praise and preaching, all that was on our Lord’s heart for that session had
been accomplished! It was remarkable. The prophets saw walls in local cities being hit by God’s power,
morter melting, cracks appearing, stones tumbling.
Four days later at 2:12am following a dream, a presence of senior darkness came into my bedroom
looking for who would have the temerity to attack ‘their citadel’. Whispering the name of ‘The Lord of
Hosts’, the presence instantly vanished and within five minutes I was sound asleep. One of Durham’s
senior demon princes was seen being ripped back, its eyes bulging out in a terrified state. Such an hour
sees ‘demons in therapy’, who are patched up and sent back into the fray, with many junior spirits
preferring the lake of fire than to face such pummelling again. Any ‘ism’ or organisation or institution
associated with such darkness will receive the commensurate destruction. They are interlocked. Their
destinies will be the same. Jerusalem will topple when it is, in attitude and actions, Jericho! “When a
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stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein
he trusted, and divideth his spoils”. (Num 14; 1 Sam 18; Lk 11:22, 14:17-22; Jn 8; Acts 14; Heb 12)
It’s all – Gift
“See – I have given” (Josh 6:2). One can ‘buy’ a car, ‘buy’ a house, ‘buy’ a building for the saints to meet
in, and yet it feels ‘given’. Given by The Lord – taken from the world. Israel left with Egypt’s jewels and
gold: The wealth of the Gentiles ‘given’ to the church. The unrighteous laying up in store for the
righteous. Where there is a ‘giveness’ - an ease - there is the hand of God. When it is all grace – it is all
to His glory, for then what is there that we have not ‘received’. This is seasonal. This is where great skill
and sensitivity is needed to walk in what The Lord is placing before us.
Joshua rests in the ‘shade of The Lord’ - this is ‘no sweat’ to the man of God. He is the right person in
the right place at the right time. In such an hour, all is possible and inevitability marks our steps. All
authority is given to Him, and He brings us into that power and privilege. He has power over “all flesh”
and disposes of men and nations as He sees fit. He had decided to give Jericho to Joshua and Israel. He
was on a mission, and no men, even of military valour, were going to gainsay Him. All is in place for the
now, weeks earlier and it would have been too soon, months after and it would have been too late. It is a
joy and wonder to behold how He engineers all unto the “hour of visitation”. Be patient unto ‘the hour’,
remaining flexible in posture to move quickly and smoothly when it arrives (Lk 19:44; 1 Pet 2:12). He
comes for an inspection. As a shepherd and chief health inspector, He carries authority and power.
This is a formed and fixed purpose
When Jonah came to Nineveh there was room to manoeuvre. As the Ninevites ‘repent’, The Lord
changes His mind and the city is not destroyed. The tears of Ahab and Hezekiah expressing ‘godly
sorrow’ secured for them favour and extension of life. Here at Jericho, this is not the case. The line has
been crossed and the clock has struck the midnight hour. All is now irrevocable. It is in motion, it
cannot be called back. Documents have been signed; God’s wheels are rolling. No man or demon can
stand before such a movement. The morning of execution has dawned! Joshua is reassured of a certain
and easy triumph. He has a responsibility, yet it is just a response to his ability. In the hour of visitation
- all is easy. “Speak the word only and my servant shall be healed” (Matt 8:8). No sword or spear was
required to bring down the walls. This is not Israel’s quarrel: The wars of Israel are expressly called “the
wars of The Lord” (Num 21:14). This is His wrecking. ‘Vengeance is mine’. Execution and destruction
beckons. Human sentiment has no place here. The church is not a human business institution!
“See” – Joshua 6
What a definite call and instruction to look with the eyes of faith and the Spirit, rather than with our
natural view and appraisal. “Faith is… the evidence of things not seen”: ‘Look my son, above and beyond
the walls and warriors. Decide to exercise the eyes of your spirit. Witness my activity here. For I reign
over all.’ “See – I”, The Lord, enthroned over the situation that ‘appears’ to block your forward advance.
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The fact was, Jericho stood before them. The truth was, it was a done deal! What is The Lord’s word in
our situation? What are the prophets seeing and saying? 2 Chronicles 20:20
“…Believe in The Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper”.
Thus by faith and not by force, Joshua ‘saw’ the walls fall down before they did! There is no contest!
Joshua is blind to all but the Divine Command
“…and ye shall compass the city” (Josh 6:3). Was ever a General given a more unusual instruction?
Here, human knowledge and wisdom fails. Joshua is aware of what is to his left and right. He is not
intellectually unmindful of the usual siege tactics of men. No arrangement of his forces could have been
more open to objection than the disposition arrangement Heaven has now placed upon him. It simply
did not fit with the normal and the natural. It was not expected. The human heart would exclaim, ‘You
must be kidding!’ or ‘Has he had too much sun?!’ or ‘Who does he think he is?!’. This is the most
obvious way to invite an attack. It’s just plain daft to natural sight. “The wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God” (1 Cor 3:19). Man believes God’s wisdom to be moronic - well, it’s mutual. The
Lord sees man’s wisdom as moronic! Directions are given as to the mode of the attack. The order, the
procedure, who marches where and does what. Joshua raises no objection. He is an instrument in The
Lord’s hand. It’s not for the axe to tell the woodcutter what to do! “He is sanctified and meet for the
Master’s use” (2 Tim 2:21). Lord Jesus ‘I surrender all’.
I heard with my own ears, a man named Mike Murdoch on the ‘God channel’ declaring during a money
raising effort: “Your future does not depend upon God’s desires for your life, but on what your faith can
achieve”. I was stunned. I was horrified. Such deceivers have taken The Lord off His throne and
replaced Him with ‘faith’. That is nothing short of Christianised witchcraft! Stay well clear of such
abominable dung. Joshua did not have faith in his faith. His trust was in another person - He, the God
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Joshua enters a world of danger and possible ridicule. It was going to be a
long walk. He was exposing many others to such attacks. But - “His heart was fixed, trusting in The
Lord” (Ps 112:7).
‘…and shape the whisper of the throne’
General Joshua receives the word, and it formulates in his heart and spirit. This is new and recent for
him, but The Lord has had this hidden in His heart - counsel - for generations. The pure in heart shall
‘see God’ – shall see ‘the kingdom of God’. The word takes form and is moulded in God’s men. A
challenge and confirmation has come. Israel is invading darkness. The enemy is coming down, and The
Lord will be exalted in strength. Like lightening, God’s work now unfolds. Joshua is steady and
steadied. His mind is kept in equilibrium. He is clear, focused, almost frighteningly measured in
manner and word. No pride is in him, just a mild sense of pleasure at the privilege he bears. He feels no
personal ill toward the Canaanites. His own opinion is dismissed. He is to represent and reflect the
heavenly state and its throne, and that throne is in judgement mode. To see The Lord’s face was to
witness a grave expression. Such is exactly echoed in Joshua’s soul. When Ananias and Sapphira’s
hypocrisy is exposed and they fall down dead, Peter felt no personal animosity to the couple. He was
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only anti–them in so much as they were anti-Christ. He had no smile on his face at their burial. A deep
soberness descended upon the church. A cleansing had taken place. What Joshua receives – he gives.
No addition or subtraction. This is it, verbatim, a copy, as tracing paper. Not modified and no
mollycoddling. This is what the priests will do; this is what the people will do. No second-guessing, clear
as crystal.
This is the ministry of Jesus Christ
Our Lord did and spoke the works and words of His Father. What the Spirit relayed and revealed the
Father doing, that’s what the Son did. If he could see the Father healing that man, that’s what he would
do. If he perceived His Father’s restraint in speaking that story – silence.
If I was to call all that I do and am involved with, ‘Wayne Thomas ministries’, I would betray my heart’s
motivation and exalt myself into a position that does not suitably and correctly mirror the priority of
Heaven. If the head turns to the left, the body turns left. If it turned to the right instead, we have a
wrenching in the relationship which, if continued, could sever and separate The Lord from His people.
What sensitive hearts we need to hear “the still – small – voice”. The Spirit shows us, ‘what would Jesus
do’. In as much as we are in alignment with Heaven’s design and desires – the degree of fruitfulness will
be decided. Joshua didn’t make this up. This is what the Captain wants and that is what I’m going to
seek. He did not call a counsel of war – for in the strategic hour of advance we will know exactly what to
do. The Spirit was teaching and preparing us weeks before the actual event. We read a psalm, watched a
TV programme, was given some counsel from a friend, saw an advert on a t-shirt, remembered a
forgotten song, had a dream, heard a prophesy, felt a strong emotion, had an adjustment in
circumstances; all was setting us up to be readied for the great development: “The anointing teacheth
you of all things” (1Jn 2:27). Words of knowledge and wisdom; information and the correct
administration; the what and the how.
The order – of the day
Directions are given to priests and people. Soldiers and servants have their place. Armed men, priests,
the ark, and a company of the people (note: not all the people, as two million could not circuit the city in
a day, certainly not seven times on the seventh day). All know their position. No one sticks out like a
sore thumb. “For God hath set in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after
that miracles, then gifts of healings…” (1 Cor 12:28). This is a faith march. They have swords but they
are sheathed. They obey and walk, though some could have charged and fought. Faith is in the heart of
the priests and people. The warriors on Jericho’s walls were bemused, and then mocking. They believe
the walking is futile… They are about to be caught off guard.
In 2004 I was ministering in Africa’s second largest slum ghetto in Nairobi, Kenya. I was in a shack with
twenty believers. Suddenly it came on my heart to march through the area, so we did, praising as we
went. There was a lot of joy. Spirits were seen scattered in every direction. There was - a clearing.
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We are not running a chip shop or playing a game here. This is not a free for all, where everyone just
does that which is right in his own eyes, where those who shout the loudest lead. There is no place in
the church for prima donnas – those who are carnal, visible and a distraction. Instead, all is to be done
decently and in order, as taxis that line up to pick up the next customer; “joying and beholding your
order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Col 2:5). From time to time, elders will order us
and keep us straight and aligned. We do well to work with them and, if need be, submit our own
programme to theirs. If the elder has a lamb-like nature, this will not be burdensome. Whatever touches
our character will be in our elders’ remit to oversee with gentleness and love.
Strategic hours will not come around every week: In twenty years in Cumbria, maybe four or five major
crossroads were upon us. If you are hearing “Thus saith The Lord!” in a directive manner upon you
week on week, something is radically wrong! The Holy Spirit is much gentler than that. 1 Corinthians
4:9, “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are
made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”
A monotonous tramp
It must have felt a bit odd by the third day; monotonous by the sixth day; and yet by the seventh day
there was a quickening of expectation in the Spirit. As the dust came into their mouths, they were dry
from more than just the blazing sun. An apprehension was upon them, a build-up, a sacred hour. By day
six, nothing had changed. Some men had to be carried. Jericho’s walls looked just as imposing as they
had a week ago… Year on year, we do what we do. We keep on keeping on. The stamp sticks to what it
does. Even the snail got to the ark! If they were to judge by appearances, nothing had happened except
the wearying of the people.
We have prayed, and fasted, and all is the same. The situation is the same. We’re fulfilling the light that
we have, but no movement from Heaven. We've waited well and we’re now fast running out of
perseverance. Re-check the Word we are living upon – if it is indeed genuine and seasonal, then it is
always too soon to give up. If it is the Word of The Lord, it will stand its ground and we will be
reassured. We inherit the promises by faith and patience. The faith is expressed in the patient
endurance. I’m in this for the long haul. The Lord will neither be early or late. John Bunyan laboured
for five years under the dark night of the soul until the day he overheard a woman speak of the Gospel
as she was hanging out her washing. This is a marathon. “He that endureth to the end shall be
saved” (Matt 10:22). I’m not a shooting star. Month on month, year on year…“Oh Jesus I have promised
– to serve thee to the end”.
The Lord takes the salute
“The seven priests….passed on before The Lord”: In verse 8 of chapter 6 we are allowed an insight into
the hearts of the men who bore the ark. As the procession moves along, they see themselves as passing a
point where The Lord Himself is standing and watching. As Joshua observes the snaking line from a
vantage point, the people pass him at a particular moment. Only it is more than just him and his
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lieutenants… The Queen receives a parade, a President his soldiers and missiles. So the Living God
proudly watches His people file before Him. The men’s hearts are engaged with God, walking in The
Lord, walking before The Lord in unreserved obedience and obeisance. His eye sees them, and they are
so glad to carry their Supreme Commander’s scrutiny and joy. The fear of displeasing Him holds them.
They know He will not embarrass them. He is there - dependable and sufficient! All ministry in the
Spirit is “as unto The Lord” - in the sight of God - “as God is my witness”. (Gen 5:24, 17:1; 1 Kgs 17:1; 2
Chr 34:31; Prov 5:21; Rom 1:9; Col 2:6)
‘Subject to the requirements of the service’
In the film ‘Master and Commander’, Captain ‘Lucky’ Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) is pursuing a French
warship during the Napoleonic wars. His doctor on board wishes to stop off at the Galapagos Islands to
take some plant and animal specimens. The Captain is happy to accommodate him with this proviso ‘subject to the requirements of the service’. That is, his duty and orders come first. I may wish to go here
or there, do this or that, marry her, marry him, secure that career… yes... but “as The Lord wills”.
Joshua and Israel were there to accomplish what The Lord wanted, what The Lord required; to carry
His burden and be an instrument in His work; to fulfil what He had on His heart and mind. There is no
personal agenda here. Joshua was not emotionally involved with the Canaanites. He was there seeking
to achieve what the Captain of The Lord’s hosts wanted, nothing else; nothing more and nothing less.
When the throne HQ has conveyed its orders, we do well to follow them to the letter. Love one another,
go into all the world and preach the Gospel; strange how so many other priorities and activities can take
our attention.
Mutual appreciation
Many folk had good, legitimate and clever ideas for conquering Jericho that week. Only one way was
revealed. Its requirements meant some watched while others walked! Not all the Israelites physically
marched around the walls. Not all the armed men, not all the priests - and yet all were involved. Many
watched and waited; loved ones returned exhausted and elated. In the hour of advance some are more
obviously involved than others. Next time, it could be a different group of prayers or prophets or
preachers or praisers. Next time, the prayer burden may weigh down upon another. Next time, other
priests will have to blow the trumpet. Paul’s apostolic team varied from missionary trip to missionary
trip. Availability altered, commitment ebbed and flowed. Timothy still honoured the other brethren if
they went and he stayed. Luke still appreciated Barnabas if he went but Luke stayed. Direct and
immediate inclusion will alter. We continue to honour the brethren. The walkers did not despise the
watchers. The watchers did not envy the walkers. All appreciated his hour and acknowledged the other
men’s work. “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body is it therefore not of
the body? …And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee”,(1 Cor 12:15 and 21). If we
feel grieved or anxious that we are being overlooked, speak with the elders. Rest assured, He has ways
of lifting us up in due season. Judah led and Dan was at the back. One did not rejoice over or reject the
other. All were in this together. They needed each other.
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“A time to keep silence, and a time to speak”
So reads Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 7. The Living Bible paraphrases “The time to keep silence…The
time to speak.” There is a reason for the season. Everything in life is to do with timing and what is
appropriate at a given hour. From the seasons, to love making, to comedy… it is the timing that counts.
Joshua had not relayed all that he had received. The Gift of God within him called forth the obedience of
faith. What he had clearly conveyed was silence and shouting. As they march, the people are instructed
not to talk – to keep their mouths closed. What a discipline upon a people who were notorious for their
speaking. Previously, not all that was said was uplifting. Their mouths’ confession had kept the
Promised Land closed to the nation and had opened the ground that swallowed up the sons of Korah.
Now silence is imposed upon them - the wisdom of God. What a solemn, sober, silent scene greeted the
defenders every day. They had much to say; the Israelites said nothing.
There is an hour when motor mouths must give it a rest. Take a break. Shut up! A heated spirit never
shuts up and constantly expressing their opinion and view can be wearying on the soul. Alternatively “a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Pet 3:4). Some folks don’t say
much, but when they do…! Lord deliver us from busy-bodies, whisperers and prattlers, tale-bearers,
backbiters and slanderers (Ps 19:14; 1 Tim 5:13). Nothing is more offensive and destructive to faith’s
rest than a loud woman speaking out of order at a church gathering! Under Paul’s leadership, ladies
would pray and prophesy and play a full and active part in the life of the local church, but he could
equally command silence in given church situations. Compare 1 Corinthians 11 with 1 Corinthians 14
and Zechariah 2:10 with Zechariah 2:13.
The silence of the Lamb
“Answerest thou nothing? …But Jesus held his peace” (Matt 26:62-63). The Israelites’ silence before
their enemy is paralleled in our Lord’s silence before the authorities. To the prophet, this silence was an
act that caused astonishment! Isaiah writes: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not
his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so he
openeth not his mouth” (Isa 53:7). It looked as though our Lord was on the back foot. But this was His
chosen course of action. He would in His time have words and works to bring upon Herod, Caiaphas
and Pilate, but for now…
The taunts of ridicule, mockery, abuse, hatred; the demonically inspired intimidation; the belittling
word-assaults that rained from the foul mouthed Jerichonians, were met with total silence from the
warriors of The Lord. They trusted Joshua, they trusted The Lord; soon enough their moment would
dawn. The local church is a demonstration and proclamation of the death and resurrection of The Lord
Jesus Christ. She also is arraigned in trial and judgement, is crucified and is buried. And she too rises
again on the third day! This is both an individual and a body experience. The spiritual cycle is often
repeated. The feelings of the armed men as they are mocked for their apparent impotence and
incompetence cannot be over emphasised. It was excruciating. All they have prepared and trained for is
before them, yet they walk in the silence of faith. The priests are mocked for believing in the One Living
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God. ‘Your God is dead! He's useless, he's uncaring, he's exposed you to unnecessary danger. He's mad!
He's unfair!” …and more. And the people are mocked: “Why are you following such idiots and morons?
Get a life! Go home, wake up, make up your own mind. You’re walking and wearing yourselves out for
nothing!’… “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you…” (Neh 6:2; Matt 5:11-12; 2 Cor 4:8-12; Phil 3:10).
“Shout for The Lord hath given you the city”
Joshua 6:16. At the end of the sixth circuit on the seventh day, still not one stone had been loosened from
the wall. “What's the point? This is a lot of effort and what do I have to show for it?! I've lived right and
yet… I seem to be no further advanced than before. Progress….what progress?!” Doubts arose in their
hearts. But The Lord can cope with doubt – ask Thomas. It’s unbelief that upsets Him. You must be ‘in
faith’ to experience doubt! An unbeliever does not doubt. The marchers are instructed to shout before the
walls have come down. Anyone could shout after! Faith declares itself before its end is seen: Abraham and
his baby son; Joseph and his family bowing down; Moses and the sprinkled blood… Now Joshua and
Jericho’s walls. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down – after they were compassed about seven
days” (Heb 11:30). We rejoice before all is revealed. There is no visual evidence, yet they shout as if the
walls already lie in ruin. They’ve waited on The Lord and kept His way and now would be ‘exalted to
inhabit the land’ (Ps 37:34). They have been ‘as bold as a lion’, (Prov 28:1). The Lord’s deliverance comes
in His way and in His time. Galatians 6:9, “in due season we shall reap if we faint not” (Lk 1:45; Rom 4:21).
“The shout of a king”
Numbers 23:21. Balak had sought to induce and seduce Balaam to prophesy harm and hurt upon Israel.
In Numbers 23:21 he declares: “The Lord his God is with him and the shout of a king is among them”.
This is a people enjoying and revelling in the presence and power of their God, their King dwelling
among them. Their war cry shout of pent-up emotions, expectation, acclamation, exultation goes up:
Shouting unto God with the voice of triumph; a loud singing; shouting that proclaimed that The Lord
had given the city. ‘Jericho is ours – The Lord has done it! Praise God, Hallelujah!’ “Sing O daughter of
Zion; shout O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart”; “Behold thy king cometh unto thee” (Zeph
3:14 and Zech 9:9). May our reserved culture or nature take second place at such a moment. A goal is
scored - the spectators shout and rejoice and lift up their hands and clap. When the ark returned to
Jerusalem, the people shouted with relief and joy.
A falling down – and a rising up
“Lord bring down your enemies, and exalt your friends”; a prayer given in the hour of advance. For one
follows the other - to bring down Jericho is to exalt The Lord. “God is gone up with a shout, The Lord
with the sound of a trumpet” (Ps 47:5). Whenever a victory of faith is accomplished, the resurrection
and ascension power of Christ is experienced and expressed. The Lord is said to be witnessed ‘returning’
to His seat and reign of power. We witness His kingdom coming. We taste “the powers of the world to
come” as at the great Second Coming (Matt 16:28; Heb 6:5). And we witness the subduing of the people
under us, as here, literally.
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The bloodless triumph for Israel showed to men and demons that “He is a great king over all the earth”,
again Psalm 47:2. To win without a blow is always The Lord’s desired way so that we are “more than
conquerors” (Rom 8:37). A ‘more than conqueror’ is one for whom another has done the fighting.
Glance back over our lives, the greatest hours of advance – He did it! The clearer the case, witness the
greater the shout of gratefulness.
Any physical or emotional exhaustion disappears for the Israelites as fresh sustenance flows into their
beings ‘as they shout’. “The wall fell down flat” (Josh 6:20), by an earthquake, by a fault line already
existing under the city, by direct power from the Almighty, by the marching and shouting weakening the
foundations; maybe one or all – it was certainly overseen in its timing and destruction: Rahab’s house
on the wall section remained intact and stood firm – funny that! Much of the wall descended straight
down into the ground. Mercifully, many women and children housed in dwellings in the city would have
been crushed to death in the general collapse.
Suddenly, all has altered – in an instant. Such are the victories of Jesus Christ. At the cross all seems
lost – at the tomb all seems gone. The Pharisees and demons throw a party, ridiculing and rejoicing.
The Devil builds himself a makeshift throne at Jerusalem to celebrate. It is cut short… The Lord Jesus
proclaims ‘Yes!’ The enemy ‘Oh no!’ The wall that sought to keep out the love and Spirit of God has
come tumbling down. There’s silence in the tomb but shouting in Heaven. The walls of death and Hell,
sin and law have fallen. At Jericho physical and spiritual idols are toppled. Such are the reversals of
God. Unanswered prayer has dogged our steps and been used in evidence against us.
Now, in a
moment, all is changed. The landscape has rapidly, like lightening, altered beyond recognition. One
hour this was my heart’s defences, the next, a flood of love is coursing through me. One hour this was
the church I attended, the next, an enemy has been subdued and put to the sword and love, joy and
peace pervades our increased inheritance. For hundreds of years your city has been dominated by dark
walls of false religion; ‘isms’ of all kinds made up its defences; but now a Joshua–Jesus ministry has
arrived, and those walls will be blasted and blown into smithereens. A notable miracle rising up out of
the local church is going to follow.
We are blessed – to be used by God in His battlings
Blessing - fruitfulness - is not an end in itself. It’s to achieve and develop the kingdom. To be placed at
His disposal. When the family, who are ‘given’ a home when called to move to another area, hesitate to
lose what they have, then the gift becomes a curse. Strength is to be used for others; wealth is to support
the poor and the pastors; abilities are to be made available; talents are not to be hidden through fear;
experience and expertise ‘how can I help’? All Israel had received, all she was becoming, was not as a
reservoir but a river. The Lord had invested heavily into her; an instrument for good to be used for His
glory had been forged “not by might or power, but by my Spirit”. The grace to give was upon them.
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“He beareth not the sword in vain”: A word on execution
Romans 13:4. The natural liberal ‘modern’ mind is repulsed by the killing of ‘innocent’ women and
children. They view the displacement of the Canaanites as little more than ethnic cleansing, a kind of
90’s Balkans event. They are mistaken. The Living God is a moral God. He lives by values and
standards. He is good not bad; light not darkness; perfect in motivation unto the ‘good’ of His creatures.
Since Eden, the heart of man has lost its original moorings. The moral and spiritual uprightness of
God’s image is tarnished. Upon such a heart, the Devil adds his binding and blinding anti-Christ
operations. He darkens the darkened heart.
The Canaanites were exceptionally dark in a dark age. Notorious for cruelty, immorality, idolatry and
human sacrifice, they were completely given over to corruption and wickedness. After watching this for
five hundred years, The Lord has had enough. His patience was exhausted, His anger at boiling point.
He engineered the outpouring of His wrath to perfectly time with the Israelites’ invasion. His covenant
people are His cleaning instrument, His brush to remove the dirt; His fork to scatter the chaff; His fire
to burn the rubbish; His sword to destroy the enemy. The hour to sort out His enemy corresponded with
the hour Israel was to sort out her enemy. Their missions dovetailed into one. The Lord who drowned
Noah’s generation, and consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, was now putting the godless Canaanites to
death. “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men” (Rom 1:18).
In Deuteronomy 7:16, Israel is told not to pity their enemy. The Spirit of God steeled the nerve of His
soldiers. This is a holy war for He has instigated and initiated the invasion. They are not to leave alive
anything that breathes. Some of the cities would be burnt and salted as if they had never existed. The
moral pollution is to be kept from Israel’s heart; if she copies the Canaanite practices she herself will be
disposed of, there is no respecter of persons. Surgery is to be carried out, a malignancy treated. The
Lord preserves Israel’s army from the hardening and harrowing that massacre would normally entail. A
cold indifference settled on them. A job had to be done. Obedience gave them no other options. Many
little ones already lay in the rubble. The warriors’ eyes were deliberately dimmed by God not to see the
pain they inflicted. Obviously it was a bloody mess, a savagery not uncommon in its day, and not
extended to every Canaanite community. They were people of their day - it was usually ‘kill or be killed’.
If they had the opportunity and the roles were reversed, the Canaanites would have done the same
thing. Rahab’s family were spared, who secured their lives by securing the spies’ lives. Initially
manacled for security purposes, they are led out of the city alive; ‘working out their salvation with fear
and trembling’.
Sin is not casual to God. It cost Him Calvary. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God”,
(Rom 11:22). Pestilence, famine, flood, fire, or an angel, could have been The Lord’s sword of
annihilation. He chose Israel’s armies as His vessel of execution. The lawful government has the right to
maintain its own integrity, “it beareth not the sword in vain” (Rom 13:4). Paul the apostle carried a
sword and an authority, a sharpness, which he used to remove cancers and bring down ‘every high
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thing’. The body is then preserved. Purity increases; and the body advances. (2 Kg 19; 2 Cor 10:3-8,
13:10; 1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 2:17; 2 Pet 2:3)
Professor Samuel Mud was implicated in Lincoln’s assassination. His name ever since - as Judas and
Ananias and Saphira – has been ‘mud’. As the possessor of nations and the souls of men, The Lord
distributes as He wills; Psalm 24:1, “The earth is The Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein” (Jn 17; Acts 17).
The enemy of God gives you the sword to execute
The walls built to defend were used to destroy. What was to keep out, crashed upon Jericho’s
inhabitants. Justice and judgement is a two-edged sword, forged in the molten mire of wickedness and
filth, thus some pierce themselves “through with many sorrows” (1 Tim 6:10). Their greed becomes
God’s arrows that fill their whole being as a pin cushion. This was not personal. Joshua had no personal
vendetta against the king of Jericho. They had never met. He held no personal grudge or score that he
was seeking vengeance for. The servant of The Lord walks and works and wars on a completely different
plain. He is indifferent to the personalities involved; a killer instinct grips his soul, yet he himself
remains in sweetness of spirit for “the servant of The Lord must not strive”. He is not there to fulfil his
own agenda of un-forgiveness. Joshua was above the fray. A measured detachment rested upon him.
Human sentiment did not enter the equation. His was not the wickedness, and his was not the
judgement.
In Acts 5 Ananias and Saphira made the sword / lie that executed them. Judas made the noose that
hanged him. Saul made the arrows and swords that slew him. Goliath and the Philistines manufactured
the huge sword that decapitated him. The arrows of The Lord are cut and feathered first in the darkness
of the human heart. No one will have an excuse on that great judgement day. The martial art of
Taiquando uses the other person’s body against themselves. The discipline of the church is to underline
what an individual has done. Their belief or behaviour is used as in a court of law ‘in evidence against
them’. Matthew 12:37, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be
condemned”.
In eternal purposes, the very death of our Lord on the cross that the devil encouraged and sought after,
is the very instrument that destroys his kingdom. Hebrews 2:14, “that through death he might destroy
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil”.
Haman builds a gallows to execute Modecai, but swings from his own construction. “For with what
judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged…” (Matt 7:2). In the hour of execution, as an Ambassador for
Christ, you are a reflection and representation of the throne. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus’ face and
administer what you see. The graveness of the expression; the fire in the eyes; the throne fixed for
judgement. Deuteronomy 7:2, “And when The Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt
smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto
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them”. Where no ‘godly sorrow’ is expressed by a person, but simply a concern that they will be
removed from the Christian community and suffer a loss of social involvement - ‘I can't be with my
family and friends’ – then go ahead and exercise authority. John 20:23, “whosesoever sins ye retain,
they are retained”; also 1 Corinthians 5.
The fear of The Lord will descend upon the body and the church will grow, ‘another storey upon the
‘house’ of The Lord’. What Joshua witnessed did not cause a tear to form in His eye.
“….the treasury of The Lord”
Joshua 6:19. Our God is the Creator of Heaven and earth, and He is its Possessor. The earth is The
Lord’s and its fullness, including the cattle on a thousand hillsides (Ps 50:10). What we give Him is
already His, yet He receives, acknowledges and rewards us for so doing: Abraham with Isaac; the first
born sons of Israel; our financial giving. The precious metals of Jericho, including the idols, are smelted
down by fire and, by prayer, separated unto God in the tabernacle at Gilgal. All we have and all we are,
belongs to God, yet He requires only a proportion of our blessing to be returned to Him (See Gen 1; Gen
14; Mal 3; 2 Cor 8). Later the spoils from a city were available to enrich Israel’s citizens, but not on this
occasion (Num 31:22-23; Deut 2:35, 3:7, 7:12, 7:25, 13:17; Josh 8:2; 1 Chr 14:12).
To partake of ‘the accursed thing’– devoted to God - was to experience that very same result. The
individual would place themselves under ‘a curse’ and become at the least fruitless, and at the worst,
dead. 1 Corinthians 11:30 “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” (Also:
Mal chapter 3 and Acts chapter 5)
Our persons, possessions and praises are to be rendered to The Lord, yet He allows us as stewards to
maintain ‘private’ property, to keep soul and body together, and to provide food and shelter for our
families. 1 Chronicles 29:14, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so
willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee”. All “is laid at
the apostles feet” who by faithful brethren make equitable distribution to the needs of all, (Acts 4:35).
Money is life - we work forty hours and for our ‘sweat’ we are given money. Part of that forty hours are
monies we bring into the local storehouse. We have given ‘money’, yet it required some of our life. At rare
times The Lord will strongly require from us. It will be beyond the regular and normal, as here at Jericho.
The church I was a part of in 1993 had £50,007.00 in the bank. By a word of knowledge The Lord made
it know to us/me that we had to give away £50,000.00 which we promptly did. We were left with £7.00
and had five members of staff! But we did not go without. There is an hour of increased financial
commitment. It will include giving and not receiving It is to do with God’s glory: “I will not take a shoe
latchet”, to demonstrate where Abram’s ‘riches’ came from (Gen 15). This is always for our good, to save
us from covetousness and a heart that begins to seek and trust in ‘material things’ rather than
depending on The Lord. The Holy Ghost constantly warned Israel of becoming ‘fat and forgetting The
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Lord’. Does anyone doubt that the widow who put into the treasury “all her living” ever again failed to
be sustained by our Lord’s all Seeing Eye?
Trust your elders. Joshua did not pass on to the congregation every word he received in revelation. It is
in the nature of ‘Government’ that sufficient revelation is provided to the people to walk in the light and
assure the hearts of all reasonable men: Guidance for the church’s future may take months to formulate
and be tested. It would be unwise to speak it forth prematurely, especially if it changes, as the people
will lose confidence. Occasionally delicate, personal and private matters are brought to the leadership’s
attention – but not all known sin should be proclaimed from the pulpit. Public accounts should be made
available. Whatever the requirements of charity law, elders must be allowed to govern.
Consecrated: A note
What belongs to The Lord – belongs to The Lord! He does not take kindly to being ‘robbed’. Would a
man rob God? It is possible! Our initial confession that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ is accepted and believed in
Heaven, and from that moment on that is the way The Lord deals with us. It’s unfortunate that when He
seeks subsequent service and submission some baulk at the original declaration. Heaven is ‘littered’
with broken promises.
The Christian’s body, soul and spirit, the whole person, belongs to God. In the Old Testament, people,
time, clothes, metals, land, cities, could all be devoted and separated unto The Lord. Metals are taken
from Jericho and given to the service of The Lord, cleansed for His use, laundered. The parent that
‘dedicates’ their child to The Lord should be yielding and sensitive in the future if the Heavenly Father’s
will clashes with the natural father’s desires. The Lord may wait twenty years before He comes calling
for the fulfilment of the original consecration. Vows - prayers - should not be rushed into, for again, He
will ‘demand’ its fulfilment. “Lord save me from my illness, save me from death and I’ll serve
you…” (Josh 6:19; Ps 76:11; Rom 12:1-2, 14:8; 1 Cor 6:15-20; 2 Tim 2:21; 1 Thess 5:23). Beware of
holding on to that which must be destroyed; letters, magazines, photos, documents, attitudes, actions.
Better lose an eye than our whole body. (Matt 5:29; Acts 19:19; 2 Cor 4:2; Col 2:18)
Bonfire of the Vanities: “and they burnt the city with fire”
Joshua 6:24. Gehenna is the place of the burning of rubbish. Eternal destruction was seen that day. God
burns His rubbish, the wasted lives of men. The purpose for which they have been created has not been
realised. As a burst water bottle, they perish. As Joshua walked among the bloody and charred horror,
his eyes beheld ‘The Judgement of God’. He saw the lost. Jericho lost… and it lost more than a military
engagement. The Canaanites had won and lost battles before. This was different. For now they are
‘engaged’ by the instrument of God; they are touched directly by The Lord of Hosts. His Captain led the
field that day, His senior one.
A church member may ‘get away’ with behaving in rebellion for years, but then one day they are faced
with apostolic and prophetic ministry. At that point, their doom is certain. They will be ‘engaged and
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encountered’ by God - He is on the scene. I once told a lady that she had ‘a root of bitterness’. “No I
don’t,” she said. “I’ve had five pastors before you and none have told me that!” This day, for Jericho,
Judgement hour came early! (1 Cor 3, 11:32; 2 Thess 2:7-10)
Hearts have been tested and tried, for no man fights with God and wins. Bonfire night, a sacrificial bier
will surely follow; the fierceness of His wrath unleashed. It’s the “supper of the great God” (Rev 19:17).
He is “the coming one”, when His fire searches the city or the church. An element of the ‘Second’
coming has already arrived! (Rev chapters 2 and 3; 14:11) Jericho and its inhabitants rose up as a burnt
offering to God; a whole offering on the altar of sacrifice! (Lev 27:28; Mic 4:13)
Joshua the prophet
By the Spirit, Joshua ‘sees’ two areas of concern: His emphasis is on not taking of that which was
devoted to God (thus anticipating Achan who would do that very thing, recorded in chapter 7), and on
what would happen in Jericho’s future. Joshua pronounces a ban upon the people, and he imposes a
solemn oath that the city would never be rebuilt – he pronounces a curse on whoever will try and
rebuild the city. (Note: The city our Lord ministered in was five miles south of the original!) The Lord
intended that Jericho’s destruction was to be seen as a memorial of continued destruction, “where the
worm dieth not and the fire is never quenched”; the wrecked car left on the roadside as a witness to
wreckless driving. This is what The Lord thinks of sinfulness and idolatry. Look and learn. Behold…!
Though in the future houses were built on the same site, no walled fortress was ever established there
again. The prophetic curse that the General announced came to fulfilment 530 years later! (1 Kg 16:34)
“In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho…” (Judges 3:19; 2 Sam 10:5; 2 Chr 11:6).
Joshua’s spiritual ear is becoming more sensitive. The idea that Jericho would be rebuilt grieved him, as
it grieved The Lord’s heart also.
Destruction and Devotion – choose! “Joshua saved Rahab”
Joshua 6:25. All that day saw either destruction by God or devotion to God. It is a miniature picture of
the history of salvation. We live or die; we are delivered or doomed: As the Canaanite warrior who is put
to the sword, or as Rahab ‘the harlot’ who is saved, justified by works. We are either one of the many
who walk the broad road, or one of the few there be that find the narrow road. The city is devoted to
destruction and utterly destroyed and burnt. Rejecting the light of the opening of Jordan, they are
condemned already. What will not burn is brought into the treasury of The Lord. As the smoke of her
torment rose up into the sky, an ‘Alleluia!’ rose up over the throne. Our God is prepared to ‘throw’ men
into a lake of fire, as the Canaanites, to perish. Joshua proclaims a warning that the spoils of the city are
devoted to God; they belong to Him. He owns the first fruits of the lost and saved, “we are not our own”.
Destruction: Deut 7:25-26, 20:17; 1 Sam 13:3; 1 Cor 3; Jude v 4; Rev 20.
The Lord’s ownership: Ex 23:16; Prov 3:9, 16:4; 1 Cor 16:15; 2 Thess 2:13.
Note: A household may be led to salvation by the faith of one, e.g. Noah, Cornelius, the jailer.
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Joshua Chapter Seven
“But”
What a beginning of a chapter! All has gone ‘swimmingly’. Israel is in the land. They’ve begun to
experience the heavenly places. Triumph is in the air – though it’s sobered by conflict. They are
“wrestling with principalities and powers”, energies. Rest and bounty stretch out before them. Jordan
opened, walls fell flat, hearts praised, reputations soar. But! The church is advancing; we've taken a
decisive step forward in faith and love. God’s word is fulfilled, the enemy is in shock, we are so, so
encouraged….. But! General Joshua stands solemnly among Jericho’s ruins, dead bodies, charred
rubble, collapsed idol gods, the ground strewn with bloody pools of executed warriors. Thanksgiving
floods his soul. Satisfaction at a job well done…. But! For in all the scenes of triumph and celebration,
trouble is brewing, unseen as for now, but soon to be exposed. It will come to light as God’s people seek
a quick victory up in the hills at the small town of Ai (small compared to Jericho; still a royal city).
Flushed with their recent crushing defeat of Jericho, their blood is up, always a dangerous moment.
Robert E Lee Confederate General in the American Civil War sends Pickett’s Division to death at
Gettysburg for his ‘blood was up’. The union guns were in front of him, so that was that!
“Selah”; the musical pause in the Psalms is more than just a help with breathing in singing a hymn. It’s
an indication of a way of life. “He that believeth shall not make haste”, whatever the irritation, agitation,
and provocation to do otherwise. Delay is often The Lord’s way, for it provides the Spirit elbow room
time to engineer and minister. Don’t be in such a rush! It took a full one year to raise the roof on
Terminal 5’s main building at Heathrow Airport. It rose one centimetre at a time!
Naturally Joshua wants to crack on, for the sooner all is sorted the sooner they can settle. His younger
commanders no doubt encouraged him, in the light of Jericho, to press on while the iron’s hot. The
Canaanites were demoralised and on the back foot; “let’s take full advantage of the hour!” All quite
legitimate and militarily sound. Yet - this is no ordinary army, these are no ordinary people, this is no
ordinary campaign. There seems to be, from the sacred record, an illuminating omission. For there is no
mention at this time of enquiring as to The Lord’s mind, in prayer, with the priests at the altar or in
Urim and Thummim, the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ of the stones. There is no record of a ‘Rema’ word, or specific
instruction from Heaven. “We’re on a roll. Let’s get on with the job!”
Usually, we work on green lights, which may suffice in some normal circumstances when all are pulling
their weight, walking in obedience and walking with the light we have received. But here there’s a
breach in the camp. One person, who will prove nothing but trouble, has taken for themselves what
belonged to God. What should have been burnt, had been buried in his ‘house’. Achan has acquired
wealth illegitimately and he has single handily forfeited the favour of The Lord upon the whole nation/
church. The situation is compounded by Joshua failing to consult his commander in chief and learn His
strategy. He acts on circumstantial evidence and the advice of his spies: Second-hand information, not
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Divine direction. It’s a painful lesson that costs the lives of thirty-six men and the upset among their
families. Our Lord is the leader. We follow! Ai may seem insignificant and small but we must be very
careful not to take on ourselves the prerogatives of our Lord and God. The strategy of Ai will be very
different from Jericho, for there is no miracle at Ai. The town will be taken using normal military means
and methods.
Meanwhile one man’s selfishness and covetousness will, combined with Joshua’s
prayerlessness, prove a lethal combination.
In the strategic hour, one man’s sin will hold up the whole church’s advance
One for all – and all for one: There is sin in the camp. Achan has knowingly taken of the forbidden.
Garments and gold lie ‘hidden’ in his tent. Israel goes up into the hills to battle, but loses. The only time
they do so in the next seven years, facing dozens of sieges and battle situations. Faith’s activity is
weakened and disabled by sin and disobedience. For the victory of faith is based four square on moral
and spiritual purity. Joshua could not yet see the connection between public defeat and private defeat,
but he soon will! Sin never stays in a vacuum. The Holy Ghost states that The Lord’s anger was kindled
against the children of Israel, not simply against Achan as one individual. What damage one person can do.
Since Eden, the few can be the downfall of the many; the minority causing the innocent majority to
suffer. Ten men’s reports led to two million wandering in a desert for forty years. Kings of Israel and
Judah brought desolation upon tens of thousands. One couple in Acts 5 are killed for their hypocrisy.
The Old Testament Achan is the New Testament Ananias. The leaven in the lump, the fly in the
ointment; they both pretended to be what they were not. One speck of black paint in a whole tin of
white, and it’s not white anymore. The purity of The Lord’s covenanted presence is compromised, and
He takes it personally, as a personal insult to His generosity. The “But” of Joshua chapter 7 v 1 is the
same “but” of Acts chapter 5 v 1!
Many wonder how and why it is that such incidents do not occur today. Firstly they do! I have seen The
Lord’s sword expose and execute in the last few months! (Now March 2008) Secondly, they do but it is
often more subtle and gradual. The Lord’s protection degraded over time as demon power is allowed
into the local church. Sickness and weakness will prevail unchecked, the elders’ prayers will remain
unanswered, and young people will die prematurely. Thirdly, it’s also true to say it does not occur in
many communities, the simple reason being that that particular group of people with whatever label
over the door are just not a church. They’re just a group of Christians. It’s a pleasant enough social club.
They acknowledge The Lord but He is utterly disinterested in them as a local church. They may be loved
by the Father as individuals, but they are not forming a candlestick in that geographical and spiritual
area. He simply is not acknowledging them as His representative people. They are a good people, but
not God’s people. Therefore the light that exposed Achan and Ananias, is not shining in strength from
the candlestick. Therefore death for sin will not follow; no one is “slain in the Spirit”.
One drop of poison injected into a finger affects every member of the body. The Lord regarded them as
an organic unit, so progress is halted and “the camp of Israel is made a curse”. (Josh 6:18; Rev 2:1-7)
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Joshua’s warning is left unheeded, for Achan’s downward spiral is engraved for all to fear “I saw, I
coveted, I took, I hid”, ……7:21. Both Achan and Ananias wished to appear spiritual, committed, in the
flow, supportive, 100% on board, like everyone else. It’s a pharisaical spirit in the church of God.
Without a Joshua or a Peter bringing revelation, complete and utter disaster would have overtaken the
nation of Israel and the church at Jerusalem.
A ‘church’ that bears a curse upon it will be a withering people
They are dependent solely on natural talent and treasure. It is run like a business. Accountants will
govern the church. The prayer meeting is a non-starter because even the few that attend feel their
requests are hitting the ceiling. No one is being born again, though a few are converted to Christianity.
Hymns are sung, and communion received but the hearts of the people are far from The Lord. The Dove
is not upon them; no sicknesses are healed; no spirits cast out; no unique guidance of missionaries is
experienced; all effort goes down into a bag full of holes. Waste is the dominant idea and word. It’s just
a waste of time and space! The zealous will presume that as The Lord has helped in the past He
undoubtedly will assist again. That witness/evangelism among the young people looks simple and
straightforward, yet it falls apart upon the first night. For where there is no obedience, we cannot stand
before our demonic enemies and we run away at the falling of a leaf (Deut 28!). Fruitless, disappointed,
barren, like being in a prison! If you recognise this, for goodness sake run for your life and find a Joshua
or a Peter! For we are responsible to obtain as full a reward as possible on that great day. In a cursed
church, young men will die. They will be lost. Look around, they are gone. They may be physically alive,
but they’re dead to the kingdom, and their work and place in it. Now the thirty-six are no more. Place a
sign - ‘Ichabod’ - over the door. For the Holy Spirit has long gone and “left your habitation desolate”.
The warm embrace of Father has lifted; all sense of belonging to God has vanished.
Our understanding must not lock this kind of experience into the Old Testament!
Judas is a member of the apostolic band, a disciple… and yet. Ananias and Saphira are part of the visible
church at Jerusalem…and yet. Paul commands the Corinthians, “touch not the unclean thing” for this
flirtation with idolatry is a communion with “devils”. This would bring unclean and impure spirits to
reside and rest upon and among them to a “filthiness…of the (human) spirit”. The same, exactly the
same in some cases, the very same ‘spirits’ resist us that resisted Israel’s advance 3,400 years ago.
Nothing has changed. The uncleanness of Achan was the same power seeking to destroy the Corinthians
which sought to destroy the seven churches of Asia. (1 Cor 10:20-22; 2 Cor 6:14-18, 7:1-2. Also: Rev
chapters 2 and 3)
The curse is revealed by a lack of power
Why drudge 100,000 soldiers to defeat the Ai army when “they are but few”? (Josh 7:3) It seemed
reasonable and Joshua accepted the logic of his scouts. But three thousand Israelite warriors ran away
from the city walls, shocked, saddened, humiliated and providing a boost in morale to the enemy. How
come Peter’s one sermon led to three thousand believing when three thousand sermons do not lead to
one believing? Something is wrong! We do well to do as General Joshua, coming to The Lord to discuss
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the reasons for our defeats and powerlessness. It’s the right place to start, but not to finish! For then
Joshua has to initiate ‘a cleansing’; a sanctifying, an exposure of the specific cause of the failure, for
someone is committing “folly” among the people.
In Canaan, our enemies (the one that resists us and seeks to weaken us), are unclean, demon princes
and powers. They are the forces and energies propping up and inspiring the Canaanites. The perverse
lifestyle of gross idolatry and sexual uncleanness reveals the nature of such creatures. Heaven knew
that Achan’s trespass was the thin end of the wedge, inspired by the same motivations that moved the
Canaanites. If left to fester it would have very quickly overrun the purity of God’s people. For
“covetousness is idolatry for which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience” (Col 3:5-6), and would ultimately lead to their own expulsion from the land.
Covetousness – the wish to have more. As they witnessed at Ai, purity and protection are inextricably
linked. No purity equals no power or protection. Why are those folk sick year on year in the church?
Why is there no power to heal? The disciples cannot cast out the spirit from the boy, why? For a life of
prayerful discipline was not yet established! (Mark 9:29) Samson becomes powerless through the
seductions of a woman and Saul and his mighty men run away from one man… a whole army are
paralysed by fear.
God’s people in fullness of word and deed
Check the private secret hidden life of a mighty man, or of a church mighty in Spirit, and you will find
the reason for their ‘success’: Purity of heart motivation and life behaviour. Nothing unclean is hidden
in the deep recesses of their tent, mind, imaginations.No Achan-like characteristics lurk within to
compromise them being “strong in The Lord and in the power of His might”. Nothing hinders the
affirming flow of the Holy Spirit. He is delighted to attest His people ‘with signs following’.
When Israel moved onward to Ai they were, in name, God’s people. They were the local church with a
great history backing them up. They had the word and promises. The board outside the church building
boldly proclaimed their ‘Evangelical’ pedigree… But! All power and ability to fight demon-empowered
strongholds was gone. The Lord’s arm is shortened and His power withdrawn. Israel’s three thousand
were dressed right, looked right, even had swords, arrows, and spears. But the strength to prosecute a
holy war was completely undermined. Though the New Testament is established as a ‘better covenant’
with ‘better promises’ upon The Lord Jesus’ shed blood, God’s people are still constructed upon
“reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:28-29). The idea that the New
Testament’s way is easier upon an offender among the church is a complete misnomer and reveals a
serious misunderstanding of the Christian community “of how much sorer punishment” (Heb 10:26-31).
Joshua is confused by the defeat and disappointment
When we enter Canaan, everything has changed. There is a heightened sense of things. The stakes are
greater; The Lord’s requirements upon us increase for “much is given…” (Lk 12:48). In Egypt, an Achan
isn’t such a problem. In the wilderness it’s not such an issue. But when a people filled with the Spirit,
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confirmed in an area by the Father, actively confront the powers of darkness in the Heavenlies, the faith
community are placed under a greater stress and strain. When the pressure is on, the weak and wilful
will rise to the surface as the scum on the stew. The buckling will be manifest where before it remained
‘hidden’. The Lord’s sword will pierce between the soul and spirit, between flesh and spirit (Heb 4:12).
Joshua has, for years, enjoyed the shade of The Lord. There were times when naturally in such heat he
should have sweated but he never did. Now, briefly he has stepped out from under Heaven’s canopy. He
is literally feeling the heat. Where can we go but to The Lord? Joshua’s plan was to cut the country in
two, thus not allowing one area to support another. A classic example of divide and conquer. When
dealing with a spirit, it is prudent to separate it from all external energy lines so in its removal it cannot
call upon external reinforcements. We see here that the General is flesh and blood. For he is but a
whisker away from placing the blame for the defeat upon The Lord Himself. We see his reasoning as he
is quite unaware of the Achan incident. “The fault dear Brutus lieth with us”! Joshua has faced an
unexpected resistance. Progress is halted. The people’s heart are dispirited and discouraged. It’s their
turn for their “hearts to melt as water”. He has fallen for the ‘Rumsfeld doctrine’ of insufficient boots on
the ground. The military reasoning is debatable; the moral erosion is not.
Joshua’s mind is seriously distressed. It just doesn’t add up to all he had seen of the work and ways of
The Lord. It didn’t fit. He goes into a time of prayer and fasting asking the ‘mind of Christ’. He is about
to see that unfaithfulness does not rest with The Lord. He has not moved. His word is sure. The crisis
has been caused by one ‘within the flock’. The indication of The Lord’s displeasure in the retreat is
unmistakeable. The General’s concern for the honour of The Lord is the most grievous matter to his
sensitive soul. The disciples’ prayer begins with God, not us: “Hallowed be Thy name”. Before we pick
up our phone and ring or text our concerns to another, first lay them before The Lord. Invariably, as for
our brother Joshua, an answer comes back by return of post, that is, immediately.
His pain and
anguish, his burden, he places before God… and his stableness of mind begins to return (Ps 103:14; Jn 12:27).
Make the good news happen:
Prayer was never meant to be an alternative to action. Get up… why are you on your face”? (Josh 7:10) I
fear that it’s possible to pray too much and do too little, as well as the more common weakness of
human activity unregulated by a prayerful heart. Prayer was never meant to be hidden behind, or be an
alternative for reforming action. Some seek to lay all responsibility upon The Lord expecting Him to
fulfil our confrontations for us. It’s easier for us to ask Him to discipline that church member than for
us to face up to them. Revivalism is nonsense. We ask The Lord to save our neighbours and town when
He has commissioned us to do it! When we ‘Go’, the ‘Lo’ will follow. It is for us “to persuade men”. The
Lord does not exist to do our duty in worship, warfare, witness. He will empower us, but it is us who
knocks on doors, gives out tracts, conducts the tent mission. Get up and on with the job, General,
there’s work to be done, sin to be exposed, execution to conduct. We do the possible and The Lord does
the impossible. ‘Joshua you’re lying down when you should be standing up. No more delay. Let’s get the
‘thing’ sorted. Come on son, be strong, take courage, cause your face to be outward not downward’.
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Noah had to build the ark, Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, David to go and face the giant, Nehemiah
to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, Paul to travel all through Asia and beyond. The world would be a different
place if they had ‘only’ prayed, however spiritual it sounds. Praying when I should be going can itself be
laziness, cowardice, and disobedience. No army of angels will be parachuted into our town to do the
“work of an Evangelist”. You are not called to be a monk.
Moses had almost exactly the same experience at the Red Sea. He tells the people to stand still and see
The Lord’s salvation. The Lord is rather put out and exclaims, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell them
to go forward, and you lift up your rod and divide the water!’ (Ex 14:15-16) We wait on Heaven while
Heaven is waiting on us. Again, we should not initiate what we cannot saturate in prayer, but Joshua
had done his praying. Prayer time was over and, as with Moses, it’s now time to use his authority and
speak. Lord, deliver us from eastern passivity and fatalistic ideas which have touched the church in the
last thirty years. No reneging on our responsibilities while the world goes to Hell. The Lord will help
sort out the trespass among His people, but not alone. We are His hands, mouth, eyes and feet; the
Head and Body ‘working together’. Joshua is about to face Achan, as Peter faced his Ananias. Not
pleasant, but essential to maintain the manifest covenanted presence of the Spirit.
Family roots: Trouble by name – trouble by nature
Achan means ‘trouble’. He lived up to his name. He was not predestined to be a ‘problem’, no more than
Jacob ‘the supplanter’ was to take Esau’s place. For Jacob became Israel - ‘a Prince’. We need not
remain stuck with parental impositions. According to our own behaviour, developments are always
possible. Achan’s family history is disturbing but it did not have to be disastrous. His genealogy is
traced back to Judah and Tamar. Not an illustrious start! (Gen 38; 1 Chr 2:3-7)
Mark, those that cause trouble, the prima donna, the murmurer, the agitator, the whisperer, the divider,
the discourager, the work-shy, the goat, the wolf in sheep’s clothing, the drunkard, the heretic, the
bitter, the rationalist, the cruel, the evil, the law-monger, the independent stubborn widow, the
disturber… “he that troubleth you, shall bear his judgement” (Gal 5:10). It is in the nature of our work
that we ourselves may be seen as troublemakers. Elijah is accused by Ahab as a troubler of Israel. The
prophet rightly defends himself and corrects the king: “I have not troubled Israel – but thou” (1 Kgs
18:18). Paul, who caused a revival or a riot wherever he went, is regularly accused as being a
troublemaker: (Acts 16:20), they “brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do
exceedingly trouble our city”; (2 Tim 2:9), “I suffer trouble, as an evil doer”. Heaven will not be slow to
affirm us in time or eternity. Watch and wait, for all will be revealed. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith The Lord” (Rom 12:19).
Again, mark those who carry “a root of bitterness” which “springing up, troubles you and thereby many
be defiled”. Such a one has failed to enjoy the love and grace of Christ and has a huge chip on their
shoulder, that is, they believe the world and life has been unfair to them and owes them big style. They
are intent on ‘getting’ their pound of flesh out of another and their selfishness will stop at nothing to
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secure the gold and garment from Jericho. Dismissive of the elders’ instructions, they pursue their own
merry way. It will not be a merry way for much longer. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they
that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches
deceive the hearts of the simple… and the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly”.
Romans 16:17-20, “But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men” (2
Tim 3:9). There is a very good reason why the apostle links such individuals with Satan…
For “we wrestle not against flesh and blood”. Satan is an opposing spirit. Peter discourages our Lord
from the way of the cross, but Jesus sees and hears a different voice and energy behind him, “Get thee
behind me, Satan” (Matt 16:23). Later, Peter himself will discern the influence of the devil with Ananias
and Saphira, “Why hath Satan filled thine heart…” (Acts 5:3). He sees Satan’s faint whisper into their
ear, though they remained responsible for their actions and were dealt with on an individual basis.
What Achan found at a priest’s house shone into his attention. The ‘Babylonish’ garment, i.e. ‘from the
land of Shinar’, had idols embroidered upon it, notably of Dagon, ‘Son of Baal’, the fish god, the fertility
god, the gold ingot no doubt an idol statue. To Achan this was an improvement to the two main areas in
his life, sex and money. It was a demonic form of ‘Viagra’. In the ‘origin of species’ we follow the
inspiration, the energy, back to the greater principality behind it. This aggravated the curse already
imposed upon the spoils. The oppression bound and blinded Achan. On burning “them” of 7:25 - the
idolatrous material - the demon person and power directly associated with it, was consequently
cleansed and cleared from the land. (For further study on ‘Shinar’: It occurs about ten times in the Old
Testament from Genesis to Zechariah).
Exposed: “Whatsoever doth make manifest – is light”
An ‘Achan heart’ deceives itself to believe that the fraud it has committed is secret. But at the least two
have borne witness, himself and God the Holy Ghost. We do well to pray as David: “Cleanse thou me
from secret faults – keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins… then I shall be innocent from
the great transgression” (Ps 19:12-13). Achan had behaved recklessly, with deliberation, stealth and
deceit. As with Ananias and his wife, the plot was hatched in private to portray themselves as beyond
the truth of who they were in what they were giving, “speaking lies in hypocrisy” (1 Tim 4:2). An
emphasis on the external, what is seen by men in public, the “whited sepulchre … outwardly appearing
righteous unto men” (Matt 23:27-28). What lengths a person will go not to be left out! To fit in, to
belong, even perversely to the extent of living a double life. ‘She is not what she seems’. Graciously, our
Lord does not call us to have our minds and thoughts projected onto a video screen before God’s people.
Much is left unseen, unspoken, as He gently seeks to bring us to “perfecting holiness in the fear of
God” (2 Cor 7:1-2). But, this here is “the great transgression” (Ps 19:13). Blatant, wilful, deceitful,
selfish, robbing God, and causing the tragic deaths of thirty-six ‘good’ men: A transgression which must
be publicly purged. Not as the Pentecostal church that paraded a fifteen year old girl before the
congregation for conceiving a child out of holy wedlock – to do that is significantly more disgraceful
than the young lady’s failure. The Lord is searching hearts, and He has extraordinary means at His
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disposal to reveal the person who is causing the powerlessness. In such an hour The Lord is ruthless!
“Purge out therefore the old leaven” (1 Cor 5:7. Rev 2:23).
Tribe. Family. Man
Led by the Spirit, the administration has before it Achan, in all his nakedness and shame. What to him
was ‘just’ a small personal issue that, he thought, surely could be made amends for by receiving help
and expressing private remorse, was not possible. For the ‘Achan heart’, there is no way forward, but
death. With pinpoint accuracy the detective work of the Spirit identifies the ‘criminal’. He ‘arises’ out of
the crowd, comes up out of the congregation. The Lord uses various mechanisms to cause an individual
to be brought to the elders’ attention. A trustee refuses to sign some cheques… Attitudes are revealed;
opinions given; the Holy Spirit examines ‘it’ and in the days to follow, a ‘cleansing’ takes place. The
seemingly small exposes the more serious. The slow but certain process of discovery! In the solemn
hour, by ‘lot’ the culprit is exposed. By Urim and Thummim Eliazer the priest disclosed the ‘yes’ or ‘no’
of the mind of Christ as each of the tribes’ heads stood before Joshua. There is no confirmation from
Achan until all is narrowed down to him. Speaking in a dignified manner the General addresses him as
“son”, for there are no personal grudges involved here; no insults are expressed. Joshua carries a ‘spirit
of meekness’ (2 Cor 10; 2 Tim 2:25; Titus 3:2).
I was speaking with a lady on the phone. Six times I sought to conclude the conversation and six times
she refused, until by the seventh or eighth time she relented. Mildness of manner should accompany all
‘executions’. When Charles I was to be beheaded, those conducting the arrangements extended the man
every possible courtesy.
“A door of Hope” in Trouble Valley
The apostle has the judgement to remit or to retain sins within the church of God. To confess to Joshua
or the apostle is to confess to Christ! (Roman Catholicism has made this a human regulation). 2 Samuel
12:7, “Thou art the man”. Joshua or Peter sit as judge and jury on The Lord’s behalf. If Achan confesses,
his soul may yet be ‘saved’ in eternity. Under the Divine scrutiny he is tried and ‘condemned’. We
should be sure that our sin will find us out, for nothing that is covered will fail to be revealed. If now we
‘hide’ away a secret sin, we are strongly advised to acknowledge this before God and man. Tell The Lord
and go find a Joshua or Peter person of stature before we are forced out into the light! An Achan-heart
can find an Achor-hope. We can turn our present ‘trouble’ into a future triumph. A closed door into an
open door. Forsake your disobedience and hardness, dear one. Turn your back on what is ‘doubtful’.
Near to the place where the thirty-six have died Achan is taken. His end will be where their end took
place. The place is ‘Achor’ the place of trouble for the troubler of Israel. All is aptly named. By the time
of Hosea, the ravine area near Ai has taken on a reputation. What was designed to be a military door up
into the mountain area for Israel had turned into a place of evil and blockage. Hosea’s wife, as Israel,
unfaithful to God, would yet come out of misery and poverty and be restored to her husband again in a
rightful relationship. What had been a hindrance would yet again become a help “and I will give her…
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the valley of Achor for a door of hope…and she shall sing – there” (Hos 2:7). Through trouble, hope
would spring open a new door for the Gospel; and a renewed door toward Ai! (Ezra 10:3).
“Put away from among yourselves that wicked person”
1 Corinthians 5:13. Joshua deals with Achan as a father to a son and as a judge to a defendant. Achan
has confessed and is still stoned to death. Israel has known defeat. The Lord’s covenanted favour and
presence has lifted. Achan’s public confession acknowledges the unseen reason for this chain of events.
He is invited to “give…God the glory”, demonstrating The Lord had not acted randomly or maliciously
in the removal of His protection. It was not God that had caused the breach (Shebarim of v 5 means
‘breach’). The Lord’s honour is restored in Achan’s acknowledgement. His confession did not prevent
his death. It was too late! ‘Sorry’ was no longer good enough!
Paul is shocked by the church’s behaviour in omitting to deal with a person in a sexual relationship with
his step mother “his father’s wife” (1 Cor 5:1). The apostle “judged already” though not physically among
the people and urged the old leaven to be “purged out”, verse 7. By banning the individual from The
Lord’s table they are said to be “putting away the wicked person” verse 13 and therefore handing them
over to Satan who as the ‘god of this world’ would now have unlimited access to them to severely buffet
them, verse 5. Such a one may a year later or ten years later find ‘peace with God’, who knows!? When
Ananias and Saphira are exposed as duds, false, actors, The Lord personally strikes them dead. A postmortem may have revealed heart attacks caused by shock, nevertheless it was The Lord’s direct
execution preserving the purity of the new baby church upon which His power and fear remained.
“And all Israel stoned him with stones” (no spectators here)
In such an hour we would be ill advised to show the wrong kind of emotional attachment and support
for Achan and his family. Joshua, Peter and Paul acted as representatives of the Head of the Church.
This is not human sentiment. Joshua never hated Achan, but he was prepared to reflect the heart and
mind of Jesus Christ and His throne. A mind in ruthless mode but never cruel mode. Achan is stoned
then burned along with what he had stolen. The KJV is not watertight to believe that his entire family
were also put to death. They personally never knew anything of his ‘secret’; for he was yet to reveal it to
his wife. The family upset must have been very distressing. My husband, our dad, has done this. The
reproach would not have lifted quickly. They had to live the rest of their lives with that association.
If a Bible was written in our day, what would ‘I’ be recorded for, and remembered by? Under Law and under
Grace, Achan and Ananias pay the ultimate price – death and separation (Deut 24:16; Heb 10:26-31).
Trouble flared up
As the flames upon Achan’s body rose into the air, a solemn tangible quietness descended upon all the
nation. An episode was concluded. His family are led away stunned and distraught. The stones are
collected and built into a heap as a memorial. The grave of the criminal affords a continued reminder to
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future generations to the pain of God’s disciplinary government. The gulf between sin covered up and
sin confessed is the gap between Heaven and hell (Josh 8:29; Amos 9:3).
“Seemeth it to you a light thing”?
1 Samuel 18:23. The words of David at the invitation to be Saul’s son in law. Saul’s servants conveying
the message in a ‘light-hearted fashion’. The weight and seriousness of Joshua’s command to not take of
Jericho’s spoils never rested on Achan’s soul. It was a ‘light thing’. The solemn and heavy responsibility
of obeying The Lord was quickly dismissed at the sight of self–love, self-improvement. He never got it,
he missed it completely, he missed the situation. Joshua, yes a good man, he had his opinion. And the
Achan-heart has it’s opinion… an utter disregard for spiritual authority, for Joshua was not just a good
man but The Lord’s man! Achan listened to the greed of his own ‘flesh’ prompted by a genie-like spirit
whispering in his ear, and ‘anyway he wouldn’t get caught’! Sin and spirit – a deadly combination for
which he bore the punishment. The local church acknowledged by Jesus Christ is not a chip shop! It’s
not a fairground or some kind of game. It’s not a community social club, just one great happy family
get-together. Some, as Jeroboam, want a lighter yoke ‘and then we will serve thee’. Some wish to throw
the church’s precious cargo overboard as in Jonah’s storm, to make light of the kingdom word and go
their own way, as Isaiah proclaimed to Israel. “It is a light thing that thou shouldest by my servant” (Is
49:6). Beware of all that weakens or belittles or dishonours the glory-laden responsibility of being ‘a
royal priesthood, a holy nation’ (1 Kgs 12:4, 16:31; Ezek 8:17; Matt 22:5; 1 Pet 2:9).
The enemy without, and the enemy within: A warning
During the miners’ strike of 1982, the chairman of the Coalboard, a Mr McGregor, wrote a book entitled
‘the enemy within’. In it he firmly laid the blame for the present crisis on the NUM and the Union’s
leader, Arthur Scargill. Thirty-six men fell at Ai not because of the fierceness of the Canaanites but
through the treacherousness of the Israelite. God’s people’s first defeat in Canaan came from ‘within’ from among themselves! External enemies and internal enemies. A surface reading of the New
Testament letters of Paul, John, Peter, James reveals the warning that erosion and the collapse of ‘God’s
house’ invariably comes forth from ‘among themselves’. Ananias and Saphira, Demas, ‘of your own
selves’, Acts 20, Diotrophes, the man of 1 Corinthians 5, Hymenaeus and Alexander, Eudias and
Syntyehe, and even ‘Jezebel’ of the church at Thyatira, almost certainly the senior pastor’s wife!
Persecution was less of a problem than a perversion of doctrine and behaviour.
When I came to a church in Cumbria in 1988 it took me two weeks to detect the person behind the
division in the church. A woman, who as President of the National ‘woman’s aglow’ didn’t understand
that her ‘authority’ in that ladies organisation was not reflected in her ‘authority’ in the local church.
Giving her no space to operate, the rebellious one left six months later. Though I have been threatened
with knives by those from outside of the church, my greatest burden and concern has always been with
overseeing and ‘judging’ those within the body (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 5:12; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 5:1-2).
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I have a weakness in my lower back. (I tried to lift a mini when I was fifteen!) When I have a heavy cold
it always pitches on this weakness, aggravating it further. In the strategic hour of pushing and ‘pressing’
more into the kingdom, your personal Achan or the corporate Achan, will be aggravated. As with
Ananias the rivalry conscious heart exists, the weakness is there but ‘they’ suffer Satan to drive and
energise the situation further and deeper. When the ‘shade’ is thus more fully exposed, one’s response
in that hour will determine destinies for eternity. ‘Let God will speak and I will listen. Let God speak
there’s things I’m needing to put right, let God speak, and I will obey what He says, please Lord I want
to hear your voice, today!’ Question: What is there in the privacy of my life, which, if revealed to all
would lead to disaster?
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Joshua Chapter Eight
Mistakes, sins, presumption, prayerlessness, the anger of The Lord – death! Yet the promise still stands.
In the renewal of the obedience of faith - the deal is still on! Ai still remains to be conquered (today’s
Khirbret el Mukkatir), thus The Lord encourages a shaken Joshua to get on with the job. When ‘sin’ has
been dealt with, expect increased communion, sensitivity, vitality, vision, peace, and our Lord’s finger
to come off the pause button on our lives and ministries, for now it’s full steam ahead – again! The first
use of the word ‘church’ in the Acts record is immediately following the executions of Ananias and his
wife. Acts 5:11, “and great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things”. A
distinct development occurred at that time in the Spirit’s construction work within the church, body,
people at Jerusalem. Scaffolding is removed and more substantial strengthening entered the
congregation.
Laxity weakens, but true Holy Ghost severity, though naturally tummy-churning and unpleasant,
strengthens the tie that binds. Onward Christian soldiers; Joshua, General, my son and servant - “Fear
not, neither be thou dismayed, take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai…”, (Josh 8:1).
How Joshua’s mind eased at these oil-filled and gracious words. His sleep improved! Ai is back onto the
agenda. It waited while purity was re-established. The first and last movement toward the city fort had
led to an upsetting and unsettling disaster. The army’s reputation had been severely eroded, and
Joshua’s heart and morale, weakened. The difference between a man and a boy? The boy falls and stays
down, the man falls and gets back up. Joshua has seen the dead bodies of his men. He's watched as
Achan is crushed to death by stone and observed as his widow and children stagger away from the
bloody scene. He's felt the sting of The Lord’s fierceness and disappointment. He's imagined the
mockery of the Canaanites laughter… Timely, therefore, is the fresh assurance that nothing has altered
in Heaven’s steely purpose… Don’t be afraid – arise! The same will certainly not happen this time! “For
see…I have given into thy hand”.
Chastened and corrected one day; comforted and consoled the next
“And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger
is turned away, and thou comfortedst me” (Isa 12:1). The death of the transgressor, Achan, has
immediately led to signs of the smile and favour of Heaven. The Lord did not stone the man - Israel did.
And upon the renewal of obedience the eldership receive encouragement. “Though weeping may endure
for a night; joy…has come in the morning.” The Holy Ghost has come alongside to help, to give solace,
to brighten; refreshment; soothing. And suddenly the General feels embraced by the invigorating words
of his Captain, the Supreme Commander, our Lord Jesus Christ. The original word is repeated (from
chapter 1). There are yet more battles to fight, seven years of war have just begun. Thank God for the
comfort of the Spirit and the comfort of the scriptures and the comfort of fellow servants (Acts 9:31;
Rom 15:4; 2 Cor 1:4, 7:6).
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‘Joshua, my purpose has not collapsed. I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Do not forget the
Red Sea, the Jordan and even Jericho. I did not accomplish all that to leave the people massacred upon
some bloodied mountainside! Yes, you are unlike any other people on earth. You are my people, moving
on faith as a principle of existence; experiencing the covenanted presence of my Spirit on diligently
observance of law!’ If at first you do not succeed! Run away? Give up? Return to Egypt? Robert the
Bruce saw the spider succeed on the sixteenth try! “Let us not be weary in well doing…” Failure is the
back door to success – the disappointment at Ai led to the exposure of Achan! Peter is over confident
and denies The Lord…but seven weeks later, he’s preaching on the day of Pentecost! Your day will yet
dawn. Fear knocked on the door, faith answered - and there was no one there.
‘Joshua, I’m keeping you by my power. Right now, no other Achan-heart lurks in Israel’s tents. A
different work and warfare are before you. Courage in your conduct ‘my man’, for Ai is my gift to you.
Take it! Take it now.’ The Lord has not left Joshua in the dark concerning His renewed pleasure upon
His people. The instruction, so affirming, comes. We hear from God, all is well. Fresh directions are sent
from the HQ of the Throne room; braced for battle to possess more of what He has given. From off his
knees to on his feet - “Arise”, singing as he did. “O rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: When I fall, I
shall arise” (Mic 7:8). The powers of darkness were given an education. Joshua – he was no boy! The
accomplished fact, history already; (Rom 4:17) He “calleth those things which be not as though they
were.” (Josh 6:2) “See – I have given Ai”: It is in the hand of God to dispose with earth as He wishes. He
dispenses the authority of Ai, its king and land, into the lap of His people. ‘He that hath…more shall be
given’ (Matt 13:12). This always proves an irritant to the ‘I’ll make do’ brigade.
Forgetting those things which are behind involves forgetting victories as well as discouragements. The
apostle and those that work with him will be given an increasing ‘field of operation’ as they fulfil their
present responsibility. The boundaries in the Heavenlies perfectly match town, county or country
boundaries on earth. Junior ‘sent ones’ are ‘given’ rural areas - small towns and villages - to commence
with, to grow in skill and strength as each locality falls to the praying and preaching of a Holy Ghost
saturated people. He is always on the horizon looking for fresh territory to conquer for Christ. He will
not be ignored by dark princes. The senior apostle will be ‘given’ cities to take, whose demonic walls
have withstood all comers for hundreds of years. Good and godly men have bashed and bruised
themselves against the walls, and some have been casualties to Ai’s king. But now a Joshua has turned
up on the scene – and all is about to change. The Lord God Himself has waited for this hour. This is a
people who will take what He gives – and woe betide anything that stands in their way. In Joshua’s / the
apostle’s mind the strategy for reducing Ai to rubble takes form. Antioch, Ephesus, Thessalonica,
Philippi… Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland! (Paul had apostolic, governmental authority over 3 million
square miles) (Rom 15:19; 2 Cor 11:5, 12:11)
“Take all the people of war with thee”
Joshua 8:1. Self-confidence said Ai was easy. They virtually ran two miles up the road and three
thousand valiant troops could not defeat one thousand two hundred. The compromise is cleansed and
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cleared and now the General is ordered to mobilise the entire strength of Israel’s armies, a number
approaching six hundred thousand men. Robert E. Lee had sixty thousand at his command at
Gettysburg; Napoleon eighty-five thousand at Waterloo; Dwight Eisenhower, three million on D-Day.
Joshua will only deploy thirty thousand or so, nevertheless another five hundred and seventy thousand
were ready. The camp remained at Gilgal and the holy women prayed for their men folk.
I endeavoured as a youngster to cast out a spirit of infirmity from an old lady suffering with Parkinson’s.
As I spoke over her, a voice called out ‘No’! See to it that all your powers and graces and gifts are exerted
into a concentrated effort. War must not be conducted in a casual manner. No evil spirit is driven out
while we drink tea and watch the television! It must be complete and utter over kill. The army has been
humiliated and wounded once, it would not happen at Ai for a second time. It’s the Swartzkopf doctrine
not the Rumsfeld doctrine; pour everything you’ve got into the fight.
You are engaging to bring
annihilation, not just to wound. You are seeking to “destroy the works of the Devil” by bringing forth
against that stronghold, the name, the word, the blood, gifts of faith, the word of knowledge and
wisdom, inviting the help of angels, flushing out by the Holy Ghost.
External forts must not be faced alone. Those assigned to stand alongside you must be in place
spiritually and even geographically to accomplish all that is in Jesus’, Joshua’s and the apostle’s heart.
Paul was at Troas ready to preach Christ but was unable to enter an open door of opportunity, overwrought and anxious for his fellow worker Titus who could not be found. We need each other. Joshua
was not called to take Ai by himself. However much The Lord was with him, it would have been suicidal
to attempt it. We are part of an army, a body; work and walk with it. Stay connected. The command to
take unto you the whole armour of God was spoken to the whole church, as a whole. We individualise it
too much (2 Cor 2).
Faithful service brings its rewards – the spoils of war
Joshua 8:2. As a ‘first fruits of the land’ offering, the spoils of Jericho had been devoted to The Lord. But
at Ai the spoils of war would be theirs. If Achan had waited a few days he would have obtained the
‘goods’ decently and in order! The Lord is no man’s debtor. He has a generous heart. Informing the army
that the plunder would be theirs increased their motivation. Songs that declare that we receive a crown
from The Lord Jesus on that great day and then cast it at His feet are ludicrous. I have no intention of
giving back hard fought for reward. It’s human and natural reasoning. It’s ‘nice’; it seems unselfish; but
our call is to fashion our thinking upon Biblical and scriptural guidelines. Rewards, Greek ‘wages’, are
our God and Father’s regular form of acknowledging the faithful, fruitful service given unto His name.
One Christmas I returned to my mother a small gift I couldn’t receive. It was only worth a few pennies
but the effect was devastating. Those who ‘hazard’ their lives on the battlefield will receive their just
reward. One man said, “It wasn’t me – it was The Lord”. His friend said, “Hey, it wasn’t that good!”
False modesty has no place in God’s kingdom. It’s a straight-forward and clear transaction. We serve,
we receive, that’s it. Obviously He has scrutinised motivation, and love is the gold, silver and precious
stones that shall not be burnt up (1 Cor 3:12-13). A prosperity Gospel is heresy; a Gospel that prospers is
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acceptable. Prayer and teaching are specifically stated to receive their reward. The preacher should be
acknowledged with ‘double honour’, i.e. financially (Matt 6; 1 Tim 5:17-18). To follow Christ is to receive
in this world and the next. (Mark 10:28-31; Rev 22:12). Israel have renewed their obedience in the
stoning of ‘one of their own’. The Lord grants them the spoils of war as His reward. To follow the
Saviour is both dangerous and delightful.
For the apostle, his reward are the souls of men
The apostle will bring his sheaves with him. Having overcome the ‘strongman’, he received the spoils the liberated souls of men who now owe their lives to him! Hopefully he will never need to mention this!
He receives the plunder, Timothy, Titus, Epaphras, Epaphroditus, Philemon, John Mark, Gaius,
Onesimus, Trophimus, Tychicus, Epaenetus, Lucius, Jason, Stephanus, Fortunatus, Achaicus (Rom 16
& 1 Cor 16); “my joy and crown” (Philippians 4: 1-2); “for what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?
Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy”, (1
Thes 2:19-20). This human resource plunder now serves God’s men to reach and receive further spoil –
souls of spiritual warfare (Lk 11:22).
The deceitful ways of God
Israel were not war-making at their own initiative. They were waging war at the express command of
The Almighty. The ambush is His idea, tactic, strategy. He is fully prepared to deceive the enemy. He
owes them nothing. They are antichrist. The General receives explicit military instructions for the
deployment of his troops. It’s a set up. Presuming on another easy victory, Ai and her government
pursue the attackers who feign a retreat. The city is taken. Ai’s army is crushed between two Israelite
attacks, from the front and the back. As one draws teeth, so Ai’s soldiers are pulled into a trap. Their
stupidity to leave no defending garrison demonstrates the blinding of The Lord and the ignorance of our
enemy. The powers of darkness cannot see and know everything. They make mistakes and
miscalculations and their efforts are expended in the wrong direction.
Seeking to purchase a house, all the enemy’s efforts went into blocking my way. Meanwhile The Lord
was preparing ‘out of sight’, a better house for us which we easily obtained. Its name was ‘Viewpoint’.
The enemy had been ‘ambushed’ and therefore cut down. Ai has limited resources; it cannot afford to
lose ‘spirit soldiers’ with nothing to show for it. The loss was real in that situation and area. In moving
out, enticed from its wall defences, it had as always taken a bridge too far. Give an inch, but the enemy
takes a mile unto its own destruction. Calvary was God’s ultimate deception!
The destructive ways of God, as the surgical lancing of a boil
In the wider engineering of The Lord, the Israelite’s earlier failure increased the arrogance of the
‘powers’ at Ai. As ‘brute beasts’, they thoughtlessly seek to rush upon the ‘cowardly’ invaders. Someone
is in for a shock! Joshua, ‘not ignorant of Satan’s devices’, appreciated that they would come out as
before (verse 5). His men, implicitly obeying his orders, waited for forty-eight hours, undetected and
positioned to take every opportunity to block off reinforcements from Bethel and enter a soldierless city.
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The enemy in its madness and folly fulfils the government of God. As the lancing of a boil or the pulling
out of a mouthful of rotten teeth, so every soldier sallied forth ignorant of their impending doom.
Complete and utter carnage follows. Chapter 8 verses 6 and 16 reveal the restraining and constraining
Lordship of Christ. To ‘draw out’ is also translated as to pluck, to pull out and to root out. Judgement
day came early on men and demons.
How wonderful are the ways and counsel of God that He can oversee the actions of men without
violating their own wicked desires! Joseph is preserved from the plans of his half brothers; Sarah is kept
from the advances of Pharaoh; his successor’s heart is hardened so he pursues Israel and drowns in the
Red Sea; Deborah would yet declare to Barak, “I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the
captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into thine
hand” (Judges 4:7). The Lord speaking to his enemies in Ezekiel 38:4 - He says, ‘I will bring thee forth’;
in Joel 3:2, ‘I will also gather’; and the explicit language in Revelation 16:16 & 17:17, “He gathered them
together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon… For God hath put in their hearts to
fulfil His will….until the words of God shall be fulfilled”. Such are the invisible and secret operations of
our Lord in every generation for the preservation of His own and the annihilation of the wicked. The
foolishness of Adolf Hitler to open up a second front into Russia in June 1942 can only be fully
understood in the light of such truths.
Twelve thousand of the Canaanites lie cleaved and dead as dung upon the blood-sodden ground. Israel
suffers the loss of not even one man…no one receives a single flesh wound. When the chopping and
cutting ceased and the two army groups met in the centre the look in their eyes when they realised that
not one of their comrades had fallen… priceless. It is just not natural! At the battle of Omdurman, one
hundred and seventy-five British fell for ten thousand of the Mahdis Islamic army. Joshua had just
numbered the Israelites; the maths was right. The Lord had ‘delivered them into their hand’.
“…the excellency of the power”
2 Corinthians 4:7. As Joshua and his men fought, it was as a man fighting a child; as a Rambo to a
three-year old waving a small bamboo stick around. There was no contest. They were more than
conquerors. The praises that arose that night to Heaven…! “Behold I give unto you power to tread on
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt
you” (Lk 10:19). Those words were proved that day. Their blatancy was profound, “….that the excellency
of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor 4:7). Israel took to the field of battle with their swords
and spears and stones, which had physically obliterated the enemy. Yet the overwhelming ease of it, the
strength and extra skill each soldier experienced... As Joshua looked down upon the disfigured corpses
his jaw dropped in wonder. How on earth did that just happen?!
It doesn’t add up….you do the maths
Supernatural power sustained and surged through Israel’s men of valour. The same power of God would
enable Samson to slay a thousand Philistines with the ‘jawbone of an ass’. That day, they witnessed “the
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exceeding greatness of His power” (Eph 1:19). That same heavenly energy would, one thousand four hundred
years later, raise our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Running for their lives, every Canaanite soldier spirit
was chased, hunted down and slain. There was no mercy. Men and angels pursued the Canaanites until not
one solitary individual stood or drew breath. The law / word through Moses had promised, “Ye shall chase
your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an
hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight”. (Lev 26:7-8; Deut 28:7; Ps 35:5-6)
Joshua carried that word / knowledge in his heart. Now he has seen it with his eyes. Its testimony
would form part of his farewell speech twenty-five years later; “No man hath been able to stand before
you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: For The Lord your God, He it is that fighteth
for you” (Josh 23:9-10). As a ‘rolling’ thing before the whirlwind, Ai’s idolaters are butchered. This is no
revenge for the thirty-six, as Kitchener for Gordon. Israel are God’s scouring pad, his dentist’s pliers,
“his new sharp threshing instrument with teeth”, His surgeon’s lancing scalpel. Paul had no human pity
for the sorcerer who turned blind or for the troublers at the local church that “he handed over to Satan”.
He was upset for the pain they caused but not for the individuals themselves (Phil 3:17-19).
The enemy sees you as the enemy
Most unclean spirits believe you are the enemy. They have no concept that you are the light and they are
the darkness. It is hidden from them. They obey orders down the food chain and do their best to
deceive, divide and discourage (Matt 12:45; Lk 11:26).
The more ‘wicked’ the spirit, the more intelligent its assessment of its identity and purpose. For as in all
pyramid organisations the more senior the spirit / person, the more information they possess of what is
actually taking place. Thus in Freemasonry, Roman Catholicism and Mormonism, those higher up the
chain of command are aware of the wickedness they perpetrate. The devil is called “The wicked one” for
good reason. The princes under ‘him’ that govern nations are so full of hatred to God that, though privy
to their malignant miserable existence, they are in an imprisoned-existence and continue to resist all
goodness and good men with a crazed-like fury. They shall bear their punishment. The Canaanite saw
the Israelite as an invading foreign power, full of magic like their own, set on stealing from them their
possessions and land. When Lincoln called for troops to quell the cotton states of the South into
submission, the North was seen as the initiator of hostilities invading the legitimate confederacy – and
were resisted accordingly. The dispute was settled by the triumph of the ‘stronger’, as in all conflicts
throughout the earth, be they spiritual or physical. Do not be surprised then by the raging of the night:
conduct yourself in a manner becoming a warrior of Christ; no mercy, no pity, no human sentiment.
Given half a chance the enemy would giggle as it cut you down and, when down, kicked you about. It’s
strike or be struck. See evil for what it is. Make no truce with that which seeks to do you harm. There’s a
land to conquer for yourself and others. There’s a sword in your hand – use it!
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The Lord Jesus is seen in a military uniform
In March 2008, in a prayer meeting, one of the prophets saw The Lord Jesus kitted out in a SAS-type
uniform. From the throne, The Lord’s eyes blazed as He witnessed good-hearted men and women
‘suffocated and oppressed’ as ‘religious’ individuals lay on top of them. He was seeking for us to work
and war with Him to deal with the oppressors and deliver the ‘crushed’. We, and I, said a considered
and definite yes! (Matt 11:28-30)
Since a boy of fifteen, I had sung the hymn ‘O Jesus I have promised to serve thee to the end’. I meant it
then in secondary modern school in South Wales, and I mean it now. The events of Joshua chapters 7
and 8 were being paralleled in the life of the local church at Washington Christian Centre in the North
East of England. Writing of ‘ambushes’, it was what I was witnessing in our own church-kingdom-life:
war in March/April 2008. (It was like the boy in the film “The Never Ending Story”, who as he reads the
book, he lives out the adventure in the film). The indication in the Spirit was unmistakable. The Lord, in
co-operation with a “people who were willing in the day of this power”, was moving to deceive and then
destroy His enemy using indirect, hidden, subtle, unexpected tactics. The enemy facing an assault from
one direction, would be surprised and overwhelmed from another direction. Faith and love ‘in Christ’
can underwhelm as well as overwhelm! Preconceived ideas that lock men’s minds from the Gospel are
eroded away. Certainly that Spring, an unprecedented degree of space and opportunity was available to
witness for Jesus and worship before The Lord Jesus. An enemy had been cleared from the ‘field of
operations’. Ai had fallen and praises rang out!
The stretched out spear in Joshua’s hand: the timings of authority
Joshua 8:18-19 and verse 26. As a pre-arranged signal to a section of his soldiers, the General raises his
spear high into the air with a flag or tribal standard attached to it to increase its profile and visibility. As
Wellington at Waterloo gave a signal to his hidden rifle brigade, as the old guard came up the slope
“now Maitland, now’s the time”. When our spiritual hearing is so attuned to The Lord’s heart, word,
voice and Spirit, we can act with the most precise and accurate speed. In such an hour, all moves in a
very ordered manner and feels ‘accelerated’ for so much kingdom work is achieved in a relatively short
time. This was far more than simply a military signal, otherwise after a brief moment his hand would
have come down, but it didn’t (v 26). That banner–spear was held aloft until every single enemy soldier
was dead. It is Exodus 17 again. The posture is identical – and so are the spiritual lessons.
What the enemy believed was their ‘lucky’ hour was actually The Lord’s hour
Ai signalling to Bethel to co-ordinate their attack, moved at an appointed time: they were in agreement
to war and to seek Israel’s destruction together. Fighting together had led to the first victory a few days
before and now seemed prudent. This, their priests ‘divined’, would lead to an inevitable triumph as at
the first. ‘King what our ‘gods’ did for us yesterday, in this hour they will do again’. In their ‘lucky’ hour,
the powers of darkness were attacking while Israel was seen to be running away for their lives. Stood on
a rocky outcrop, Israel’s leadership waited for The Lord’s hour… for that word that announced ‘stretch
out the spear’ (Josh 8:18). As Joshua did so, men and angels moved at his bidding, posturing and
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positioning themselves to “strike through kings in the day of His wrath”, (Ps 110:5). As Joshua, like
Moses his father, kept that spear extended into the air, Israel “prevailed”. The General is exercising his
God-given right, symbolised in the spear pointed to Heaven, to deal a devastating blow upon the spirit
forces of death.
What only a short while before appeared so impressive to the natural eye, hordes of well-trained and
well-equipped men now lay strewn as garbage upon the ground. What only a short while before
appeared so impressive to the spiritual eye, hordes of well-trained and well-equipped evil spirits now
burned with fire in God’s abyss – Hell (Ps 105:12-14; Rev 12:8).
Displacement: after preaching ‘the word’ near Durham, rows and rows of demon spirits were seen
crashed and crushed like skittles before a ‘bomb’. The forces of darkness are weakened and have “no
power to flee this way or that way” (Josh 8:20). As Ai’s men had no power or place to escape unto, thus
“spiritual wickedness in high places” is trapped, grabbed by angel hands and dropped into chains of
imprisonment to await the Day of Judgement; doomed. To a Joshua / apostle, privileged people, when
the decision is made for them to invade with authority, it’s only suicidal for anything and anyone to
stand in their way! Diligently search for the Joshua man in your area and, whatever the cost, walk and
war with him – it will feel as if you are ‘among the alien corn’, but you will carry the assurance of being
involved in eternal work and “not as one that beateth the air” (1 Cor 9:26).
The Lord’s governmental men by the word of knowledge will know when to move and what against
Many concerns, burdens, needs for intercession and attention attempt to crowd in upon us. Joshua the
apostle and the throne of Heaven will, at ‘an appointed hour’, move in a coordinated fashion to inflict “the
sword of the Spirit”. In the upcoming prayer meeting or prophets gathering, the leadership may one
month bring before God’s people, our children at the local schools. Oppression and bullying has increased
and so we go to our knees to request our Lord’s aid and subdue the appropriate energy. An email is
received - Southern India needs our support and The Lord, through it, places before us the need of the
state government to be delivered from Marxist agitators and that which is inspiring them (Rom 8; Eph 6).
When we pray, we humble ourselves
Humility means to trust The Lord’s resources. In lowering ourselves, even unto ‘nails’, the bruising
leads to a breakthrough. The strategy of Calvary is ever upon us. A seeming defeat turned into a glorious
triumph. Within ourselves we look routed and ruined. Our Lord broke the serpent’s head by suffering
him to bruise His heel. Calvary and resurrection. Before Ai, we suffer a defeat, a few days later we enjoy
“the power of His resurrection”, and “rule in the midst of our enemies” (Ps 110:2; Phil 3).
A notable execution
Chapter 8 verses 23 and 29: The ‘king’ of Ai is taken and is individually dealt with. He is the last to be
destroyed. Principalities will urge masses of spirits into battle against the ‘Christian community’ and
preserve itself for as long as possible. Just a few days before, this dark and arrogant character/king was
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bowing down to Dagon and Baal, bringing lavish offerings and presenting thanks before his people for
the repulsion of the initial attack. Little did he know it wasn’t his strength and his ‘gods’ help, but
Israel’s weakness and The Lords lack of help! As a king over a wicked people, his own wickedness was
notorious. In his kingly, priestly role the vilest of unclean oaths and curses against Israel and ‘her God’
had vomited from his mouth. This very public execution of justice would strike terror into all his fellow
Canaanite leaders. ‘This is what will happen to you if you resist the occupation of The Lord’s people.’ In
the 15th and 16th centuries in England, a person accused of treason against the king and the state would
be hung, drawn, gutted and quartered. The understanding was that for their crime, being of the highest
order, the person deserved to be done to death four times and not just the once! “And the devil that
deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and shall be tormented day and night
forever and ever”, so records Revelation 21:10.
Princes are being displaced in our day
Ai’s king, as Jericho’s, was a ‘strongman’; a ruler, a majesty of darkness, a first one, a pre-eminent one;
bearing the spirit forces of perniciousness and wickedness. This is what we wrestle and fight against
(whatever the external looks like)! This is close-quarters contact, a fight to the finish. In Paul’s day in
the sports arena the loser had their eyes gauged out!
To the people of God moving in unity of heart and flexibility of purpose, and following a Joshua/apostle
and the Head of the Church, then whole villages, towns and vast geographical areas can be transformed.
The atmosphere alters from the old age pensioner afraid to leave their home and the heaviness one felt
on crossing over the border of a town, to a new ease and joy to pray, scriptures and praises coming
readily to the mind and mouth, less aggravation in the marriage bond, economic regeneration, an
openness on the part of the unbeliever to hear the Gospel. When David played, Saul could breathe! (1
Sam 16:23). This town/city is not big enough for both of us; one of the cowboys will have to leave, the
stronger displacing the weaker, the Marshal bringing the gunslinger to the gallows! Bound and gagged,
the ex-king of Ai is formally escorted away to swing from a rope. The corpse is buried in a marked
public place. No one came to pay their last respects (Deut 21:22-23; Eph 6:12).
Where did the idea come from that God is – nice?
Psalm 47:2, “The Lord Most High is terrible!”
Moses to Israel on the plain of Moab says, “If thou shalt say in thine heart, these nations are more than
I, how can I dispossess them? …..remember what The Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh and unto all
Egypt….The Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and …” ‘nice’? No! “a mighty God and
terrible” (Deut 7:17-21). Egypt was an utter wasteland when Israel finally left. So are all who fight The
Lord. They lose! “Thine arrows (ten plagues) are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the
people fall under thee” (Ps 45:5). “By great terrors… which Moses showed” (Deut 4:34, 34:12). To His
enemies, God is a terrorist.
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The promise was that fear, dread and terror would grip the hearts and minds of the Canaanites long
before Israel’s armies appeared in the battlefield (Ex 15:16; 23:27). Rahab gave witness to the impact of
such dread coming upon the Jerichonians. She’d seen it first hand. Joshua 2:9, “your terror is fallen
upon us”. For “the day of The Lord is great and very terrible” (Joel 2:11 and 31) i.e. it is to be feared…
some do well to be frightened! Paul’s preaching was inextricably linked to “the terror of The Lord” (2
Cor 5:11). Many of those ‘in care’ suffering with various ‘phobias’ are experiencing the Spirit’s conviction
about their sin, Christ’s righteousness, and the awful day of judgement racing as an express train
toward them. Preceding that hour, The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven and obliterate antichrist
armies on the hill at ‘Megiddo’. The blood will rise to the horse’s bridle and the birds of the air will feast
for weeks on the decaying flesh and burnt torsos. The ships in the Mediterranean will smell the stench.
‘This is our God – the servant King’. The man Christ Jesus who will wreak His vengeance and kill more
people in one hour than all the dictators combined throughout the whole of human history. God – was
never nice! Nor ever shall be! Niceness should not be confused with saintliness! (Ezek 39; Jn 16:1-8;
1 Thess 4; Rev 14:14-20, 16:16, 19:11-21)
It’s party time!
Israel rejoices as they are reinforced in their identity
Joshua 8:30-35. Taking a pause from their onward march, Israel throws a party. Twenty miles they
travel through a mountainous area toward two hills opposite each other about seven hundred to eight
hundred feet high. With the frontier towns subdued, this is their very first opportunity to fulfil the word
of The Lord through Moses recorded in Deuteronomy chapter 27. On the one hill all the curses are read
out and on the other all the blessings of the law are pronounced. Israel are reinforced in their national
and spiritual identity and destiny; reminded of responsibilities; and rejoicing for victories over Jericho
and Ai! They thank The Lord for what He has done and walk in peace at the place of the ‘shed blood’.
We've done some fighting, now for some feasting! A feast of things celebrating The Lord’s generosity,
giving monies to the poor, singing and dancing, enjoying good food and wine, and praising God with the
family of the church. The world’s understanding of the church will be revolutionised. The religious,
scandalised! The Kingdom of God is a party. It’s The Lord’s disobedient enemy / Pharisee that dwells on
a dry and barren land where there is no water. This is who He is – this is who I am! Testimony days give
us opportunity to say ‘Thank you Lord for what you have done’. What we obtain is then to be
maintained, remaining ‘under’ the word. The new generation are ratified in covenant. The law has
become the law of the new land. An ‘Amen’ is declared in intelligent confirmation (Ex 24:11; Deut 26:18).
We are His workmanship
In Ephesians 2:10, the Christian is God’s ‘poem’ - what He and He alone has made. All is of grace.
Stone making for the ‘altar’ was to be unpolished by human hand! Un-beautified by man’s skill (Ex
20:24-25; 1 Kg 18:31-32).
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The altar of earth is the place of slaughter where flesh dies.
Exodus 20:25. Natural work and works pollute the stream of Calvary. Our faith is supernaturally natural.
The simplest, the purest, the least artful and artificial - with that He is pleased the most. We cannot add
to His ‘finished work’, it is impossible. All effort will be a detraction from its beauty. He receives us as we
are, and we receive Him as He is; “no man hath lift up any iron” (Josh 8:31). No alteration or
adjustments, no cutting in or cutting off, no shaping The Lord and His work to our own ideas and
images. Calvary’s Altar of Sacrifice – it stands alone. “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I
cling”. The dead upon the earth – this is our place of memorial. When we rely on human wisdom and
strength we cut God down in size and cut ourselves through in the process (1 Cor 1:17; Gal 2:21, 5:4).
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Joshua Chapter Nine
We need the power of the Spirit against giants, and the wisdom of the Spirit against serpents. Since
Eden we have faced a ‘wily’ enemy, v4. Crafty, subtle, fraudulent, prudent… Israel had experienced this
before. Numbers 25:18: The Midianites “vex you with their wiles…wherewith they have beguiled you”,
the seducing women causing a ‘breach’ into the defences. Nothing is new and nothing is different (2 Cor
11: 3-4). Through ‘beguiling tactics’ the devil was introducing into the church at Corinth ‘another Jesus
via another Gospel via another spirit’. Paul warns the Ephesians against “the wiles of the devil” (Eph
6:12-18), for with him and his ways nothing is quite as it seems. Be aware and alert to his tactics…never
truthful, honourable, dignified or constructive.
The enemy adapts his tactics. Always be aware of what the enemy is doing
Especially in the early hours and days of an engagement, one should move with great speed for the
enemy with no original wisdom of its own will copy God’s wisdom among us. It is the ape of God. Israel
deceived the warriors of Ai, the Gibeonites would use the same strategy to defeat The Lord’s people! The
enemy dresses as a beggar and, by an elaborate trick of deception, entangles Israel in a fatal promise.
Robert Ford shot dead Jesse James with the handgun he himself had gifted him with a few days before.
The enemy learns from us, by what we say and do, especially in expressing our fears, how to confront
and undermine us. Our dark enemy has intelligence and is not as the cabbage or a cloud of gas. The
‘friendly’ foe comes along with its “project”, its pretence to friendship, to seek a union with us. Roaring
lion or subtle serpent, he assaults from without or from within.
Gullible’s travels
The salesman who comes to the door selling Mormonism, or mops, is not upset if the man of the house
is in work and he has to ‘chat’ to the woman of the house. Jacob becomes Esau… Wolves wear a sheep
skin coat… Deception. “False apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ” (2 Cor 11:13). Why do spiritualists or ‘Christian Scientists’ call themselves ‘church’? Actors and
imitators are not restricted to Hollywood! Guiley, wily, dishonest, pretending, wearing a mask covered
with mock humility and lowliness. Those spurious imitators… signifying inferiority and expressing their
willingness to perform any tasks assigned to them with flattering lips. Such is the deceitfulness of sin
and the sinner - the tares among the wheat (Ps 12:3; Matt 13:24-25; Heb 3:13).
Dressed up as if from a far country, our senate meets us and bids us to enter peaceful terms ‘with your
good selves’: ‘We may never be bosom pals but at the least let’s be on speaking terms’. So the snake-like,
little weasels creep up upon the eldership. ‘Let’s be at ‘peace’’ – this is the humanistic call of the
ecumenical vulture. You in your small corner and… It’s convenient Christianity. The words sound right
but the heart is all wrong. As in the convenience store, all is to be nice and easy…. suitable for all;
plausible, pleasing, enticing, ‘this suits me just fine’. James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know
ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the
world is the enemy of God.”
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While you were sleeping
Isaiah 11:3, “He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears”.
General Joshua was half asleep! At least he asks them, “Who are ye”? though testing the spirits is
meant to be more rigorous than curious. They give him a pack of lies and he receives them. Elderships
must not be dictated to and dominated by the senses. Deuteronomy chapter 20 is explicit: Every male is
to be destroyed “in the cities which are very far off from thee”, verses 13 and 15. Temporarily blinded,
the leadership has lost sight of God’s word, a word given to preserve purity, verse 18. We are called to
“watch unto prayer” (1 Pet 4:7), for the mind of The Lord is available! It was available to the Israelites,
(Num 27:21). Suspicious, they handle the mouldy bread for closer inspection - their credentials looked
genuine. But common sense is not necessarily the same as spiritual sense. Here they conflict. It was
common sense for Abram to hide his wife’s identity (Gen 12), and it was common sense for Peter not to
want The Lord to go to the cross (Matt 16). All acted on the spur of the moment, too impulsively. 1
Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (Judges
20:27-28; 1 Sam 23:2; Ezra 8:21; Isa 28:16; Phil 4:6).
Here at Gilgal, Israel with the Ark had an oracle, a speaking place; the mind of Christ was available –
immediately. But although they examined their “victuals – they failed to ask counsel at the mouth of
The Lord”, verse 14. Victuals in place of vision – that was a serious omission! ‘It wasn’t a major matter
for prayer, was it…?!’ Do we live by information or revelation?
The laws of war
We should not make significant decisions when we are overtired.
Something and someone will want us to, and drive us to. Put the pause button on. This could have
waited until the next day, or even the following week. If they had waited three days they would have
discovered they were neighbours (Josh 9:16). Only eighteen to twenty miles north west from them, a
few of Israel’s warriors made a reconnaissance in force and came upon the supposed distant peoples
just up the road. By then it was too late, the leadership had made an agreement with these people to
spare them. Joshua at this time is blurry eyed. Recent events have taken their toll on his emotional and
spiritual resources. He’s just plain tired. The exhaustion of war, even with The Lord doing the fighting,
should not be underestimated. Clearly some demon energy has bumped him and he’s slightly off guard.
Obedience is time sensitive: three days and all would have been so different; all would have been
revealed. Truth will be the daughter of time. Now they cannot fulfil the word of The Lord. Their own lips
and words have sealed the situation. Though a loophole in the oath could have been presented, the
eldership honour their oath - the Gibeonites will live.
Israel were brought into a fixed place. Our Lord works in time. When Israel refused to go into Canaan,
but then some time after changed their minds, it was too late. The movement has passed; the boat had
left the quay; the train had already left the station. He who hesitates when The Lord’s strategic hour of
advance has arrived, has gambled and lost. Any attempt to rectify will only make the matter worse.
Deuteronomy chapter 1! When the window has been opened by Jesus – jump through it!
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Diplomacy may seem to win the day for God’s enemies, but does it? The self-preservation society has
many paid up members. For the Gibeonites, their life is saved but their lives are lost. They are not put to
the sword but are put to serve (Josh 9:23 – 24). It’s possible to save our life and lose our soul. Satan
expected Job to curse God if he “touched all that he had” – but Job did not! Yet Peter denied knowing
The Lord to save himself. An outstanding moral issue remains undealt with in our lifestyle; what is it –
and why? (Deut 6:13; Ps 25:4; Matt 16:25; Jn 12:25)
When the world serves the church
“For all things are yours, whether… the world, or life or death, or things present or things to come, all
are yours” (1 Cor 3:21-22).
A life of drudgery comes upon the Gibeonites. They are enforced to be wood cutters and water carriers,
serving the Tabernacle in its sacrificial system; an activity laborious and tiring. They asked the question
over the years that followed – ‘is life worth living?’ They enjoyed a momentary success, their
deceitfulness won the day. But they lost more than they gained including all their possessions. You will
live but what of its quality? “Ye are cursed” proclaims the General ‘to a poor vile and miserable ‘life’, if
you call it that’. Noah’s prophecy is fulfilled: “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto
his brethren” (Gen 9:25). These are later called “Nethinims” (Deut 29:11; 1 Chr 9:2; Ezra 2:43; Neh
7:46). In the menial task and drudgery of life they felt, and indeed were, ‘doomed to destruction’ but
were still alive - an existence only. Numbers 3:9 “dead while they live” - Hell!
This world and its people serve the best interests of His people. The Head of the Church engineers its
decisions to our good. Pharaoh promotes Joseph, Cyrus helps to rebuild Jerusalem, Daniel is honoured.
Caesar calls a census which moves Mary the mother of our Lord to ‘Bethlehem’. Roman soldiers protect
Paul the apostle. The bank lends us money to buy a car or a home. The one who works “all things
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”, causes
even our mistakes to serve our building up in faith and love. The eldership may make a genuine mistake,
not related to belief and behaviour, but a miscalculation nevertheless. They were too soft and lenient in
a discipline situation – the sword was not used, and the congregation ‘rightly’ murmur. Later it is seen
that the mistake serves the help of God’s people for years to come. It was never quite perfect but there is
some peace. An area is pacified but not perfectly. There was some degree of efficiency and effectiveness.
The leadership made the mistake to work for them. Let your mistake cut wood and draw water for you be that in a friendship, a marriage, a business association where your word is your bond/oath.
Rules of engagement: all warfare is filled with deception
In time of battle we should suspect and be suspicious of everything. In the strategic hour of advance –
pushing forward - the world, our flesh, and the devil will act deceptively. We can take that for granted.
The Trojan horse is still being placed ‘within’. Regularly go into examination mode to check one’s life
and faith, walk and situation, relationships and kingdom support: any sin, any grieving of the Spirit, any
compromise, conscience disturbed, unfinished business… Sure enough, the fastest prayer answer we
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will always receive is in response to ‘Lord show me sin in my life’. That is always answered in a
millisecond! Assume during this spiritual health check, or MOT check, that deception from ourselves
and from others is at work. Assume that everything is not as it seems. We may well be shocked and
surprised. It’s crept up, ducked under the radar, taken years to grow into a stronghold. As rust it is
weakening our faith, it’s blurring our vision, it’s sapping our strength to love.
The Gibeonites deserved an Oscar! The visual evidence they presented and performed was so
overwhelming. Our own process of self deception means that I need others in my life bold and kind
enough to honestly and fully reveal character flaws and life directions that disturb them. From 1933 to
1939 Winston Churchill warned the British government of the growing military threat that was
Germany. He was largely unheeded, men wanted to believe ‘peace in our time’. Because of the awful
carnage and loss from twenty-five years before in the First World War, men’s minds were predisposed
to want to see the best. But Churchill was watching the enemy - its build up in men and material. What
is your enemy doing to you – right now – that is not the Father’s good, acceptable, perfect, complete,
worthy, pleasing, fruitful, truthful, honest, just, pure, lovely will for your life, your families, your local
church, your eldership? The blinkers must come off. The day is overdue. (1 Cor 3:18; Gal 6:3; Eph 4:14;
James 1:22 & 26; 1 Jn 1:8; Rev 12:9)
When Pilate and Herod made friends:
Joshua 9:1-2 and 10:1-5: when a people wish to rid themselves of Jesus they will enter and form the
most unusual of alliances to bring that about. Those who socially would never associate together are
forged as one to destroy ‘the anointed one’. Aggression makes the strangest of ‘bed fellows’… “And the
same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between
themselves” (Lk 23:12). Show me a man’s ‘friends’, and I will describe him to you! A large section of
Canaan create a rebellious confederacy to withstand the forward advance of God’s people – ‘We will not
have this man to reign over us!’ Old animosities are laid aside. A demonic form of perverse unity
prevailed. The enemy believes that Joshua was acting as if he already owned the whole land. ‘He needs
to be brought down a peg or two… Respect has to be earned, and ‘son’ you’re not there yet’. In
consultation, meeting in secret, they knew they had a chance. There was no question of surrender:
“Who is The Lord that I should obey His voice?” (Ex 5:2; Ps 2:2-3; Acts 4:25-27) In chapter 11 they go
on to the offensive. Until now Israel faced individual kings; now five are joining together. The enemy
have lost an ally in Gibeon - one who had made ‘peace’ with The Lord’s people. Now malice and spite
would make them pay for that allegiance! These are fellow Canaanites and neighbours, no matter…the
enemy will make them pay for their betrayal… Support the good and that of God, and dark powers will
hate us. Mothers are hated for raising godly children… John 17:14, “I have given them thy word; and the
world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
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Joshua Chapter Ten
The more we acknowledge God’s man – the more resistance we will experience From so called friends!
They were never friends… “for a friend sticks closer than a brother”. He who will stab you in the back is
not a brother! (1 Jn 2) It’s dangerous to follow Jesus Christ. As Peter, we end up in the Judgement hall
facing queries over our friendship with Jesus of Nazareth. Gibeon has made ‘peace’ with Israel. So
Gibeon will pay. How could they have been so foolish? They’ve been hoodwinked. There’s no love in
those people’s hearts, they’re just cold blooded killers. They’ll leave you and let you down in an instant.
We grow in faith and love, and old ‘friends’ have suddenly become distant, cold, agitated. They no
longer return our calls… Gibeon and Jerusalem were but six miles apart. I’m no longer invited over for
coffee…! Such is the cost of a disciple. Psalm 120: 7, “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for
war.” (1 Jn 3:13) “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”
“Satan divided against himself”: self destruction
Canaanite attacking Canaanite. Gibeon has broken rank and now light pours in. The Lord causes our
enemy to turn in upon himself, his own sword bringing him down. No house divided can stand. Luke
11:18, “If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?” The Southern
Confederacy would make an example of the royal city of Gibeon… ‘This is what happens when…’ They
never calculated that Israel would go to the trouble of aiding ‘the weasels’. Intimidated and enraged
against their own ‘kith and kin’ they only serve to accelerate their own destruction. “The Lord set every
man’s sword against his fellow” (Judges 7:22). You can expect that it’s Kramer versus Kramer. An act of
declaration of war is declared. The confederates intend to retake the city. This is their policy, this is
their doom. Thus is the suicidal nature of the powers of darkness. Deceiving and seducing spirits,
themselves deceived, intimidated and agitated, lose control and by brute force strike out against The
Lord’s people. Often when darkness begins to come against me I’ll whisper, ‘Don’t even think about it’
or ‘I wouldn’t if I were you’!
Jesus is Lord – but they think it’s their idea!
Chapter 11:20, “It was of The Lord to harden their hearts….that He might destroy them utterly”: the
sacred writer’s commentary by revelation on Israel’s military campaigns. Unseen to the human view,
unseen to human reason, The Lord engineered and used Gibeon’s deceit and Joshua’s mistake to prod
and provoke, hardening and stiffening the five confederate kings to sally out of their defensive positions
against Gibeon; I mean against Israel, I mean against… The Lord. They are resolved on revenge, blinded
to the truth that Israel’s God was doing the ‘resolving’ on their wicked hearts. A person becomes so
worked up, that they move this way or have to tell you their opinion… and oh, all is brought out into the
OPEN! In the winter of 1944, Hitler destroyed his ability to defend Germany and the Reich by using his
remaining forces to stand in defensive positions on the Rhine. Rather, he sent his men into ‘attack’, an
offensive, the Battle of the Bulge, etc, and failing to marshal them for defensive operations. The Lord is
Governor of the nations and of the nasty person’s heart at the end of the street – be patient. He is
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overseeing their downfall. Psalm 146:9, “…the way of the wicked He turneth upside down”. Psalm 9:16,
“…the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands”.
“Gibeon: ‘Come up to us quickly, and save us and help us…’ So Joshua ascended...”
When we are invited to help we are given a legitimate opportunity to do good – and destroy the
destroyer who is seeking to do bad. It’s access. We may see the need beforehand but have to await the
call for help. Often the felt need has to go deeper before an individual is able to humble themselves. Self
dependence and independence run deep in the human nature/psyche.
Besieged by the federation of five city kingdoms, Gibeon sees and perceives the trouble she is in. On the
basis of the non-aggression-pact-and-alliance to serve, submission is preferable in their eyes to
annihilation (though not in the estimation of the five kings). A messenger is sent down the mountain to
General Joshua at his HQ at Gilgal. The Holy Ghost has been preparing him for days unto this hour, a
feeling that something big was on its way. In his flesh he is nearly overwhelmed at what's coming up. Its
shadow is huge upon his soul… his mind begins to buckle… his nervous system edgy. The Lord is near.
He is rallied. His eyes quickly refocus to see the possibilities in this problem. ‘Joshua – we've been
given an opportunity here. They are out in the open. They’ve revealed their hand and overplayed
themselves. We've prayed for a ‘chance’ like this.’ The “fear them not” command of The Supreme Allied
Commander “girds up the loins of his mind”. He is assured that this is a fight he cannot fail to win, for
those who fight against the purposes of the Almighty will not succeed.
Abraham Lincoln as President elect leaves Springfield, Illinois, by train for Washington. In a speech he
declared: “Without the assistance of that Divine Being – I cannot succeed.
With that assistance I
cannot fail”. Joshua’s mind came into peace. He is ready. This time seeking the mind of Christ by Urim
and Thummim in a very earnest manner after the previous failure. The depression of such a formidable
aggressor lifts. He is inspired, energised, animated with a terrible capacity to strike with unrestrained
fury. Death on a pale horse is coming. The crimes of this guilty land would never be purged away but
with blood. When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 the British government declared it was
at war with Germany, as a friendly ally needing help the British responded to the call.
Speed: verse 9
In the strategic hour – get on with it. Do not dilly-dally, move quickly as lives are dependent on you.
The enemy is at the gate, making its troop dispositions. Joshua, with his handpicked warriors, travels
throughout the night in a ‘surprise’ attack upon the attackers. The confederation’s intelligence is
‘blinded’ by angels.
It may seem The Lord has waited a long time to act. When he does, to us it feels speedily and suddenly
(Ps 38:22, 102:2, 143:7; Lk 18:8). When we look back there will be evidence of a build up. In a journey
usually taking three days (9:17), the twenty-six miles are time compressed and, though tired, his men
are refreshed for the battle. One is chatting naturally and normally with a person and then suddenly,
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out of the blue, pray for them, thus catching the spirit upon them off guard. A week can be a long time
in church life. I've seen congregations moving along quite smoothly for years and then, suddenly, within
a month the congregation has completely changed. A Pharisee has been dealt with, the sword has cut
away dead branches, a confederated assault has been destroyed…
“I have delivered them into thine hand… Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly”
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in The Lord, and in the power of His might”. The promise is not to lead
you into passivity, sit back and let God be God! Laziness has no place in the kingdom of God, however
pious it sounds. Though it is our activity, The Lord provides the power for the activity. It is a perfect
blending of His power and my activity. He strengthens us. He doesn’t completely remove our
responsibility out of our hands. We fight and He inspires, helps, succours, leads, empowers… “Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Rom 8:26). He does not remove our weakness but aids us in our
humanity. Revelation 12:11, “They overcame”! It’s electric; everything is keyed up. You can do things
which you could not possibly have done when you were miserable and doubtful and unhappy. “For the
people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Dan 11:32). Gibeon knew nothing of
this unseen aid from The Lord of Hosts. They would need visible, physical assistance. It came in the
form of General Joshua and “the mighty men of valour”. They had practised, prayed, trained, praised,
obeyed, trusted...“for such a time as this”.
The mighty men of valour
“The just shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38). Our whole life is Christ; our whole life is based on trust in The
Lord. All I am, all I do, all I say, I have no secularised department separated off. I have no reason-based
area just for me. These men lived for God, they lived for Israel, they lived for Joshua. They believed who
and what they were. They also trained hard, practised swordsmanship and sling-shooting, battle
formations, and all the regular skills related to success in a military engagement (Judges 20:16; 1 Chr 5:18).
Physically, mentally, spiritually these were ‘mighty men’. Their arms strong, their legs swift, their
armour polished, their tactics honed. Bottom line… without The Lord, a weaker enemy physically and
militarily would still win the day because the demon power energy inspiring and motivating ‘them’
would be conveyed against and upon the Israelite soldier. Psychologically his morale would be eroded
and half-heartedness would grip his being. A form of paralysis would follow – doubt and fear
undermining his ability and agility, questioning his cause, querying his leader’s strategy. We are
soldiers. We serve in an army as real as Joshua’s men, as David’s men, as the disciples, as Paul’s
companions (Phil 2:25, 2 Tim 2:3-4, Philemon v 2).
A long walk on a bike… The valiant as “co-labourers with God”
Walking through Durham, an older gentleman came up to me. “It’s a great day for going on a long walk
on a bike, see you lad”, he said, and off he went. A parable of the Christian walk and warfare. I’m
walking – but I’m on a bike. A combination and cooperation of activity and mobility. I am working and
yet the bike is carrying! Those warriors fought, empowered and emboldened by the Spirit. He suffused
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their being with moral courage, assuring the sanctity of their conflict. Iron entered their soul; actual
power flowed into their bodies - their usual might increased and multiplied with the “power of His
might”. The skilful were MORE skilful. The sharpened blade used with MORE strength, the shield held
with MORE grip, the stone and javelin thrown with MORE accuracy and penetration, the awareness of
supernatural potents all helping them, an assurance of Divine and heavenly aid. This garrisoned and
girded Joshua’s warrior host. To be a person of “valour” – a man or woman of valour; valiant, mighty,
forceful, strong, chosen, famous, stout - all flavours of the Hebrew word. It’s what Balaam saw, “Israel
shall do valiantly” (Num 24:18). The cooperation song of praise, “Through God we shall do valiantly; for
He it is that shall tread down our enemies” (Ps 60:12 and 108:13. Also Ps 118:15-16).
We do what we can, and then stop and let The Lord make up the gap, make up the deficit, make up the
numbers. I may have twenty thousand and they have eighty thousand, but I still take to the field of
battle because my unseen One more than makes up the sixty thousand shortfall. I may have five loaves
and two fish but I still invite the multitudes to sit on the grass because the One with me will more than
make up the lunch for two folk to twenty thousand. One with The Lord is always in the majority. Elisha
prayed “Lord open his eyes”. The prophet versus an Assyrian army; pity the army! (2 Kgs 6)
As the prophets, who are said to have “waxed valiant in fight” (Heb 11), the valiant “stand in the evil
day”. Joshua is not frightened by what his senses register. As humans, there is an initial cold shower
sensation but his composure remains, the sights and sounds of ugly and vicious, animalistic, deformed,
blood-thirsty war-painted beasts arrayed against him at Gibeon will not cause him to turn his back and
flee the scene of confrontation. There is no need to be alarmed, no reason to be frightened. When we are
frightened we are running away. ‘I just can't face it/him’. On our own – too true, but with the Almighty
– straightforward. Unpleasant it may be, but ordered and straightforward. “And in nothing terrified by
your adversaries” (Phil 1:28). “The sword of The Lord and of…(your name)”! You are not a chocolate
soldier. Stand your ground, stand for your inheritance – in Christ, stand for Jesus! As we do, the whole
of Heaven’s fighting resources will stand and fight with us. “The Lord discomforted…before Israel”. The
Lord and Israel, Israel and The Lord - where does the one begin and the other end?! As a hand in a
glove, as a head to a body, as an arm to a sword; The Lord crushes His enemies – yet Israel is the killing
machine. “I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions” (Lk 10:19); as the superimposing
of His hand over and upon ours.
Thunder and lightning poured down upon the assembled hosts of Canaanites first of all, disrupting their
battle formations - they are reduced to a mass of men. This was no ordinary weather front because it
only fell upon and disturbed the enemy. The flashes blinded them, the thunder deafened them – all
became a blur. Some modern armies use huge loudspeakers, unnerving their opponent and depriving
them of rest and sleep. Even before they can strike a blow back - the confederacy are in an awful state of
psychological disruption. The suddenness, the war shout, the weather attack, where are our ‘gods’? They
were long gone! Numbers 14:9, “Only rebel not ye against The LORD, neither fear ye the people of the
land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and The Lord is with us: fear them
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not.” This is what a battle looks like when the enemy’s defences are gone from them. It’s extraordinarily
one-sided, not that they gave up immediately – for the battle raged throughout the day (Judges 4:15,
5:20; 1 Sam 7:10; Ps 18:13-14, 144:6).
The Lord brings forth this day a mind boggling array of weaponry, all designed to disrupt and destroy –
darkness. Next, the hornet. No wonder an aeroplane has been given this name! The discomfort as
bullet-like wasp/bee creatures swarmed over and upon Gibeon’s besiegers; they never stood a chance.
Exodus 23:28, “And I will send hornets before thee…which shall drive out…the Canaanites…from before
thee” (Deut 7:20; Josh 24:12).
Their sting was as deadly as a unicorn, like arrows, and intelligent, knowing the exact place to strike;
venomous. As a heavenly air force, the 633 mosquito squadron rained mayhem, bringing a huge
demoralising power. It seemed like the whole of nature was conspiring against them… and it was! If we
multiply Ai’s twelve thousand, times five armies, we have at least sixty thousand Canaanite warriors. At
the battle’s end in excess of 95% had fallen. The bloodiest engagements in the American Civil War saw
25% casualties. The Second World War 18% casualties. Nothing had ever been witnessed like this – it
was not normal! It was not human. It was not natural. Fight God – and lose. Stand with The Lord and
win, and win BIG. This is overwhelming odds. To the valiant of Israel, it felt like ‘mopping up’ as much
as striking down. To the powers of darkness, their worst nightmare – decimation. Their best and
bravest was no more than ‘manure for the field’. In the strategic hour of advance, standing in our
inheritance and wielding the sword of the Spirit in humility and obedience, we would be staggered to
see in the Spirit. Dozens and dozens of ‘spirits’, hurtle as skittles at the bowling alley into a fiery
judgement abyss. “The Lord cast down great stones from Heaven”, now the heavy artillery begins to
operate. Retreating to the West, the Canaanites are running for their lives. This is a rout…, it is no
ordered retreat, it is every man for himself. Downcast, every man is a visible proof of disaster. Now huge
hailstones drop upon the enemy, big enough to kill a man. Speeding missiles as stone blasting into soft
flesh; it’s horrific (Ex 9:22-26; Job 38:22-23). Exhausted, but chasing the enemy, not one Israelite is hit
by the shower of hail. Up the rocky and rugged path the Canaanites fled, above them bursting with
irresistible fury as cluster bomb shock and awe. On the Rhine in 1492, an icy hailstone was found 260lb
in weight. The natural / supernatural ice-balls machine guns down the enemy in merciless timing and
precision. More perished from The Lord’s direct action, than from the skill of Israel’s sword.
Our efforts are always superseded by His efforts. Your enemy has been bluffing you, and used our
natural caution against us. Call its bluff. You’ll be shocked at the help of Heaven. We are His personal
concern so we can throw the whole weight of anxiety upon Him. If we wait until we feel completely
competent and ready, we’ll never move! It’s what the enemy wants us to think! He is seeking to compel
us to accept his/its appraisal of the situation. It’s time to move, your move will have a pulverising
impact. Be gone nervous uncertainty! The Lord is creating for us a respectable pretext for action. That
suffering and oppression ends here, neutrality is over, you’ve tried to limit the war – but it’s gone
beyond the acceptable. Iron will is the order of the day. A leisurely sort of war is no longer acceptable.
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How hopeless is the case of those who have The Lord as their enemy
Rows and rows of holy warriors march toward the unorganised mass. As Israel cuts down the first
casualties - half-man, half-beast monstrosities - shrieks of spirit paralleled with the physical scene.
Senior princes have quickly rushed off to survive another day. As a rainstorm, the thunder blasts the
opposer, angels are readied with their ballistic missiles and Gibeon’s men observe in awe upon the city’s
parapets. Consider a tank driving through a daisy field. As the daisy to the 62-ton Challenger tank, so was
the Canaanite to the Israelite on this day of her most glorious triumph. Hopeless, hope – less, is the plight
of all those that oppose Him. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Heb 10:31).
The Lord is prepared to halt Heaven and earth to fulfil His will – for us
Joshua 10:12-21. There are about one hundred and fifty miracles recorded in the Bible in three
particular seasons: Moses and the Egyptians; Elijah and Elisha; our Lord and the disciples. Is there a
more staggering miracle of power and faith than this? Probably not! Joshua stops the sun! So keen is
the General to pursue the fleeing Canaanites, to finish off the job of death and judgement, that he calls
on The Lord to stop time so that the enemy could not escape in the cover of a fast falling night. That the
Holy Ghost made an impulse into Joshua’s mind and spirit, there is no doubt. This was no sudden good
idea. Triumph must be total, and pouring forth from The Lord’s servant a prophecy, poem, prayer, song
is placed before the throne. It is so in line with Heaven’s earnestness to achieve, that the Almighty
pushes a pause button on the universe. For the next 24 hours the sun stands in the same spot; a spot
most conducive to blind the Canaanites as they ran; the most perfect position to support Israel and
slaughter Canaanites. The enemy had set its last ‘ray’ of hope upon the setting of the sun. That day it
didn’t set. The end! (Ex 10:22; Judges 5:20; Job 9:7; Isa 38:8; Dan 4:35; Zech 14:7; Matt 2) It was
easier to The Lord than the stopping of a watch or the brakes on a train.
The burning flame in Joshua’s heart
This is not personal revenge; no satisfying of personal feelings, or grievances or quarrels; not the thirst
for blood or the ego of a warrior’s pride for serious pain. To act like that risks us losing our stewardship
(1 Cor 4:1-2). He is carrying out the will of another, inflicting a sentence as a judge, and inflicting it so
thoroughly that there might be no need for a constant stream of executions upon executions. The speed
and severity would make it easier – later. Psalm 69:9, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (Jn
2:17; 2 Cor 9:2; Col 4:13; Titus 2:14). Joshua is consumed with a white-hot disciplined passion for the
honour of The Lord; for some of The Lord’s greatest acts in the earth have been to destroy the wicked:
The Flood, Sodom, Pharaoh and here at Beth-horon. As Joshua grew in spirit he became more fierce - a
killing machine - yet in his heart there was not hardness but compassion. There was a soft edge to him
but he remained completely ruthless in his execution of Heaven’s purpose. Paul the apostle is called a
‘front liner’ of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5). The Roman army moved by three lines of soldiers.
The ‘Hastati’ were at the front. They engaged the enemy first. In ‘spirit’, Joshua led from the front. He
lived to please The Lord.
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It’s the end of the world
Capturing five kings, they are imprisoned in a ‘cave’ until he has time to return and deal with them. The
coming of the kingdom through Israel and General Joshua that ‘day’ was a mini microcosm second
coming of The Lord Jesus. At the head of row upon row of saints and angels, He will descend from
Heaven “…and out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations”, “and
then shall that wicked be revealed, whom The Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth…”, “…and
the kings of the earth…in dens…and in the rocks of the mountains….And said… hide us from the face of
Him…”(2 Thess 2:8; Rev 6:15-16, 19:15). “The Lord my God shall come…at evening time it shall be
light” (Zech 14:7). “He is clothed in a vesture, dipped in blood”… (Rev 19:13). “…and their blood shall be
sprinkled upon my garments” (Isa 63:3). “For The Lord shall rise up…he shall be wroth as in the valley of
Gibeon…” (Isa 28:21). The evil one is imprisoned and the world begins to be subdued, if Egypt does not
acknowledge The Lord Jesus as ‘king of the earth’ she shall have no rain (Isa 13:6-9; Zech 14; Rev 20).
Decisive action that shows no mercy on our enemies
The Christian’s foes largely consist of the world, the flesh and the devil. Joshua’s burning desire is our
heavenly Joshua’s burning desire. God has given, we endeavour to obtain, and a tribe-foe blocks the
way. We possess the land/Lord and all He longs to impart to us as inheritance. But not by carefree,
casual, careless attitudes. Nothing is automatic – diligence places all under the sword.
1. The world, in its value systems, opinion, reason, goals, attitudes, pride, dominations, antichrist hate.
This world – it owes us nothing and we owe the world nothing…we are not in its debt. It rests under the
Father’s judgement, it is passing away. Where in my lifestyle am I conformed to the ways and wisdom of
this ‘present evil world’ that conflicts with our devotion ‘to that which is above’?!
2. The flesh, all that is I, body, soul, mind or spirit that uses me against me! A bodily appetite or mental
delight that refuses to allow in, or bend the knee to, The Lordship of Christ. ‘I did it my way’. Our ‘flesh’
refuses to lay down its weapons and meekly surrender its desires. We owe the flesh nothing. We are not
in debt to our body! It cries for comfort or leniency but needs to be severely dealt with. “If thy hand
offends thee – cut it off”. “Mortifying therefore your members”. Our faculties, tongue, mind, hands,
eyes, sexual organs, feet, ears are as weapons which must not fall into the enemy’s hands to be used
against us. Let our bodies be weapons of righteousness. I, in my God-given personality; “yet not I”, my
ego, self that contradicts Christ and seeks the throne, “but Christ liveth in me” (Gal 2:20). So dominated
and suffused by the Spirit that Jesus is achieving His will and ways in and through me – without
destroying – ‘I’!
3. The devil – and his evil, wicked, unclean, anti-Christ hordes, obeying his instructions; entrenched in
the world; seeking to resist the individual by oppression, suppression, possession, depression; hides in
religious set ups; and hates you with a passion. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” It’s what's
behind, the other voice, the energy that hits and hurts as a flaming arrow - insinuation and
intimidation, guilt and fear, an opposer and accuser, a hinderer. To overcome the world and the flesh is
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to overcome the devil as he is energising all that stands in our way. You shall not go to the cross - “get
thee behind me Satan” (Matt 16:23). “Be ye angry, and sin not…neither give place to the devil” (Eph
4:26). The inappropriate anger affords a base of operations, a beachhead into our hearts and homes
against us. Whether you are locked or blocked, revelation will disclose a dark malicious foe behind it. Be
alert, discern the situation accurately and use the word-sword by the Spirit in a considered manner
(Rom 6; 7; Eph 2:1-4, Eph 5 – 6; Col 1 - 3).
“Put your feet upon the necks of these kings”
Joshua 10:24. The world, flesh and devil, seeks our indulgence. It doesn’t want to be humiliated. It does
not want to lose its authority. It does not want to die. It will squirm and reason, shout and ball, claim
injustice, call for tolerance; ‘please, please be kind, forgiving’, offering deals and pacts, telling lies. Keep
your mind drenched in the word and Spirit. Deuteronomy 20:16, “Thou shalt save alive nothing that
breatheth.” To take pity - poor kings, poor flesh – is to give ourselves a self-inflicted wound. No
commanding officer is going to appreciate that. We make ourselves weaker and unavailable for action.
Our call is to dispose of prisoners of war that we have taken captive. They/it deserves no mercy; it
deserves death and separation from The Lord. Ours is a complete victory through our Lord’s cross.
Resurrection, ascension, exaltation and sending of the Spirit.
The five hanging bodies display His spoiling and shaming of the powers of darkness (2 Sam 22:38-51,
esp v 41; Ps 110; Mal 4:3; Col 2:15). As in the Roman triumphal procession of a returning general, The
Lord Jesus has made a public spectacle of his enemies leading the prisoners and slaves through the
city’s streets (Deut 33:29; 2 Cor 2:14-16; Heb 2). The Lord, by stopping the sun and hanging the kings,
makes a mockery of His enemy. This is not only death and defeat – but humiliation also. The ‘demon
gods’ of the Canaanites are worshipped in the form of deifying the sun and acknowledging their kingpriests as gods among men. How The Lord rejoiced to bring to a stop these very earthly and heavenly
powers. What perplexity and confusion it invoked in the enemy camp (Deut 7:2-3; 2 Pet 2:9).
Dangerous enemies are not to be handled gently (Ps 21:8, 91:13, 149:7-9; Eph 1:22). It’s a crowning
glory to bring “punishments upon the people... This honour have all his saints” (Deut 32:43; 1 Sam 15;
Ps 105:22, 149). Saul spared Agag to his own ruin. When there is a sword in your hand do not flinch
from fully using it and completing the present work at hand. Resemble Joshua. Placing the bodies in a
cave, we keep secure and as ‘secret’ as possible the ones that have been slain. Church discipline must be
conducted in a tight and private manner. Announcements must be brief and general. None of the
Canaanites could come and recover the bodies and honour them. They are shown the utter impossibility
of a successful resistance, but hate will continue to drive them to their downfall.
The Lord loses patience with English Christianity
In March and April 2008 we saw in England, The Lord Jesus with fiery, angry eyes turn His back on
‘English Christianity’. That is: soft, convenient, comfortable, mental-assent only, pious, externallycentred, flesh-based, unbelieving, self-willed, veneer, pharisaical, not counting the cost, effeminate,
unclean, form of godliness, words only, anything goes profession of adherence to the moral framework
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of neutered Christianity. He turned away His eyes. No more. We were under His attentions and
inspections. Time had run out. Candlesticks were quickly removed, congregations were humbled. “He
that hath an ear – let him hear”. “Fear not…be strong and of good courage” (Josh 10:25). The Lord
rejects those who reject Him. The Lord rejects ‘that’ which rejects Him. For a time He calls and then
suddenly – stops. We then receive our due!
Faith gave the whole business its cutting edge
When I pray for the sick or the oppressed or the burdened or the rejected, it doesn’t occur to me that the
prayer will not be answered. It just doesn’t enter my head. God is good – all the time – revealed in Jesus
Christ. His one anointing comes upon us to help and love others in His name. That’s it. Full stop. Faith’s
expectation appropriates the resources of the throne (Josh 21:45). William Penn was a friend to the
North American Red Indians. They gifted him with all the land he could walk over in a day. Today that
area/land is called the City of Pennsylvania! For the promise was: “every place that the sole of your foot
shall tread upon that have I given unto you” (Josh 1:3). Be that foot upon lords or land. The strong were
once weak! Weakness is fine. Wilfulness is always a problem.
Big foot
My shoe size is 9!, but I hope my feet are growing! ‘Among the alien corn’ there’s always more! No
more delay, no more fuzziness of purpose… Do not allow what's behind to tie what lies before in
vigorous offensive warfare.
Winter wonderland
With that amount of hail-ice thrown upon the routed Canaanites, the whole area had the appearance of
an Arctic scene. This affected the temperature, so Israel were ‘cool’ as they killed! It is indicative of a
‘cold indifference’ that comes upon the man of God when he must slay God’s enemies. There is no redhot passion outburst; all is still, measured, cold-blooded, almost technical and certainly calculated. In
the Matrix films and Spiderman films, the ‘heroes’ enter a world by their powers paralleling our own.
All is slowed down so that bullets and bombs speed toward them in slow motion providing them with
ample space and time to avoid danger and execute their own response. Time is relative. The
professional footballer seems to have more time to turn and shoot the ball toward the goal. The
professional driver seems to have more time to make critical decisions in braking, passing,
manoeuvring.
With the standing still of the sun, the Israeli soldier enjoyed a time and space to destroy the Canaanite
not unlike these combatants in Hollywood films. “…and great fear came upon all the church – and upon
as many as heard these things… and of the rest durst no men join himself to them, but the people
magnified them.” As Joshua and Israel looked upon tens of thousands of the enemy cut and crushed,
the fear of The Lord settled down upon them: a respect and reassurance, for this was no sixty minutes of
entertainment to them. As Ananias and Sapphira’s bodies are carried out for burial, this was no church
of soulish entertainment… it was a church/people to be feared. What will be seen if I go to that place/
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people? I'd better stay away, there’s a cost, there’s ‘another presence’ there I’m not ready yet to face…
for if I’m not right, I could be the next exposed and dealt with.
In the strategic hour there is a silence – which is deafening
When the children of Israel left Egypt, no dogs’ tongues barked against them. The slaughter of almost sixty
thousand ‘men’ - a Gettysburg, a Waterloo - “none moved his tongue against any of the children of
Israel” (Josh 10:21). The vultures tucked into their frozen meat, theirs was the only sound at the
battlefield. An unusual quietness is upon us when The Lord has acted in such a decisive manner. A silence
descends, no enemy or friendly voice is raised in opposition. It’s too obvious that this is the Almighty’s
work. No one dare risk speaking against His activity. There was no criticism or loose talking, no
humanistic, philosophical claptrap. All minds and mouths were subdued. As the lions in Daniel’s den “his
angel…hath shut the lions’ mouths…that they have not hurt me” (Ps 63:11; Isa 33:14; Dan 6:22; Acts 4:14).
Examine the power that works to keep your life and church from development
New wine needs new wineskins, flexibility to breathe, move, grow, expand. If the skin is not oiled it
becomes hard, brittle, immovable, fixed, rigid, and all is wasted. The kingdom must grow, the seed must
develop; increase is normal. Stagnation is not. The Canaanites were fighting to maintain the status quo.
They wished all to remain as it was, as it had been for hundreds of years. They were comfortable and at
ease in their way of life. Heaven had been watching and now is the hour. It’s wise to move in Heaven’s
hour! Discernment to see and weigh up what is fixed and what must be flexible. Our slavery and
sacrifices, uncleanness and idolatry, our particular way of life. ‘We will fight you, we will resist you to
maintain and hold on to it. Our forefathers passed it down to us, our gods witness it’s you that must be
destroyed.’ What oppression is stopping us moving on in faith, power, purity, love? What is the
hindrance? Who is your Canaanite? What stronghold, structure is causing a withholding, a delay, an
injury, an interruption (Gen 24:56; Neh 4:8; Rom 15:22; 1 Cor 9:12; 1 Thess 2:18; 1 Pet 3:7; 2 Pet 3:4).
“All things continue as they were”. The lying creed of God’s enemies. The enemy risks everything in
trying to keep all to stay as it is. But as sugar in hot water, it weakens and dissolves before them. They
were fast losing control; and raged against the light. “You were running well, who cut in on you and thus
hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from the one that calls you”, Ken Wuest’s
paraphrase of Galatians 5:7-8. The picture is of driving on the road and a mad person pulls in close in
front of you. Originally the word was a military term for breaking up a road or destroying bridges to
stop the forward advance of an invading army (Lk 5:37-39). The new, the fresh, awaits us. Who or what
stops us enjoying? (Ps 92:10; Isa 42:9, 43:18-21; Acts 2) When new comes, the present, however good or
fruitful it has been, is now the old and must aggressively be released. We suffer if we hesitate.
Part of our strength consists in the enemy’s weakness
General Braxton Bragg during the American Civil War commanded coastal defences around the Florida
peninsular. He saw danger. If the North struck hard at Mobile – he did not see how the place could be
defended. He added: “Our strength consists in the enemy’s weakness”. Weakness of intent, that is. The
Federals had all the power they needed if they used it vigorously. The Canaanites had been attacked the
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day before by hornets, the Royal Air Force, disrupting and disturbing; their venom weakening mind and
body. Then thunder deafened them and lightning struck them as fiery missiles out of a cloudless sky.
This is before the Israelite warrior had actually struck a blow. The enemy is weakened and worn down
before us. It does not all depend on our arm! However firm and fearsome we believe that which resists
our advance and growth in Christ Jesus, it is already on the back foot and its peace is disturbed. It is
reactive not proactive. Forward movement has provoked a response and the head of the tortoise
disappears! (2 Sam 3:1; Job 12:21; Eccl 9:11; Isa 14:10; Heb 7:18)
Even before they had left their five cities, their minds had been experiencing an enfeebling process.
They huffed and bluffed themselves out of it, but for some unexplained reason in facing this foe, they
were somewhat unnerved (Jer 49:24, 50:43; Ezek 7:17; 21:5-7). Routed and on the run, Israel pursues;
“stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies” (Josh 10:19), holy aggression seeking to enforce and exploit
every opportunity. God’s people are opportunists. They never miss a ‘chance’ to do damage to our
spiritual foe. In the time of rain ask for more rain. When Goliath is unconscious on the floor, cut his
head off. When the jailer is stunned and shaking from an earthquake and asks what he must do ‘to be
saved’, open the mouth and proclaim “believe on The Lord Jesus” (Judges 7:23-25; Ps 18:37; Acts 16).
Often times we enter a situation and the darkness, knowing what is coming, has already run for it. We
possess by dispossessing. The more darkness is banished, the greater our inheritance (Amos 2:14-16).
Moving to the Southlands, the Negev, a massive swathe of territory accrued to God’s people. Within that
land, city strongholds required specific subduing. This was accomplished extraordinarily quickly in one
continuous campaign (10:42). Lachish is taken on the ‘second’ day of siege attack. A notably stubborn
fortress: 2 Chronicles 32:9; Jeremiah 34:7. Some enemies are stronger than others - more senior, more
wicked, more entrenched through time. A new housing development will provide easier fruit than a
village dating back hundreds of years. The older a place, the more ‘time’ and opportunity the spirits
have had to establish their defences – through disease, death, unbelief, trauma, immorality, witchcraft.
There is a greater intensity and weight of darkness in some physical and spiritual locations “where
Satan’s seat is” (Rev 2:13), and where there is a “synagogue of Satan” (Rev 2:9).
A greater effort is needed to overcome some elements of our fleshy nature than others. We came to
“faith” and how quickly attitudes and actions were transformed, but not all! Some of our sinful and
disobedient traits have proved to be more of a stubborn nature. They do not fall on the first day, but
maybe on the second day, after more hard graft and wearing down. Be persistent and patient - all will
fall to the word and the Spirit. The enemy does not always readily admit defeat, we may need to force
the issue, to push, press, fight and wrestle. We will feel The Lord’s indignation and indication upon us.
This is no personal or private conflict. Hebron is taken, and has to be retaken in Chapter 15. ‘I thought
that was overcome in my life – now I face it again!’ We relaxed and didn’t watch sufficiently and the old
original oppression, sin, spirit is re-established in our heart and body. ‘I thought I had overcome that
jealousy, and it’s still upon me.’ Some character attitudes have gone beyond just our natural character
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and have been strengthened and exacerbated by spirit. Numbers 5:14, “the spirit of jealousy”. This can
also be true regarding our bodies and weaknesses. (Matt 12:43-45; Mk 9:17, 9:25; Lk 13:12; 1 Tim 4:1;
2 Tim 1:7; 1 Jn 4:6; Rev 16:13, 18:2)
“Pursue…” “and your feet shod” “they were swifter than eagles”
Joshua 10:19; 2 Samuel 1:23; Ephesians 6:15. When the hour of kingdom advancement is upon us, one
must move very fast: speed is of the essence. It’s harvest time – then all else ceases so we can
concentrate with all speed and strength upon the ingathering. It’s the opportunity window, the season,
the hour, the moment “God giveth the increase”. We are prepared. Our shoes are on our feet. We are
readied. The Christian, as the Roman soldier, is continuously wearing the breastplate, the girdle and his
shoes. Going into battle, he affixes the helmet, shield, and sword which are not permanent attachments
to the body. We do not operate in permanent power or exhaustion will follow in a week. Acts 3: Peter
was given a commission, the prayer of faith at that moment. An hour before, he was going about his
‘regular kingdom duties’. In an hour when folk have been prepared by The Spirit to hear, an openness,
a “door of utterance”, walk through it, take hold of it with both hands, ‘seize the day’. Be bold. I had a
vision of Jools Holland and his music with an arrow pointing to Revelation 22:17, for music of all
descriptions and from all kinds of folk can be used to send forth the call of the Spirit and the church. It
will be very fruitful. It’s His strategy and tactic to assist in taking the cities in the North East of England.
Take advantage of your advantages. The iron, it’s hot – strike!
With thousands dead on the battlefield and but a distressed remnant scurrying into the cities, the
strongholds were virtually defenceless. They were easy prey to Joshua’s twelve tribe armies (Song of Sol
6:4, 10). He leaves two cities until later, guided by The Spirit’s wisdom.
Mobile
The fixed fortifications of fort and trenches made way for cavalry and tanks. One now could move and
‘outflank’ the adversary. No heavy-footed activity, slumbering along, dragging our feet: quickness is
needed, discarding of traditionalism and empty forms. Saul’s armour is too heavy for a David-church, it
had to go. Our strength is our confidence in The Lord’s name and in our relationship to Him responding to His every suggestion, movement and stimulus. This requires adaptability and elasticity.
It’s difficult to stop that which has borne some fruit, but must be replaced for more fruitfulness. Joshua,
Alexander, Cromwell, Patton - they were not encumbered from moving rapidly to exploit breakthrough
and breaches in enemy defences. They educated and trained men in this way. Our head will be spinning
from the rapid change of direction as, like a swift sailing craft, we move from right to left and back to
right again. Our head may be swimming but our heart will be rejoicing that we are personally caught up
in a destiny work of God.
A straightforward but classic example
My sister, Helen, daughter, Libi, and granddaughter, baby Grace, came to the house in Washington for
a weekend. Helen had a mild agitation and aggression upon her and Libi had an extremely bad sore
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throat. After two days in the home, they were both back to normal - how come? The physical weakness
and spiritual oppression had moved off them. Provoked by light, it had come against me. A junior spirit
from Cumbria assaulted me while sitting in my living room. Twice in a few seconds a vicious slap-like
hit on the left hand side of my head – hitting the helmet of salvation. Stopping everything, I prayed it
away, maintaining the presence of the “God of peace” among us. This is our covenanted heritage. A
scream was heard as it was dragged away. Within minutes, Helen was feeling substantially improved.
Provoked by light, the spirit had exposed itself to battle and therefore inevitable destruction, as the
Canaanites – exactly. I began suffering with a sore throat as Libi’s eased. It too lifted quite naturally
after 24 hours. Unclean, immoral, idolatrous, murderous spirit is agitated and provoked by the presence
of the Holy Spirit abiding upon the people of God. Leaving their city protection they commit suicide in
facing Israel in open combat. That anger, strife, contention, bitterness – something is showing its true
colours. It’s a pirate ship which you are about to engage and blow out of the water.
“And Joshua returned…unto Gilgal”
Joshua 10:43. Out to battle, back to Gilgal, out to battle – back home to base. “In and out and find
pasture”. Gilgal, the place of remembering – who we are, where we've come from, whose we are and
that the reproach of our youth has been rolled away. “From subtle love of softening things, from easy
choices weakenings, from all that dims thy Calvary, O Lamb of God deliver me”. The spoil of battles
fought and won ‘heaved up to The Lord’. There must have been some partying in the House of The Lord
as Joshua “rehearsed all that God had done with them” (Num 31:32-41; Acts 14:27). We are not called to
a rootless existence, a man with a suitcase; we need a place called Gilgal-home.
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Joshua Chapter Eleven
The scene shifts north. An even stronger confederacy of city kings is formed with the sole purpose of
withstanding Israel’s further forward movement. Joshua has developed an ability to take immediate
and devastating advantage of his foe’s mistakes. Their coming together was a strange logic. It helped
Israel’s ‘cause’ mightily, simply because it enormously increased the value of the prize that could be
won. The enemy was frustrated by the reports its intelligence agency was receiving. When you are
frustrated you see things as they are not! The power of God would be brought to the point of contact and
unflinchingly applied. One side or the other would be reduced to a smashed and shivering wreck. Each
side expected to be victorious. One was deceived. King Jabin was historically known for his knowledge
and intelligence. Coming up from Hazor near Lake Merom, this time his intelligence would fail him.
They gathered in a place that would give ample scope for their chariots to do their dastardly scything
work. It would make no difference to the outcome (Job 15:26; Ps 91:1; Eccl 9:11; Act 20:1-4). We are
hotly contested and challenged, but it is against The Lord. To challenge Him is to bring ruin upon our
own heads however great the host is against us. Josephus (the historian) gives us the numbers as
300,000 footmen, 10,000 horsemen and 20,000 chariots. Israel were on foot (Deut 17). As far as the
eye could see, the plain is darkened by countless squadrons of the enemy. Intending to move down the
Jordan valley they are outwitted by the activity of Joshua. A mass has gathered but are not yet
marshalled into battle formations. Israel has already travelled north for four days when the General
received a personal message of assurance from the Supreme Allied Commander “For tomorrow…” (Josh
11:6; Job 5:13; Ps 33:10; Prov 11:21, 31:30).
Joshua sets out to face – tomorrow
Tomorrow casts a shadow on – today. Its paralysis takes grip of the timorous and fearful. On a natural
level it would be quite legitimate and to be expected. Such a huge host was designed to cause alarm and
dispirit an opponent. If we are sent to an area, town, or city, no matter that 90% of the population are
witches and jezebels, you will prevail. Joshua is favoured with a renewal of promise. Joshua is flesh and
blood. He is cautioned not to be afraid. “Trust me for I am with you”. He never promises more than He
is able to perform (1 Thess 5:24; Heb 10:23; 2 Pet 1:4). When the yachtsman perceives God working by
stirring the becalmed air with a breeze, he is encouraged and hoists his sails (2 Tim 1:6). Faith’s
persuasion has three elements: to trust in God, to obey His will, and to resist all that is opposed to it.
We are not onlookers but overcomers, pillars not caterpillars (Jn 13:17). When the General faced his
assault – though the men and equipment were ready and prepared and in place - in his heart, he
depended on another. We drive the safest vehicle we can afford but I do not depend on it to keep me
alive. We advertise the church but I do not depend on it to draw the lost.
What is impressive to men – is an abomination to The Lord
Later Israel herself would use chariots - big, impressive to the natural mind, a cathedral mentality. It
will never help us. The many and the strong is worldly, Egyptian dependence. It will fail us (1 Kg 4:26;
Ps 31:16-17; Isa 31:1; Lk 16:15; Jn 12:43). I wouldn’t give ten pence to purchase Durham Cathedral! We
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will not depend on what the enemy is depending on for victory. Oppression, manipulation, fear, anger,
division, jealousy, brashness, threatenings, blackmail, gimmicks, reputations, money, intimidation,
compromise, seduction….and on and on. No place exists in the kingdom of God for horses and chariots.
The General receives detailed instructions from Heaven to destroy all the enemy’s equipment. The
horses must not be allowed to be used against them again. They have no need for them. Sinews and
arteries of the back legs are cut, the hamstring, crippling and making them lame. Some bleed to death.
This was an agricultural people (Ps 20:7). This was a spiritual people. Such was the uncleanness of the
whole land that their very animals have demon power within them. Ceremonial idolatrous acts occurred
between humans and animals.
Like a thunderbolt
Joshua and Israel’s armies, walking swiftly and ‘lightly’ through the night, fall upon the massive host
like a lawnmower upon a teddy. The Northern alliance collapses instantly as a pack of cards. For forty
miles in various directions, Israel’s warriors pursue and chase down the enemy. There was no ‘murder’
in any man’s eyes. This was careful and deliberate, as the reaping of a harvest. The soldiers’ minds were
lifted up beyond themselves. This is a ‘holy war’. The Lord Himself “is a man of war” and “mighty in
battle” (Ex 15:3; Lev 18; Ps 24:8). The very physical land, the earth itself, vomited out the unclean
inhabitants. Heaven and earth as a pincer movement, and Israel as his toilet brush. So complete was the
defeat that the enemy did not strike one blow! This Israelite army is unlike any other. They are The
Invincibles – literally. The promise always was, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all
the days of thy life” (Deut 7:24, 11:25, 28:7; Josh 1:5, 10:8, 21:44). “There stood not a man of all their
enemies before them” (Josh 23:9; Ps 44:5; Lk 10:19; Rom 8:37; 1 Jn 3:4; Rev 15:2).
As Israel valiantly approached this puss-bag of evil, holy angels surrounded the perimeter. Just before
the clash, the angels crashed into men and demons that possessed and inspired them. The effect was a
winding, as a ‘Joe Calzaghe punch’ to the stomach. Stunned, their minds reeled as a drunken man.
Disorientation followed. For the holy warriors, it was as the cutting down of a vomiting drunkard
staggering down the street - ludicrously easy. All was a train wreck. “He maketh them to stagger like a
drunken man” (Job 12:25). “As a drunken man staggereth in his vomit” (Isa 19:14; 29:8-9). “The dregs
of the cup of my fury” (Isa 51:21-22; 63:6). “The cup of astonishment and desolation” (Ezek 23:33;
Nahum 1:10; 1 Cor 9:26-27; Rev 17:2).
You are the one being an irritant to the enemy. The Northern alliance “heard these things”, v 1, their
response is a reaction. What emotional wearying pressure we experience when we are the speck of dust
in an adversary’s eye, or a small stone in a foe’s shoe - most unpleasant. A blame-game commences,
misunderstanding and mistrust quickly follow. The salt and light upon us provokes, as Samson
deliberately picking a confrontation (Judges 14:1-4). We may antagonise those nearest to us (Matt
10:34-35; Lk 14:26).
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Jabin and Hazor are finished
The senior men and the senior city are destroyed: the greater the responsibility, the greater the severity.
Jabin is beheaded and the city burnt to the ground. Ashes to ashes. The king is little more than a
quivering wreck, a gibbering idiot by the time his end had come. The main demon principalities had
long vacated him and abandoned him to his fate. He was no more than a child!
His strength and
apparent intelligence had been derived from another source. Our call is often disagreeable to our flesh
(Matt 5:29-30, 16:21-26; Phil 3:10).
The people of The Lord’s inheritance; cattle, spoil, cities
This was no scorched earth policy. It is not Atlanta in 1864 or Berlin in 1945. Israel doesn’t have to begin
at point A. They simply dispossess and possess what already existed. Deuteronomy chapter 6, “to give
thee great and godly cities which thou buildest not”. In 2006, in Washington, England, I bought a show
home filled with “all good things” by another’s labour. The “cities that stood still in their strength”, were
spared and preserved. Joshua was under no detailed instruction from the written or spoken word to
randomly and haphazardly destroy all that was established before him. Israel’s multitudes would need
housing. Cities were built on great mounds of earth, on natural or artificial heights. There is that in this
world which, when sanctified, can be used for good. A donkey, a coin, a tomb! (Deut 20:14; 1 Cor 7:31)
The Lord hardens a hardened heart
Five times the Exodus record declares Pharaoh hardened his heart, and five times it declares The Lord
hardened his heart. Both are true. Hearing of the stupendous unnatural events and victories
accompanying the invaders, neither Og nor Jabin came discussing terms of peaceful co-existence. The
ones who did ‘surrender’ were received into a non-aggression alliance. The Gibeonites were spared.
Those who came out at them set on a violent military resistance were met with the same manner, sword
to sword. There was no repentance, there was no forsaking of idolatry, there was no acknowledgement
of this power and the God who could open rivers, flatten walls and crush huge armies. Gibeon was
‘saved’, Rahab was saved. The implication is inescapable - awkward but inescapable. All would have
been received with mercy who showed mercy. To the peaceful, peace would have been extended, but
The Lord who searches the hearts of men and weights us in His scales, found the Canaanites – wanting.
Theoretically – peace; morally and actually - destruction and extermination.
To those who oppose you with enmity and hostility – woe betide them, the end is nigh. In the fictional
book ‘Kane and Abel’, enemies could have been friends. Here, no generosity was given – no generosity
was sought. Judgement was ripe. Stubbornness was its own sword. Some pursued a middle ground.
Those who would neither yield nor resist, fled into neighbouring countries. Sixth century pillars have
been witnessed in Numidia, North Africa with these words imprinted in the plaster and stone: “We are
those who fled before the robber Jeshus, son of Nane”. Dante wrote of a grey place that was neither
paradise nor Hades – a place for those who could not decide to believe or disbelieve the Gospel. In
human poetry this exists, in Divine revelation – it does not (Deut 20:10-13; Josh 24:11; Rev 3:16, 21:8).
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Giants and grasshoppers
“Joshua cut off the Anakims and destroyed them utterly”
Verse 21. From the time of Noah and the flood there had been a breed of being created from the
intercourse of evil spirit and women. The ‘Nephilim’ or ‘Anakim’: ‘giants’ which were not completely
washed away by the water, Genesis 6:1-7; verse 4, “There were giants in the earth in those days; and
also after that…mighty men…men of renown”. This race of being, inhabited Canaan forty years before
the present military campaign and dissuaded Israel’s scouts from forward invasive action; “all the
people that we saw in it are men of a great stature and there we saw the giants, … .sons of Anak (Anakims); which come of the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their
sight” (Num 13:32-33). Giants, fearful ones, fallen ones, Emims, Rephaim, Zuzim, Horim, ‘the terrible
ones’ (Deut 1:28, 2:10-12 & 20-23, 3:11, 13; Jo 12:4, 13:12, 15:8, 15:14, 17:15, 18:16; 1 Chr 20:4,6,8; 2
Sam 21:16-22). In the Philistine strongholds some ‘giants’ remained. In Gath for instance! (Verse 22
with 1 Sam 17:4) As Goliath between nine and ten feet tall, these were large men with lizard-like
features, smooth skin, very strong athletic types, armoured up, aristocratic and regal in bearing. Seeing
the Israelite warrior as a pesky locust, they were shocked – ‘don’t you realise who we are, can't you see
we are ten feet tall?’ Ferocious and fierce but no match for Israel – they are simply ‘cut down’ to size,
destroyed, who’s the giant and who’s the grasshopper, now?! Israel has grown in the strength of faith.
Years before, cowering in trepidation, we ran a mile from such encounters. Then we grew stronger and
prayed and fasted over days and felt encouraged to take on some ‘darkness’. Today we cut down giants
almost at will! The world has its ‘Big Foot’ and ‘abominable snowman’, and in spirit Goliath still lives,
round the corner from you. Before Zurabbabel, this mountain man / spirit shall become a plain - a
flattened, level surface (Zech 4:7; Rev 11:6). A celestial mafia seeks to rule and bully you, the inspiration
behind Gothic art and dress, the Titans of Greece, an evil eye, changing its appearance. “Stand, in the
evil day…and having done all, to stand” (Eph 6:13). (cf. “From The Ashes Of Angels”, by Andrew
Collins) (films “Troy” and “The 300”) The giants, though only a few dozen, superintended their “cities”
from mountain cave dwellings. Cutting their thighs and main arteries, Israel’s young warriors and lionhearted soldiers came darting in among them and finished them off.
“So Joshua took the whole land…and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel” verse 23
It is the apostle’s responsibility and governmental role to take territory and give it to God’s people, in a
town, a state or even a nation. In April 2008, I was to see one people miss and forfeit their inheritance
while another people moved and embraced theirs. Twelve o’clock on the night of the 23rd April 2008
will forever blaze vividly in my heart. That night the Ark door would close; Lot escapes; Passover is
celebrated and the death angel comes. Some receive and maintain their gifted lot, allowance. Others, as
the years rolled on, failed to hold on to the gift I gave and evaporated ‘into the night’. That day will
declare it. There is a wisdom / skill available in the Spirit to give the suitable and appropriate to each
man, family, tribe. Some prove strong in faith and love, strong in The Lord, and take and hold the
heavenly gift. Others are weak, fleshly, compromised and are soon driven out of their allotted portion,
their health and wealth blighted and obliterated. They blow hot then cold and are rejected. (Ps 61:5,
119:111; Acts 20:32, 26:18; Col 1:12).
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Joshua Chapter Twelve
The thirty-one
“From victory unto victory His army shall He lead, till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord
indeed”.
Chapter 12 provides a fitting conclusion to the three major military campaigns of Moses, Joshua, Israel
and Commander in Chief, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thirty-one kingdom, city, nation, tribes are
methodically listed - South, North, Central, East and West of Jordan. Moses is not forgotten. At the
time when Julius Caesar invaded ‘Britain’ the single county of Kent had four kings. The geography,
topography, agriculture, fruitfulness of Canaan is all described (Deut 33:13-16; Ps 65:13). How fruitful a
land to support so many kingdoms. The land was bounded by the river Arnon in the South and Mount
Hermon in the North; fifteen miles by fifty miles. Paul the apostle knew his area of ministry and
responsibility (Rom 15:19; 2 Cor 10:11-18). A country / territory divided into thirty-one segments was in
God’s providence significantly easier to dispossess and conquer. I am informed that in the Hebrew
alphabet each letter has a numerical equivalent: thirty-one equals E.L. ‘El’… the name of God. For it was
El-Shaddai – the God that is all bountiful - who destroyed the thirty-one kings before His armies.
What do I list as my possessions?
Verse 7. What towns or cities, streets or homes, situations or businesses, land and people, giants and
powers, spirits and strongholds? What would the list look like that we are involved in – that which I
stand with, the ones I worship and war with? Would the list be long or short, impressive or
insignificant, major or minor, pleasing to The Lord or dismissed at the throne? To look at the three
major missionary journeys of Paul and the apostolic team: Antioch, Paphos, Perga, another Antioch,
Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Attalia, Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus,
Caesarea, Tarsus, Neopolis, Phrygia, Troas, Miletus, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre. This is Paul’s twenty-five
year list. My twenty year list 1988-2008 is: Ambleside, Windermere, Workington, Whitehaven,
Cockermouth, Aspatria, Dalbeattie, Kendal, Milnthorpe, Sedbergh, Wigton, Carlisle, Durham, helped at
Penrith, Washington…..overseas, New Zealand, dozen trips to USA, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales,
Israel, Germany, Rumania, Portugal three times, Nigeria twice, Kenya twice, Ghana. I also consider
among the greatest, most precious ‘possessions’ a wife who has loved and respected me for thirty years,
and a son and daughter who love and respect me as a natural and spiritual father. It is for us to “possess
our possessions”, to enjoy what we have obtained by grace and grit. Not what we have accumulated, but
what we use! A man I knew owned a large house and lived in his bathroom! What once captivated you,
you will take captive and instruct what to do, be it your body or a false brother. (Isa 14:2). There is a
land to possess, The Lord’s holy mountain to inherit (Isa 57:13). Paul declared “he had nothing” of this
world’s goods yet saw himself in Christ as “possessing all things”, the meek will inherit the earth (Lk
12:15). There is so much more to take aggressively hold of – the land / The Lord. Your future
inheritance awaits you – take it! It’s the possession of The Lord, laid out before us to hold fast unto; that
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which is to be obtained ‘and’ maintained (Ps 24, 44:1-3, 69:35-36, 74). That which ‘belonged’ to the
Gentiles we have acquired, placed our foot upon and occupied, and stand firm in the light and truth we
have received (Phil 3:16). An energy behind... seeks to knock you down and out – do not let it rob you
(Ps 83:12). Hearing, accepting, acting - as the people of the promise. The difference between bestowal
and appropriation, the younger and elder brother (Lk 15). Poverty or plenty, “unsearchable riches” (Eph
3). Are you enjoying or enduring?
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Joshua Chapter Thirteen
The casual reader may be inclined to pass over chapters 12 and 13, for surely they are just the record of
territories in Canaan; a list of names and places, hard to pronounce or understand? No! We count our
blessings – naming them one by one, surprising us what The Lord hath done! Thirty-one powerful
kings, who are all now subdued and submissive to the people of God. We survey the grace of God.
General Joshua is about ninety years old at this section of his life and ministry, maybe even
approaching a hundred. There is laid out to his sight, the land that is not yet acquired and conquered.
The list moves from South to North.
The Lord’s appropriate burden for every season of life
How gracious and considerate our Lord is to those directly in His service. For each season of life, He
places upon us the appropriate and perfect ministry requirements. He does not carry a whip as a
taskmaster but neither does He ‘tuck us in’; as my dad used to tell me, in the 1970’s at his steelworks,
the foreman used to tuck the men in their sleep on the nightshift! He knoweth our frame in youth,
middle age and old age, for our strength will vary in the four seasons of life. The Lord observes Joshua’s
situation accurately: “Thou art old”. No condemnation or correction filled His voice. He said the truth
as it was, confirming Joshua in his view from the mirror, on the treadmill, or just arising from his seat.
Moses’ experience had been very different. Even at 120 ‘his strength had not abated’ (Deut 34:7). The
Lord deals with us as individuals, the setting sun on our lives can be received with contentment and joy.
‘Paint’ for our hair does not have to be used. Joshua is to be relieved of arduous service for His master,
not of all service, but of the most demanding, attritional kind to suit to his advancing years. He is
becoming a “golden oldie”, yet in spirit and heart he remains – “bringing forth fruit in old age they shall
be fat and flourishing” (Ps 92:14). As we become older, most of our life on earth is behind us, so we
become a little more reflective on what has been. What use have I made of God-given opportunities?
This sense of satisfaction – is it legitimate? (Jn 4:34). “When it’s all been said and done – did I do my
best to live for truth, did I live my life for you?” (Isa 46:4). Paul anticipated a “crown of
righteousness” (2 Tim 4). Do I? Only two old men remained in Israel – crowns certainly awaited them.
Joshua was not expected to do everything!
There is no desire or effort to reinvigorate Joshua with a renewed strength to go on. The Lord affirms
and confirms His servant’s physical frailty. No one man should feel that all depends on him – if we do,
we risk taking ourselves too seriously and will lose the joy of serving Jesus. Resentment is sure to
follow. Others can carry some of the burden, preach and teach, convene and chair gatherings, cast out
demons and heal the sick. It is a particular temptation to those that are ‘hired’ by the church to feel
obliged to accomplish most of the Gospel work. It’s a temptation that must be resisted – kindly and
firmly. The Lord is not limited to one instrument or workman. He has His men and women who have
not bowed the knee to Baal and drunk at the fountain of uncleanness. Out of sight to us – but not to The
Lord of the harvest. Find them and acknowledge them and work with them.
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“I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do”
Our Lord’s initial redeeming work is nearly over, the cross beckons. He gives a report of work to His
Father: John 17:4. Men, disciples, will continue in the work of salvation, in proclamation and
deliverance to the captive. At one hundred and ten, Joshua will die (chapter 24). His main work of
subduing The Lord’s enemies is accomplished. A development is upon the nations where each tribe will
now take up the baton to enforce God’s kingdom to come into their respective allotted land. There is a
movement from Joshua leading the national combined army conquering the whole land, to each tribe
now bearing their own burden for success. What failed to be completed by the tribes was also not
completed under Saul but was achieved under the rule and reign of David. His work continues; eternal
purpose unfolds with us or without us: Elijah goes, Elisha comes; Saul goes, David comes; Jesus goes,
the disciples come; Paul goes but his sons, like Timothy and Titus, continue on with the fight. His
workmen go but the work goes on. Moses is gone, Joshua comes. Joshua is about to go and the tribes
are commissioned and apportioned their responsibilities. He ‘entered into’ Moses’ labour, now let the
tribes ‘enter’ on into his (Jn 4:38). (There is more on old age later in Chapter 24)
The final major act of service
…and it’s an administrative one. Land that has been conquered and yet unconquered must be fairly
divided up among the tribes. The 2 ! on the East of Jordan are confirmed in their inheritance under
Moses’ government. Now the 9 ! are to be granted their allotted portion (Josh 13 verse 7). “Now
therefore divide this land”: some issues must be left to tThe Lord – alone. When we have fulfilled our
stewardship we must stand back and allow Him to act. It takes the ‘strength’ of faith. For, though a wise
man, the distribution is not left to Joshua’s sense and skill alone. No room is allowed for the cry of
injustice. The portion for each is left to the lot, so the determination is overseen by the kingdom hand of
Providence. This was The Lord’s disposal and grant, no partiality or respecter of persons is to affect it.
To examine each one’s geographical borders is to see prophecy through Jacob and Moses fulfilled (Gen
49; Deut 33! C.f. also Num 26:54 and 32:33). Joshua has become a Superintendent. The 2 ! have
received; now the spoils of victory must quickly be given to the 9 !. The General possesses a keen
knowledge and view of the bigger picture. The word was in his heart. Many of Israel had a limited
understanding of all they possessed and didn’t possess. The outline he gave of the land / inheritance,
filled them with thanks at the bountifulness of God. The partition of Pakistan from India was rushed
and caused much unnecessary tension, then bloodshed.
Our personal field of faith
We all have an area of responsibility, of ministry. That place of work or neighbourhood that needs salt
and light. That which has been committed to our trust and care; an office, a street, a town, a family, a
city, a gift, a nation. As Joshua, that which was in the general care of Paul, he allotted to trustworthy
men - Titus, Timothy etc. Joshua is to apportion the entire territory. Having received orders and
authority from The Lord, the General set about the task. A few weeks ago, between 2am and 4am, I
received a stream of instruction – revelation; Heaven downloading guidance into my spirit. It’s
humbling. Joshua defines and marks out the field of responsibility for each of the twelve tribes; that
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section to which, by Divine title, they must go forward and occupy. He had witnessed Moses mark out
for the 2 !. All is by faith in the word, trusting when we cannot trace The Lord’s ways, not governed by
our ears and eyes. We pray, we ask for what we expect The Lord to do. We pray ‘in’ our field of faith. I
may desire a neighbour to come to The Lord but it could take a number of contacts to see that come
about. Initially, I may only be able to believe to invite the person for coffee, but they will say yes. A gift
is measured out to us by The Lord. As I develop and exercise in that, He will increase ministry. To bury
the talent / gift is to risk serious loss; use it or lose it. Unwell for six months in 1997, it took quite a
number of weeks for me to recover the use and strength in my legs. A bat that hasn’t flown for just one
month can permanently lose its ability to fly (Lk 19; Eph 4:7 and 13).
Solemn note. “Israel expelled not the Geshurites”
Joshua 13:13. This is the first time such an ominous sound has been heard. Until now all has yielded to
the forward march of The Lord’s people. What remains in my lifestyle that has not yet bowed the knee
to our Lord Jesus? That which needs moving out, and that in which I need to move in, on, and into. A
character trait that robs, an uncleanness that spoils, an activity that takes away the relish of eternal
matters. It has not yet been given the ‘order of the boot’. I've not surrendered ‘all’. An enemy of
darkness lurks around in my heart. We may conclude that The Lord is permitting and allowing it as an
act of kindness. But there is a more perfect way. When He seems to allow us certain indulgences, it may
turn out to be a curse rather than a blessing. Often The Lord’s permissions are judgements. The
Romans invaded Britain but halted at Hadrian’s Wall. Napoleon invaded Russia but was stopped at the
gates of Moscow. Hitler conquers Europe but stops at the English Channel. Where and why have we
stopped? “Let us cleanse ourselves of all…” (2 Cor 7:1). We possess by disposing; there is land yet to be
conquered… in Canaan / Christ. Darkness has retreated, yes, but not yet been removed. It’s hiding from
us. The Geshurites were not dealt with until David put them to the sword, as recorded in 1 Sam 27:8-12.
One of His mighty men was a member of the Maachathites (2 Sam 23:34): that which once resisted us
now assists us in the ‘fight of faith’. As the riverbed of our lives has cast out from it the rubbish accrued
over our youthful years, so the flow of Christ’s life is increased in power. More life is experienced and
released to those in need. Marie Woodworth-Etter testified to not having knowingly sinned for eleven
years. In Cumbria, England, between 1988-2007, we dislodged a number of enemies but did not possess
every town. Elders must remain alert and in a state of mental preparedness to hear from the body about
the actual state of affairs. Scriptures, prophecies and letters keep me up-to-date on the field of
occupation. The Lord’s advance will not depend on numerics or economics.
Each generation must take and hold – the land
We build on the work of previous generations. We stand on the shoulders of pygmies or, hopefully,
giants in ‘the faith’, Cuthbert, Wesley, Wigglesworth. Joshua’s generation made the initial invasion and
occupation of Canaan. They, under God, began the momentum of promise fulfilment. It would be for
their children to continue to take more and hold. Take – and hold. Under Joshua they did; thereafter
the enemy encroached upon them from east and west… Syrians, Philistines, etc (Josh 24:31; Isa 44:26,
49:6, 58:12, 61:4). Our inheritance in Christ is not part of Him, but all of Christ Jesus. All that there is
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in Jesus is God’s purpose for us. That actual possession is only that part of Him which, by faith, we lay
claim to and seek to embrace. Lord lead us onto higher ground, further on up the ‘mountains of The
Lord’. As you do – do not expect to be understood!
I am happy – with my lot
The inheritance was apportioned by the lot, superintended by The Lord. God gave to each tribe that piece
of territory, grant, gift, mountains, valleys that, in His wisdom, would be best suited to their temperament,
personality, history, ability, experience, passion, emphasis…! Accept The Lord’s portion; high, low, foot,
eye, west, east, visible, invisible, preaching, praying, rich, poor: compare Abraham and Lot.
I am not happy with my lot
…for there is always more. Each tribe was expected and encouraged to conquer all within its borders.
Many did not do so. Am I satisfied with my present Christian experience, the depths and heights of
Christ’s love that I've tasted? Am I comfortable and submissive regarding my area of assignment in
ministry, gift, responsibility? I’m not Billy Graham or Florence Nightingale – that’s fine but within my
grace / gift, development, increase, growth, faithfulness, multiplication is to be seen and known. “I
press on…” “...for I have not attained…” (Phil 3). Lord, I long to grow what you have given, adding to my
faith, increasing in the knowledge of God, “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.
A dishonourable man: ‘We cannot serve God and Mammon’
Joshua 13:22, “Balaam…the soothsayer…slain by them”. This is the end of all who only serve The Lord for
money - “the wages of unrighteousness”; their “sooth-ing” sayings as honey and butter from the serpent’s
mouth! See Num chapters 22 to 24. The magician is promised silver and gold, promotion, if he cursed
Israel. The Lord permits him to go, mocking him who mocked Him. “God’s anger kindled because he
went”. The angel blocked his way. We reap what we sow. He linked his interests with the Moabites and
died with them. Mad prophets still roam the earth, who consider “gain is godliness, from such withdraw
thyself”. Doom is the portion of the covetous (Num 31:8; Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:3-10; 2 Pet 2:15; Rev 2:14).
An honourable tribe – elected among the elect: “Separated unto the Gospel”
Verses 14 and 33. There are those among The Lord’s people who are distinguished to serve The Lord’s
own people. Full-time elders, part-time stewards, worship leaders - their calling is to “minister unto The
Lord”. The original blueprint was that the whole nation was called to be priests. Disobedience narrowed
the Divine intention to one tribe. It alone would bear the honour (Ex 19:6). Their place to live and abide
was among all the tribes, their livelihood coming from the tribes (Num 18:20; Deut 10:9, 18:2). They
had no territorial possession (chapters 20 to 21 for more detail). This action was no mistake or
oversight but by Heaven’s design. The Lord’s gift men are given to the whole church body. Ephesians
4… and should not be the subject of envy or jealousy. The Levites were two-way channels through which
others could come to God, and through which God could come to men (Num 35:2). They possessed
forty-eight cities among the tribes, which they used when not in service at the tabernacle. Exodus 32:26
marks out the Levites’ rise to honourable service. They, to a man, made their choice and were highly
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rewarded with priestly work. Those who stand with The Lord’s authority and government in the earth
will make the joyful discovery that ‘The Lord is their inheritance’. Whatever else they may or may not
have – they will have Jesus. The church has become that holy nation – with priests lifting up praises
and prayer to the throne (1 Pet 2:9-11). Among her number are separated ones to serve The Lord
without distraction (Acts 6, 13:1-2; Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 9:1-14).
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Joshua Chapter Fourteen
The national lottery
In this introduction to the allocation of the land, Eleazar is mentioned before Joshua as a solemn appeal
is made to The Lord for guidance. A lot is cast for the land west of the Jordan. Senior men in Israel are
appointed to oversee and witness the event, listed in Numbers 34. (C.f. also Prov 16:33 and 18:18). John
Wesley used the lot a number of times in ministry to settle a disputed situation. I have tossed a coin –
prayerfully – in 50/50 situations, maybe three times in the last thirty-five years, being conscious of The
Lord’s gracious help. A survey and measurement of the land takes place. Rivers and significant physical
landmarks are noted. In accordance with Numbers 26, the larger tribes would inherit the largest
sections but the lot specified the particular situation in Canaan which was to be theirs. Mountainous
areas and fertile valleys are fairly distributed by Heaven’s supervision; infallible decisions are brought
forth, the yes and no of God’s judgement made known (Exodus 28:15). The Lord’s verdict. For the saint
there is no such thing as luck or coincidence. All is overseen to the one who acknowledges The Lord in
all His ways. For there are no problems in the kingdom of God – only timetables. The just shall live by
faith, for the whole land was not yet conquered. Its principal armies had been destroyed, yet powerful
foes and areas of resistance remained. Joshua was allotting a land that was not yet all physically theirs
(Judges 2:20-23, 3:1-4).
Attaining and obtaining
Our Lord invests into our lives and then legitimately looks for a multiplication of that assigned talent,
vineyard, gift we were ‘graced’ with, (Num 33:54; Eph 1:11) “in whom also we have obtained an
inheritance” bestowed upon us, not earned by our own efforts, but ‘given’ all of grace (Acts 26:18; Col
1:12; 1 Pet 1:4, 5:3; 2 Pet 1:1). Yet in His dealings with us He treats us as moral agents, enforces our
accountability and causes us to reap as we have sown: it is the “reward of the inheritance” (Ps 19:11;
Prov 11:18; Matt 16:27; 5:12; Mk 10:30; Lk 14:14; Col 3:23-24; Phil 3:14; 1 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:10). Joshua
did not divide the land into twelve equal parts (1 Cor 3:8). As not all are gifted the same, so not all will
be rewarded the same. The cup will be full for all the faithful on that great day, but some cups will be
larger than others! (Mk 4:8; Eph 6:8; Heb 6:10). Our initial gifting can be diminished, forfeited or
enlarged (Lk 19:11-27).
The man whose name was – Bold
Joshua, with the commissioners, is in Gilgal. Preparations are ready to make the distribution. Judah is
first. Before the formal proceedings move forward, Caleb comes forth to put his case to the nation’s
leader: Great modesty and humility without any rivalry; the due acknowledgement of Joshua’s calling
and honoured position. The two elder statesmen have dealings before The Lord to sort out and Caleb is
intent on securing what he believes is his rightful lot, due, portion. On the basis of testimony and
fidelity, he presents his case. Part of his humility came from his history; his family had been
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incorporated into the Covenant and Commonwealth of Israel. He was a Kenezite, chapter 14 verse 6, his
chronological descent (1 Chr 4:13-15).
A privileged people
Faithfulness is rewarded; Caleb had given a report full-of-faith about the land, verse 7, “as it was in
mine heart…I wholly followed The Lord my God” (verse 8, also verse 14 and Num 13:22; 14:24; Deut
1:36). A true unvarnished and unbiased report, no angles to it, no manipulation in it, no personal
agenda. Sedition, treason and betrayal was in the heart of others but not in his: he was different; bright
and brave, strong, modest and cheerful. He felt contempt and defiance toward the cowardly spirit of
those who forgot The Lord was with them. They had become yesterday’s people, their carcases littering
the wilderness. But here is Braveheart, eighty-five years old, battle-scarred but as strong as ever to
possess the land and do the will of the Father! Caleb knew Joshua could not withhold his consent: ‘will
you allow me to…’ yes! Age is not best measured by years. “He mocketh at fear and is not dismayed – a
steely joy strengthened his soul” (Job 39:21-22).
When the enemy looks attractive
Caleb does not want Hebron divided up to others. ‘Give me this mountain’ is his demanding – request.
He has a firm footing, a good testimony, not given simply to please Moses or anyone. He had given his
report honestly as he saw it, kept through wilderness and war. As a city, Hebron had been reduced but
the mountain near it was in the hands of the sons of Anak – giants. This definitely attracted him. It had
been forty-five years before and his choice, by conviction, is still fixed. Numbers 13:29 (…the mountains),
14:9 “they are bread for us”. We will eat them up and grow in strength thereby! Neither daunted by the
power of the enemy nor swayed by the scepticism of his brethren - the result: chapter 15 verse 14!
Joshua says, ‘yes’
After forty-five years, Caleb-all-heart is still animated by faith in The Lord’s presence, verse 12; all the
promises are “yes” (2 Cor 1). The kingdom of God can cope with a “go for it come what may” attitude.
Caleb is as the incredible hulk. The Anakim have no terror to me though they will seek to terrorise us
and intimidate. A Caleb-heart does not look back. He sought Hebron “fellowship” (Gen 13:18) and no
one in the whole wide world was going to stop him. General Joshua blesses him, applauds him, and
commends his bravery, and acknowledges the reasonableness of his request. Those, as Caleb, change
the name and nature of the very areas they conquer for Christ. Once notorious as the leader of the
giants’ dwelling place ‘Arba’, it becomes notorious for godly and kingdom reasons and resources; a city
of refuge, a city for priests, a city for King David! (Gen 23:2; Josh 20:7, 21:13; 2 Sam Ch 2).
Those who ‘wholly follow The Lord’ make history:
… a desire to be perfect morally and spiritually, nothing missing of obedience to light received, no
awareness of sin, a complete burnt offering, maximum not minimum, ‘Bananas for Jesus’, the Saviour
completely satisfied with our devotion, no fly in the ointment. It is attainable. This world could do with a
few more Calebs – do not expect to be popular anywhere else other than in Heaven. A potsherd from
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Gezer bears the letters K. L. B. ‘Caleb’, like a Scotch terrier, drove out the Nephilim chieftains around
Hebron who ran for their lives (15:13-14). Keith Green was criticised for writing the song ‘if we cannot
come to The Lord always…then don’t bother coming at all’. K.L.B. would have agreed with Keith, I do also.
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Joshua Chapter Fifteen
Variety in unity
The Hebrew Commonwealth, descended from the sons of Jacob, maintained their distinctions and
separate locations and yet retained a unity of purpose; variety in unity. When two great men came forth
within six months of each other they were very different but unified in mission: John the Baptist and
Jesus of Nazareth. The Holy Spirit enhances who and what we are. It is buddhistic and cultish for all to
be identical. Peter was more Peter after Acts 2 than before. When a wrong spirit came in among the
tribes they separated, infamously ten in the North and two in the South. By our Lord’s time the land was
in three areas: Judea, Samaria and Galilee. As in the states of the USA, all are different, yet each are
part of a whole. As in the vegetable and animal world, the climate dictates suitable distribution of
various species, distribution led to adaptation. Here, the citizen owning land; if he lost his land it was to
be returned during the fiftieth year of Jubilee. Joshua divided twenty five million acres, each family
receiving a settlement of forty-two acres. A Roman citizen with 7 acres had ample scope for a moderate
maintenance. The Hebrew landowner received six times that amount, providing for an overflow of
fruitfulness in the land of milk and honey (2 Cor 9:8). Some families driving out the Canaanite from his
area increased their allotted space. Some men became great, legitimately in land and wealth – Jair,
Boaz, Nabal, Barzillai. Our God, in the distribution of the land, shows His interest in the temporal
comfort of men. In ordinary circumstances, The Lord intends men to be fairly comfortable.
Judah – “thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies”
Genesis 49:8. Thus prophesied his father. In the elaborate delineation of territory, Judah’s lot in the
South is in four major areas. He is surrounded by – enemies. To the East, Moab; to the South, Edom; to
the West, Philistines; to the North, in Benjamin, Jebusites. This was no bed of roses. If he should rule at
all, he must rule in the midst of his enemies (Ps 110). Hemmed in by fierce foes on every side, he needed
to show his prowess if he was to prevail: the necessity of contending that developed the military genius of
David (1 Sam 17:50, 18:5, 27, 27:8). As sheep in the midst of wolves, the valiant praise of this tribe would
lead the way (Num 2:9). She developed as a fighting, imperial people. Judah - “he washed his garments
in wine” (Gen 49:11; Hosea 11:12). Corn was developed; “Bethlehem – the house of bread”. It was
vineyards and wine that became the prominent fruitfulness. The grapes of Judah are emblematic in coin
and on architecture. It was from the Judean valley of Eshcol that the spies cut down the huge cluster of
grapes. He who is the lawgiver with the sceptre, Shiloh, our Lord Jesus Christ, is called a winebibber,
turning water into wine and declares: Matthew 26:29. Judah has one hundred and fifteen cities.
May our godly women be as Caleb’s daughter, possessing an abundant water supply
Chapter 15:13-19. Caleb sets a competition. His nephew, Othiel, is successful, who goes on later to be a
judge. Dowries are discussed and he hesitates. Achsah dismounts her donkey in reverence to her father
and presents him with her request. The land-gift she already has been given needs more water to
sustain it. ‘Father – would you please give me more – life’, which water equates to in the Middle East
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(Lk 11:9-13; 1 Cor 14 v 1 and 39). Our Father responds to reverentially offered requests. He, as Caleb, is
generous to give wells of springing water.
What’s in a name?
Many of the names are messages to us in and of themselves. Maaleh-acrabbim, cliff of scorpions;
Karkaa, plain of the pools; Beth-hogla, temple of the wheel – a kind of Stonehenge; Adummim, the pass
of the red, blood shed by robbers; Debir, city of the book, a place where public registers were kept;
Kabzeel, a mighty gathering of God; Jagur, lodging place; Elkuseir, little castle; Kuryetein, the two
cities; Hazzar-gaddah, the enclosure of the kid; Eltolad, born of God; Hormah, doomed to destruction;
Madmannah, chariot house; Lebaoth, place of the lioness; Ain Rimmon, fountain of the pomegranate;
Eshtaol, petition and entreaty; Zoreah, hornets’ town; Ashnah, fortress town; Zanoah, bog; En-gannim,
fountain of gardens; Enam, two fountains; Jarmuth, height; Adullam, justice of the people; Azekah, dug
over; Adithaim, double prey; Gederah, the enclosure; Gederothaim, two folds for goats and sheep;
separately, Zenan, place of flocks; Migdal, tower; Dilean, field of cucumbers; Mizpeh, watchtower;
Joktheel, subdued of God; Bozkath, high and stony; Kithlish, a man’s wall; Beth-dagon, temple of the
dagon-demon-god; Makkedah, place of shepherds; Libnah, whiteness; Achzib, falsehood; Ekron,
eradication; Gaza, the strong; Jattir, pre-eminent; Kirjath-sannah, city of palms; Debir, oracle;
Eshtemoh, obedience; Dumah, silence; Eshean, support; Beth-tappuah, house of the apple; Humtah,
place of lizards; Zior, smallness; Carmel, fruitful; Cain, the lance; Beth-zur, house of the rock; Bethanoth, house of the echo – response; Eltekon, God is its foundation; Nibshan, light soil; En-gedi,
fountain of the kid.
Jerusalem and its various owners: The centre of salvation history in the earth
Joshua 15:63. The Israelites take the city but not the fortress within it, Zion. Later the enemy recaptures
it. Later again the Israelites, under David, take it, this time Zion’s fortress also. Nothing has really
changed! Our Lord’s first and future second coming will be focused on this great city. No wonder
powers wish to possess it for themselves. Today political and religious inspirations from Islam, Judaism
and Christianity all claim and counter-claim it to belong to them. Jerusalem will receive her rightful
owner who will enter the city and make it the capital of His kingly rule (11:19; Judges 1:8; 2 Sam 5:7; Ps
2:6, 9:11, 48:2, 132:13, 147:12; Zechariah 14). Though not recognisable from its present form, the
geographical location is undeniable. The New Jerusalem will be the capital city and port of the whole
world with a river running east to west right through it. Its topography will be radically altered being
raised on high and seen from many miles away, the H.Q. of God – on the earth! Isaiah chapter 2.
Sluggishness causes a mixture and moral confusion
Joshua 15:63. Through sluggishness, slowness and unbelief, Israel failed to maintain what they had
conquered in the past. They took their eye off the ball. A moral maze ensued with Jebusite and Israelite
sharing in the same real-estate; never the will of God. Always a compromise. The genuine seeker,
though temporarily an unbeliever, has their place among The Lord’s people (1 Cor 14). The Pharisee
does not (1 Cor 5:11; 1 Tim 6:5; 2 Tim 3:5; 2 Jn v 10). The Pastor, by the Spirit, identifies the Jebusite
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and ensures their removal from the flock, not everyone will love you for that. A separation is upon us
when The Lord’s kingdom comes. We are not called to shepherd goats. What is there in our local
fellowship that needs, as our Lord to the moneychangers, to be driven out from the house of prayer?
Who and what? What is it that causes us to hesitate? Often numbers - of people and money. Lord
strengthen us to cleanse your temple! Joshua must have felt disappointed.
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Joshua Chapter Sixteen
Territory allotted to the family of Joseph, Jacob’s beloved, that is the tribe of Ephraim and half the tribe
of Manasseh, who were Joseph’s two sons. The procedure and precedence was always Judah then
Joseph in accordance with 1 Chronicles 5:1-3. As two bookends, Judah was in the South and Joseph in
the centre and North, the allotment of others then filling in the gaps and edges. This is often The Lord’s
way in taking territory, defining, securing, adjusting all the area between the two poles. He is a God of
exact order. When we moved into the North East of England, a senior family was in the North of our
initial God-given area, and a senior family in the South. The fulfilment of Genesis 48:13-14 was often
seen in the experience of these two tribes with Ephraim eventually outgrowing Manasseh. Our God
weighs the heart and delights in turning the ways and conventions of this world’s order upside down –
when the hands cross – again (Josh 18:5).
“Joseph is a fruitful bough”
Genesis 49:22. His territory embraced the valleys of Shechem and Samaria, and the cities of Tirzah and
Jezreel (Isa 28:1; Song of Sol 6:4), “fat valleys – thou art beautiful”, though they did not live up to their
illustrious father’s prophecy and ancestry (Deut 33:13-17).
Covetousness weakens the hands; it’s the same old story
Joshua 16:10. A declension has already begun to set in. The end of chapter 15 sounds identical; it’s
different in this respect - at least Judah attempted to drive out the Jebusites. Gezer over by the coast
knew no such activity. They are strong enough to enforce the enemy Canaanites to pay ‘tribute’. They
considered the financial gain more important than their submission to The Lord and His word (Deut
20:16). It’s a fearful thing to behold when a ‘Pastor’, to keep himself in a job, will forfeit the blessing of
God and allow a Canaanite enemy to remain in the camp to receive their financial giving.
It will prove a fateful policy to be socially friendly to allow idolaters to live (1 Cor 10:22; Gal 4:30; Rev
2:20). ‘A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump’. The fermentation principle brings the good down, not
the bad up. The visible church will become as the Canaanite idolater – the idolater will not become as
an Israelite. This mixed policy continued until the reign of Solomon. Israel became as Canaan, Canaan
did not become as Israel! Ephraim in Gezer believes he is rich in affluence and influence and sinless
before God. It is a tragic story that needn’t have happened (Judges 17; Hosea 12:8; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 5:5;
Col 3:5; Rev 3:18, 21:8). Having arrived in Canaan, it is not now sun-loungers on a Mediterranean
cruise. Each family that enters must continue to fight to establish what The Lord has given; at the place
of work, obtaining a house, creating new social networks, places at school for our children…; this will
especially be keenly felt in those geographical areas where Joshua did not specifically conduct military
campaigns, as here in Gezer! In pioneering the Gospel of the kingdom into an area, the epicentre will be
easier to develop than for the families who move into the periphery-border of the fresh land. These will
need more support than the families in the central area, for not so many enemies would have been
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driven out and dealt with in the initial invasion-attack campaign. This is spiritual common sense. For
though Israel is in Canaan, not all is ideal and perfect; 16:10. Each family tribe has to work diligently to
secure what The Lord is giving, each family carrying its share of the overall burden (Gal 6). Joshua has
created, by the Holy Spirit, a framework for The Lord’s people to go and grow. He has pioneered this to
be a possibility for others. Without applying ourselves in prayer-praise-advance we will suffer a
restriction in our experience-engagement, though technically we live in the Promised Land.
A leisurely sort of war: “they drove not out the Canaanites”
Joshua 16:10. As one soldier declared in the American Civil War – it was ‘like holiday soldiering’. In the
strategic hour of advance one cannot wage war conservatively. One stakes everything on one action,
with iron will, overcoming nervous uncertainty which incapacitates the soul. We are not called to dwell
in ‘fort pillow’. Many places remained un-subdued, numerous companies of Canaanites still
unconquered (Lk 12:19; 1 Cor 15:58), “Let not thine hands be slack” (Zeph 3:16). Let us not lack in
bravery and boldness, or diligence and enterprise. Our name listed as a member of the army but we
have never fought – we turned up for the drill, review and parade, but actually did nothing. Our leaders
did not have our trust, or the leaders are led by the people! The enemy was never meant, in the Divine
purpose, to dwell with God’s people (Zech 14:21). Examine what we are being soft toward and
accommodating in our lifestyle. In the hour when The Lord Jesus wants to give us more – He will
require more. Hidden enemies will be exposed at that season that have lain dormant and hidden for
months and even years. When exposed, do not hesitate or flinch to strike and settle the matter. Purity
then power. Judas is close by in the hour of crucifixion! Many will fight to save the past; you live for the
future. The new advance, by definition, creates an old. Let yesterday’s people go – for they will only see
what they want to see. Some will endeavour to remain neutral and fail. You will be shocked by the
insanity around you. A building will have to be arranged for the accommodation of maniacs for so many
will suffer delusion and miss what The Lord is doing, it is the land of crippling non-sense. When eyes
begin to open, men are never flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose
between the Almighty and themselves. All sin is insane and living for self proves one lacks “a sound
mind” (2 Tim 1:7 [dynamic-ethic-logic]). With the Canaanite among them they perceived it as a
harassment but not a handicap, an annoyance but not a problem.
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Joshua Chapter Seventeen
Manasseh was itself but one half of the tribe of Joseph and yet was divided and subdivided. The one half
being to the East of Jordan. She did possess portions in other tribes’ land amounting to more than 200
square miles, verse 11. Initially, when there was a degree of brotherly affection, this was the case where
one tribe spilled over into the defined borders of another. Later, as someone has described it, the best
way to keep neighbourly relations in peace was a high fence. (The reasoning behind nuclear
deterrents!).
Men and women’s equal inheritance
Zelophehad bore five daughters. The father died. The law up until Numbers chapter 27 declared a man’s
inheritance passed down to the son. With no male heir, the five ladies would lose out. Unhappy about
this, they presented their case to Moses who, in turn, brought it before The Lord. An adjustment in
property rights was made. The five ladies wish to make good on that judgement and now come to
Joshua. He knew the situation and, though the ladies had not served in the army, granted their request
(Num 26:33, 27:1-11, 36:11). The enactment went as far as the society in that hour could receive. Further
advances lay in the future. For now, the right to inherit was limited to the presence or absence of a male
heir. Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel enjoyed considerable position and honour. Men and women are equal
in nobility and dignity by creation and redemption. By design, we are different in responsibility, and
women are the “weaker vessel”. Our reward on that great day will be on the same basis. In the New
Testament record, women prophesied, prayed, deaconed, sang, provided clothes and monies,
counselled, ran a business, raised children, kept the home, hosted home churches, spoke in tongues,
refreshed the saints, and more.
Who’s doing the driving?
17:12-13. Are we driving out the powers of darkness, the spirit that is of this world and the
unsubmission of our flesh, or is this axis of evil driving us out? A pressure comes to run, what is its
origin? Check it out. Called to “go into all the world”, dark energies seek to lock us away in some small
obscure corner. Starting a new job a colleague is aggressive, moving to another house the neighbours
are an unfriendly lot: overcome! Find out when their birthday is and buy them a present. Bake the
neighbour a cake and take it around to them. Their mother could have died the week before you arrived.
Love is powerful and will undermine the underminer. You have then gained a victory - complete,
inexpensive and speedy. Face your aggressor. We are graced – strengthened to do so. Israel had been
commanded to do so! Light and space will then surround you and yours.
Manasseh had a disregard for the word. His own ease was paramount. Faith and zeal were decreasing:
‘love grew cold’. We have witnessed marked failure on the part of three of Israel’s tribes. A race of donothings, “the Canaanites would dwell in that land”. They are no pushover, for they are resolved to fight
and scheme to maintain this ancient land and territory. It takes more than the latest praise song to
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move out an ancient evil. Battles are won by two qualities: ability to endure and ability to injure. Men
that do not scare easily and are skilled in shield and sword. Manasseh’s men needed a live and earnest
determination. Instead their horizons contracted rather than expanded. A good man watches the
company he keeps very carefully, he does not sit in the seat of the scornful, he is separated but not
isolated, in the world but not of it. Birds of a feather flock together - our close friends reveal our moral
and spiritual walk. It is a mirror – that leaves no doubt. Association breeds assimilation. I am my worst
enemy! “God harden me against myself, the coward with pathetic voice, who craves for ease and rest
and joy. Myself, arch-traitor to myself, my hollowest friend, my deadliest foe, my clog whatever road I
go”. Lord grant us a spirit of adventure and aggression, a ship in full sail, a vessel which goes straight
on, with no divergences, no swerving from a direct course, restful confidence and unreserved obedience.
“Why do I have so small a blessing – when they have so much”
Chapter 17: verses 14-18. The family of Joseph, given a large and prime inheritance, are not satisfied.
Manasseh as the elder brother has received a double portion and Joseph’s family is jealous and envious
of his brother. I’ve been given ‘this’, but they, he, she, them have obtained all that. The leader/elder/
pastor is faced with a complaining person/people. I’m not happy with my lot and you need to do
something about it. ‘Our allotment is too narrow and restrictive, we've grown you know, we need more
space.’ This vain, self-important spirit does not impress General Joshua. How quickly does discontent
spring up when we compare ourselves to others. Never down to the lesser but up to the greater. He/she
has more than me.
We cannot rely on honourable associations
“I’m great. I’m blessed,” they say: In name and numbers The Lord has helped and honoured us in the
past. Do we need to mention who our father was? None other than the Prime Minster of Egypt, Joseph
himself! That wise and mighty father, we bear his name, and his prophecy was fulfilled, for today we are
fruitful and increased in the land. I am a member of that church, or this denomination, my surname
is…, my father pioneered and established this work, building, association, enterprise, school, college,
orphanage, hospital, university, ministry, charity… This is not worthy of our greatness, past blessing
justifies a great part and portion in the land. We need more space, more elbow-room to grow and
develop; and even the small allotment granted to us is filled with the Canaanite and his military
machine – which presents an insurmountable obstacle. Joshua, we appeal to you, from our history and
heritage, our godly associations even to you Joshua, you yourself are one of us! Of the tribe of Ephraim!
(Num 13:8; Matt 20:20-23)
Capacity and opportunity
A longing for a greater sphere of service and ministry can be both a strength and weakness. Joshua’s
response reveals he knew these people. His answer is full of wisdom and sarcasm: Ok, fine. If you are
such a great people go and chop down some woods and warriors. You want more opportunity but you
are failing to work and walk in the capacity you already possess! He turns their arguments against
themselves and rebukes them for unbelief and cowardice. If you wish to be popular, do not become an
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elder! Or you will be too weak when you need to rebuke: too weak to desire to convince and convict and
chide (1 Tim 5:20; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 1:13, 2:15). If only I could get away from my small calling, job,
circumstances, responsibility, area of ministry, it’s so restricting, so frustrating. The elder’s wisdom
declares ‘then do something about it’. Start with the encroachments that bar your way and blot out your
vision. ‘Cut down some trees’. Put the axe to what robs and spoils. You remove every hindrance, obey
The Lord in all things, today. Following that, He will enlarge your opportunities. But if we fail to clear
and conquer the smaller – The Lord will not trust us with the greater (Lk 16:10, 19:17). Steadily apply
yourself, work and war hard and you will end up with all the land you need; The Lord’s will is to enlarge
us in grace and gift when we have conquered and brought into submission and fruitfulness our present
area of life and ministry. The elder brings regulation and stimulation and will encourage us to force the
enemies of our soul to accept the true appraisal of our situation. Go to the Joshua General The Lord has
given you and you will live more in the following three months than in the last thirty years – combined.
It’s called – intensity! Please then, do not expect your future to be as the past! (Lk 5:39)
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Joshua Chapter Eighteen
The hub of the wheel – a new H.Q.
Verse 1. Gilgal had been the original centre of national life. All is to change. The tabernacle moves to Shiloh
– meaning ‘rest’, its home for the next three hundred years. The national and spiritual centre of gravity
literally comes to the middle of the country Easier access for Joshua to seek the mind of The Lord with Urim
and Thummim, easier for every male to travel there for sacrifice and festivals three times a year.
Convenience in itself is not necessarily lazy or sinful. There is no merit in making our life and calling harder
than it is, for to obey is better than sacrifice. Discipleship is a great demand without adding unnecessary
man-made burdens! (Deut 16:16)
From South to North, West to East, one town to another city, one tribe to another people, Heaven’s centre of
authority does move. From Jerusalem to Antioch – Heaven will have a centre H.Q. where its most strategic
operations are based and where its most senior men will call home. The flagship is where the admiral is.
During Samuel’s time, Shiloh forfeited its privileges and the spiritual centre moved again – this time to
Zion, in the tribe of Judah (Ps 78, esp verses 60-69).
It is inconceivable that such a significant and strategic development did not receive The Lord’s approval.
Though no record is made in seeking ‘the mind of Christ’, other passages confirm our expectation (Deut
12:11; Ps 78:60; Jer 7:12-16). When my wife, Cora, and I moved from Cumbria to Washington in the N.E. of
England we spent 2 ! years praying, planning, agonising and seeking The Lord’s mind over this change of
location. That a whole nation of The Lord’s people up sticks for ‘fleshy prudential considerations’ is madness
to consider. This shift received Divine affirmation. Twenty-five miles north of Jerusalem in a ‘rugged and
romantic’ valley. The camp comes to ‘rest’, the great national sanctuary of Israel has a new home.
The crime of ‘slackness’
Joshua 18:3. Joshua is alive and alert to his duty to reprove the non-magnificent seven tribes who have not
yet gone and possessed their inheritance. He is upset, distressed, flabbergasted, annoyed, staggered…and
more! Arrangements for the moving from Gilgal to Shiloh have interrupted the division of the land. Since
then, seven tribes are hesitating. An ease has entered their soul and the idea of more war does not fill them
with delight. Living off the previous spoils of battle life is comfortable thank you and all around conspires to
confirm their desires. Today Joshua would be said to be ‘pressurising’ an individual/family/church and that
would be considered un-English, uncouth, unsuitable, unwarranted, unnecessary, uncivilised and not of the
Spirit. Divine encouragement mistaken for human manipulation. The gate into life and eternal life is
narrow. Babies feel pressure in birth. Its absence can lead to a stillborn child. Joshua is stunned at the
seven’s tardiness, slowness, lateness – an appointed hour is slipping away. Our Lord said “remember Lot’s
wife”. Sloth and apathy have gripped them; power and love have cooled; foolish ones have fallen asleep.
Their leader reproaches them for not bestirring themselves and securing their portion, for there is no
hesitation on The Lord’s part. He has spoken – and His word stands. ‘Get on with it’ – says Joshua;
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overcome laziness, carelessness and complacency. Over half of Israel has not yet entered their portion or
taken their seat at the king’s table! (Lk 9:62) Do not think He has altered the appointed hour – He waits for
us to ‘repent’, change our beliefs and behaviour for “The Lord is not slack” (2 Pet 3:9). There are rare times
when an elder, with no selfish agenda, must use sharpness of speec (2 Cor 13:10; Titus 1:13). It may well cut
and be considered severe but that is a part of our responsibility. Do not take any reactions personally. Stay
sweet, though a sword rests in your hand. Many around you will need support to enter and occupy.
Some initially see the land but are too feeble to enter
They are too weak and lack the staying stamina and strength to see the work to a successful conclusion
(Josh 10:6; Zeph 3:16). They started the race but fainted before reaching the tape; falling on their knees
and stumbling (2 Sam 4:1; Jer 6:24). A disjointedness is in the limbs, a form of arthritis-paralysis. The call
of Joshua the pastor is as Hebrews 12:12-13, he seeks to heal, strengthen and restore The Lord’s
disciplined sheep.
On the crest of Missionary Ridge
I have referred to the American Civil War a few times courtesy of the three volume set by Bruce Catton. In
Mr Catton’s writing on the battle of Chattanooga, he tells of twenty thousand union soldiers marching up
toward a confederate position known as ‘Missionary Ridge’. Earlier on, fog had covered the fields and
nothing could be seen. But now the defending men ‘could see too much!’ They beheld all of the Federals’
strength coming straight at them. As one soldier proclaimed, “You Yanks had got too far into our inwards”.
As Peter, they saw the waves and began to sink. The seven tribes were sinking. They have had time, which
they used to reflect on the huge job before them. As they process it and rationalise it, the Word of The Lord
begins to dim. ‘Joshua pastors’ call us back to our first light and love (Rev 2:4-5). General Bragg’s men atop
that ridge saw and heard the enemy and became immobilised, well almost. As Joseph fleeing Potiphar’s
wife, they retreated and ran. A numbness came upon them, as a rabbit fixed in a glarey trance, a mild state
of shock and then all was lost. Joshua knew the demonic defences fortifying the Canaanites had dissipated
and collapsed as Jericho’s walls. Delay would give the enemy chance to re-establish his strength, regroup
and devise strategies to lock up the continued advance of The Lord’s people.
Again, I write, all obedience is time sensitive. When the Spirit of Christ calls us onward and upward,
everything and everyone takes second place.
There is an hour “when all things are now ready”. Business or social affairs bend to His desires and design.
To make excuses now, however naturally legitimate they appear in this world’s eyes, is to lose our place at
The Lord’s table, and another is called to take our seat. “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that
he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:15-35, esp v 33).
“Go and walk through the land – and come again to me”
Joshua has a well-developed ability for planning and organisation. Twenty-one men are sent to make a
survey of the available land. Go and look at what you’re missing. The lot determined which area of the
country was given to them but could not decide the extent of territory which might be required and, after
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complaints from the tribes of Joseph, skilled commissioners with a propensity to understand geography and
geometry are tasked with a detailed mission – accuracy is the order of the day. In the eyes and mouth of
three, words would be established. Equal extent or worth has to be figured out. Supply of water, mountains,
cities, roadways… I learned years ago that in this world nothing exists unless it is written down. It saves
disputes among men and has saved me from pain more than once. Joshua acts as an apostle in this faculty.
Acts chapter 6 ‘you choose – I will send’. Safely returning from their commission they bring their report to
the General (verse 9; Prov 27:17).
Our lives and sphere of ministry are Divinely appointed by The Lord
Two vessels are used to draw the lot for the seven, one containing the names of the tribes and the other
containing the seven portions – maps prepared by the surveyors. Invoking The Lord of Heaven and earth to
superintend the activity, each name/portion was pulled out simultaneously and matched up. A sacred
transaction accomplished ‘before The Lord’. Sporting tournaments use similar machinery to decide team v
team or country v country but without the accompanying acknowledgement of The Lord’s deciding hand!
Our calling in the kingdom is all gift and grace, governed by the Head of the Church. He anoints us and
appoints us to a specific area of privilege and responsibility. He lays down the arrangements and ‘sets’ us in
our designated place. When we identify and embrace that function we are on the way to fruitfulness. Paul
the apostle testified to such an ‘appointment’, that which was set and laid down for him by another’s
arrangements, including the suffering that was associated with such a ministry (Acts 9:15-16, 22:10;
1 Thess 3:3; 2 Tim 1:11).
There are those, as Benjamin, who are only enabled to minister when kept safe by other brethren
The tribe of Benjamin is the first to come forth. His is the smallest portion. Small in distance but rich in the
fertility of its soil; and rich in the cities within its borders – namely, Jerusalem! But also Jericho and Bethel,
Gibeon, Ramah and Mizpeh. It would produce Israel’s first king – Saul - and the Christian church’s most
mighty apostle - Paul (1 Sam 9:21; Ps 68:27; Acts 13:21; Phil 3:5). Also Mordecai and Esther were of this
tribe, fierce in valour.
With Joseph to his north and Judah to his south he was safe. Stronger brothers surrounded him. In this
protection he could live and minister. Six years before this, Moses prophesied that Benjamin would “dwell
between his shoulders” (Deut 33:12). Set in between the power to uphold and sustain, set in between his
only brother Joseph, and the other tribe who would remain loyal to God’s authority in King David’s time,
Judah. We need each other. Some like ‘little’ Ben, need us more than others. In the body, they are not as
comely as others (1 Cor 12); though just as necessary. For some, as bodyguards, part of the calling will
specifically be to look after those brethren that ‘appear’ the least among us – a governmental role with
strength and safety (Isa 9:6; Lk 15:5). This allows our weaker brothers protection to minister in the Spirit.
When his brothers are absent, he will feel ‘little’ and insignificant and struggle to pray, praise or prophesy.
He is too busy watching over his own vulnerability (Rom 15:1-7).
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Joshua Chapter Nineteen
The portion of Judah’s lot was far too great for them. Simeon obtained, within the boundaries of Judah,
a share in various cities and towns. As schoolmasters and lawyer types, she was “scattered in
Israel” (Gen 49:7). There is no record of the extent of her borders, v 9. Judah seems content to
experience this modification of her territory; no murmuring is recorded at Joshua and Eleazar. They
remained integrated to each other’s benefit in years to come (Judges 1:3). And many stood loyal to King
David when the ten tribes revolted. No outstanding personage is spoken of from this tribe, but one bore
his name with honour (Lk 2). The tribe kept its distinction before The Lord (Rev 7). As in a body or
army, some members are less conspicuous than others. They carry a quieter, more supportive role, to
the uplifting of others. They are not resentful if another receives the limelight. They are happy to serve.
No book or sermon or song may bear their name but in Heaven’s eyes and estimation they retain a
distinct and unique personality and position. Initially scattered, the Simeonites are finally, gathered and
it’s the end that is most vital; the way we finish the race (Num 26:14) (numerically the smallest).
Next came forth the inheritance of Zebulun.
How the fear of The Lord must have rested upon the tribes’ representatives as they waited – with dignity.
Nothing is underhanded here, all is public, all is accountable. The sacred record always speaks of Zebulun
with honour. In Judges 5 the tribe is said to have “jeoparded their lives unto the death” in a military
encounter defending the nation from foreign aggressors; the same spirit that assisted the apostles, a rare
sight today. Zebulun bore the heat and burden of the battle. Geographically she lived closest to the
oppressive invader. All encounters with the enemy in the battle arena expose us to ‘reproach’. For if all
goes wrong we ‘risk’ the “told you so” of others and our own personal disappointment. Many would
rather sit in the stalls and watch, eating ice cream. Some of the tribes did exactly that when Jabin
attacked. Others, as Zebulun, have given their lives over to The Lord and for The Lord (Judges 5:18; Acts
15:26; 1 Cor 15:30; Phil 2:20-22). Such folk are of one heart, not two! (1 Chr 12:33) They have one agenda
– to please their Lord and Saviour come what may. When John Wesley came to faith in Christ in May
1738, he was thrown out of every church in London. Invited by George Whitfield to preach in the open air
in Bristol he cast lots to seek the mind of The Lord. He went. The rest – is history.
Prophecy – fulfilled in Zebulun:
The prophecy that Jacob in Genesis 49 and Moses in Deuteronomy 33 spoke forth, comes to pass in a
lot in Joshua 19:11! She was a seagoing, maritime people; ports and ships. The word fulfilled from six
years before and 246 years before, dovetailing in the ‘chance’ of a lottery. Hers was an ocean life and
trading through and to many parts of the Mediterranean, and fishing in the Sea of Galilee. She also
enjoyed “treasures hid in the sand”, often the ‘lot’ of the Christian: oil, water, gold - extracted from
unlikely sources. Much of today’s Middle East is built on oil ‘sucked’ out of the sand. We can mistake
barrenness for emptiness. Great riches come out of dry and sand-like experiences. Assured we are doing
the will of the Father, a dry season will lead to unseen wealth. Nazareth was to be within its boundaries;
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as one of old enquired: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46). What a treasure came out
of that place! Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God and Son of Man (Isa 53:2).
Sharing in the blessing, Issachar:
The men of this tribe worked hard. Both men from The Lord’s direct hand were labouring men - Adam
the gardener and Jesus the carpenter. They potentially toiled year on year, as on a treadmill. Issachar
submitted to two burdens: tillage and tribute (Gen 49:14-15). Working hard, she was called upon to pay
burden-like taxes. Blessing and burdens often go together. Though often feeling she carried an undue
burden and weight for the wider nation, she “rejoiced…in her tents” (Deut 33:18-19). Issachar received
some of the blessing of fruitfulness and multiplication that was prophesied over Zebulun. How often
does another’s favour, help, wholeness, wealth, spill over into our lives! Jezreel was within this tribe’s
border with the area around being especially rich in agricultural bounty. No wonder Ahab envied
Naboth (1 Kgs 21). Issachar would trade with Zebulun, moving her fruits through its ports and ships.
Thus both were happily encouraged. “If the whole body were an eye…” “freely we have received freely
give” (and 2 Cor 1, 9:8). In the last days 12,000 of this tribe will be sealed from destruction during the
time of ‘Great Tribulation’. ‘The Lord knoweth them that are this’.
Asher the happy
From the womb of Leah’s maid by Jacob came a son. So thrilled was Leah that fruitfulness was upon her
that she named the boy ‘happy’ (Gen 30:13). It bodes well for the future when a child can bring some joy
from the moment of birth. Jacob’s prayer-prophecy for him: “His bread shall be fat – he shall yield royal
dainties” (Gen 49:20). He would enjoy an abundance, overwhelming riches and substance, not only
what he needed. His portion was near the seacoast leading to vast trade-exchange. A pleasant, tasteful
and delightful source of ministry to kings of the earth. Moses adds to the general picture of plenty, for
he would have oil not only for his head but also for his feet if he chose to bathe in it (Deut 33:24-25).
Mines would spring up and be exploited for various metal production. Eastern Carmel is in his borders.
No wonder he is happy. Of the seven, he is named happy – the normal state of a Christian’s heart and
mind, the blessed of Isaiah 33:9, 35:2, 37:24, Matttew 5-7. Bounty does not inevitably lead to bravery.
We are blessed to battle. Asher did not use her resources to their fullest extent for the kingdom’s
progress. Given ‘great Zidon’, the capital of the Phoenicians, they never possessed it (Judges 1:31). And
when Barak sent forth the national call for help to repel the Syrian oppressors, Asher never came
(Judges 5:17), but continued unfazed and unmoved in her maritime pursuits of fisheries, timber and
agriculture. ‘She was craven in her haven’. When the call comes to fight in the strategic and critical hour
may we get out of our armchairs, don our armour and be found ready on the battlefield to perform our
duty for Christ our Lord. We shall share in His honour and glory and He will share with us the spoils
and rewards of triumph. It will be worth it, not only happy but honourable. Happy in ourselves and
honoured among the church of the firstborn; that is happiness in-deed. (Judges 5:31; Isa 53:12; 2 Thess
2:14; 1 Pet 1:7; Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26-29; 3:4-5, 12, 21 - ‘rising radiantly’ through life)
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Released into fullness, Naphtali:
Father Jacob by the Spirit prophesied that Naphtali “is a hind let loose” (Gen 49:21). Released from the
tether and that which binds unto freedom of experience and expression; “my chains fell off my heart
was free”. He has, as his name means, ‘wrestled’, and in so doing has prevailed to liberty of life and lip,
and so enjoyed the favour of The Lord. From him came “godly words”, “open thou my lips and my
mouth shall show forth thy praise” (Gen 49:21; Ps 51:15). Our faith is verbal, it’s a speaking-confessional
faith. A confession that overflows from a heart and life “full with the blessing of The Lord”. “Out of the
abundance of the heart…the mouth speaks”. As a hind set free he has the ability to climb the mountain
of The Lord, in sure and safe footings (Ps 18:33; Hab 3:19). Strengthened by The Lord to attain the
highest fulfilment of his calling; for he obtains his “high places”. In early days, he suffered with some
contempt but with the river Jordan within his territory he could exchange commerce with the South and
West (Gen 30:8; Deut 33:23; Judges 1:33, 5:18; Isa 9:1-2). Capernaum in the N.T. heard the ‘godly
words’ of The Lord Himself who, within Naphtali’s borders, “brought a great light”.
Dan is the man who is last – but not least
The last lot fell to the powerful and numerous, though lowly, tribe of Dan. Previously when the
congregation marched, he was at the rear. Now he obtains what’s left of the distribution. A portion of
Judah is released to him right next to an uncomfortable neighbour on the West, the Philistines. The
Lord’s hand overseeing that this strong tribe would provide a bulwark and buffer for the rest of God’s
people, from the enemy. Waiting and waiting to be selected, the tribal representations resigned to be
last, but they did not feel least or “pick me, pick me”, like some frustrated volunteer for a football game.
These are faithful and honourable men. Called out first or seventh makes no difference to them, these
are men not boys. “For the last shall be (as) the first” (Matt 19:30). Dan was often roused by the attacks
of his restless enemies but acted in the dual character of a “young lion/and a serpent” in defence and
attack. Samson, who was a Danite, exhibited these tribal traits in his life and ministry. Dan felt the need
to extend her territory and “leaped from Bashan” (Gen 49:16-17; Deut 33:22; Judges 1:34), in the
northern extremity of Canaan. Judges chapter 18. Conquering Leshem (Laish), they planted a colony
there. Later she weakened in her resolve (Judges 5; 1 Kings 12). Aggressive saints, Dan was as a serpent,
surprising the horse and rider causing them to fall, and as a young lion leaping to the prey. These
qualities in The Lord’s people are becoming more rare and yet are especially needful in this hour.
Wherever he sees an enemy, whatever form it takes in saint or sinner, the church or the world, he will
wait and then strike, wait and then pounce. In so doing he fulfils his name ‘Judge’, as in Dan-iel, ‘God is
Judge’. When Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah gave birth to a son, feeling she was overcoming Leah’s
fruitfulness, she felt vindicated. The Lord had passed ‘sentence in her favour’; The Lord had judged the
situation. Whenever Dan brings down an enemy he will know the assurance in his own spirit that God
has made a judgemental-sentence-upon-his-foes. When he brought down a Philistine by serpent
subtlety or the lion’s strength he knew The Lord had passed sentence and the issue did not originate
within himself.
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A note on possession and inheritance
The Lord has given us a land/Lord, Canaan/Christ, that is our inheritance. That whole ‘potential’ gift,
he lays out before us. Our possession is what we, by faith’s determination, make ‘actual’ of the
inheritance in our experience, not only what we've seen with our eye but placed our feet upon, ours not
only in word but in deed, in promise-fulfilled. Increase can be achieved in both inheritance and
possession as Dan shows us.
The personal inheritance of General Joshua
Joshua 19:48-50. Joshua has done exceptionally well. Canaan is entered, conquered and divided. His
copy-book is virtually perfect. In all he did, he sought the good of the nation and not any selfish agenda
of his own. Though the oldest and ‘greatest’ among The Lord’s people, he waits till all others are fixed
in their portions. A similar word, though unrecorded, has been spoken in the past about Joshua as
about Caleb’s inheritance (Josh 14:6). This is a reward in accordance with a dignified service record.
The lot itself was quite small and obscure. A retirement in a bleak and rocky farm, cutting down trees
and preparing the soil for crops. More than one man has spent his last years working in a garden-farm.
Joshua “built” - that is repaired - and enlarged it; later he would be buried here (Josh 24:30), among his
own tribe. There is no personal greed or aggrandisement here. All is disinterested humility. No attitude
of “might is right” ruled in his heart; ‘Ok, that’s everyone sorted, what about me?!’ (Phil 2) He made no
attempt to seize what he desired but with nobility of spirit, he asks. The tribal representatives are bright
enough to grant him his request. All he wants now is to be left alone. He has earned the right to rest.
Joshua, with the land commissioners, has completed what he was instructed to do (chapter 13:6-7), 12
lots for 12 tribes, with 2 ! on the East of Jordan which are further subdivided among the families; the
land being given to all. Each tribe marched off to its allotted portion, banners waving. Thus Israel began
its national existence in Canaan! (I am aware I have not written of Gad)
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Joshua Chapter Twenty
Verse 1, “The Lord spoke unto Joshua”. The worst that can happen for any man, people or nation is that
The Lord does not speak unto them. We pray for “those in authority” so that they may give ear to the
voice of The Holy Spirit. As he is The Lord, all He brings to us is command. It did not come to Joshua as
suggestions, hints or options. The Lord knows His own mind and knows what is the very best for His
family-flock-fellowship in a given season. We listen for His Spirit/word/wisdom. As Head of the Church
and Lord of the harvest, He will govern and guide His body. He bears that responsibility. I've never met
an open heart that failed to know the Master’s will. I hope we are a friend (Jn 15). Invariably the word
has been heard in the past. Given in another time, but now is the hour for its fulfilment. Now is the
hour for its institution. That word had originally come to Moses (Ex 21; Num 35; Deut 19). Its
appointment comes to Joshua years later. The hour of revelation may not be the hour of
implementation. Assured that the mind of Christ has been received in the past, all is now in place for its
fulfilment. Indications of the Father’s will and word can be seen weeks, months and years before it is
called into being. Provision was to be made for those who accidentally took the life of a fellow Hebrew.
Cities of refuge high in the hills for all to see. Three in the East and three in the West. It discouraged
careless activity and encouraged the ‘sanctity of life’. The disclosures of the Spirit in the past should be
carefully treasured and guarded; both in the heart and in a written form. Keep a prophetic diary of all
that the “Spirit is saying to the church”. When called to act this will reassure many. When all is in place,
expect to have to move quickly in the final hour. The apostles and prophets were called…then sent (Jer
1; Acts 13). David desired to build a temple, but it was ‘appointed’ in Solomon.
In judgement, always make a difference between the hand and the heart
Criminal procedures seek to differentiate between pre-meditated murder and accidental taking of life,
i.e. is the heart and the hand – guilty? What ‘design’ was within the person’s intentions / motivations?
In church life in a mutiny / rebellion, some will be more malicious and wilful than others. Some will be
‘innocently’ caught up in the uproar. The ‘simple’ followed Absalom in his rebellion from the king’s
authority. Though taking of life has occurred, some will be more guilty than others. The ‘innocent’ still
suffered a form of imprisonment within the city of refuge. Some are confined – and some are executed,
i.e. this is Israel’s-state-law. In the Christian local church, the eldership confine some from active
participation and excommunicate others from the ‘life’ of the fellowship altogether. The seriousness of
the ‘taking of life’, discerned by the Spirit’s wisdom. Some ‘cut’ their brothers deliberately and wickedly
as Cain did Abel, others in their awkwardness cut off the ear of another, as Peter. A differential is
maintained (Rom 13; 1 Cor 6).
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Joshua Chapter Twenty-One
The distinguished heads of the four Levitical families approach the civil-spiritual-military governors of
the nation. They desire their portion, which was among all the tribes. The suburbs of forty-eight cities
are given to them (Num 35:1-5; Josh 13:14, 14:3-4, 21:41, 33). They are dispersed over the whole country
(Gen 49); there to point the people God-wards and Heaven-wards; that the nation’s highest honour was
to be in communion with God (Deut 33:8-11). They never fully realised their privileged portion - ‘The
Lord was their inheritance’. Formalism and externalism led them to poverty (Judges 18:7. 19:1). They
never received all the land for their cattle as promised to them. Some of the tribes were not that helpful
to them. They were called to be free to bring a spiritual service. Aaron and the priesthood as elders and
the Levites as deacons (Acts 6; 1 Cor 9:13-14; Gal 6:6-7; Phil 4:10; 1 Tim 4:12-15; 2 Tim 2:3-4).
The maintenance of Christian ministry is neither arbitrary nor optional
In the 1930’s and 40’s in South Wales, the Pentecostal fellowships refused to employ and pay their
pastors and so left them continuing to work down the pits. They lost out because of that hard,
ungenerous attitude. I remember one month not being paid any wages and it became a source of
oppression from my regular cheerfulness. Some of the choicest suburbs were given by each tribe to the
four Levitical families. The Aaron-house knew distinct favour from The Lord. Psalm 115:12-14; Caleb
gave more than others, more than the letter of the law required – his example of generosity was noted
by the Holy Ghost. He is a Barnabus (Acts 4:36-37). The Lord overruled the lot so they could serve
geographically near to the future temple at Jerusalem (verse 4). The Lord provided liberally for the
ministry knowing that men will despise them; that is forty-eight city-suburbs.
Under a big sky
Joshua 21:43-45. The historian glances back at the last years. What an assurance for future generations.
In the bestowment of three major gifts, The Lord God has fulfilled all His word to His people.
Possessions, rest, victory. Abraham their father had wandered over the country without possessing even
a house; now they had cities ready-made to dwell in. No longer as nomads in the desert, they had entered
a place of rest and settlement. Not ultimately, as Paul shows us in Hebrews 4:8, but certainly a composed
and comfortable place and position in which to live. They are no longer poor pilgrims. They are enjoying
victory over all their enemies. The promises to Joshua and Israel were all fulfilled. He kept His word. He
met His obligation. Every enemy they faced was in servitude or had been completely annihilated. Not
one individual giant had managed to prevail against them. All had been assigned to the wastepaper bin
of history’s pit (Gen 12:7; Ex 1:12, 23:27; Deut 7:24, 12:10; Josh 2:9, 10:24, 21:44). They had overcome in
every encounter. Though Canaanites lived side by side with them, they did not attack them!
When it looks as though The Lord has not kept His promise
The integrity of God means that all He had spoken came to pass. All that was upon his shoulders was
fulfilled. Every jot and tittle - every promise and obligation to be their God - had been met. They had
come out of Egypt, through the wilderness, defeated enemy confederacies, occupied and divided the
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land. They were there! All the promises are ‘yes’ in Christ (2 Cor 1). The Lord is faithful; but am I? He
will not fulfil my obligations, obedience, responsibilities, patience of faith, perseverance and diligence.
He did not add Israel’s obligations to his own. If a farmer is given a prosperous field, it will fail if he
does not apply himself. If he spends his days shopping and watching TV he will suffer the consequences
of his neglect. We reap what we sow. To be forgiven and filled with the Spirit will not mean no toil or
danger or anxious moments in the future. Does a promise fail us? Has The Lord failed? Be assured the
weakness will lie with us. “By faith and patience we inherit the promises”. Recheck the genuineness of
the word. Was it from the Spirit? Did I hear His voice accurately and correctly? Then what He said – He
will do. “Though it tarry – wait for it”. You are not His first failure! It’s a fixed portion. The Lord keeps
His covenant and word; “His mercy endureth for ever” (Josh 1:5). Such is the record of God’s fidelity
and integrity. He does His part. The three great promises to the church of God will come to pass. He
sent His Spirit, the church continues to be built and He will come a second time in glory (Matt 16:18;
Lk 8:56; Jn 14:1-3, 16-17; Rom 4:21; 2 Pet 1:4).
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Joshua Chapter Twenty-Two
Time – to go home
Verses 1-9. Joshua is about to retire from active service. For seven years, the army has been in the field.
Campaigns in the South, North and central have seen the seven tribal nations defeated on each occasion.
A general de-mobilisation is about to take place. The soldiers from the 2 ! tribes East of the Jordan are
going home. How well they have conducted themselves. The General gives them a public commendation
for their loyalty to Moses, himself and The Lord. Here they stand, maybe 40,000 proven warriors,
receiving their discharge papers. They had fulfilled the charge given to them. They had kept walking,
warring and worshipping hearts, carefully and circumspectly maintained; ‘honour to whom honour is
due’. A division is made in the accumulated spoils of this great war and each man takes away sacks and
cartfuls of spoil-booty. These they are called to share with the younger/older men folk, who had stayed
home with the families, maintaining food production and protection (Num 31:25-39; Josh 4:12-13; 1
Sam 30:24). Now, allowed to move by the command and commendation of their General, he does not
hesitate to ‘bless them’. As he grants this upon the head of the faithful war veterans he brings The Lord’s
continuing requirement upon them in five terse statements: Love The Lord. Walk in His ways. Observe
His commandments. Cleave to Him. Serve Him. They had not done as others Psalm 78:9-10! Joshua
understood that their very lives depended on their faithfulness to God. He prays for them and seeks to
protect them, as all fathers do. The great, central, visible, national influence lay on the West of Jordan.
He knew that idolatry was near to the Israelite heart, therefore he warns them in stark and stern
language. You are some distance away from the Ark in Shiloh – be careful (Josh 24:14). My father-inlaw, Mr Elwyn Cleverly, spent years away from his first wife in serving abroad during the Second World
War. She passed away soon after his return, a broken heart taking its toll on her already frail body.
A geographical note: A river separated the 2 ! from the 9 ! tribes, but this was more than a riverdivision. The unique valley through which the Jordan runs largely explains the story (of Josh 22). The
river runs below sea level and high mountains border it on either side, 3,000 to 4,000 feet between
river and plateau. The 2 ! tribes in the East began to be overcome by fear. They began to feel isolated
and separated from the national identity. H.Q. seemed a long way away, emotionally, geographically
and psychologically.
Suspicion tempered by consultation
Many accusations have fallen upon me through the years. One continues to be amazed that no one
bothers to come and talk to me about them. At first sight: a serious warning. In April of 2008, I lost the
friendship of dozens of folk because they ‘judged’ me on first sight. ‘Surely it was a prima-facie case?
Open and closed. Was it not obvious, why even write or ring him? There’s nothing to discuss!’ With the
absence of consultation, a separation ensued. Severe consequences have followed. Greater wisdom was
found in the brethren before us.
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Israel’s leaders pause for reflection. A report has reached them that a huge stone and earthen ‘altar’ has
been established east of the river. Oh no! All their suspicions and fears have been confirmed. The 2 !
have gone mad. The 2 ! have gone bad and so quickly lost it and backslidden. Where is the
accountability? It must be sin! Providentially for Israel, she possessed some very wise elders who
paused for a moment – to take stock. This means war! No, it didn’t mean that at all (v 12). Their first
consideration on hearing of an alternative altar was aggressive and violent. They, in their zeal, would go
and destroy their villainous brothers in the East. In calmer and more reflective moments, the decision
was made to send a delegation to enquire (Deut 13:13-15). Was it rebellion or a misunderstanding? The
zealous Phinehas leads the way with a group of ten other senior men. They go and talk to the 2 !.
Seeing the great mound of earth shaped as the altar at Shiloh, they assumed it contradicted the word
and counsel of The Lord – but it didn’t! (Ex 20:24; Lev 17:8-9; Deut 12:5-13). The deputation reminded
and warned their brethren of the Peor uncleanness and the Achan-trouble. The thoroughness in
consultation and investigation is commendable. They proceeded cautiously and patiently. They ask
questions – they put their concerns and case. To assume makes an ass-of-u-and-me. Slow down, take
stock. Even the world’s wisdom tells us there are two sides to every story. Do not be so quick to judge…
“I told you so.” “It’s just what I expected.” Life makes us pre-disposed to act rashly with too little
gathered information and revelation available.
The men from the West open very fiercely with their brethren. As they continue to speak at the men from
the East, a generosity of spirit begins to grip them. ‘Come over and live among us if you feel ‘out of
it’’ (Isa 38:15; 1 Thess 5:21; Rev 2:2). Many fears of the heart are self-imposed. Eventually the 2 ! are
allowed to get a word in edgeways and produce their solemn reply. It is a soft, sincere and simple answer.
They have no intentions of setting up a new sacrificial system in competition to the one at Shiloh. This
mound of earth was a memorial not a sacrificial place. It was a physical reminder of the original to help
preserve them from idolatry! The complete reverse to the suspicions of their brethren. Their fault and
weakness was a lack of communication in informing the West of their intentions. Naivety also prevailed.
A little patient enquiry had averted separation and pain. There is a Welsh story of Llywelyn and his dog
Gelert, which he stabbed believing the blood stains on its mouth belonged to his beloved child. On
raising the cradle, after and later, he finds the child asleep and well, and a huge wolf dead from whose
fangs the dog had delivered him. Adherence and allegiance was the motivation of the 2 !.
Let The Lord decide
They appeal to The Lord to be a witness upon them if they are lying and deceiving their brethren (verse
22). Let us fall into The Lord’s judgement. He is God. He will know our hearts afar off. He will not spare
us but bring us to desolation if we are wrong. Open strife and armed conflict are avoided and praise
ascends to The Lord. Checking directly with the mind of Christ by Urim and Thummim, a clear response
clarifies the situation; yes, they are guilt-less. Phinehas’ suspicions are quietened; he is satisfied with
the genuine answer he has received. They share the same desire for the unity and purity of the word and
Spirit. He is not ashamed and too stubborn to acknowledge his mistake. Apologies all round. Disaster
averted and safety prevails. In the devotion of the 2 !, Phinehas discerns The Lord’s presence among
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them. It’s a clear sign to him and a proof (v 31) that their devotion preserved them from destruction.
The opposite is also always true. A ‘church’ in which The Lord does not dwell is no church at all. Such
are devoted, yes, but to their own ‘bellies’. It will be a hold of unclean spirits and a cage of every hateful
bird (Rev 18:2). The mound is not ordered to be removed. It remained as a ‘witness’ - ‘Ed’ between East
and West - that this was one body, with one Lord and one faith. There is no reference to Joshua in this
incident. He has probably retired, it being some length of time after the 2 ! had returned home.
Receiving the story of what had unfolded he rejoiced that his children were walking in the truth. With
the church / nation in such zealous and wise hands he could rest at ease in his retirement! (Eph 4:3;
3 Jn v 4). Para-church organisations need to be especially alert to this incident, that a spirit of
independence does not grip the work, creating a rebellious attitude to local church eldership.
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Joshua Chapter Twenty-Three
Never call retreat
General Joshua is approaching the sunset of his pilgrim journey. Still strong and upright in his body,
we see by the Spirit, he wears a kingly crown. The attrition of battle and government has had a
weakening on his emotional system. He walks upright – the bearing of a retired army officer who
carries seniority and a sense of discipline. It’s been fourteen years since the initial conquering of Canaan
and seven years since the distribution of the tribes. Joshua remains alert in the word and Spirit. He sees
things as they are. He possessed no rose-tinted glasses. His speech-sermon-address-exhortation to
Israel is filled with modesty and humility. Whatever the people of God enjoyed was because of The Lord
– not him! He sinks all thoughts of his personal service. This is a call, relayed in a general and then
detailed overview, to maintain their unswerving allegiance to the worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob. He knew the human heart – he knew the Hebrew temper and temptation to idolatry. No
illusions dogged his mind. Continue unabated in heart-felt-devotion to Jehovah – never call retreat!
The fundamental position – The Lord fought for Israel
What made Israel so powerful? What gave her such brilliant and easy victories? What turned a nation of
slaves into such a successful killing-machine? Slaves and shepherds becoming the conquerors of
ferocious tribes? Nothing – but God! These men are turned into soldiers, for The Lord fought on their
side! The wickedness of the land since the destruction of Sodom was to be cleansed by judicial
retribution. Israel’s army was that executive agent; the executioners of Heaven’s justice. The Lord God
is set forth expressly as ‘The Champion of Israel’. Now, says the General, you have inherited ‘Paradise’ a veritable ‘garden of Eden’. Anticipating their future-history, ‘cleave’ to The Lord – for the ‘glory’ can
be lost and forfeited as Adam and Eve experienced. Indeed this is exactly what happened to Israel.
Invasion, oppression, captivity, exile and dispersion. Where disobedience to Heaven’s authority exists,
that is the inevitable downward spiral, be it individual, family, church, nation. The Lord does not play
games with us. He tests us, yes, to examine our declaration of faithfulness and loyalty, ask Peter! Games
no – tests yes! Men will not believe what they do not like to believe “The wages of sin is death – a
separation”. Though it initially deceives us, the bill on the floor that arrives will be clear enough – as
dry-rot, invisible for a while and then… collapse for all to see; “and great will be the fall of it”.
Are you threatening me? – Yes!
Verse 12. We cleave to The Lord or we cleave to the enemy. Speaking of the marriage union, Joshua
warns God’s people not to be united with the Canaanite; it means ‘going back’. This was strictly
prohibited (Ex 34:12-16; Deut 7:3). Disobedience would lead to The Lord’s Divine help being
withdrawn, the glory lifting, the enemy growing in strength as the church’s young people marry nonChristians (Ex 23:33; Num 33:55; Deut 7:16). He is the same God who keeps His promises, who will
keep His threats. All is based on faithfulness.
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“The mentioning of their gods” – a spiritual observation
Verse 7. When a Christian ceases to be a spiritual man, he first becomes a moral man. The slippage is
slow but clear to those who wish to see. As a moral man, all the evil and sin and wickedness of his
nation will be railed and spoken against. In so doing, he speaks of the dark, deceiving and demonic ways
of the enemy. I've seen preachers for years shout against sin and Satan, and all along be in spiritual
disobedience themselves. Constant detailed preaching against sin and sins is an obvious sign of
disobedience to the very word itself! (Ex 23:13; Deut 7:3; Ps 16:4; Eph 5:3). The unnecessary and
familiar language in describing this ‘present evil world’ is illustrating the ‘gods’ that energise such
behaviour. Such preaching is little more than an advertisement for the influence of demon-power. In
speaking of sin’s energy in such lurid terms, he is giving a respect to the enemy it does not deserve. I
once heard of sex education given in a series of ten lectures from a pulpit – how mad?! ‘Persona-nongrata’. When a person in the congregation has become as a ‘god’ to themselves, their name will not be
used in Heaven or earth. They have no name or identity, they have simply become ‘that man’ or ‘that
woman’. So close is the association with demon power and influence, one does not dignify such an
individual with a name. They have become a thing of worth-less-ness, empty and void to God and the
spiritual man. They are buried into a perpetual oblivion. One actively discourages others from showing
respect to them. The testifier should emphasise his new life not his old activities.
When The Lord Himself has become our enemy
Joshua 23:15-16. I remember for six weeks in 1985 I had this experience. The Lord blocked my path and
caused what work I sought to achieve to be fruitless. He put the spoke in my wheels and caused us to
more fully throw our dependence upon Him – alone. It was a sober and sombre month and a half. I
have not been conscious of such a season since. “He resisteth the proud”. If we will not lower ourselves
to Him, He will make it His personal aim to bring us down. I watched a ‘church’ I had been part of for
twenty years be brought down by The Lord Jesus. Not pretty or pleasant to the natural mind of man but
I rejoice at every work of His hands. Raising up or tearing down. He is quite prepared to weaken and
wither where disobedience is rife. He rejoices in comforting or correcting (Deut 28:58-64, esp v 63).
Our life is defined by what we bow to (v 16) (Ex 23:24; Ps 95; Dan 3; Matt 4; Lk 18; Eph 3:14; Rev 2). He
removes the candlestick; He fights against us with the sword of His mouth; He casts into a sick bed of
tribulation; He kills Jezebels children (Rev 3). He does not find our works perfect before God – the
Father; He comes as a thief at an unknown and unexpected hour. He knows that we are neither cold nor
hot and spews us out of his mouth. He rebukes and chastens. He was angry with His people and they
‘quickly’ perished (v 16) (James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5). ‘Resists’ – ‘to set self over in array against’. He is stood
opposing us, as Balaam’s madness was halted by the angel. He is blocking and battling us; “for whoever
will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”. The Lord did become Israel’s enemy and adversary.
Ultimately they were taken as slaves into distant Babylon. The greater the light received, the greater the
punishment – suffering the consequences of our folly (Josh 24:20; Isa 63:8-10, esp v 10).
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Joshua Chapter Twenty-Four
“A cloud of witnesses”
John Wesley went to his reward at 10am on the 2nd March 1791 – he was eighty-eight and full of fruit.
His last recorded words were, “The best of all is – God is with us”; a fitting summary to his life and, as
Joshua, to all who favour The Lord above all others. Joshua may not have used identical words but his
heart attitude was the same. At our prayer and Bible study on the evening of the 9th of July 2008, one
of our prophets saw Joshua stand among us. He was stood behind me at the beginning of the gathering
looking outwards. He was a man in kingly dress with a crown on his head. He wore expensive looking
clothes. Slim, fit, no fat, with a chiselled expression. There was no softness in his aspect – rather, power
and ferocity; as a killing machine. As he and his men had fought bloody battles to take the land – so do
we. What a wonderful affirmation from The Lord that he would send General Joshua to us. He came to
us in one aspect of his calling. That night I preached and prayed with strength, unaware until later that
he was among us. Or if you would consider it in another way, we were among him and his men. “We
have come to Mount Zion… to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb 12:22-24). We had come to
him and he had come to us. Blessed confirmation that we are doing something right.
Jesus led me all the way
Joshua, living on longer than he had anticipated, gives another farewell address to the nation’s tribal
representatives. He is acutely aware of Israel’s propensity to idolatry and takes this further opportunity
to fix her heart toward The Lord. In reviewing the history of the nation, he speaks of Abram who had
moved out of idolatry and firmly fixed his heart on The Lord. Be as your father – he is saying. The words
of reminder are given as The Lord’s own words. He wants to impress them with the understanding that
their very existence was solely down to the gracious orderings of God. He called Abram. He delivered
them from Egypt through Moses and Aaron. He had buried the Egyptians in the sea. He had driven the
Amorites out of the eastern area of Canaan. He had turned the curse of Balaam into a blessing. He had
disposed the seven nations. And He had settled them into ‘the pleasant’ land. Their history was His
activity. “I took, I gave, I sent, I brought, I have done, I destroyed”. The Lord declares His glorious
exploits (Jer 9:23-24; Acts 7). Here is the grace, goodness, guidance and government of God. In verses 2
to 13, the personal pronoun occurs no less than seventeen times.
A public confession
Joshua calls for a public declaration from God’s people of their complete dedication to Christ. Attached
to Him and detached from idols. At my conversion in 1972, I was invited to publicly declare that Jesus
Christ was my Lord and Saviour – I did so. At water baptism we speak out ‘His name’ (Rom 10:9),
‘renouncing the hidden things of darkness and dishonesty’ (2 Cor 4:2). As Daniel continuing to pray in
danger; as our Lord before Pilate who ‘witnessed’ a good confession (Dan 6:10; 1 Tim 6:13). We should
not sing out the words in a hymn that we do not intend to live. A pastor will know that idolatry lurks
close to the people’s heart. An aggressive spirit is required to quench the fire just below the surface. The
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order and emphasis is ‘turned to God, from idols’ (1 Thess 1:9). The mind will follow the mouth (Matt
10:32; Acts 19:18; 1 Jn 1:9, 4:15). We speak out what the Father thinks of our sin, His Son, and ‘so great
salvation’.
A small people – a silly people
The children of Israel had been given every conceivable reason for choosing The Lord as their God.
Evidence upon evidence of His good hand toward them had been enumerated. Any other course would
be the silliest and stupidest – conceivable. Not to elect to choose The Lord would reveal a small-minded
people, a silly people (Hos 7:8-11).
Standing alone
In the strategic hour of advance, ‘we commit everything’. Nothing, is held back in case The Lord doesn’t
help. All our eggs are in one basket. It’s called – faith. Luther would say, ‘Here I stand – I can do no
other’. We catch a vision, a heavenly sight, and nothing or no one can move us from our course. If we
minister just to an old man with a three-legged dog in a park, in the rain – then that’s what we will do!
(I've done this in Scotland!) (Acts 20:24, 26:19; Phil 3:13-14) Joshua carried a grateful heart and
confesses his unalterable resolution to choose The Lord. If that meant only he and his family standing
with the God of Abram, Isaac and Jacob, then so be it. It would sadden him but not deflect Him. He had
seen too much of The Lord’s word and works to deny Him (Ezek 23; Amos 5:25; Acts 4:20; Rom 12:1-2).
A practical proof
The Evangelist calls on the people for repentance, to turn. Public, obvious idolatry had been eradicated;
private veneration was another matter entirely. A bonfire is needed. Material needs to be burned.
Statues, pictures, photos, literature, crucifix, letters, buddhas, DVDs, books, computer files, cigarettes,
weapons, ouija boards... All that is mixed, and therefore not “in sincerity and truth” (verse 14) must go
(Gen 35:2; Ezek 20:18; Lk 18; Acts 7:42-43, 19; 2 Cor 7:1-6; Eph 6:14 & v 23).
Choose
The Lord respects the human will above everything else in the earth. There is a point in church life
where the senior pastor must allow the oversight and people to choose. A choice must be made. They
must not be held up artificially. They must not be clothed by your anointing alone. The ‘true truth’ /
situation of the level of commitment must be seen. If The Lord is unfair or unreasonable toward you,
then say now! If He has let you down, not kept His word, if He has failed you – then choose: The foreign
gods of Ur and Egypt and Canaan or… Jehovah the Living God. He leaves them to their liberty. Even as
they solemnly express their devotion, Joshua is dubious. He knows the human heart; he has witnessed
many times when the people acted foolishly and beyond reason. He is not convinced they can keep their
covenant commitment. He goes so far as to say, “Ye cannot serve The Lord” (verse 19), and places
clearly before them the moral inabilities and difficulties of honouring such a Lord. This is the worst case
scenario. He is too exacting, too pure, these requirements are beyond you. He spells it out in the darkest
possible terms. If you choose The Lord – this is what you will be facing. Are you absolutely sure? This
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service will require the greatest possible care and courage! You’re so prone to superstition, I fear one
day you will revolt and cast off this burden as too heavy for you. As a “jealous” God He will not suffer
another in this relationship. Other nations may get away with their idolatrous heart practices but He
will not by-pass you. He has invested too much into you. You have enjoyed too many privileges and
revelations. So if you commit – and then blow it, God Himself will ‘hurt you’. So be sure you want to do
this. Weigh up your advantages and disadvantages – very thoughtfully. Again, count the cost.
When The Lord hurts us
As a father to a child, a judge to a prisoner in the dock, the creator to His creature, a king to his
unfaithful servants; the same fire that cleanses can consume. The Lord that had preserved Jacob from
‘hurt’ at the hands of Laban, would reserve Israel specifically unto evil, treat them ill and afflict them.
The same Lord that delivers us from evil, can and will deliver us unto evil (Gen 37:7; Isa 11:9; Matt
6:13). Moses in Num 16:15 testifies to ‘not having hurt’ one of the children of Israel though they sought
to do him harm (Jer 25:1-2). But The Lord would bring an enemy down upon the land and people,
Nebuchadrezzar, King of Babylon, The Lord’s servant. The Land would become a ‘desolation’.
Where a ‘Jesus is Lord’ banner flies over a town, it can be pulled down into a hell-like-cesspit (Josh
23:15; Isa 63:10; Acts 7:38-43). “He will turn”, altering the course of His manner toward them, as a
ship, one day a friend – the next day an enemy, and many are caught by surprise. The Lord was always
‘playing for keeps’. This is no dress rehearsal to Him. He will be as severe as ever He was kind.
Goodness abused is turned into fury. I rejoice at all the work of His hands. Many will be in
astonishment, walking around as in a dazed-puzzled-confusion. How could this happen to us? Our
capacity for denial in such an hour will be deep. The joker will laugh no longer. The Lord’s cage in which
we will spend our captivity will be small (Rom 11:21; 1 Cor 3:17; Heb 3:7-19, 4:1-2; Jude v 5; Rev 2:5,
3:16). The Lord will not pass over the sin of idolatry. “God and mammon! O be wiser. Serve them both?
It cannot be. Ease in warfare, saint and miser? These will never well agree. Give the fawning foe no
credit. So the bloody flags unfurled. That base heart the word has said it, loves not God that loves the
world”. Double-mindedness in nominally worshipping The Lord; hesitating in ‘the kingdom hour’ will
leave us as Lot’s wife – a pillar of salt – cold, lifeless and sour. A church can go from The Lord’s
direction to correction and then, if they refuse that, to be consumed by His anger. Not a pleasant sight.
“So Joshua made a covenant with the people”
Verse 25. Joshua has said it – as it is. He has unburdened his soul. As The Lord’s mouthpiece he has
prophesied of The Lord’s activity, ministry, ability. He has told them and warned them of the ‘worst that
can happen’. Warning is a foundational role of an elder – warning of disobedience. The teaching pastor
does this week on week (2 Kg 6:10; Ps 19:11; Ezek 33:5; Acts 20:31; 1 Cor 4:14; Col 1:28; 1 Thess 5:14).
He keeps The Lord’s requirements before the mind of the people. By a firm and fixed public resolution,
the people are adamant, “Nay – we will serve The Lord”. One must take people at their word and accept
them even though, as Joshua, we have a fearful apprehension of future collapse. We work with God’s
people as they are – at that moment. Every time we partake of the ‘Lord’s table’ we enter in again, in a
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fresh manner to proclaim our devotion to God. We are in comm-union. This is what we choose again
this week. Unconfessed sin and a wrong attitude to a brother will bring upon us physical sickness and, if
left unresolved, premature death (1 Cor 11). The table is supernatural. Medicine to the humble, poison
to the proud. Every time we declare our love and faith to The Lord in chorus and hymns, He listens and
takes note and awaits the out-working of that. He expects our heart to be in it. For we have voluntarily
and intelligently entered into an agreement with The Lord of Glory (Matt 15:8; Heb 8:9, 10:29). An
arrangement where He gave us His life and we give Him our lives (2 Cor 5:15, 11:3; Heb 12:14; 1 Pet
2:24). We are accountable for the words of our mouth.
The oak at Allon-moreh
Verse 26. A written record is kept of the nation’s proclamation; the nation’s ‘yes and Amen’ to The
Lord’s word and ways; one is private, the other public. One of parchment and one engraved in stone, a
record of our consecration. At that place on that date we said…! We all have our place at Allon-moreh.
We joyfully declared our allegiance to The Lord. We held nothing back. We sang with strength, ‘I
surrender all’. We sang with conviction, ‘and I will serve no foreign god’. A record was made in the back
of our Bibles, on a CD and at the throne of Jesus Christ. He expects our yes to be yes and our no to be
no. He holds us to our word. Alas, for our self-confidence. Though all deny you, I will not my Lord. Oh
the fickleness of the human heart; in our enthusiasm we take on what is beyond our strength. We bind
ourselves to grow, advance, commit, trust, love, forgive – we write it in our diary, a memorable hour of
decision, a major transaction (Gen 28, 31, 35; Ex 24; Deut 27; Josh 4). There is no level of Christian
experience to which any of us may attain from which we may not ultimately go back. Defeat, discomfort
and disgrace can come upon anyone and any people who fail to continue to march forward. “Simon –
lovest thou me more than these”? One has said “To myself I will show a heart of steel, to my fellow man
a heart of love, and to my God a heart of flame”. If we would serve, we must first surrender; it’s the
‘exchanged life’ – “no more I, but Christ”.
The last recorded words of Joshua: “Lest ye deny your God”
Verse 27. The stone is said to hear Israel’s bold proclamation of dedication, as the basic principles of the
agreement were written here-on. This is marked before The Lord. Here is a permanent record. In the
mouth of two or three witnesses... For twenty years, we laboured in the North West of England. Every
major message was kept; a record for future generations. Yes – this was said and spoken. It already has
been called upon to witness the fact that warning of possible loss and forfeit had been delivered. We
deny our Lord, “I do not know the man”, by denying His presence, purity, passion, promises and power
– to help. Our lips and lives denying, in practical terms, His existence and our association with Him. He
does not take kindly to being ignored! He feels astonishment that we do not miss His presence and
Spirit (Acts 3:13-14; 1 Thess 5:18-19; Titus 1:16; 2 Pet 2:1; Jude v 4). Feigned allegiance is a lying
allegiance; it is untrue (Gen 18:15; Prov 30:9). He knows when we laugh at His power or refuse our
identification with Him. The pastor will have a realistic appraisal of the spiritual condition of all the
sheep under his care. We minister to that true evaluation. Some will be surprised, others offended.
Joshua knew the people. He knew their hearts’ tendencies. For sixty years, he had beheld their
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behaviour. He has done everything in his power to cause them to nail their colours to the mast – while
at the same time not violating the human will. He feared for their future (Acts 20; 1 Tim 4:1-3). May we
be numbered among those that stand, whatever the pressure! (Matt 10:33; Jn 1:20; Rev 2:13 and 3:8).
Seniority of ministry: “Joshua said – Joshua let”
Verses 27 & 28. As their retired military General and senior administrator, the people of God listened
and rightly looked to Joshua, as unto The Lord, for correction and direction. He is as a New Testament
apostle. We do well to note The Lord’s seniority among us or we will make some very serious errors of
judgement. It is “first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers” in Jesus’ government of His
church. His kingdom rule came upon Israel through Joshua. He said – he let. Paul said that in authority,
he was not behind “the very chiefest of apostles” (1 Cor 12:28; 2 Cor 11:5, 12:11). He had hoped to be
commended, instead he was rejected. God’s ways are men. His word, ways and wisdom coming to us
through another member of the Body (Col 2:19). Life flows from the Head. Intelligent orders flow from
the Head. A severed body from the Head is lost. It has no life, no light, no sight – no future.
Work with the authority of God in your area – it will look like a lion and a lamb. For years I searched
out men greater in spiritual gift and authority than I and went out of my way to work with and submit
myself to such brethren. For, to be a man of authority, we must be under authority (Matt 8). Paul as the
founding-father-apostle to the congregations under his care, had the right to teach, correct, rebuke,
command, exhort, revenge, boast in, use sharpness, receive monies, send colleagues to, beseech,
describe their spiritual condition, warn, bring a rod, deliver unto Satan, excommunicate, forbear
working, question doctrine and practice, call to submit, collect offerings, examine obedience, comfort,
rejoice over, prove sincerity, et-cetera.
“Joshua – the servant of The Lord”
That is the highest accolade a man can be given. He gave The Lord God what He wanted. He was there
for Him. Faith – gets Jesus what He wants: what He wants to achieve in any given situation. What's on
The Lord’s heart and mind, what is His agenda? A family to save from drowning, a baby to be born, a
country to move to, blood to be sprinkled, seas to open, walls to fall, a land to be conquered and divided.
Such men have no personal agenda. Self is crucified. Having heard from the throne, he will live and die
to obtain what The Lord desires. Such men have no flag to wave, doctrinal system of men to uphold,
reputation to protect or promotion to advance. They know they exist for another. They serve The Lord
Christ – and that’s it. Joshua had one supreme virtue – he honoured God. Wherever The Lord’s claim
was involved, he could see nothing, listen to nothing, and care for nothing but the development of his
Master’s Glory. Such men are not loved by this world. They are too jealous for The Lord – and therefore
too severe toward those who refuse Him. This brief but noble epitaph is penned by the historian. Every
fresh discovery of truth leads to a new anointing – for service. We are in that congregation for them.
How can I feed them better, lead them clearer, heed them with more tenderness? What more can I be
and do for the sheep in my care? Joshua had known power in service. Spiritually, he didn’t live on the
right side of Easter or Pentecost. Nevertheless he lived daily in the land of God’s salvation. As his name
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so his nature: “Jehovah is salvation”. He didn’t bring the people into perfection but he did bring them
perfectly into all The Lord had to give – in that season! (Heb 4:8) No man can do more! As Captains
Lewis and Clarke, who opened up Louisiana and the West in 1806, so he had, under God, taken 2!
million people into the pleasant and Promised Land. He and his family had kept to the word, kept to the
purpose, kept to The Lord. No wandering out of orbit being seduced by evil spirits for them! (1 Tim
4:1-2) Joshua had understood ‘the battle above the clouds’ (Judges 5:20). He deserved…
A triumphant end
“Joshua died – and was buried in the hill of Gaash”
Joshua 24:29-30. Death – it happens. Moses died, now Joshua. Soon Eleazar the High Priest will also
pass onto his reward, “far beyond the sun”. “Till glad I lay this body down, thy servant, Lord, attend;
and O my life of mercy crown – with a triumphant end”. A whole generation is over. The younger elders
who had seen the works of The Lord, were wise enough in Joshua’s absence, to continue in the same
faith as their beloved General. It’s been twenty years since they had entered Canaan under his
leadership, verse 31. Joseph’s bones also find a permanent resting place at this time (Chapters 23 to 24),
both a farewell and funeral address. So the book of Joshua ends with the account of the burial of these
three men of God.
After one hundred and ten years, the hour has come when Joshua must die. A second age after the
departure from Egypt was now slipping away to become the past. This new generation entered a time of
settlement. They needed to be more vigilant in such an hour. Now they have homes of their own; tents
have gone. They have fields and wells, gardens and orchards. They have been “planted” (Ex 15:17).
Nevertheless they are still a ‘pilgrim people’, on a journey of faith and love, up the mountain of The
Lord. We note that there is no reference to a time of national mourning. One wonders if they really
knew the value of the one they had among them. In retirement the General had entered a period of
relative obscurity. He missed ‘the old days’, he missed taking on the enemy, he missed his army
colleagues. He felt somewhat lonely (Judges 2:11; 2 Sam 3:38).
“Having a desire to depart – and to be with Christ; which is far better”
Philippians 1:23. Joshua is tired of hanging around. He is both prepared and ready to go home. He is
awaiting his next assignment from The Lord. As his spirit leaves his body in death, two angels escort
him and lift him up into a cloud of light. The Lord Himself awaits him, standing and smiling. Applause
rings out as angels and men clap with admiration and joy. Jesus hugs him and says, ‘Well done’. The
pleasure of Heaven pours upon the General. Joshua has made it, relief enters his soul. The Lord’s
pleasure in his servant’s steadfastness: a fixedness motivated from his love of God and the fear of The
Lord. What a reception! He has served his generation by the will of God. A prince and a great man had,
that day, left Israel. He received an entrance ministered to him abundantly into the everlasting kingdom
(2 Sam 3:38; Acts 7:55-56; 2 Pet 1:11). Joshua today awaits his reward. I do not believe he will be
disappointed! In this best of all possible worlds.
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The shaking in the sun
Joshua is buried within his inheritance some miles above Jerusalem. The area that he lived in meant ‘a
portion of the sun’. The farm area among the hills enjoying the uninterrupted rays of the Mediterranean
sunshine. He lived in God’s salvation, he lived in the sunshine. He had, as one president expressed it, “Pay
any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival
and success of – liberty”. He had actually done it, lived it, fought it, experienced life to the full. The name
of the hill in which his mortal remains were laid to rest was Gaash – which means shaking and trembling.
It was as if the very earth understood who was gone from them that day. It trembled with fear at the
prospects for the future. And well it might, for dark days did lie ahead. “There arose another generation
after them, which knew not The Lord” (Judges 2:10). For them it was a second hand experience which is
never sufficient in the strategic hour of advance. We must know The Lord for ourselves.
“Finally brethren”
The old leadership passes on at a similar time, which is often the case, so that the new men can also
arise in the same season. Moses and Aaron went home in the same year. Joshua and Eleazar also were
called home within days of each other. When the old guard is about to leave this scene of time, keep
your eyes wide open upon the horizon for their replacement. The Head of the Church will not leave us
comfortless. He will give us His governmental men. Joshua-the-soldier-statesman has gone home,
home to his crown. He could say with another, “I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which The Lord, the
righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His
appearing” (2 Tim 4:7-8). Joshua – ‘servant of The Lord’, today, looks forward to Our Lord’s return – in
glory. He deserves His crown!
186
Gratefulness
I am grateful to Mrs Jannine Mulvaney for typing the tiny writing that made up the original manuscript.
Thank you love for your conscientiousness. Mrs Alex Thomas, Viv Bell and Katy Walsh worked on the
manuscript to present it grammatically correct. Its formation and presentation is also due to their labour
and skill. Honour where honour is due. Thank you dear sisters.
To Washington Christian Centre in the North East of England for releasing me from the weight of
public ministry between 14 January – 17 July 2008 to write this work. Especially to our son, David J.
Thomas who carried that extra burden – with sincerity and dignity.
For the writings of A.W. Pink, Matthew Henry and Matthew Poole, Alan Redpath, Oswald Saunders, Dr
D.M.L. Jones, Jamieson Fausset and Brown, Blaike’s commentary on Joshua, Bruce Catton’s history of
the American Civil War, David Rohl, Sidlow Baxter; your work, gentlemen, lives on.
Prophetic contributions from Mrs Janet Fraser, Ian Bell and especially Mr Eugene Erdozain. When you
read the story and follow the Bible passage and think – where did that come from? …invariably the
answer is through the ‘seer’, that is Eugene. Phrases to do with the Giants, the battle at Beth-horon, and
Joshua’s home calling are outstanding – revelation. Eugene is to me, what Gad was to King David – a
priceless gift. For the writing angel who oversaw me, guiding, constraining, suggesting and dare I
mention, inspiring. I was conscious of heavenly assistance.
And then there is my wife – Cora. Cora prayed for me every day, and although sometimes quite weak in
body, allowed me uninterrupted hours in the study – it is to her I dedicate this book. Although she has
stood among the alien corn, she chose to overcome! Praise God! For His name’s sake. Amen.
Wayne R. Thomas
England
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General_Joshua_ A_Manual_for_Overcomers

Transcription

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