Up to now, we looked at the Torah. The First Five books, or the Law. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. We have seen clearly that even though the Scribes and Pharisees knew these Books, or “The Law,” like the back of their hands, they missed the most important thing about them. They all pointed to Jesus.
Jesus said,
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” {John 5:39}Now we are going to continue, into the Second part, if you will, of the Old Testament. Starting today with Joshua. Can we find Jesus in Joshua? Of course, we can. Notice how Joshua starts. Joshua 1:1-3
“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.”What does the Word say about Jesus? He came to fulfill the Law. Romans 8:3-4
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”Where the Law stopped, Joshua begins. Where the Law stops, Jesus begins. Just like Moses, being weak could not complete God’s Plan to bring His Chosen People to the Promised Land, our Flesh is weak. We cannot make it to God’s Promised Land by ourselves. This is why Jesus came to Earth.
However, we actually SEE the appearance of Jesus IN The Book of Joshua. Don’t believe me? We have already established that He is The Word, and was with God in the Beginning and “All things were created by Him and For Him.” Now we see this Supernatural meeting between Jesus and Joshua.
Now God tells Joshua to go and take over the great City of Jericho. This would, of course, be impossible without Divine Intervention. After forty years in the Desert, all the men of War in the Jews camps have died. Even young Males have become older Men. Joshua does attempt to do what he thinks is best here. He makes Weapons, Circumcised all the Males, and heads out in obedience to God to take over this walled and fortified City. When he arrives he is met by a Supernatural Being.
“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”Joshua did not even hesitate to listen to this “Man” because he knew instantly who He was. Jesus answered him.
“ And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”Notice what this is meaning here? God tells Joshua what he must do. Since it was not really in his ability to do it, Jesus came and said in essence, “I have not come to fight with you. But rather to fight for you. I have come to take your place.”
None of us are able to live a Life worthy of God and or Salvation. However, we have One who is. Ephesians 3:20
''Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,''It is absolutely clear that this is one of the pre- Bethlehem born Christ. Or as some call the “pre-incarnate” appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You know the rest of the Story. Joshua and those with him marched around the City of Jericho once a Day for Six Days. They were preceded by the Ark of the Covenant and Seven Priests bearing Seven Trumpets made up of Ram's Horns. On the Seventh Day, they did this Seven times and the Priests blew the Trumpets. On one accord, the Children of Israel shouted with a great noise. When they did, the Walls of the City fell and the city of Jericho was taken as God had declared.
Why? Faith. Faith that God is Faithful and Just. Faith that God can do whatsoever He says. Faith that God is with His Children. Faith in God, even if it seems impossible. Matthew 19:26
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””And the Word reminds us of this in Hebrews 11:30
“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”Faith that Jesus, is able and willing, to take our place, and accomplish that of which we cannot do on our own. Continuing on in Joshua, we read of Rahab. A Sinner who comes to Christ. Who believed and had Faith in God and His Church. Hebrews 11:31
“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”Remember she hung a Scarlet {Blood Colored} cord, {Representing that she was Covered and Protected,} as we are today, although we are worthy of Death with all the other Sinners, we are Covered and Protected by the Blood of Jesus.
We read a bit further of the Disobedience and punishment of God's Children. Yet rather we see the Redemption and Victory of them when they come to true Repentance.
For the sake of time, we will jump ahead to the Death of Joshua. He has led the Children of God from the Desert to the Promised Land. In his Parting Message to the People, He said this.
““Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”” {Joshua 24:14-15}Jesus taught us over and over, we cannot serve both God and anything else. In His Parting Message, Jesus gave us this Command,
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” {Matthew 28:16-20}As you can clearly see again, when you read the entire Bible, Old Testament, and New, you cannot escape seeing Jesus. Again these a brief touches on just some examples in each Book. you can without a doubt find many more examples on your own when you read it for yourself. Up next? Judges.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!!
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