| FILLING MOSES' SHOES |
| Joshua could follow orders as well as give them. |
| Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua. 24:31 |
| Like all the Israelites, Joshua began in humble surroundings. He was born a slave in Egypt and followed Moses across the Red Sea to freedom. He first appears in the Bible as a military commander. Soon after escaping from Egypt, the Israelites confronted a new enemy, and Moses turned to Joshua to lead their very first battle (Exodus 17:9-15). A month later, when Moses climbed craggy Mount Sinai to meet with God, Joshua was at his side. He first reported to Moses the strange sounds coming from the camp, sounds that turned out to be the Israelites' gret spiritual rebellion (Exodus 32:17). Joshua rose to become Moses' trusted number-two man, an aide who served him at almost every major crisis. Moses changed his name from Hoshea, which meant "help," or "salvation," to Joshua, meaning "The Lord's help." (The Greek form of Joshua is Jesus.) Becoming Number One On the verge of entering Canaan, Moses turned to Joshua again, choosing him as one of 12 spies sent to collect information about the land. Ten came back frightened, with predictions of doom. Only Joshua and Caleb had faith that God would keep his promises to the Israelites despite the military odds. Joshua learned about the hazards of leadership from that spy trip: on his return, thousands of angry Israelites called for his public stoning (Numbers 14). But he stood firm, and God rewarded him. Of all the Israelites who left Egypt, only he and Caleb were allowed to enter the promised land - not even Moses had that honor. As Moses' death neared, God and Moses made Joshua their uncontested choice for a new leader for Israel. It was time for number two to become number one. Joshua made a remarkably smooth transition into leadership. |
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