Joshua 24:29 – 33 “After these things, Joshua, son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel. And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants. And Eleazar son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah, which had been allotted to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.”
Joshua is dead! After so many years of bearing with the complaints and foibles of the Israelites, Joshua has delivered the final message from God to the Israelites and has finally settled in Timnath Serah. At age 110, Joshua has fulfilled God’s purpose for his life. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, was fond of saying that “Man is immortal until his work is done.” Joshua’s work is completed, and now he is joining Moses, his mentor, in the presence of God.
Eleazar has succeeded Aaron as high priest; however, now Eleazar too is dead. Israel has lost both a prophetic leader as well as a true – hearted high priest. And finally, the bones of Joseph that have been carried along throughout the journey from Egypt are buried in his father Jacob’s land at Shechem. The Israelites have fulfilled their obligation to Joseph. Joseph had the faith to believe that God would return the Israelites to Canaan and therefore ordered them to bring his bones with them to be buried in his father’s land.
Joseph, Joshua, and Eleazar – each of these men served God whole – heartedly. But what happens now? Who will take up the mantle of leadership? Has anyone been availing themselves of the opportunities to be mentored by Joshua or Eleazar? Once all of the elders who were witnesses to God’s glory died off, Israel descended into chaos. Despite all the admonitions of Moses that the Israelites should teach their children the Word of God, the Israelites have taken God for granted and have been busy amassing riches and houses and lands. It’s quite possible that the Israelites have convinced themselves that they really DESERVE all these goodies and that somehow, despite their fickle natures, they are still God’s favorites.
Remember what Moses said in Deuteronomy 6:1 – 9? “These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
APPLICATION: Most people have very short attention spans. It is a proven fact that we become what we focus on the most. God wanted the Israelites to focus on Him and to be a holy nation, dedicated to Him. Some of the Israelites probably caught that vision; however, there were a lot of them who were still hauling around Egyptian idols after 50 or 60 years. These people’s children may have known more about the Egyptian gods than they did about the God of Israel.
The problem with charismatic leaders is that once that leader is gone, those who have been sitting back doing as little as possible are totally unprepared for leadership. Look at the leadership training that Joshua went through. Joshua began as Moses’ assistant, even accompanying Moses to Mount Sinai and into the Tabernacle. When Moses needed a spy from Joshua’s tribe, Joshua was selected. When Moses needed someone to stand with him, Joshua was there, facing the criticism right along with Moses. Before Joshua ever became a leader, he had already paid a high price. Joshua knew the problems and pitfalls of leadership.
Why didn’t someone step forward to understudy Joshua? There’s nothing to indicate that Joshua had a megalomaniac tyrannical personality that would discourage helpers. But none of the Israelites wanted to risk anything. Besides, it was so comfortable having Moses and Joshua giving orders.
Are we pursuing God’s best for our lives, or are we settling for comfort? God’s best is frequently VERY uncomfortable; yet, if we refuse to try, we are falling short of a glorious future. God is not worried about your age, your financial status, your mental ability, or any of the other things you might be using as an excuse. God simply wants you to make yourself AVAILABLE. If you will let God control your life, you will be amazed at the results.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You that You want far more for us than we do for ourselves. Help us to love You extravagantly and to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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