Bible In One Year-Day 88 (Saturday, March 29, 2014)
Commentary: Joshua1-3. God nominated and appointed Joshua because of the level of his faith which the book of Hebrews talked about. Through his loyal servitude to Moses, the likeness of Moses was transferred into him by the laying of hands;
Deuteronomy 34:9 “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.”
At this junction, we must understand spiritual parenthood. Joshua did not imitate Moses just because he was close to him but he received the spirit of Moses to walk in his teachings towards the same goal; never turned right or left. Through this spiritual transference, Joshua became Moses’ protégé. The likeness of Moses was in Joshua. This was the case between Elijah and Elisha; the spirit of Elijah was noticed in Elisha. Paul puts it in a clearer way in 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons (or children) I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers (imitators) of me.” (Parenthesis is emphasis please).
The spirit of the vision carrier, Moses, was evident in Joshua, his spiritual son, which makes it easier for Joshua to lead ahead. Moses never wavered, Joshua followed course. For the father and the son to be one, their spirit must be one; contrary spirits show where they belong. Jesus says “I and my Father are one” because the same Spirit works. When new born babies are mixed up in the maternity without identification, fathers claim any child as theirs, but definitely with different DNAs. The spiritual DNA is what was transferred to Joshua and that was why he followed Moses’ vision. Fatherhood is by grace and grace alone and not by age, educational attainment, material acquisition or any other qualification. The vision carrier could be younger, but grace will make the different. Remember only the rod of Aaron blossomed even if others had their rods. When such grace is questioned, God is questioned. This scope is not enough to expound this aspect. In summary, what binds two people together as spiritual father and son is the spirit of purpose or the kingdom; not different spirits. No one gains anything if such is disloyal to the superior. Men pleasers are not kingdom workers but little foxes that spoil the vine. If you got the revelation for your personal ministry, you need to get the vision for the ministry you are working with also and marry them together (the revelation and the vision). The proper marriage makes the grace to flow and that grace is the flow of the Holy Spirit. Joshua got the revelation of the Promised Land and married it with Moses’ vision to press forward, unlike others who decided to go back to Egypt. Let God call you out for ministry; don’t let the problems or challenges you are facing call you out or create another ministry for you. Those who greatly added to Moses’ life were Joshua and Jethro. No matter how highly anointed you are (position, attainment in life or achievement), there must be a Joshua and Jethro God has appointment to you. Joshua was lower to Moses’ in responsibility but better than Moses in strength and vigor. Jethro, also, perhaps, older in age, and versed in ministerial and administrative experience; so he could give Moses’ elderly advice, but the grace on Moses was unrivaled. Joshua is a symbol of ability to reproduce your kind, while Jethro symbolizes readiness to learn from other peoples’ experience (success and mistakes). All these guys had their own responsibilities, callings and portions to fulfill. The binding factor is respect for one another. Respect is a 2-way thing just as rudeness is a 2-way thing. Rudeness is not only from the junior to the senior, but also from senior to the junior. In every successful spiritual team, there are three pillars holding it; LOVE, RESPECT and DISCIPLINE. These three pillars keep the flesh and its unruly lusts away. No one lords his position over another just as Jesus advised in Luke22:24-26. Those who struggle and fight for recognition have internal problems; lack of clear vision of the blue print of their lives which results in inferiority complex. And when such gets to a position without vision, they lord it over their subjects; they harass and embarrass their subjects. Just like Lot who, after he had grown big, he spat at his uncle’s (Abraham) face and even made a choice of where to settle before his uncle did. You could see such spirit of Lot in Christendom now and this makes the heart of Jesus bleed, John13:35. Joshua had the strength and the spirit to be on the field of war, Jethro had grace of ministry management. Moses, on his part, was given the grace of God’s presence or the assignment to bring the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land. The real assignment is bringing the Israelites out of bondage and these three ministries are needful; ministry of Moses, ministry of Jethro and the ministry of Joshua. When you discover destiny and the assignment, people will discover you. You must search out, recognize and respect your Joshua and Jethro; you need them. Also, don’t stone your Moses. Proverbs 29:21 “He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.” Joshua led but God conquered. Our reading for today is Joshua4-6. Keep the fire burning and alive