Remember the word
Text: Joshua 1
6 July 2014
6 July 2014
July 2014 Theme: “Be Strong and of Good Courage” Joshua 1:9
Text: Joshua 1
REMEMBER THE WORD
(I) A KEY TASK OF THE NEXT GENREATION…TO REMEMBER
1. Moses used the word “remember” 14 times in the book of Deuteronomy
2. He stressed to the next generation the great importance of remembering
3. The next generation needs to remember
4. The danger of the next generation is to forget what had been commanded… to have spiritual amnesia.
(II) REGARD FOR THE COMMANDMENTS GIVEN
“And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, ‘Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you,’ ” Joshua 1:12-13
1. Remembering depends on the regard given to the words of Moses
a) A commandment given to the two and half tribes
b) Seen as a commandment from God
2. Joshua had the highest regard for the word of Moses…of God
a) He was an example for the people to follow
b) He always gave the highest regard to words of Moses
c) He gave the greatest regard for the word of God
(III) REMEMBERING THE WORD OF THE LORD
1. Remembered by Joshua as the new leader
“ ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Joshua 1:13-15
2. His call for the tribes to remember
“And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you,” Joshua 1:12, 13
3. The people remembered
“So they answered Joshua, saying, ‘All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.’ ” Joshua 1:16
(IV) REASONS TO REMEMBER
1. Not to repeat history
a) Moses had expressed deep concern when the tribes wanted the land East of the Jordan
b) He saw how the previous generation had refused to enter the promise land out of fear (Number 32:8-15)
c) They were to remember the word lest a greater consequence results
2. Support given to the other tribes
a) They should not discourage the other tribes by not going in
b) There should remain as one
c) The agreement is for their men to help the other tribes to fight the inhabitants (Number 32:6, 7)
3. They remained united in fulfilling the greater plan of God for Israel
a) The greater plan that God gave to Israel was to possess the promised land in Canaan
b) All of Israel should remain united in fulfilling this greater plan
c) They should remember the word and to remain united
(V) APPROPRIATE RESPONSE IN REMEMBERING THE WORD OF GOD
1. Concern for the next generation
2. The challenge is for us to remember all that have been taught and given to us as the commandments of God
3. Not just responses of words but obedience
a) The people of Israel responded with a commitment to obey the word
“So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” Joshua 1:16
b) They made reference to their forefather’s heeding of Moses words
“Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you.” Joshua 1:17