NOTES | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Sep 24, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 39.

NOTES.

1. Joshua was not a novice. Forty years he had been the close friend and principal assistant of Moses; so he was not lacking in experience. He was now about the age that Moses was when he was placed in command of Israel's host in Egypt, some Jewish authorities fix his age at 83 years. He had been faithful all the way, had been with Moses in the mount of God, had successfully commanded the army in battle, and was one of the two spies who returned an encouraging report of the land and their ability to possess it, on the first approach to the border. His name was originally Oshea, the same as Hosea, but Moses changed it to Jehoshua (Num. 13: 16), or Joshua, a shorter form afterward adopted. In Neh. 8: 17 it is Jeshua. The Greek form in the Septuagint is Jesous, the same as Jesus, meaning saviour. The Lord had instructed Moses to set apart Joshua for the work (Num. 27: 12-23), and now He speaks to him directly.

2. "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon." This expression shows that the possibilities before Israel in the matter of landed possession was limited only by their faith. The Lord, who knows the end from the beginning, saw the limit of the faith of Abraham's literal seed, and specified the land that they should possess. The definite boundaries attached to the promise were a matter of prophecy rather than a limited title indicative of God's will or ultimate purpose. The divine purpose is expressed in the promise to Abraham that he should be "heir of the world" (Rom. 4: 13). This promise is prophetic of the faith of the spiritual Seed—Christ (Gal. 3: 16), and they that are His by faith (verses 26-29).

3. The specific boundaries here mentioned were not occupied until the time of Solomon. See Ex. 23: 28-31, and 1 Kings 4: 20, 21, 34.

4. God's promise to stand by Joshua is just as available for any one else who will live in the faith of it; for, "there is no respect of persons" with Him. Col. 3: 25.

5. The courage that was especially enjoined upon Joshua was primarily to obey the law of God. This requires more courage than going into battle with a fleshly foe armed with carnal weapons. Our worst and most powerful enemy is he who tempts us to disobey God. Having overcome him by faith in the Word of Christ, we need "fear no evil." See 2 Cor. 10: 4; Eph. 6: 10-13.

6. "Success" in the service of any government depends upon a study of the law governing the service. So in the service of God there is absolute need of meditation in His law (Ps. 1: 1, 2), with a view to its observance "according to all that is written." The letter of the law is essential, in order that the servant may know what to obey. Of course the law being spiritual in its nature, the letter must be obeyed in the spirit, and not in a mere perfunctory manner. Altho the overt acts of disobedience must be avoided, yet that of itself is mere service of the letter. The Spirit does not draw the line there; the line takes in "the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4: 12) as well as the outward acts forbidden in the letter of the law.