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In the beginning God created Adam and Eve. Only one rule! God does this through history; he wants people in His place, under His rule. They broke the rule. Eventually God chose Abraham to start over again. Abraham's family, the Israelites end up in captivity; God calls Moses to lead them into Canaan (God's place) .. and this is where Joshua comes along. First reference to Joshua in Exodus 17:8 - the battle where Moses has to keep his arms outstretched for victory. When Moses goes up to Mount Sinai (Exodus 24) Joshua is his assistant. Joshua accompanied Moses to the 'tent of meeting' where God appeared in the pillar of cloud. He was originally called Hoseha, Moses renamed him Joshua (means 'God Saves') Numbers 13:1-14:9 - Moses sends the men into Canaan and they come back with the reports. Only Joshua and Caleb trust the Lord enough to say that they can take the land. Joshua's quote: "If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us." Israel continues to struggle to keep the covenant all the way until God eventually sends the ultimate leader and sacrifice, Jesus! Jesus now keeps God's rule for us, so now we won't be able to break the covenant with God:- 2 Cor 10:3 He gives us the weapons to use Eph 6:10-20 - the armour of God - Practical truthfulness and integrity - Everyday righteousness - A readiness to speak and go for the Gospel - Practical use of God's promises (in prayer) - Confidence in justification - Judicious, spirit empowered use of the Bible - Prayer Like Joshua, we hold out the gospel.... - An offer of peace - A threat of judgement - But (unlike Joshua) we don't have to carry out the judgement ourselves. Rom 12:19 Like Israel under Joshua - The battle is internal - with self and sin - The battle is amongst us - for unity - The battle is external - to rescue people from judgement. - Where the first two above are successful, the third will be too! See the world differently - We are not fighting against people - We are fighting for their salvation We have divinely powerful weapons: our lives, our love, the gospel and prayer. Fight on our front lines rather than despair about what happens in the wider world. The battle belongs to the Lord. We have been promised a place in God's mansion. In conclusion remember: Num 14:8 "If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us."