JOSHUA’S LEGACY
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 (Joshua 24:31).
This final statement about Joshua reflects his legacy and the summary of his life. He learnt at the footsteps of Moses himself, through whom God spoke face to face and through whom the miraculous was made routine. But on Moses’ departure, he was established by God as the leader for the fledgling Israelite nation. Accomplishing all that was planned through him, and having now come to the end of his life, he gives a farewell message to the nation wherein he summarizes the formula for his life.
Alignment with God:
“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left (Joshua 23:6)
Joshua was unwavering in his conviction that he needed to align with God. Alignment with God meant to have faith in him, to learn his law, obey him and prioritize him. He was absolutely certain that not only was that to be a personal decision for him, but a requirement for the entire nation. As submissive as he was to God, he was ruthless when it came to dealing with sin. Alignment with God has to become the purpose of life that consumes a believer and encompasses all aspects of his life.
Separation from the world:
Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swearby them. You must not serve them or bow downto them. (Joshua 23:7)
While aligning with God is at odds with our basic nature, incorporating the worldly patterns we see around us is natural and easy because we are wired to incorporate the sinful and that which is against God. Separation from the world comes with a cost- one of ridicule, opposition and persecution. However, separation from the worldly pattern is non-negotiable as per Joshua’s formula. The challenge of loving the people around you and doing good to those in the world while at the same time separating from the worldly pattern requires wisdom and perseverance.
Miraculous output:
“TheLordhas driven out before you great and powerful nations;to this day no one has been able to withstand you.One of you routs a thousand, because theLordyour God fights for you,just as he promised.(Joshua 23:9,10)
Having seen Moses work miracles as though it was second nature to him, Joshua came to expect no less and his life’s testimony was of no less miracles. Incredible things happen when you align with God and put yourself in tune with the rhythm of the universe.
The formula that Joshua practiced has echoed throughout the pages of the Bible and remains no different today as we set out on a journey to live as pilgrims for God, make sense of this world and leave behind a legacy that is enduring.
