|
| |
|
Series 5:
Lesson 70: |
JOSHUA, JUDGES & RUTH
MOSES' SUCCESSOR |
|
Passage to Study: Numbers 27:12.23, Deut. 34:1-12, Joshua 1:1-9.
Read with the class: Joshua 1:1-9.
Memorization Text: Younger children - Joshua 1:5, "I will be with thee: ... nor
forsake thee".
Older children - Joshua 1:5.
OBJECTIVES: To show that:
1. To name Joshua as the successor of Moses was a decision made by God.
2. There was an official ceremony before the High Priest and all the people to install
Joshua in his new position.
3. The one sure guide for all of life is the Word of God.
4. It is of great importance to read the Scriptures and have faith in them.
5. The reality of one's faith is seen in one's obedience.
SCENE NO. 1. VISUAL AIDS: In a separate space, a figure of Moses praying. In the
main area, Moses, Eleazar and Joshua with a group of Israelites and, in the background,
the Israelite camp, located on the eastern side of the Jordan River.
DEVELOPMENT: (Num.27:12-23)
Sug. Refer to new experiences which occur in the lives of children, such as a change of
school or neighbourhood, the end of their studies and the beginning of their work life, or
something else that involves beginning a new and unknown activity.
Sug. Ask the students what is needed in order to be able to face the unknown future
without fear. The answer you are looking for is one of the points of this lesson,
knowing someone who has passed that way before and is able to make recommendations as
Moses did to Joshua.
- Knowing that he soon would die and was not allowed to enter the promised land, Moses
prays. He asks God for a new leader for the people.
- Moses had many difficult experiences during the years in the desert, many of them due to
the rebelliousness of the people.
- On account of 1) his own rebellion, and 2) because of not showing the holiness of God
before the people (Num.20:14), Moses himself can not enter Canaan.
- Moses thinks about the need of the children of Israel, knowing that they require as a
guide, someone especially prepared by God for the task.
- Moses speaks of someone who is able to shepherd the people.(Num. 27:17)
Cns. He does not ask for a soldier, nor a commander or business person, but he asks for a
shepherd.
Cmt. The true state of his heart, full of tenderness, is shown by his concern that the
people have a shepherd and not become scattered.
- Joshua has been tested and found faithful during the many years in which he acted as
Moses' helper, while the people traveled through the desert.
- His name appears very few times in the Bible before this occasion. (Ex.17:9-10, 32:17,
Num. 13 and 14, etc.)
- During his years of service, Joshua learned important lessons, and when problems
occurred, he always took God's side, choosing to do His will.
- Joshua thus became a person capable of guiding the people in the travels that remained
ahead.
Apl. Experiences such as these are necessary to prepare a young person to assume greater
responsibilities.
Sug. Encourage the young people to learn from their experiences in order to serve God
better in the future.
- Moses has to place his hands on Joshua and in this way God shows that this is the one
chosen to take his place.
Cmt. Not only is Joshua named by Moses, he is also taken before the priest Eleazar who
through using the Urim, confirms before the people that this is the person God has chosen.
- At the same time, the people were responsible to recognize Joshua as the one appointed
by God and obey him. (Num. 27:20)
- When he gave his farewell message to the people, Moses charged Joshua, "Be strong
and of a good courage, for thou must go with this people unto the land ..... and the Lord,
He it is that doth go before thee .......... ". (Deut. 31:7and 8)
- Being thus chosen by God, the people had to have confidence in Joshua's decisions
and leadership.
- Joshua's name means "Jehovah-Saviour". It means the same as the name
"Jesus" in the New Testament.
- Joshua, the one who enters with the people into the Promised Land, is a figure of
Christ, the ideal guide in view of the needs of the unknown future.
- Joshua is noteworthy for his obedience to the law and for his complete trust in God's
promises.
Lsn. Our enjoyment of the blessings of God depends on our trust in His Word and obedience
to it.
Apl. For success in our future, we must have the Lord Jesus Christ as guide, trusting in
Him, and willing to obey Him.
Cmt. It is not a matter of obeying a certain number of rules, but of submission to what
God has revealed in His Word, leaving our future in the hands of the One who is guiding.
SCENE No. 2. VISUAL AIDS: Near the Jordan River, a figure of Joshua speaking
to the people. In a separate area, figures of the dangers ahead, such as a giant, a
walled city, an army. Also, a scroll of the Scriptures.
DEVELOPMENT: (Joshua Chapter 1)
- Joshua speaks to the people, encouraging them in the same way that God had encouraged
him.
- They will fight many battles, face men who are very tall and conquer fortified cities.
- Previously these dangers produced fear in the people.
- God uses His Word and the promises He has fulfilled in the past to strengthen and
encourage them.
- Those who did not want to enter earlier for fear of the dangers of the promised land,
have died in the desert.
- Now it is their children who will enter.
Cns. Might these Israelites fear the future, because of their parents telling them their
reasons for not entering previously?
Lsn. The mistakes and failures of the parents need not be repeated by their children,
rather, they should learn by them.
Cns. Some of the students will have parents whose lives have not been orderly, perhaps due
to alcoholism, etc. This does not mean that they cannot live for God themselves.
- Joshua, one of the spies of 40 years earlier, knows well the dangers of Canaan.
- The immediate problem is the Jordan River, overflowing its banks at that time of the
year.
- The Lord speaks with Joshua, encouraging him. He promises to be with him and
prosper him.
Cns. What greater assurance can there be than the Word of God?
- The Lord charges him to read the Word of God, to meditate on it "day and
night", and to obey it.
- Joshua in turn encourages all Israel with the promise of God.
- The dangers ahead do not worry him, since he fully trusts God's Word, and acts on the
basis of what God has said.
Apl. The same Word that gave Joshua security and confidence is that which will help us
when facing anything that might cause us to be afraid.
Apl. These promises are valid when we are involved in projects that God has ordained
and which require our faithful service, depending upon Him for help.
They do not apply to projects which we might pursue without taking Him into account, and
then afterwards seek His help and blessing.
SCENE No. 3. APPLICATION. VISUAL AIDS: Figures: The printed word
"CONSULTING" above a family reading the Scriptures together, and the figure of a
young person reading the Bible by him/herself. The word "ASKING" above a
child praying. The word "WARNING" beside a figure of a lighthouse near the
sea. The word "DIRECTIONS" showing a policeman indicating to a person
where to cross the street. The word "GUIDING" printed above the children of
Israel travelling in the desert, guided by the cloud. The question written,
"WHAT TO DO WITH THESE INDICATIONS?", and two large footsteps like footprints in
sand, with the words printed on them, "TRUST" and "OBEY".
DEVELOPMENT:
- There is sufficient instruction in the Bible to guide us in every situation we encounter
in all of life.
- In daily life, one must obey warnings and advice in order to live safely.
- We can TRUST completely the instructions God has given in His Word.
- When we OBEY them, we can go forward with confidence and in safety.
- One's own experiences and those of others serve to increase our TRUST in God.
- True faith and confidence in Him is accompanied by
OBEDIENCE.
- The Bible tells us how God helped in the lives of others, so that we TRUST in His power
and ability to His purpose in our life. |
|
