INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA
The 12 Tribes of Yisharal are still camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River and finally united at this time in their history. Yes!! In spite of differing circumstances and even 2.5 of the Tribes choosing to live outside of the Promised land (to the east) at this point in Scripture, Yisharal is ONE, just as Yahusha told them that He's the only living Alahim in existence and He's ONE.
So in Joshua we are shown a model of how true leadership in Yahusha is to operate (then and today) through the tribal chiefs, clan leaders and common people being led by one Supreme Commander and all serving the One True Living Alahim Yahusha.
Practically speaking, we are seeing an organisational structure where one man commands several officers, who themselves command several other men, who in turn take the instructions they received to the common people in one mind and spirit. This is indeed a beautiful model of how all of Yahusha’s Bride will be united in the future under Him, from every cultural and societal tradition imaginable, each speaking their own unique languages and each having their own unique identity shaped by hundreds of years of their national history.
Yet these differences in race, color, size, geography, political or economic systems won’t matter, for all the Bride will be drawn from the four corners of the earth and gathered together by her Messiah Yahusha at His coming.
It is our allegiance to Yahusha that is the bond keeping our common identity intact as a people separated from the world, so we must never forget that Yahusha’s Instructions establish Yahusha’s plan and behaviour for all of His people to live by.
Just as it was for Joshua (Yahusha) who led a united Yisharal to overcome the promised land and take it back from Yisharal's enemies thousands of years ago, Yahusha is also leading His people to overcome and take back His Promised Land today (the only prized heart-real estate) from the clutches of His enemy.
Remember, in hebrew “Joshua” and “Yahusha” are exactly the same name, so technically we’re going through the book of Yahusha right now! How very exciting! (more on this shortly) . . .
JOSHUA Chapter.1
After Yahusha’s servant Moses died, He spoke to Joshua the son of Nun (who’d been assisting Moses). RIGHT OFF THE BAT, YAHUSHA MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE CHIEF RULING AUTHORITY OVER YISHARAL HAS NOW PASSED FROM MOSES (`SERVANT OF YAHUSHA’) TO JOSHUA (‘HIS ASSISTANT’) AND THAT THE PEOPLE WERE TO FOLLOW HIM. IN THE SCRIPTURES, THE PHRASE “SERVANT OF YAHUSHA” WAS ONLY APPLIED TO A FEW SELECT MEN AND EVENTUALLY THIS TERM WAS USED INTERCHANGEABLY WITH THE WORD “PROPHET”.
And Yahusha said to Joshua “My servant Moses is now dead, so you must lead Yisharal across the Jordan River into the land I’m giving them. Wherever you go, anyway the sole of your foot treads, I’ve already given it to you, just as I promised Moses. Your borders will reach from the Southern Desert to the Lebanon Mountains (in the north) and to the north-east as far as the great Euphrates River. It will also include the land of the Hittites and the land right over to the Mediterranean Sea on the west from here at the Jordan River". JORDAN IS “YARDEN” IN HEBREW MEANING “DESCENDING FROM DAN”.
According to Yahusha here, Lebanon belongs to Yisharal, as does the West Bank, Gaza Strip and pretty much all of Syria too. If only Yisharal had been obedient, they wouldn’t have been booted out and divorced. Ever since Yahusha outpoured His Spirit in the Upper Room, the Promised Land is now any immersed human vessel carrying the portal of His light, so let’s not get distracted by wacky religious geo-political debates of nonsense.
YISHARAL COULDN’T ENTER THE PROMISED LAND UNTIL MOSES HAD DIED BECAUSE OF HIS DISOBEDIENCE TO YAHUSHA WHEN HE STRUCK THE ROCK WITH HIS STAFF INSTEAD OF SPEAKING TO IT AS HE WAS COMMANDED TO DO.
ALSO BEFORE MOSES HAD DIED HE’D HELD A CEREMONY TO OVERSEE A NAME CHANGE FOR HIS SUCCESSOR JOSHUA, WHO’D BEEN CALLED HOSEA FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE. BUT HERE’S SOMETHING AMAZING AND FASCINATING THAT WE ONLY SEE IN THE HEBREW LANGUAGE. YAHUSHA TOOK THE NAME HOSEA (ORIGINALLY `HUSHA’ MEANING DELIVERANCE IN HEBREW) AND ADDED HIS OWN FAMILY NAME (`YAH’) TO HIM, HENCE CALLING HIM `YAHUSHA’ (YAH IS MY DELIVERANCE).
SO JOSHUA AND OUR MESSIAH YAHUSHA ACTUALLY SHARE THE EXACT SAME NAME, AND THIS ALL HAPPENED OVER A THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE YAHUSHA EVEN ENTERED THIS DIMENSION. ISN'T THAT COOL!!!
OF COURSE FOR SIMPLICITY IN THIS TRANSLATION WE’LL STICK WITH `JOSHUA’.
"Now Joshua my son, rise up and go forth, be strong and COURAGEOUS, for I will always be with you, just as I was with Moses, and no one will ever be able to stand against you or defeat you. Remember long ago I promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that I would give this land to their descendants and now is the time! But be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Don’t ever stop learning, thinking and speaking the Instructions in this book that My servant Moses wrote for you. Day and night you must GUARD MY WORDS and think about what they mean, because if you love and obey Me, you and Yisharal will be able to take this land. So today I command you to be strong and COURAGEOUS. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged for I’m Yahuah your Alahim aren’t I? What have you seen Me do already in your lifetime? Won’t I be there to help you wherever you go? This new generation is ready! You and Caleb are ready! And I My son am ready too! Behold, your promised land and your home awaits you Joshua, so rise up and go take it!”
JOSHUA WAS PROMISED THAT NO MATTER WHO RISES UP AGAINST HIM, HE WOULD REMAIN THE RULER OF YISHARAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS LIFE. HE WAS ALSO COMMANDED TO BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS ABOUT 2 THINGS IN PARTICULAR:
1.THE LAND (WHICH WAS TO BE TAKEN BY FORCE) . . . AND
2.THE LIVING WORDS (BECAUSE OBEDIENCE TO YAHUSHA’S INSTRUCTIONS IS VITAL FOR VICTORY).
THE EASTERN 2.5 TRIBES PROMISE TO ASSIST
So Joshua ordered the tribal leaders to go through the camp and tell everyone, “In a few days we’re crossing the Jordan River to take the land that Yahuah our Alahim is giving us, so prepare as much food as you’ll need for the journey”. Then Joshua told the men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh, ”Remember that Yahuah’s servant Moses told you that our Alahim Yahuah has given you land here on the east side of the Jordan River, where you can REST and live in peace. Your wives and children and your animals can stay here in the land Moses gave you. But all of you that can serve in our army must pick up your weapons and lead the men of the other tribes across the Jordan River. They are your brothers, so you must fight and help them conquer the land that Yahuah is giving them. And only after your brothers have received their REST in the promised land, can you come back and settle here in the land that Moses promised you”. JOSHUA WOULD BE THE ONE TO DECIDE WHEN IT WAS OKAY FOR THE 2/12 TRIBES TO STOP FIGHTING AND GO HOME AND THEY WOULD RESPECT HIS DECISION.
And the men answered: “Yes, we’ll cross the Jordan River and help our brothers. We’ll go anywhere you send us and fight for Yisharal. If Yahuah our Alahim will help you as He helped Moses, and if you are strong and COURAGEOUS, we will obey you as we obeyed Moses. We’ll even put to death anyone who rebels against you or refuses to obey you".
We all know about the word SHABATH (Hebrew for rest), but let’s look at another word for REST (NUACH) which is introduced here in Joshua and is a concept that is BOTH THE MEANS AND GOAL THAT YAHUSHA USES FOR OUR DELIVERANCE. It first appears here in the beginning of Joshua regarding the 2 1/2 tribes helping their Yisharalite brothers achieve “REST” in their allotted territories inside the Promised Land. The use of this word NUACH introduces a bit of a change in how Yahusha starts describing Yisharal’s redemption, because up until this point, the main term being used was “INHERITANCE” (as in Yisharal would “inherit” their Promised Land). However moving forward the use of the word NUACH (“REST”) will assume a leading role in referring to Yisharal’s deliverance.
This word will come to mean divine DELIVERANCE and also speaks of a future time when Yisharal will be delivered from their hard labors. In fact, Yahusha still promises Yisharal (His Bride today) REST just as much as He promised ancient Yisharal the inheritance of the land of Canaan.
Yahusha made His centre of operations wherever He chose to REST HIS NAME, because His Name is an extension of His identity, power and Who He is, and His inter-dimensional portal will not be anywhere that hasn’t been sprinkled with blood, cleansed with water and anointed with oil. His centre of operations today (tabernacle) is of course His Bride (human vessels), the only set-apart property He now seeks to conquer and overcome.
Of course when we associate other Hebrew words for REST we can actually see this promise being established during the Creation when Yahusha Himself RESTED on the 7th day in His perfect marriage home and declared that all mankind should rest on the 7th day too.
Yahusha Himself said ”The Shabath was created for mankind, not mankind for the Shabath, and guess what? I’m the Master of both!” MARK 2 BRS
THE GREEK WORD FOR “MANKIND” HERE REFERS TO THE WHOLE WORLD, NOT JUST YISHARAL.
Indeed the principle of "REST" is woven into the very fabric of this universe, and notice that since the Shabath was established by Yahusha for mankind, they DO NOT have the authority to change it or say it has been done away with. In other words, THE SHABATH IS THE CENTER-POINT AROUND WHICH MAN MUST PIVOT, NOT THE OPPOSITE, which is what Yahusha meant when He said “mankind wasn’t created for the Shabath”.
The Shabath (like all moedim) should NOT revolve around mankind and what we’re doing, but on what Yahusha has done and is still doing.
The prophet Isaiah also taught how NUACH (REST) IS THE REWARD GIVEN TO THOSE WHO STEADFASTLY OBEY YAHUSHA.
Later on, the term NUACH will be turned into a vigorous action verb in reference to Yahusha’s Ruach (Set-Apart Spirit) resting on certain prophets, kings and men.
We also read about the Spirit “RESTING” ON TOP OF YAHUSHA LIKE A DOVE when He was immersed by John the immerser too, but probably the most momentous use of the word "REST" was during Shabuoth (“Pentecost”) when TONGUES OF FIRE CAME TO “REST” ON TOP OF THE HEADS OF THOSE IN THE UPPER ROOM. Doesn't this revelation make it obvious that YAHUSHA NOW RESTS HIS NAME AND HIS PORTAL OF PRESENCE ONTO PEOPLE NOW, NOT A TEMPLE BUILT BY HANDS!!
Make no doubt about it, from beginning to end, REST HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PRIMARY GOAL OF DELIVERANCE FOR YAHUSHA’S BRIDE. HE SAID, “If you’re broken, lost, tired, burdened, tormented . . .Come to Me and I will give you REST. Take on My mindset and allow Me to teach you how to behave, for I’m very gentle, kind and humble in heart, and you will finally find the REST and peace within that you’ve been desperately longing for. Don't worry about anything for My mindset is so easy to understand and My teaching is light.” MATT 11 BRS
`COURAGEOUS' IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
`COURAGEOUS' IN HEBREW LANGUAGE
`BRAVE' IN HEBREW LANGUAGE
SCRIPTURES ON `COURAGEOUS':
“Be strong and courageous, don’t fear or be afraid of them, because Yahuah your Alahim goes with you and He’ll never leave or reject you”. DEUT 31 BRS
“So we may boldly say ‘Yahuah is my helper so there’s nothing to fear'. What can mankind really do to me?” HEB 13 BRS
“Yahuah is my light and my deliverance, so who else is there to fear? He’s the strength of my whole life so who can I be afraid of?” PS 27 BRS
“The Spirit that Yahusha has given us is not one of a coward but of love and self-control, so don’t be ashamed of the witness (HIS WAY, HIS WORD, HIS BEHAVOUR) or of me His prisoner. Just suffer hardship with me for His message.” 2 TIM 1 BRS
“There’s no fear in Yahusha’s love because His perfect love casts out all fear, so naturally, anyone who’s been made perfect in His love has no fear of punishment (because their conscience is clean through overcoming bad behaviours)”. 1 JOHN 4 BRS
MOST OF THE BATTLE IS WITHIN, AGAINST OUR WICKED SELF, AND SO BEING COURAGEOUS, STRONG, BOLD AND BRAVE STARTS IN OUR HEART-BELIEF, THEN REACHES OUT TO GUARD AND PROTECT OUR EAR GATES, EXTENDS TO OUR CHOICES AND THEN MANIFESTS THROUGH OUR BEHAVIOUR. IT'S NOT A LOUD, FEROCIOUS, FLAMBOYANT, NOISY, `ALWAYS MAKING A SCENE' TYPE OF BEHAVIOUR, FIGHTING, PROVOKING, "WITNESSING" AND DOING THINGS TO PEOPLE. NO, THE REAL BATTLE OF FEAR AND BELIEF IS A QUIET YET VIOLENT WAR BURNING IN THE HEARTS OF YAHUSHA'S BRIDE, SO THEY CAN STAND, RUN, FIGHT AND OVERCOME.
DID YOU KNOW THAT BEING IMMERSED INTO YAHUSHA WASN’T GOING TO MAKE YOUR LIFE ALL SMOOTH SAILING? YOU WERE ACTUALLY ENLISTED INTO THE SUFFERINGS OF MESSIAH (BOOTCAMP) AND GIVEN WEAPONS AND ARMOR, AND THE STRENGTH (HIS WORD) AND TACTICS (3 RULES) TO FIGHT OFF THE ENEMY WHO DESPERATELY WANTS YOU BACK.
WE ARE CALLED (JUST LIKE JOSHUA) TO TAKE BACK THIS PROMISED LAND (OUR VESSELS) FROM THE EVIL THAT LIVES IN IT, AND IT WILL BE THE HARDEST BATTLE OF OUR LIVES! BUT WE ARE TO STAY STRONG AND COURAGEOUS . . . AND WE WILL BE OVERCOMERS, FOUND WORTHY OF HIM AT HIS RETURN !
“Don’t be thinking I came to bring peace, NO WAY, I brought a sword and I've come to bring division, a man against his father, daughter against mother, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and your worst enemies will often be those under your own roof. But if you love your father and mother or son and daughter more than Me, you're not worthy of Me, and if you don't pick up your torture stake and follow Me, guess what? I'm not interested, cause you're not worthy of Me. Anyone who thinks they have a life must be prepared to lose it, but don't worry cause everyone who loses their life, surrendering it to Me, will truly find one (a much better life).” MATT 10 BRS
