TRUEGRIT MINISTRY

Men of the Old Testament: Joshua – Joshua 1

Being Vice President of the United States has not always been viewed favorably. Recently, many Vice Presidents have used the position as a stepping stone to the presidency, but for most of American history this was not the case. Often the second most powerful man in the country was really in a dead-end job. More than a few men did little to disguise their disgust with the job.

John Adams, the first Vice President, said that the job was, “The most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.”

Thomas R. Marshall was Vice President for eight years under Woodrow Wilson complained that, “Once there were two brothers. One went away to sea; the other was elected vice president. And nothing was heard of either of them again.”

When statesman Daniel Webster was asked to run as Zachary Taylor’s Vice President he responded, “I do not intend to be buried until I am dead.”

It can be very difficult to be the second in command, even if you are guaranteed to be the man in charge someday. Not everyone can handle it well, but Joshua was one of those who handled the job well.

Joshua served under Moses for years and when it was time for him to take over he stepped into a pair of sandals that were impossible to fill. The shadow left by the legacy of Moses was so long that thousands of years later the Jews still revered him as no other human being. Yet Joshua knew the key to success – obedience to God and his word. There would be a tremendous temptation for Joshua to succumb to fear, the mission of overtaking the Promised Land was daunting, and many doubted if he was indeed up to the job.

Yet despite the distinct possibility of failure Joshua’s time in leadership would be one that was marked by success. What he learned from Moses was important, but his courage and bravery came from his reliance on God.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection

1. Are there any areas of your life in which you feel like you are waiting for a larger role?

2. Why is it so easy to succumb to fear instead of reacting with courage?

3. What battles does God have for you to fight?

Further Study on Joshua

Bible Dictionary Entries on Joshua
Bible.org Studies in the Life of Joshua

Staff Writer: Aaron Sharp