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his work is done'. It is essential that he appreciates fully the spiritual `profit and loss
account', seeking only to `get to know Him'. He cannot include in his own personal
calling any to assist him. Again, to do so will only lead later on to trouble. He also needs
to recognize the all-sufficiency of God in Christ, that in the new man "Christ is all, and in
all". He must be humble; but that does not mean he will submit to the demands and
wishes of all and sundry, but that, above all else, he will humble himself under the
mighty hand of God.
No.4.
Joshua.
pp. 87 - 92
Moses was dead: he had converted a rabble of ex-slaves into a nation, had laid the
foundation of their status as the People of God, and, not without many difficulties and
problems, had brought them through the wilderness to the borders of the Land God had
promised to them. What would happen, now that Moses was dead? More than once over
the past forty years they had longed for "the flesh pots of Egypt". Would they now be
prepared to go ahead and fulfil what God purposed for them, or would they, once more,
begin to think in terms of returning to Egypt? Who was there, capable of leading them,
and keeping them faithful to their God?
It was clear that they needed a man of experience: one who knew how things had
been for them, and was strong enough to counter any signs of the rebellious spirit they
had shown in the past. Joshua was such a man.
The first reference to Joshua, in Exod. 17: 9, 10, shows him, on the instruction of
Moses, leading the nation into battle.
"And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek:
tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua
did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron and Hur went
up to the top of the hill."
There can be little doubt that, in addition to the experience Joshua gained of fighting,
he also learned through this battle the efficacy of prayer, for "when Moses held up his
hand, . . . . . Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed".
According to The Companion Bible note on this incident, Joshua was now a man of 53.
He had experienced the bitterness of slavery in Egypt, he had experience of travel in the
wilderness, and now, experience in battle as captain.
"And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the
Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of
Joshua . . . . ." (Exod. 17: 13, 14).
"Rehearse" means to set, or place. What was it Moses was to set, or place in the ears
of Joshua? Was it that Joshua had routed the Amalekite army? Surely his first victory on