Thirty One Kings example essay topic

Joshua Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekite's. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands". Exodus 17: 9 This is the first passage of scripture where you find Joshua. There is a law called the law of first mention. The law of first mention is a principle that requires one to take a fraction of Scriptures where a principle, expression, or act is mentioned for the first time, in the Bible, and to study the first occurrence of this in order to get the fundamental inbuilt meaning of that principle, expression, or act. When this law is applied the simple meaning usually goes before the complex.

Throughout the history of a term it may have grown in its meaning and undergone certain changes, yet the basic, original, fundamental thought is rarely lost. The fundamental concept more often than not controls the understanding of any idea expressed by a term in its present-day usage. Here Joshua is mentioned as a warrior and also a leader in battle. This view does not change throughout the Scriptures.

It may add to this meaning, but it is never done away with. Joshua throughout the Bible remains a leader, and a warrior for the Most High God. How was Joshua such a great leader? He was dependant on, and faithful to God. He also took the commission given to him by Moses and God, and made it a lifestyle.

What was this great commission? You can find it in Deuteronomy. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance". Deuteronomy 31: 7 This commission given by Moses to Joshua was reaffirmed by the Lord. The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you". Deuteronomy 31: 23 Now what did that mean to Joshua?

Well, take the first part, "Be strong" (can: ). The Hebrew word there is cha zap. The definition is: To strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, and be resolute. 1 Now take the second part, "Courageous".

The Hebrew word here is a mats ('a^i~o). The definition is: To be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, and hard. 1 He is telling Joshua to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, trusting faithfulness and relying on God, who goes before him. The reason Joshua needed such a commission, was because of the task that was given to him. He became the leader of a nation surrounded by hostile people. Look at Joshua 12: 8-24.

This is what lay before him". These are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Hala k, which rises toward Sir (their lands Joshua gave as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions: the hill country, the western foothills, the Arab ah, the mountain slopes, the desert and the Negev-the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hiv ites and Jebusites): The king of Jericho, one the king of Ai (near Bethel), one the king of Jerusalem, one the king of Hebron, one the king of Jar muth, one the king of Lachish, one the king of Egl on, one the king of Gazer, one the king of Debi r, one the king of Gender, one the king of Horah, one the king of Arad, one the king of Lib nah, one the king of Adul lam, one the king of Mak kedah, one the king of Bethel, one the king of Tapp uah, one the king of Hep her, one the king of Aphex, one the king of La sharon, one the king of Mad on, one the king of Haz or, one the king of Shimon Mer on, one the king of Acshaph, one the king of Tanach, one the king of Megiddo, one the king of Ked esh, one the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one the king of Dor (in Nap hoth Dor), one the king of Goyim in Gilgai, one the king of Tirzah, and thirty-one kings in all". Thirty one kings laid before him, and that is why he had to remain strong and courageous. He fought not only thirty one kings, but countless thousands of the king's soldiers.

Also, every king has a kingdom, and almost every kingdom is fortified. Take for example Jericho. It had a great wall surrounding it. Joshua didn't just have to fight the men of Jericho, but he had to first get past the walls of Jericho. That is when trusting faithfulness really had to show through in his character.

Jericho's fortification techniques were developed in the Middle Bronze period, it included steep earthen slopes (some that could reach 50 ft. in height) at the base of the walls and a ditch dug around the outside dug to the bedrock. Theses features held back the approach of siege machines and prevented tunneling. The walls, made of mud bricks on stone foundations, were ten to twenty-five feet wide and around thirty feet tall. Take this imagery of the walls, and look at Joshua. They came out from captivity, and out from the wilderness. They didn't even have swords.

Nor did they have any armor, and now they stand before this wall. Now all that I can think Joshua can be doing at this point is reflecting. Remembering his commission, and, also, remembering how faithful God was to Moses. Even though he was a mighty warrior; He had to remain strong, courageous, and trust in God's faithfulness.

He could not rely on his own strength, or his position. He couldn't say, "Because we are God's chosen the walls are going to fall no matter what we do". They had to have faith, and live it out. There were many other amazing battles besides the battle of Jericho. When Joshua fought the Amorites; he prayed that the sun would stand still until the battle was won. The main thing about a warrior is that you must know where you stand.

You have to have a battle plan and see it through. Joshua knew where he stood with God. He did not ask something impossible. He was talking to God. He knew the same thing that Matthew did in Matthew 19: 26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible". Joshua was mighty in battle, but man has a downfall.

No matter how mighty (or spiritual) you are, you are still able to be deceived, especially, when you are not in constant communication with God. In Joshua chapter nine; Joshua is deceived by the Gibeonite's. He sees a man (a Gibeonite) who appears weak and tired from much travel. But he was deceived.

Joshua looked with his natural eyes, and did not consult God. He then made peace with the enemy, and could not go back on it for he made a covenant with them. It does not matter who you are. You may be a leader, warrior, servant, king, or priest, but if you do not have open communication with your commander you will fail.

Do not be deceived, and consult God on all matters. So that you may not enter into a false peace with the enemy. Joshua's personal history prepared him well as a leader for this conquest of Canaan. His leadership of Israel covered about 25 years.

Living near the end of Israel oppression in Egypt, Joshua witnessed God's judgment, when the ten plagues came upon Egypt, the first Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the signs and wonders during the wilderness wanderings. Joshua served Moses as a military leader in many battles of war and he alone accompanied Moses up to Mt. Sinai when God gave Israel the Ten Commandments. As Moses' assistant, Joshua demonstrated an intense devotion and heart for God by often tarrying long in the presence of God. Joshua was a mighty warrior who trusted God with all of his heart and soul. He had a passionate faith and trust in God.

He was a man who treasured the presence of God. Joshua learned much from Moses about the ways of God and the difficulties of leading His people to the promise land. At Kade sh-barney, Joshua served Moses as one of the twelve spies that scouted the land of Canaan. Along with Caleb, Joshua gave to the people an encouraging report of victory. Joshua was a great leader and warrior.

He had a lifestyle that God honored. He lived a life of trusting faithfulness. He lived his life by the great commission, "to be strong and courageous". He fought scores of kings and thousands of men. He toppled walls and towers.

He showed that His God was the only strong tower. With a single prayer the sun stood still. With one cry, city walls fell. With a step of obedience into the river it ceased to flow.

He was truly an example to all of how to be a warrior for the Most High. We see the life of Joshua as a lesson of faith, and through the eyes of history. We do not readily take his life as an example. We say that stuff doesn't happen anymore, and it was only for the Old Testament. We rarely take it as a calling". And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life" 2nd Timothy 2: 4 We are the warriors of God.

This is our commission. We must be ready and able. We are chosen, and to arms we are called. No longer making peace with are enemies. No longer shall we let the enemy dwell within in are land. Every Christian has a conquest, and a commission to be strong and courageous.

Today we must come to a realization. If Joshua could pray and the sun stood still, if he could shout and walls crumbled, and if was given the strength to lead; Then we, who have the Holy Spirit, should do these things and even greater. Not only do we have the Holy Spirit, like Joshua, but it dwells within us. How much greater then can we do? How much more can we now accomplish through the Holy Spirit. The power did not die in the New Testament, it was transferred.

It is not only given to the select anymore. It is given to the ones who have chosen to choose. No more is it given by some miracle from heaven. It is given to those who choose to take the call. To those who are willing. God will give it to those who live lives of trusting faithfulness.

God is going to do a work. There is a battle taking place in the heaven lies. Are you ready? Are you willing?

I say to now go into the world and be strong and courageous. The Lord is with you.

Bibliography

Drucker, Reuven. Inheriting the Land. Grand Rapids: Erdmans, 1983.
Hawk, L. Daniel. Joshua. Ber it Olam. Collegeville, Minnesota Hess, Richard. Joshua. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: Inter Varsity, 19 -- . Woudstra, Marten H. Joshua. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Erdmans, 1981.
Curtis, Adrian H.W. Joshua. Old Testament Guide. Sheffield: Sheffield. 19 -- . Drucker, Reuven. Yehoshua / Joshua. Brooklyn Menorah Publications, Ltd., 1982.
Stern, David H. Complete Jewish Bible. Jewish New Testament Publications Inc. Clarksville, Maryland, USA. 1998.