Yeshua = Joshua = Jesus

Joshua and Jesus1:1The LORD said to Joshua

“You and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them.

1:5I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

1:7Be strong and very courageous. (Book of Joshua)

4:17Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.“

28:20“I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

28:10 “Do not be afraid”(Matthew’s gospel)

Be bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with youBe bold, be strong, for the Lord your God is with you.

I am not afraid, I am not dismayed,Because I’m walking in faith and victory,

Come on and walk in faith and victory,For the Lord your God is with you.

Joshua (and Jesus)3:1Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites went to the

Jordan, 3:2the officers 3:3gave orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, you are to follow it. 3:7And the LORD said to Joshua, 3:8" Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'"

3:15As soon as the feet of the priests touched the water's edge, 3:16the water from upstream stopped flowing.

So the people crossed over.4:1When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the

LORD said to Joshua, 4:3“Take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan and put them down at the place where you stay tonight." 4:7These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel for ever."

4:18And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran in flood as before.

What replaces Circumcision?

In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un-circumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is * keeping God's commands (1 Corinthians 7:19)

* faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6)

* a new creation (Galatians 6:15)

Faith expressing itself through love

It effects others

It is premeditated and uncomfortable

It is liberating

1Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts sank and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

2At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again."

3So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites.4/5Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt had

been circumcised, but they died in the desert after leaving Egypt. But all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not.

8And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.

9Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day.

Joshua 5

Faith expressing itself through love is effective & premeditated & Liberating

1 When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

2 My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

3 For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Faith expressing itself through love is effective & premeditated & Liberating

Who is the commander?

Unlikely to be an Angel because Joshua worships him

“Are you for us or for our enemies”

May not be a question you ask when God has already told you to love your neighbour as you love yourself

“What message do you have for your servant?”

May not be a question you ask when God has already told you to love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind, heart and strength.

Faith expressing itself through love

13Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand.

Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

14"Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come."

Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"

15The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy."

And Joshua did so.

Thank God for his written Word to us

Joshua 5

1 King of kings, majestyGod of heaven

living in me.Gentle Saviour,

closest FriendStrong Deliverer,

Beginning and EndAll within me

falls at Your throne.Your majesty,

I can but bow;I lay my all

before You now.In royal robes

I don't deserveI live to serve Your majesty.

2 Earth & heaven worship YouLove eternal, faithful and trueWho bought the nations,

ransomed soulsBrought this sinner

near to Your throneAll within me

cries out in praise