| Joshua: Strength and Courage |
Joshua: Warrior-Poets
Joshua: Strength and Courage: Warrior-Poets
Deuteronomy 31
Verse 17 – “Many evils and troubles will come upon them.”
Literally “will find them them” as in after a deliberate search. This is what happens when we disobey God. The
first warning to Adam and Eve’s offspring said much the same thing.
Genesis 4:6-7
The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be
accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
Versus 16-22
God is telling Moses and Joshua what will happen. This isn’t a fait accompli, but rather an indication that God’
s knows His people “like the back of His hand” This can be despairing, but we should also look at the positive
side of this. In spite of knowing what His people will do, He loves them and will lead them and still be their God
and fulfill His promises to them – promises of nation, land, and Messiah (Abrahamic Covenant).
Strength and Courage come through song. A True Man of God is a “warrior-poet.”
A “warrior-poet” is a phrase I take from the last scenes in the movie “Braveheart.” It is a man who not only fights
for what is right, willing to give his very life for good, but also is not afraid of tenderness. St. George is a good
example – he slays dragons and helps with the birth of his children. Other examples are Robin Hood, William
Wallace, King Arthur. Today, Hollywood has given us the modern-day examples – Han Solo, Indiana Jones,
Luke Skywalker, King Aragorn.
Moses is a “warrior-poet.” For 40 years he has fought for (and with) the Children of Israel and has also composed
great songs – his last one commissioned by God in this chapter of Deuteronomy.
This was Joshua’s example for 40 years.
We know why Israel had to wander for 40 years – due to their disobedience and not listening to Caleb and
Joshua when they spied out the land. But Joshua also needed those 40 years to prepare him for his leadership
of Israel.
“You have also failed to recognize that Wulder fills you with what you need when you need it. What is within
you at this moment is not sufficient to meet a need that will not arise until forty years hence.” [Dragonknight,
Donita K. Paul, page 295]
God does not give us what we need now for something that will happen 40 years in the future. He gives us what
we need now to go through the 40 years to be ready to do what He calls us to do then.
Big Idea: God will prepare us to be ready for what He calls us to do.
The battles we are called to fight – battle against the evil that is railing against us, led by Satan. He attacks to
tear us down – ruin our marriages with temptations of lust and selfishness, ruin our families with temptations of
disobedience and anger. We fight – not in, but for our marriages, for our children. And all the while, Christ
fights for us. He fought the good fight and saved our souls by forgiving our sins with His death. He put us on the
battle field of a war already won! We march already victorious into battle.
1. Have you ever wanted to do something before you were ready to do it?
2. If yes, how did you know you weren’t ready? Did you know before or as a result of failure?
3. What do you want to do in your life? Is this what God has called you to do?
4. Identify things that God has put into your life that are preparations for what you have been called to do.
Jesus said, "So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me" (Luke 14:33). Joshua was
obedient to his calling by Moses and by God. He didn’t ask questions, he was willing to give up what he desired
to follow Gods’ calling for his life.
Bonhoeffer said, "You can only learn what obedience is by obeying." Do ONE of the following personal
applications within the next 72 hours:
• Pray through Psalm 19:12-13 and 139:23-24. Ask God to show you any area in which you are not living
in radical obedience, confess it, and ask him to fill you with faith to obey by His Spirit.
• Ask your wife or best friend, "Is there anything about me that suggests I am not committed to radical
obedience?" Do not respond or defend yourself, just listen. Prayerfully meditate on their answer.
• Pray, "Jesus, I will do anything you want me to do." Write it down and look at it every day for a month or
so. Review yesterday, relate it to today.
Deuteronomy 31
Verse 17 – “Many evils and troubles will come upon them.”
Literally “will find them them” as in after a deliberate search. This is what happens when we disobey God. The
first warning to Adam and Eve’s offspring said much the same thing.
Genesis 4:6-7
The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be
accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
Versus 16-22
God is telling Moses and Joshua what will happen. This isn’t a fait accompli, but rather an indication that God’
s knows His people “like the back of His hand” This can be despairing, but we should also look at the positive
side of this. In spite of knowing what His people will do, He loves them and will lead them and still be their God
and fulfill His promises to them – promises of nation, land, and Messiah (Abrahamic Covenant).
Strength and Courage come through song. A True Man of God is a “warrior-poet.”
A “warrior-poet” is a phrase I take from the last scenes in the movie “Braveheart.” It is a man who not only fights
for what is right, willing to give his very life for good, but also is not afraid of tenderness. St. George is a good
example – he slays dragons and helps with the birth of his children. Other examples are Robin Hood, William
Wallace, King Arthur. Today, Hollywood has given us the modern-day examples – Han Solo, Indiana Jones,
Luke Skywalker, King Aragorn.
Moses is a “warrior-poet.” For 40 years he has fought for (and with) the Children of Israel and has also composed
great songs – his last one commissioned by God in this chapter of Deuteronomy.
This was Joshua’s example for 40 years.
We know why Israel had to wander for 40 years – due to their disobedience and not listening to Caleb and
Joshua when they spied out the land. But Joshua also needed those 40 years to prepare him for his leadership
of Israel.
“You have also failed to recognize that Wulder fills you with what you need when you need it. What is within
you at this moment is not sufficient to meet a need that will not arise until forty years hence.” [Dragonknight,
Donita K. Paul, page 295]
God does not give us what we need now for something that will happen 40 years in the future. He gives us what
we need now to go through the 40 years to be ready to do what He calls us to do then.
Big Idea: God will prepare us to be ready for what He calls us to do.
The battles we are called to fight – battle against the evil that is railing against us, led by Satan. He attacks to
tear us down – ruin our marriages with temptations of lust and selfishness, ruin our families with temptations of
disobedience and anger. We fight – not in, but for our marriages, for our children. And all the while, Christ
fights for us. He fought the good fight and saved our souls by forgiving our sins with His death. He put us on the
battle field of a war already won! We march already victorious into battle.
1. Have you ever wanted to do something before you were ready to do it?
2. If yes, how did you know you weren’t ready? Did you know before or as a result of failure?
3. What do you want to do in your life? Is this what God has called you to do?
4. Identify things that God has put into your life that are preparations for what you have been called to do.
Jesus said, "So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me" (Luke 14:33). Joshua was
obedient to his calling by Moses and by God. He didn’t ask questions, he was willing to give up what he desired
to follow Gods’ calling for his life.
Bonhoeffer said, "You can only learn what obedience is by obeying." Do ONE of the following personal
applications within the next 72 hours:
• Pray through Psalm 19:12-13 and 139:23-24. Ask God to show you any area in which you are not living
in radical obedience, confess it, and ask him to fill you with faith to obey by His Spirit.
• Ask your wife or best friend, "Is there anything about me that suggests I am not committed to radical
obedience?" Do not respond or defend yourself, just listen. Prayerfully meditate on their answer.
• Pray, "Jesus, I will do anything you want me to do." Write it down and look at it every day for a month or
so. Review yesterday, relate it to today.
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