The Book of Joshua is a very unique book in many ways, but several things stand out in particular to distinguish this period of time in the history of God’s people from others:
- It marks a period of leadership crisis as the most respected and important spiritual leader of all times, Moses, had just passed away. It was not so much a matter of whether God would raise up another leader to lead His people, but that Moses was simply irreplaceable in the mind of the people.
- It also marks the realization of God's promise, the possession of the Promised Land without which there could not be the nation of Israel.
- Amazingly, in spite of the continued complaints and conflicts among God’s people, it was also a rare period of reconciliation and unity.
- The spiritual implication to the Christian life is very vivid in that victory over sin has already been achieved by Christ, just as the land had already been given to the people, but how to claim our victory over sin finds parallel in how the Israelites could actually claim and possess their Promised Land.
(1) What kind of crisis did the death of Moses present to the people of God?
(2) At the beginning of the study of this book, maybe it is helpful to read how God prepared and commissioned Joshua before the death of Moses, including Exodus 17:9ff, 24:13ff; Numbers 14:6ff, 26:65, 27:18; Deuteronomy 3:21ff and 31:1ff. What kind of leadership qualities do you see in Joshua?
(3) Now, at the death of Moses, Joshua was to finish the task commissioned by God and in reiterating this commission, what kind of guarantee did God give him in terms of geography, duration, power and conditions in vv. 3-5? How will you describe such a guarantee? (Would you call it a life-time guarantee or total guarantee?)
(4) Count and see how many times God has repeated the command to be strong and courageous? Why did God have to say this to Joshua so many times? (i.e. What might the implications be?)
(5) Do you think these repetitions really helped Joshua? Why or why not?
(6) In guaranteeing success, God also set conditions. What were the conditions?
(7) What might be the key to being able to be strong and courageous and to obey all the law (v. 8)?
(8) What is meant by meditating on the Book of the Law day and night? What would Joshua have to do in order to do so? What might it look like in your case?
(9) If you have time, why not complete a word study on the word, “meditate”. You may want to use the following chart to help your word study (based on the NIV Concordance):
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Who |
What |
When |
Where |
How |
Why |
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Gen. 24:63 |
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Jos. 1:8 |
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Ps. 48:9 |
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Ps. 77:12 |
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Ps. 119:15 |
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Ps. 119:23 |
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Ps. 119:27 |
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Ps. 119:48 |
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Ps. 119:78 |
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Ps. 119:97 |
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Ps. 119:99 |
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Ps. 119:148 |
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Ps. 143:5 |
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Ps. 145:5 |
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Ps. 39:3 |
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Ps. 1:2 |
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Ps. 19:14 |
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Ps. 104:34 |
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Does this word study help you gain deeper insight into meditation? If so, how?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how might you apply it to your life?
今天我們開始研讀約書亞記。請請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
約書亞記是一本很特別的書卷，在神的選民以色列人的歷史中佔很重要的地位，原因包括：
- 這是他們歷史上的危機時刻—他們所敬仰的摩西剛死去。神固然會另立領袖去帶領他們，然而摩西卻是無人能替代的。
- 這同時是神的應許得成就的時刻。若沒有地，以色列何能成為一國呢？
- 希奇的是，眾百姓雖然繼續他們的埋怨和衝突，這卻是以色列人罕有的彼此和解及團結的一段歷史。
- 他們進去得應許之地的過程，恰恰成為新約信徒在基督裡能過得勝生活的寫照。基督已勝過死亡與罪，凡信祂的同樣在地位上與基督相同，但真正能活出勝過罪的生命卻是一個信心的過程。
(1) 摩西的死亡對以色列人影響至巨，你同意嗎？為甚麼？
(2) 在思想約書亞記之始，請先參閱以下經文，看看神如何準備約書亞去承繼摩西：出埃及記17:9ff, 24:13ff；民數記14:6ff，26:65，27:18；申命記3:21ff 及31:1ff。(“ff”=及跟著的節數之意) 。你認為約書亞具備什麼領袖的條件呢？
(3) 摩西既然已死，約書亞自然要完成帶領以色列人進迦南的使命。在正式交付這使命時，在第3-5節神給他那幾方面的保證？
(4) 你可以計算神對約書亞說了多少次「要剛強壯膽」？為何要這樣重複多次？
(5) 這樣的重複對約書亞真有幫助嗎？為什麼？
(6) 雖然神給約書亞多方面的保證，似乎這些保證是有條件的。是什麼條件呢？(稱這些為條件適合嗎？為什麼？)
(7) 按第八節，能真的謹守遵行神的話，要訣是什麼？
(8) 晝夜思想神的話是什麼意思？約書亞要怎樣做才算是晝夜思想神的話？你又如何？
(9) 如果有時間，請從聖經以下經文了解「思想(或譯默想)/meditate」的意思(經文取自NIV Concordance)
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誰在默想 |
默想對象 |
時間 |
地點 |
怎樣默想 |
原因 |
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創24:63 |
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書1:8 |
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詩48:9 |
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詩77:12 |
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詩119:15 |
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詩119:23 |
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詩119:27 |
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詩119:48 |
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詩119:78 |
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詩119:97 |
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詩119:99 |
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詩119:148 |
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詩143:5 |
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詩145:5 |
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詩39:3 |
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詩1:2 |
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詩19:14 |
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詩104:34 |
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你對默想有什麼加深的認識？
(10) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在你的生命中？
As Joshua took over the leadership from Moses in leading God’s people into the Promised Land, the Lord reiterated many times to Joshua that he should not be afraid, but be strong and courageous. But it is easier said than done—not to be afraid of such an impossible task. At the same time, God also laid down the key to his success in that in order to be able to be strong and courageous and be obedient to the Law, Joshua needed to meditate on His Word day and night. So, the important question to ask is what does meditating on the Word of God entail in a practical sense?
A simple word study (for example using the NIV Concordance which lists at least 18 Old Testament verses that touch on meditation) will be helpful. The following is a summary:
The Object:
- 9 out of the 18 verses make the Law or the Word of God the object of the meditation.
- 4 out of the 18 verses make the works of wonders of God the object of the meditation
- 1 verse makes God’s unfailing love as its object
- 1 verse makes the psalmist’s own situation as the object of meditation (and the result was disastrous as his heart burnt)
- The remaining three simply refer to the act of meditation which points to an act of the heart.
The time or duration:
When time is mentioned, it mostly refers to a continuous process of meditation of “all day/night long” or “day and night”.
While it is obvious that the act of meditation takes place in the heart, one verse talks about meditating all night long with the eyes open.
The reasons:
The reasons given by the psalmists range from being in a time of trial (surrounded by the wicked, being taunted or needing help) to simply being a habit based on an intimate and worshipful relationship with God (out of awe, sensing His love and greatness, simply loving the Law, or with a desire to please God). The one in Genesis 24 describes Isaac’s meditation in the field, after the loss of his beloved mother.
It is therefore safe to say that Christian meditation is a habit cultivated by God’s children out of a growing desire for intimacy with God, with His word as the object through which to appreciate God’s character through experience and His works of wonders.
But if our meditation focuses on anything other than God and His word, like in Psalm 39:3 where the psalmist focuses on his own situation, it will only be harmful to us.
神把帶領以色列人進應許之地的重任交托約書亞時，祂多次的吩咐和鼓勵他要剛強壯膽。當然，面對這人不能承擔的重任，約書亞不懼怕才怪呢。故此，神同時給予約書亞實際的勸導，要他「晝夜思想」祂的話，以至他能壯膽，謹守遵行祂的律例。問題是，怎樣才算是「晝夜思想」神的話呢？
在今天的靈修資料中，我提供了NIV Concordance從聖經中十八處提到默想(meditate)的經文。總結而言，我們可以看到：
默想的對象：
· 一半的經文是以神的說話為默想的對象；
· 四處的經文是以神奇妙的作為為對象；
· 一處是在默想神的慈愛；
· 一處是詩人在思想自己的處境 (結果弄至自己心如火燒) ；
· 其他的經文沒有指明默想的對象，但卻顯明是「心靈」的運動。
默想的時間：
· 多數的經文提到整天或整夜的默想，是一個比較持續的時間；
· 雖然默想明顯是心靈的運作，有一處提到整夜眼睛睜開的思想神的話。
默想的原因：
· 詩篇中的默想多是詩人因遇到困境而到神面前默想，也有是出於與神的相交和敬仰產生的生命流露(出自對神大愛、偉大的讚歎，對神話語的愛慕，或為要討神的喜悅) ；
· 以撒在創世記第24章末田中的默想則是在喪母之後。
看來，聖經人物的默想，都是出於與神親密關係的流露，雖然有時特因遭困境而作，但一般已是與神同行的慣性表現—往往是以神的話為對象，藉此把與神的經歷和對神奇妙的作為化為讚美。
但若然在默想時，我們的思想不是集中在神的話語和神的身上，而是在自己或環境上，就像詩篇39:3的詩人一樣，叫自己受虧損了。
(1) Upon hearing God’s command and repeated encouragement, what might your response be, if you were Joshua? What was his immediate response?
(2) Back in Numbers 32, Moses gave permission to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh to stay in (and possess) their land east of the Jordan. Now Joshua was to lead the rest of Israel to cross the Jordan and engage in battles to possess the rest of the land. What risk might Joshua be taking in asking them to join and help their brothers?
(3) If they refused, would God’s plan be put into jeopardy? What damage might be done should they refuse?
(4) What reasons might these two and a half tribes have in not being willing to help their brothers?
(5) Do you have any idea, should they agree to help their brothers, how long they would have to leave their children and wives? (See Jos. 22:3 to get an idea.)
(6) How did they respond to Joshua’s request?
(7) What might be the reasons that caused them to agree to make such a big sacrifice?
(8) What did their action mean given it was at the beginning of Joshua’s leadership and at a critical juncture of their journey?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how might you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 如果你是約書亞，聽到神重複的鼓勵和吩咐後，你會怎樣回應？約書亞又是怎樣回應呢？
(2) 摩西在較早前(民32章) 允許流便、迦得和瑪拿西半支派留在約但河東，以那地為業。現在，約書亞要帶領餘下九支派半過河取地，他就要求河東的二支派半也過河，參與取地的爭戰。此舉可帶來甚麼風險？
(3) 如果二支派半拒絕的話，是否神的應許便會落空？他們要是拒絕，會帶來什麼影響？
(4) 如果二支派半拒絕的話，他們可有什麼原因？
(5) 他們是否曉得，若然過河協助其他支派，會經過多長的日子才能回家再見妻兒，得享天倫之樂？(參22:3)
(6) 他們結果怎樣回覆約書亞？
(7) 他們願意作出這樣的犧牲，可有什麼原因？
(8) 他們的決定對約書亞有什麼幫助，特別是在他剛承擔這領袖的責任？
(9) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在你的生命中？
It is true that back in Numbers 32 that the Reubenites and Gadites, probably because of the size of their herds and flocks, decided to stay in the land east of Jordan. At the time, they gave Moses their word that their armed men would join their brothers to cross to the other side of Jordan to help subdue the land before they would return to enjoy their land and their family.
Now that the people of Israel were about to cross the Jordan, the two tribes, together with the half-tribe of Manasseh would have built their homes and begun enjoying the land they had possessed. To leave at this time would mean not only leaving the fruit of their labor, but their families rather unprotected. Also, who knew how long it would take for the rest of the nine and half tribes to subdue the enemies and possess their allotted land? As it turned out, in Joshua’s own words, it took “a long time” (Jos. 22:3). Some estimate that it had taken over 20 years!
At the time of their request, Moses was afraid that their action would anger the Lord and cause discouragement and division to Israel.
Now, in spite of their sacrifice, they remained faithful to their commitment to the Lord and their people. Furthermore, in so doing, they pledged their support to Joshua. Such a commitment was really precious and significant at this critical time of the history of Israel. Instead of deepening the leadership crisis because of the death of Moses, their action had helped reinforce the leadership of Joshua and enhance an almost unprecedented unity among the people of Israel.
Their action has indeed defined what true commitment is which is so rare these days, even among the children of God.
當時他們向摩西承諾，會參與協助其他支派過河取地，於得地後才回家，同受產業。
現在以色列人真的要過河了。那時流便和迦得和瑪拿西半支派相信已在這泛約但土地上(Trans-Jordan) 建立了家園，享受那地為業。此時那兩支派半所有的壯丁要離家，不但是要放下家園，更使留下的婦女和孩童缺乏保護。還有，他們要等待其他九個半支派「各承受自己的產業」(民32:18) 才能回家，要等多久呢？約書亞及後曾提到他們等了「許多的日子」(書22:3)。有解經家說有二十多年之久！
當這二支派半向摩西發出要求在約但河東安家時，摩西原先是不同意的，懼怕此舉會使以色列人灰心和帶來紛爭。
雖然我們看到謹守諾言會帶來他們極大的犧牲，這二支派半卻是向神向弟兄守諾的。不但如此，他們對約書亞說出勉勵的話，支持這年輕剛上任的領袖。在以色列人這歷史性的時刻，他們的委身是極其寶貴和重要的。這因摩西去世而帶來的危機，因著這二支派半的信實，不但鞏固了約書亞的領導地位，更帶來了以色列人前所未有的團結。
他們實在為委身下了定義，就是今日在神的家中所屬少見的。
(1) Why did Joshua choose to send people to spy on Jericho? Was it a prudent act or a sign of his lack of faith?
(2) As they eventually gave a report of their exploration in v. 24, do you think Joshua had achieved his intended goal of spying?
(3) Archeological findings of the Ancient Near East find parallels in having prostitutes live near the entrance of the ancient cities. What risks was Rahab taking in hiding the two spies of Israel?
(4) What were the reasons given by Rahab in committing this act of treason?
(5) From the reasons given by Rahab, what do we know about the impact of God’s power over the region?
(6) What did Rahab know about the God of Israel? In invoking the name of the God of Israel (the Lord means Yahweh), and by hiding the spies, what spiritual significance did her action have?
(7) Read Matthew 1:5. How did God reward her change of allegiance from her god(s) to Him?
(8) What does the fact that God can even use a prostitute to bring about the deliverance of His people (and the salvation of mankind) say to you?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how might you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 為何約書亞派探子窺探耶利哥？是明智之舉還是沒有信心的表現？
(2) 當探子在2:24作回報時，約書亞的窺探目的是否已達到？
(3) 從近東的歷史和考古所得，我們知道在城的入口處有妓女作客店店主是很普遍的事。喇合收藏探子是要冒多大的危險呢？
(4) 她作出這賣國之舉的原因何在？
(5) 我們從她口中可以知道神領以色列人出埃及所施行的種種神蹟對列邦有何影響？
(6) 從喇合所言顯出她對神有什麼認識？她引用以色列人對神獨有的稱呼(耶和華) 和勇敢的收藏探子，對她有什麼重大的屬靈意義？
(7) 神怎樣回報她放棄自己的神而轉向耶和華呢？(參太1:5)
(8) 神竟然使用妓女來成就祂對以色列人的應許，更引她進普世救主降生的家譜，這給世人一個什麼信息？
(9) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在你的生命？
Some Christians struggle with whether faith in God means that we should not do anything on our own and what actually constitutes doing things on our own.
In their journey into the Promised Land, Moses sent spies to explore the land of Canaan. It was not only a common-sense military tactic, it was a clear command of the Lord (Num. 13:1). Jesus also used a military parable to express the need for His disciples to count the cost before following Him. Knowing the strength of the enemy, in this case, implies spying as well.
The result of the spying of Canaan, as we know, was disastrous. The people chose not to focus on the reports of Joshua and Caleb about the abundance of the land, but on the impossibility of the task. The purpose of spying in this case was for the people to know the difficulties ahead, so that they might trust totally in the Lord and not on their own strength. Thus, spying in no way is a sign of lack of faith. It is something prudent, and something that should usher us into greater, if not total dependence on God.
Joshua simply followed the example of Moses and did what was prudent as well, again not with the intention of depending on their own strength and wisdom, but to help devise a strategy that is in tune with their dependence on God. The result was very rewarding in that they had come to know that God had already melted the heart of the enemies. They knew that God was already at work, even before they would be engaged in the battle. Then, Joshua would turn to God for wisdom and strength in devising the proper strategy and plan of action.
I guess the lesson for us is that we need to do what is prudent in assessing the challenges ahead of us, and then turn to the Lord for wisdom and strength as we devise our strategy and carry out our plan of action. This way, we are in true partnership with God.
不少的信徒對什麼是完全倚靠神感到困惑。是否完全倚靠神我們就什麼也不用作呢？若然我們也有所行動或參與，怎樣曉得是沒有倚靠自己而單靠神呢？
在約書亞按神的吩咐帶領以色列人攻取耶利哥城之前，他先打發探子去窺探那地。摩西也曾派探子窺探迦南地，不但是個明智的戰略，更是神明明的吩咐(民13:1)。耶穌在勸導門徒要好好的坐下計算代價時，也引用戰爭的例子來說明要知道敵人的來勢。
我們知道摩西那次窺探迦南帶來了不堪設想的後果。百姓單單聽取壞的消息，因敵人的高大而驚惶，而不理會約書亞和迦勒所報的好消息。其實神要藉著兩方面的報告叫以色列人明白爭戰的艱巨，也曉得神所預備的豐厚，因而不敢靠自己的力量而單倚靠神去爭戰。故此，窺探敵情不一定是沒有信心之舉，反而能幫助我們更倚靠神。
我們相信約書亞跟從摩西的榜樣，不是倚靠自己的聰明或智慧，乃作明智之舉，想先知道敵情，後才定出合神心意和倚靠神的戰略。結果，探子帶回來的報告是叫人振奮的，因為知道神已在他們前面作工和鋪路。約書亞也因而繼續的等候在神面前，聽取當行的下一步。
相信這也是我們當學的功課：我們也有當盡的本份，作出當有的準備和研究，明白面前挑戰和困難，卻不因此而灰心，而是更曉得轉向神求智慧和引導，按著神的指引一步步的踏出信心的腳步。這樣，我們不會是單靠自己，乃是真正的與神同工了。
(1) What spiritual significance might the use of the scarlet cord in the deliverance of Rahab have?
(2) How did the deliverance of the entire household of Rahab echo that of the jailer in Acts 16:31?
(3) How does the incidence of Rahab speak to the limitations of patriotism?
(4) What impact might the report of the spies have on Joshua and the people of Israel?
(5) We are often puzzled by the total destruction of these Canaanites by the people of Israel as commanded by God. Why did God not wipe out all the people of Jericho, including Rahab and her household? Was it an exception that God made? Or, was it His principle all along? If so, what might this principle be?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how might you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 用朱紅色線作喇合一家得拯救的信號，有什麼屬靈的意味？
(2) 喇合全家的得救叫我們想起新約那一段異曲同工的記載？(可參徒16:31)
(3) 喇合的事件可以叫我們認識到「愛國」之情應有什麼原則？
(4) 探子的報告對約書亞和百姓分別有何重大的意義？
(5) 我們常常被約書亞記中神要以色列人盡滅仇敵之吩咐感到困惑。為何神卻沒有盡滅耶利哥人，保存了喇合一家？神是否作出例外，還是顯出祂一貫的原則？
(6) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Few of the many issues raised by the book of Joshua created more difficulty than the question of how a loving God could command the wholesale extermination of nations that inhabited the Promised Land." (Hess, TOTC, Joshua, 42)
Of course, there is no easy or simple solution to this problem. It is true that such a mandate carries significance to New Testament believers in that ours is also a spiritual warfare against the principalities of the air and the powers of sin and evil (Eph. 6:10-18). As such, we need to exterminate our enemy totally, leaving no room for Satan in our life. (Eph. 4:27)
On a very practical level though, the immorality and idolatry of Canaan were well attested by history and archeological findings. Nothing short of total elimination of anything Canaanite would safeguard the singular devotion of Israelites to the Lord.
However, such total elimination of old and young and everything that breathes seems inconsistent with the character of God, and it is!
Deuteronomy 20:10-11 does allow peace to be made with any fortified town that opens its gates to Israel. However, it appears such mercy only applies to towns not within the Promised Land, as some have asserted.
However, the incident with Jericho speaks volumes of a very important principle that points to the very essence of God’s character and that is, whether they are people within or without the Promised Land, should they change their allegiance from their gods and take Yahweh as their God, like Rahab and her household did, they would be spared. And in the case of Rahab, she was not only spared, but was also ushered into the Hall of Faith and became the ancestor of the Messiah (Heb. 11:31 and Matt. 1:5).
「約書亞記所引起的爭論，其中最困難的是為何慈愛的神竟吩咐以色列人盡滅應許地的列國。」(Hess, TOTC, Joshua, 42)
這真是個不容易處理的問題。我們這些新約的信徒當然知道神這吩咐是要作為我們對付罪和撒但的榜樣(弗6:10-18) 。在屬靈的爭戰中，我們要盡除仇敵，不能給魔鬼留任何地步。(弗4:27)
在以色列人當時的情況，迦南人的邪淫和兇殘是歷史記載和考古的發現所肯定的。不把他們全然的滅絕，祇會成為以色列人的後患，被他們引帶離開神。但連老帶幼，連男帶女也要滅盡，這始終不是與神慈愛的屬性相違嗎？
但神在申命記20:10-11是叫以色列向願意開城，說和睦話的城市有所寬容的。但似乎這規條卻不能用在處於應許地的迦南人。耶利哥正是應許地中之城市，但神並沒有滅絕城中所有的人。因著喇合的相信，耶和華保全她的一家人。這正顯明神不變的屬性，就是若有人悔改相信祂，不論是應許地的內外，都會得到拯救的。喇合，這迦南的妓女，因信竟然得進信心的名人錄(來11:31) ，更成為彌賽亞的先祖之一(太1:5)
(1) What practical purposes did the ark serve in the crossing of the River Jordan?
(2) What spiritual purposes did the ark serve in the crossing of the River Jordan?
(3) What lesson(s) can we learn from this?
(4) Was it important that Joshua be exalted “in the eyes of all Israel”? Why or why not?
(5) Why did Joshua ask the people to consecrate themselves in v. 5? What lesson does it have for us?
(6) Why did the river only stop flowing at (or after) the priests’ feet touched the edge of the water?
(7) Was the Jordan at the stage of flooding at the time or a coincidence?
(8) Reflect on v. 17. How miraculous was this act of God?
(9) How important was this miracle to Joshua and to the people of Israel as a first step of claiming the Promised Land?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how might you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 約櫃在領以色列人過河中有什麼實際的作用？
(2) 約櫃在領以色列人過河中有什麼屬靈的作用？
(3) 我們在此可以學到什麼功課？
(4) 為何神要使約書亞在以色列人眼前尊大？這是重要的嗎？
(5) 為何在這時刻約書亞要百姓自潔？重要性何在？(3:5)
(6) 為何河水要在祭司的腳一踏入水時就停住？為何不是等河水停住才腳踏水中呢？二者分別何在？
(7) 當時正是約但河水漲之時，這是否巧合？為什麼？
(8) 細思3:17。這是怎樣的一個神蹟？
(9) 為何神要在約書亞帶領以色列人進迦南要得應許之地的開始時行此神蹟？
(10) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在你的生命中？
In commanding Joshua to lead the people to cross over Jordan, the Lord made an interesting statement in 3:7, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel…”
One wonders why it was important for Joshua to be exalted in the eyes of men. Would it not become a temptation to Joshua down the road?
Of course, the statement did not end there, and the Lord went on to say that “so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.”
Whether we like it or not, biblical history consistently portrays God’s way of accomplishing His plans and that is through raising an individual leader to lead His people. He did it through Moses and now He was doing it through Joshua. Just as He exalted Moses, so that the people would obey His law through Moses, now it was imperative that the people would continue to obey Him through the leadership of Joshua. As a result, it was important that the Lord would affirm Joshua’s leadership "in the eyes of Israel”. It was done, not so much for Joshua, but for the good of the people.
Certainly, as one was exalted, especially to the extent that Moses was, there was a danger that of falling prey to pride. And that was exactly what happened to Moses when he struck the rock twice on his own (Num. 20:11). Such an action dishonored God (Num. 20:12) and invited a very severe punishment in that Moses would not be able to see the fruit of his labor, the entrance into the Promised Land.
Joshua, however, must have learned this lesson from Moses. As much as he was exalted like Moses by the Lord, at the end of his life, he was not only able to lead the people into the Promised Land, he could also testify that, “…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Jos. 24:15)
神吩咐約書亞帶領以色列人過約但河時，說了這麼的一句話：「我必使你在以色列眾人眼前尊大」(書3:7) 。
我們不禁的會問為什麼神要對他說這麼的一句話？「我必使你在以色列眾人眼前尊大」？那豈不是會成為約書亞的試探嗎？
當然，神對約書亞這番話沒有停在那裡。神繼續的說：「使他們知道我怎樣與摩西同在，也必照樣與你同在。」
是的，聖經的歷史告訴我們，神確是常常藉著祂所揀選的領袖來引導祂的百姓的。祂曾藉摩西引導祂的百姓，現在又使用約書亞來帶領祂的百姓。祂叫摩西在百姓眼前尊大，好使百姓藉摩西的領導而聽從祂的話。照樣，祂也期望百姓在約書亞領導之下聽從祂的話。故此，約書亞能在眾人眼前被尊為大是重要的；不是為約書亞的原故，乃是為百姓的原故。
當然，當一個人如此被抬舉時是很容易落在驕傲之中。摩西就是這樣。在他自己也不察覺之下用杖擊打磐石兩下，因此被神責備，說他「不在以色列人眼前尊我為聖」(民20:11-12) 。這事的後果是極其嚴重，摩西因而不能親自領百姓進入應許之地。
約書亞有前車可鑒，從摩西身上學了功課。他雖然像摩西一樣被神抬舉，但他至終帶領了百姓進入了應許地，並在年老的時候，說出這些感人的話：「至於我和我家，我們必定事奉耶和華。」(書24:15)