Today we begin Joshua Chapter One.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here.
For the King James version, click here.
“After the death of Moshe the servant of Adonai, Adonai said to Y’hoshua the son of Nun, Moshe’s assistant, ‘Moshe my servant is dead. So now, get up and cross over this Yarden, you and all the people, to the land I am giving to them, the people of Israel.’“-Joshua 1:1-2
The very first verse of Joshua Chapter One makes it clear that…
…the ruling authority over Israel has now passed from Moses to Joshua.
We’re told that Moses was a “servant of Adonai” and Joshua was his “assistant”.
Understand that in the Scriptures, the phrase “servant of God” was only applied to a few select men and…
…eventually this term began to be used interchangeably with the word “prophet”.
One mistake a lot of folks make is to assume that Joshua replaced Moses.
This simply isn’t true.
Moses held the position of being the official MEDIATOR between God and the people and…
…this is a role that would not be handed down until a good 13 centuries later…
…by the one proclaimed to be the son of God.
Of course, I’m referring to Yeshua of Nazareth who would be crucified for the sins of all mankind.
In this sense, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say Yeshua was a level above Moses.
Having said all that, it is true that Joshua did serve as a Mediator at times.
And if you think about it, the High Priests also served as Mediators when they served at the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
Yet they were nowhere as close to God in position and authority as Moses was.
Nevertheless, from this point onwards in Scripture, God makes it clear that it is now Joshua who will be chief ruler over Israel and it is him whom the people are to follow.
Oh, and one other final point I have to make.
You know all the times in Scripture (and when I say “Scripture”, I’m only referring only to the OT) where it says “God” or “Adonai” or the “Lord”, or some other generic term, pretty much without exception the actual Hebrew word there is God’s personal name YHVH.
Alright, I’m done.
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