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Joshua episode 1: A new leader for Israel

Moses hands over his leadership to Joshua.
Contributed by David & Goliath (DG)
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Welcome to a new and exciting adventure with Joshua. He will be our hero as we travel back in time. – Slide 1
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If you haven't heard of Joshua, you might remember Moses. When the Jewish people were held in Egypt as slaves, God used Moses to deliver them from slavery. – Slide 2
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Moses was the one who led the people through the Red Sea that God had parted, freeing the Jewish people from being captured by the Egyptians. Moses had such a close relationship with God that the Bible tells us that God spoke to Moses just like He would speak to a friend. Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. – Slide 3
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After fleeing Egypt, the Jewish people headed for the land God had promised to their ancestors. Before entering the promised land, Moses sent 12 spies into Canaan to explore. He wanted to find out how tough the people were and if the land was good for farming. Well, the spies were thrilled and horrified at what they found in the country. When the spies returned from Canaan they shared the news with all the Israelites. They arrived, bringing with them a large bunch of grapes that took two of them to carry on a pole. – Slide 4
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Ten of the spies reported, ‘These people are giants just like their fruits are giant. They are extremely powerful. We don't stand a chance against them.’ <br/>As they spoke, the people were so terrified that they began to cry and lose faith in God's plan to give them the land. – Slide 5
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‘Didn't we have a better time in Egypt?’ some started murmuring. The Israelites began to make plans and said to each other, ‘Let's choose someone else to lead us instead of Moses. Maybe a new leader will take us back to Egypt. – Slide 6
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Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, had a different report. They stood up, tore their clothes and began to speak to the people. ‘Brothers, listen to the two of us. Canaan is truly a wonderful land. If the Lord is pleased with us He will give us this land, a rich land flowing with milk and honey. But this will only happen if we do not rebel against God.’ – Slide 7
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‘Why should we be afraid of these people? The Lord is with us.’ <br/>But the people of Israel did not want to listen to Joshua and Caleb. In fact, some people wanted to stone them. – Slide 8
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The glory of the Lord appeared before the Israelites. The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Will these people continue to ignore me? Ask them, “How long will it be before they believe me and my promises.” After all the miracles I've done among them do they still doubt me? I will punish and destroy them and only Joshua and Caleb will enter the land that I promised you. <br/>After hearing this, Moses prayed to the Lord for the people of Israel, so that the Lord would forgive their rebellion and not destroy them. – Slide 9
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Lord decided not to destroy the people but the consequences of their unbelief and rebellion was that none of that generation would enter Canaan, except for Joshua and Caleb. After 40 years of wandering through the desert a whole generation of older men passed away and only Joshua and Caleb survived. – Slide 10
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When Moses reached the age of 120, he brought Joshua before all the people and told him, ‘Joshua, I will no longer be able to lead the people. The Lord told me that I will not cross the Jordan river to the promised land of Canaan. The Lord wants you to lead the people from now on.’ – Slide 11
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‘Don't be afraid Joshua,’ Moses added. ‘The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you and He will not be leaving you. So you have nothing to fear.’ <br/>After sharing with Joshua what God had spoken to him, Moses died at the age of 120 years. <br/>The people mourned for Moses but they were not left without a leader. The Lord had appointed Joshua as the new leader of the people Israel. – Slide 12
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Joshua suddenly found himself responsible for leading a stubborn and difficult people. He was chosen to lead God’s people to a land of strong and giant men, to fight with them, and conquer the land of Canaan. The Jewish people had seen how God used Moses to deliver them from many difficult situations. Moses had such a close relationship with God and knew His voice so well, that he could guide the Jewish people on their difficult journey to Canaan. <br/>Joshua knew the job that awaited him was not going to be easy. – Slide 13
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The Lord spoke to Joshua after Moses died. ‘Joshua get up and prepare the Israelites in the camp with you, to go across the Jordan river where you'll find the land I will give the people of Israel. Do not be afraid, because I will be with you just as I was with Moses.’ – Slide 14
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‘Joshua you must courageously lead the people Israel so I may give them all I promised them. Be bold. Be strong. Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be successful.’ – Slide 15
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This is how Joshua chose to live. Reading God’s Word and obeying it. What God promised to Joshua is just as true for us today. God wants us to learn the Bible and obey everything God tells us. God is with us and He will help us. – Slide 16
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