The Joshua Generation, Part 2

“We can learn to do what Joshua did in order to see the glory of God revealed in our lives and in the lives of those we touch!”

God has always looked for people who will step out in faith and make a divine impact for Him! As believers, we are the new Joshua Generation, called on to advance the kingdom of God in the power and might of His Spirit!

In Part 2 of this teaching series, you will learn the three commands God gave to the Joshua Generation to prepare them to impact their world. These same commands are the marching orders the Lord is giving to us today as we prepare for the coming days!

When the children of Israel crossed over the Jordan River with Joshua, they were prepared to do battle. The Scripture declares:

“About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho” (Joshua 4:13 NKJV).

The biblical account of Israel’s preparation and penetration of their Promised Land provides tremendous insight into the spiritual strategies we can apply to make a divine impact in our homes, in our communities, and throughout the world.

The Leader Joshua

The man leading the children of Israel was a servant to Moses (Joshua 1:1), a warrior (Exodus 17:9-14), and a worshipper of God (Exodus 33).

He had also been one of the chieftains, one from each of the 12 tribes, who were dispatched by Moses to scout out the Land of Canaan that God had promised as a future home for the children of Israel.

Ten of the 12 spies brought back a fearsome, negative report to Moses:

Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.” (Numbers 13:27-28)

However, two of the spies—Joshua and Caleb—were more convinced than ever that the children of Israel could conquer and inhabit the Promised Land:

“Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).

The children of Israel believed the negative assessment. All of the spies, except Joshua and Caleb, were struck down with a plague and died. The wandering in the wilderness continued until Moses died and a new generation emerged, led by Joshua.

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” (Joshua 1:1-3)

The instructions from God to Joshua were clear:

• Arise
• Go over into the land
• Tread—take dominion

They prepared to enter the Promised Land with the presence of God, represented by the Ark of the Covenant. Inside were the tablets of stone and the rod that budded, symbolic of the Word and resurrection power (Numbers 10:35).

How to Prepare for Battle

We are told that just as Joshua was given clear instructions by God, Joshua in turn gave the people four important instructions as they prepared to enter and inhabit the land.

1. Eat

Joshua told the people:

“Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess” (Joshua 1:11).

Joshua said this because the people needed to take food with them to maintain their physical strength. If this preparation is true for battles in the natural realm, imagine how much more important it is for God’s people to feed on His Word for warfare in the spiritual realm.

Jesus our Great Commander told us, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Ready yourself by feeding on the Word of God!

2. Remember the Word

Joshua told the children of Israel:

“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land’” (Joshua 1:13).

They were to remember God’s promises!

We have an even greater promise from God:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4)

We must remember this promise as we prepare for battle!

3. Catch the vision

Just as Joshua, Caleb, and the other 10 chieftains had earlier been sent by Moses to spy on the land, so Joshua sent his own spies.

So the two men returned, descended from the mountain, and crossed over; and they came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all that had befallen them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the LORD has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.” (Joshua 2:23-24)

This time the children of Israel believed the report and caught the vision of what God was preparing them to do. This was the vision that helped propel the Joshua Generation.

We must also catch the great vision of what God desires us to do during the coming days: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

This is the vision that we must have as part of the new Joshua Generation—to win souls for Christ’s kingdom!

4. Sanctify yourself

As part of the preparation, Joshua instructed the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5).

As the great Bible teacher Matthew Henry wrote of this verse and its meaning:

We must separate ourselves from all other cares, devote ourselves to God’s honour, and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. The people of Israel were now entering into the holy land, and therefore must sanctify themselves. God was about to give them uncommon instances of his favour, which by meditation and prayer they must compose their minds to a very careful observation of, that they might give God the glory.

They had to get ready for what God was going to do!

Likewise, if we desire to impact our world, we must sanctify ourselves by rejecting sin and living a holy life. We are told: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Passing over Jordan

When the Joshua generation passed over the river Jordan to possess the land, it was harvest time, and the water was at flood levels. But as soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, the way opened for Israel to cross over on dry ground. When the leaders stepped into the current, the waters rolled back 30 miles north to the city of Adam.

Can you imagine the spiritual impact, not only on the children of Israel, but also on the people dwelling inside the land?

The Joshua Generation’s crossing was a shadow of the substance to come. The real time of harvest began when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan and began His public ministry. Jesus Himself said:

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2).

Notice also when Israel crossed over the Jordan, they erected two memorials. Twelve stones were taken from the wilderness side and erected in the middle of the Jordan where the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant while Israel crossed. Twelve additional stones were taken from the river and erected in a memorial on the Promised Land’s side of the river (Joshua 4).

These two memorials symbolize what we leave and what we press toward in our walk of faith. Our faith is left behind, buried in the waters. Our new life in Christ and new covenant is taken out of the waters and established in the Promised Land.

We are part of the new covenant—the new Joshua Generation!

Forward in Faith

Joshua’s generation fought and conquered the enemies throughout the Promised Land. Likewise, we are commanded by our wonderful Lord Jesus to fight and conquer spiritual darkness as we share the His glorious gospel!

Just as Joshua led the nation of Israel across the Jordan by the light of day, we must show our faith in the light of day. Jesus said:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

We can learn to do what Joshua did in order to see the glory of God revealed in our lives and in the lives of those we touch!

Co-Laborers for the Cause of Christ

This is truly an exciting hour for this ministry. The cry of humanity has gotten louder, but the cry for the Gospel is the loudest ever.

As part of the new Joshua Generation, let’s make our precious Jesus proud as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission together. Please help me tell the lost about our Lord Jesus Christ with effectiveness and power, that Jesus and only Jesus is the Messiah!

Help me show them the power of God from our services around the world!

The Lord is giving incredible open doors, and I want you to be part of this prophetic opportunity!

I am asking you to give today toward what He is doing in our midst. Whatever He places on your heart to do, please obey Him!

I truly believe that your seed will bring you a great harvest and great protection for your financial tomorrow, as we are promised:

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth…. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)

Can I count on you today?

I am asking you, from the bottom of my heart, to give generously today for this mighty work of God so we can continue to make advance preparations for all our scheduled healing services and taking the Good News of Jesus Christ through the awesome, unprecedented doors He is opening to us.

Please let me hear from you today. We cannot lose this moment!

Give to the Lord your best seed, and watch what He will do for you!

For the glorious and eternal cause of our precious Lord, Jesus Christ,

Benny Hinn