Topical Bible: Communion: Joshua

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Introduction

The concept of communion in the biblical narrative often extends beyond the New Testament practice of the Lord's Supper, encompassing a broader sense of fellowship and unity with God and among His people. In the Old Testament, the life and leadership of Joshua provide a profound example of communion with God, characterized by obedience, faith, and the fulfillment of divine promises.

Joshua's Early Life and Preparation

Joshua, the son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim, first appears in the biblical narrative as a young assistant to Moses. His early life is marked by a close association with Moses, which serves as a foundation for his later role as the leader of Israel. Joshua's communion with God is evident in his unwavering faith and dedication to the divine mission. In Exodus 33:11, it is noted, "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent." This passage highlights Joshua's desire to remain in the presence of God, indicating a deep spiritual communion.

Leadership and Obedience

Upon Moses' death, Joshua is appointed as the leader of Israel, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land. His leadership is characterized by a steadfast commitment to God's commands. In Joshua 1:7-9, God instructs him, "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua's obedience to God's law and his meditation on it are central to his communion with God. His leadership is marked by a reliance on divine guidance, as seen in the crossing of the Jordan River and the conquest of Jericho. In each instance, Joshua seeks God's direction and follows it precisely, demonstrating a profound trust in God's promises.

Communion Through Covenant Renewal

Joshua's communion with God is further exemplified in his commitment to covenant renewal. In Joshua 24, he gathers all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and recounts the mighty acts of God, urging the people to serve the LORD faithfully. Joshua 24:14-15 states, "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth. Cast aside the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve—the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

This call to covenant renewal underscores the communal aspect of Israel's relationship with God, with Joshua leading by example. His declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD," reflects a personal and communal commitment to God, reinforcing the idea of communion as both individual and collective.

Conclusion

Joshua's life and leadership provide a rich tapestry of communion with God, characterized by obedience, faith, and covenant fidelity. His example serves as a testament to the blessings of walking closely with God and the importance of communal faithfulness in the life of God's people.

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Joshua 1:1-9
Now 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' minister, saying,
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Joshua 6:2-5
And the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.
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Joshua 7:10-15
And the LORD said to Joshua, Get you up; why lie you thus on your face?
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Joshua 8:1,2
And the LORD said to Joshua, Fear not, neither be you dismayed: take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
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Joshua 20:1-6
The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying,
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Library

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... been so: but mark, they appeared not such, when first they were received unto communion
(Exodus 12 ... 25; Numbers 25:1-9, 21:5,6, 14:37, 16, 15:32-36; Joshua 7; 2 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ...
... they baptized, that thereby they might be qualified for their right to communion
of saints ... But do you think that Moses and Joshua, and all the elders of Israel ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/differences in judgment about water.htm

The Mediator's Threefold Prayer
... Duty brought Moses back from such communion; but Joshua did not need to come near
the tents of the evil-doers, and, in the constancy of devout desire, made his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the mediators threefold prayer.htm

Faith and Courage.
... Joshua was not afraid, but he said: "Art thou for us or for our adversaries ... Christians
who have their harps on the willows, and are out of communion with Him ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the ... To begin
with, note the incident in Joshua 10, where the very heavenly bodies were ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

Out of and Into
... to associate with; have gone out in the morning braced up by communion with God ... When
Caleb and Joshua said, "We are able to overcome the enemy," the ten spies ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the deeper christian life/iv out of and into.htm

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
... the Ladder, as an emblem of the glorious Saviour bringing men to communion with
God ... Him, and consequently to keep that covenant all the days of Joshua, and all ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xii covenanting performed in.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... God commanded it, and made it the initiating ordinance to church communion. But
Moses, and Aaron, and Joshua, and the elders of Israel, dispensed with it for ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

Bishop Williams's Address.
... The Bishop then proceeded with the Communion-service, announcing that the offerings ...
GF Flichtner, Thomas Gallaudet, DD, Joshua Kimber, GS Mallory, DD, New York ...
/.../the sermons and addresses at the seabury centenary/bishop williamss address.htm

Gen. xxxi. 11
... a manner more tolerable to him who occupies a lower place of communion with God ... of
the Angel, because he will not pardon their transgressions, so Joshua 24:19 ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/gen xxxi 11.htm