Everyone's a leader. Whether you choose to be or not. You're always leading.
I've been thinking about Joshua.
Follow me here for a little background:
- God came to Abram (Abraham) (close to 800 yrs before Joshua), and told him he would be the father of many nations. Gen 12
- Abraham had Isaac, Isaac had Jacob (& Esau), Jacob had the 12 sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Nephtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin.
- The 12 sons later became the Patriarchs by which the 12 tribes of Judah were named.
- Joseph by God's providence was sold to some Ishmalites. Gen. 37
- The Lord's grace was upon Joseph and He bacame, many years later, second in command to the King Pharaoh, because he could interpret dreams. He was able to tell Pharaoh that they were going to experience 7yrs of plenty and 7 yrs of famine. Gen. 41
- After the brothers found Joseph they went back to tell their father, whose name was once Jacob-Now it's Israel, the Lord visited Israel and told him to take everything he had with all of his descendants into the land of Egypt and the Lord would preserve his family and decendants there. (Gen. 46)
- Because the Famine was So great the Israelites had nothing left to buy food with. Out of Joseph's idea they sold themselves to Pharaoh to work the land so they could have food. (Gen. 47:13-26)
- Thus, Israel is enslaved for the next 400-500yrs.
- God called Moses, an Israelite adopted by Pharaoh's Daughter (an Egyptian), to lead the Israelites out of captivity. (Exodus 1-12)
- The Israelites spent 40yrs in the desert - daily dependant on God's providing for survival. Fed with Manna, Led by a cloud during the day and fire by night. That's kinda Awesome if you ask me. Saw the Red Sea and the Jordan River Parted to dry ground. Saw water pour from a rock.
- Moses Died - Was not allowed to enter the promised land.
- Enter Joshua... Joshua 1
....a link to Part 2....
