JOSHUA: FROM YOUTH UNTIL DEATH FOR JEHOVAH

Joshua is a great Bible character from whom many lessons can be gleaned. He is one of the men of the Bible who lived for Jehovah from his youth to his death. This one trait sets Joshua apart from many in the world who waste their youth or use it in the service of Satan. Moses describes Joshua as “a young man” in Exodus 33:11 (ASV unless otherwise noted). When this description is given, Joshua is busy serving Jehovah by serving as Moses’ minister. What a thrill it must have been for Joshua, as a “young man“, to associate with Moses and learn from him. Moses is busy preparing Joshua to take his place in leading the children of Israel. When the time came for Joshua to die (at the age of 110), he was still described as the “servant of Jehovah” (Joshua 24:29). Joshua had lived for Jehovah from his youth until his death. The church of Christ needs youth who will dedicate their lives to Jehovah and live for him until their deaths. Joshua should serve as a role model for the youth of today. We would do well to study the Bible concerning Joshua and learn what is involved in living for Jehovah from youth until death. Let us suggest four activities engaged in by Joshua that will help people live for Jehovah from youth until death.
 
JOSHUA WAS WILLING TO FIGHT IN JEHOVAH’S ARMY
We are first introduced to Joshua in Exodus 17:8-16. Amalek has come to fight against Israel in Rephidim. Moses sends Joshua to lead Jehovah’s army into battle against this foe. Joshua is obedient to the command of Moses (Exodus 17:13). The outcome of the battle is stated by Moses when he said: “And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exodus 17:13). Joshua was willing to use his talents to defend the people of God. We need youth today who are willing to enlist in Jehovah’s army and fight to defend His will. Youth need to obey the Gospel plan of salvation and then “war the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). We must encourage our youth to “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) and to be willing to “suffer hardship” as a “good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3-4). When youth are trained to fight for Jehovah, they may grow and develop skills that will allow them, at the end of a faithful life, to say they “have fought the good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7).
 
JOSHUA WAS WILLING TO SERVE IN JEHOVAH’S ACTIVITIES
Joshua is described as Moses’ minister (Exodus 24:13; 33:11). There is no indication that Joshua was jealous because he was not immediately promoted to be the leader of Israel. Joshua defended Moses’ leadership and sought to protect it (Num. 11:28). When he served Moses, he was in reality, serving Jehovah. It is in the capacity as Moses’ servant, that we learn that Joshua began serving Jehovah as a “young man” (Exodus 33:11). As Moses’ minister, Joshua went some distance with Moses when Moses went up into the mount (Exodus 24:13; 32:17). Joshua guarded the Tent (Exodus 33:11). While all his work is not recorded, we may know that he busied himself in the work of Jehovah. Let’s encourage our young men and women to work for Jehovah according to His scriptural guidelines. Let us encourage them as Christians to be busy about the things of their Father (Luke 2:49). Let us lay the proper foundation for their activity by teaching them the truths of Titus 2:4-6. If we can encourage our youth to begin being active in Jehovah’s activities, we may help them be able to live for Him and serve Him from youth until death.
 
JOSHUA WAS WILLING TO TRUST JEHOVAH’S ABILITY
Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent out by Moses (Num. 13:7,16). He was one of the two spies who trusted Jehovah’s ability to give Israel the land of Canaan. Joshua reminded Israel that “if Jehovah delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it unto us” (Num. 14:9). Joshua’s trust in the ability of Jehovah led him to exhort Israel to “rebel not against Jehovah, neither fear ye the people of the land” (Num. 14:9). He knew the presence of Jehovah and the faithfulness of the people would guarantee the victory. Youth must be taught to “trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). We must lead our youth to face peer pressure, temptation and sin with an abiding trust in the ability of Jehovah, through His word, to deliver them. Let us remind them that the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13) has been made available. Let us help them learn “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation” (2 Peter 2:9). If youth can develop an undying trust in Jehovah’s ability, they can live from youth until death for Him.
 
JOSHUA WAS WILLING TO LEAD BY JEHOVAH’S AUTHORITY
Joshua was commissioned to take Moses’ place (Num. 27:15-23; Deut. 34:9). Jehovah gave Joshua His book to guide him and promised success if he would follow the book (Josh. 1:1-9). Joshua was willing to lead as Jehovah directed. He did not try to write his own book of action. He was content with the pattern given him by Jehovah. His obedience is seen when “he left nothing undone of all that Jehovah commanded Moses” (Josh. 11:15). It is no surprise that at the end of his life, Joshua is considered “the servant of Jehovah” (Josh. 24:29). Youth must be willing to lead by Jehovah’s authority. Jehovah chose to give authority to Jesus (Matt. 28:18). Jesus authorized the apostles to preach His word and authorized inspired men to write that word. We have the word of God to direct us. We must train our youth to respect this authority and to leave nothing undone that Jehovah has commanded us.
 
CONCLUSION
We need youth who will lead their friends to obey the Gospel. We need youth who will “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Let us train youth to develop themselves into “faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). Let us lead them to respect God’s authority and not to invent their own hermeneutical schemes. If youth will lead by Jehovah’s authority, they can live full lives from youth until death for Jehovah. Joshua is certainly a powerful role model. May we do all we can to imitate these characteristics of Joshua and lead our youth to do so. What a joy it will be in heaven to hear; “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21), knowing that we have lived for Jehovah from youth until death.

James E. Rogers