25 January 2011: Joshua was an old man, the Lord's conquering warrior was nearing the end of his earthly life, yet the Lord informs Joshua that he had much work yet to complete before it would be time to rest. This subject may well have a double relevance in these last days, for the Bride of Christ as well as for the re-established Israel of Ezekiel 37."Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the LORD said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites, from Sihor, which is east of Egypt, as far as the border of Ekron northward (which is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines—the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites; from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath; all the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon as far as the Brook Misrephoth Maim, and all the Sidonians—them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you. Now therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.”"
We can learn almost all there is to know about Joshua by reading the Book of Numbers. His name was originally Hoshea (Literally meaning salvation) and was changed by Moses to Joshua (Jehoshua and literally meaning Yahweh is salvation). This is the same name that in Greek is Jesus. In Numbers 27:12-22 we learn that Moses was seeking a new leader for Israel, "the congregation," because no flock of sheep of the Lord's can be without a shepherd. And God commanded Moses that Joshua was the man for this task because, as verse 18 tells us, he is a man "in whom is the Spirit." And on a summit of Mount Abarim (Mt. Nebo in Moab) Moses did exactly as God commanded, and Joshua led by the Spirit became the leader of Israel, the entire congregation of Israel in the years circa 1400-06 BC. From this point the conquest of the Promised Land took about 45 years according to Joshua 14:6-14. So the taking of Hebron from the Anakim was the last act in 45 years of war and conquest, and then there was rest from war.
Ezekiel tells us that prior to the attempted invasion of the Gog confederation Israel will be at peace, stable, secure, without fear of any nation - at rest from war. Israel's re-establishment began with war in the period of 1947-49, and then in 1967 Israel was enlarged through the conquest of land to its present size. And from 1967 to the present Israel has maintained its present geographical form. 2012 will mark the 45th year since 1967 and the taking of the whole of Jerusalem. And Psalm 83 is missing one final major action on the battlefield before Israel can become - at rest from war.
Given the destablizing events currently occurring in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, there may not be much more time to expire before that period of rest becomes a reality. And in that day the Lord's attention will move from the Bride of Christ to Israel upon whom He has promised to pour out His Spirit. And the Harpazo of the Bride of Christ is more imminent than ever.
Maranatha! Our Lord is Coming!
