There is an obscure Latin phrase that sums up the urgency of the book of Joshua: Carpe Diem. It means Seize the Day. It's an exhortation to live life to the fullest, getting the most out of each day and every situation. Joshua begins a parade of characters from the book of his namesake that teaches us to Seize the Day.
#1) JOSHUA
Ø A) FIND YOUR PURPOSE – Joshua’s purpose was to finish what Moses had started – lead the children of Israel into the promise land.
§ While Joshua was loyal to his mentor Moses, he had his own style of leadership.
§ A painter uses different types of brushes to create a painting. When a priceless painting is on display, you never see the brushes you only see the final painting – Travis Thayer
Ø B) FORGET THE PAST – We must forget the bad that holds us back. We must also forget the good that keeps us from reaching for our best.
§ Philippians 3:10 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Ø C) FACE THE PRESENT – We must not be afraid to leave our comfort zone.
§ Joshua 1:2 Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
· Joshua was a military leader, different from Moses’ diplomatic or reform leadership style. Somewhere, Joshua must have decided not to imitate Moses’ style, but to be himself. The timing could not have been more perfect. Joshua entered leadership in a season when Israel needed military leadership, not diplomatic leadership.
Ø D) EMBRACE THE FUTURE
§ Joshua 18:3 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?
· Joshua went into the Promise Land with strong faith and belief in God, and then PROCEEDED TO LITERALLY WIPE ISRAEL’S ENEMIES OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH and conquer and possess the land that God had promised his forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
#2) RAHAB – GOD CAN USE ANYONE (Joshua 2:1-21)
Ø The story of Rahab proves that God will use anybody. This woman worked as a prostitute in Jericho as the Israelites approached the city. Although the Hebrew spies needed someone to help them scope out the best approach to conquering the city, there seemed little logical reason why Rahab should have been considered for the role:
§ She occupied no position and held no official title in the city.
§ The Israelite looked upon women as lower class citizens.
§ As a prostitute, she held an even lower social rank than the average woman.
Ø But because leadership depends less on titles than it does on influence, God chose Rehab. She helped the spies by her quick wisdom, gutsy style, and clever plan. By doing so she saved not only her life, but aided in accomplishing the purpose of God in Jericho. The name “Rahab” even occupies an honored place in the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11:31)
§ 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
#3) MISTAKEN ACHAN – THE MAN WHO SEIZED THE WRONG DAY
Ø THE PRINCIPLE OF THE FIRST FRUITS – this is a picture of tithing
o Joshua 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
Ø They were instructed to give the first city (Jericho) to the Lord but the rest of the spoils from all other cities were to be theirs.
Ø Achan could not wait for his promise – He SEIZED THE WRONG DAY.
§ Joshua 7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. 20. And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
#4) THE SUN STOOD STILL – GOD WILL EXTEND YOUR VICTORY
Ø Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.
#5) CALEB – GIVE ME MY MOUNTAIN
Ø Joshua 14:10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. 12. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
#6) JOSHUA’S LAST STAND
Ø Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
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