Randy Suits

Subduing and Possessing the Promised Land

My darling Eve, the warrior who battles by my side on God’s side,

“Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.”

The political events of our time illustrate how a world wide oligarchy subjugates the working class by controlling wealth and issuing debt that cannot be repaid which subjects the debtors to the will of the creditors. When the debtors find a leader who understands their need and the common people rise up to end their unwilling servitude, the powerful will always resist the movement with an iron fist. Such was the resistance of Canaan, the land God promised to the seed of Abraham. After God delivered the Israelites from mighty Egypt by the power of his hand, the nation was disciplined for disobedience and lack of faith. Because they refused to follow God through Moses, his servant, God told them that all the doubting generation, except Joshua and Caleb, the only 2 faithful witnesses, would die in the wilderness. After 40 years of wandering, God was ready to lead a faithful nation into Canaan to possess (not merely occupy) the promised land, flowing with milk and honey. The book of Joshua is primarily a book about Yahweh though most think it is about Joshua and the Israelites. Before Joshua assumes leadership of the nation, the Most High God tells him, (Joshua 1: 9) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Israel as a single people worshipping Yahweh in the land God has given them. Yahweh, as the main character in the book, takes the initiative in conquering the land, and Yahweh’s power wins the battles. The Israelite occupation/possession of Canaan, was a series of battles most of which found Israel at a military disadvantage but the unfailing power of God delivers a faithful, obedient and believing people into victors and possessors. As a leader with a vision of hope and promise, Joshua encouraged the nation to be strong in the Lord, saying, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.. He has given you this land.” When the Israelites needed encouragement or their faith strengthened, Joshua would remind them of the promises of God. He knew the importance of meditating and remembering God’s promises and His Word. When the Israelites obeyed God, they were victorious, for God was fighting their battles. (A lesson for us: We have to obey God in all things)

God, through Joshua, introduces the concept of conditionally owned land (a conditional owner is anyone who has a deed to his property) – God was the absolute owner of the new nation and each family was conditional owner of a family plot. Absolute obedience was required to gain the victories necessary to possess the land.  The possession of the land illustrates faithfulness to God’s master plan.  The promised land was given to the Israelites by God. At the end of his life, Joshua reminded the people of Israel of all that God had done for them and admonished them to continue to obey God, not to follow the example of the nations around them, or compromise their worship of God in any way. Joshua promised, “He will push them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you. “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.”

Any successful movement against a strong occupying force requires a strong leader, prepared by the Most High God to Marshall in sweeping Godly change, a needy body politic who has found favor in the sight of the Most High God, a God fearing, faithful people who insist upon the applied law of God and obedience to all the commands, instruction and leading of the spirit of truth along with the letter of the law of God. When these principles are applied, God will lead and win the battles of that people for those people are truly His people. The occupiers are driven out because God is the rightful owner. He enables his own children to possess their rightful inheritance. Let us be obedient servants of God that we might be worthy to accept conditional ownership to the pleasure of the Most High God.

It is time to possess the Promised land in Christ Jesus, Kochany