The Son of None
Joshua 1:1-3, 5
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that
the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses minister, saying,
God raised up the son of none to become a national leader. His daddy was a nobody but God raised him up to be somebody. God says in Daniel 2:21 that he raises up kings and rulers and lowers others. He raises up people as it pleases him for a variety of reasons; such promotion is never for that persons glorification and honor. Even Pharaoh was appointed as a vessel of wrath destined for destruction whom God used to deliver his people as in Romans 9:17. This ruler who oppressed them was a means of deliverance from all other gods but Jehovah. Promotion comes not from the east or west but from the Lord according to Psalm 75:6. This included the stepping into the promises of God, specifically the possession of the land and nation promised. Sometimes, the blessings of God can be a promotion. Sometimes, these are a promotion in position and role. How many experience promotion in roles and responsibilities when getting married? See the parable of the talents in Lukes Gospel 12:48 which contains the principle of much being required to whom much is given. There are conditions for obtaining the blessing God promised. Gods first command, after giving Joshua a knowledge of himself, is to tell him to get ready to enter the land and experience the promised blessing.
Moses my servant is dead; 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. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
God says you served Moses and Moses served me. Here we see possession by service. Literally, God is telling Joshua that he was Mosess servant and Moses was Gods. Therefore, God gave Joshua a knowledge of himself. Notice the pattern here. When the one you serve dies, God is able to show you himself. Then there is preparation for a new role, for Gods promotion, and to obtain what God promised. Here we see Joshua getting ready. After preparation comes the possession of what God promised as seen in the blessing, the responsibility, and the position. This is an example of what happens when preparation meets what God promised. This is more than a collision between destiny and purpose. God may have destined the Israelites to possess the promised land. God may have purposed it would happen. However, a whole generation of Israelites never obtained their promises according to Hebrews 3:9-11. Two circumstances caused the delay in the inheritance of his promises. The promotion of God has been for-ordained. For-ordained is believing that what God says will happen before it ever becomes apparent as in Hebrews 11:1-2. There is a danger to be found in unbelief and inaction. Moses acted towards Gods promises yet was not approved due to unbelief.
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
God says Joshua will be successful if he follows him and his words. Following indicates believing and knowing whom is being followed in Matthews Gospel 4:19. The same conditions under which Joshua served Moses and Moses served God also applied to Joshua. Notice the similarity of Joshuas call to Moses. The only difference between the two is that God promised Moses a helper, Aaron. God promises Joshua himself. Literally, God does not give Joshua an opportunity to repeat the weakness and mistakes of Moses. Moses talked back with God about the people of Israel, their sin, disobedience, his lack of speech and even questioned Gods wisdom in calling him. Joshua does not say a word; he just listens to God. Then, Joshua does what he has been told. He has no discussion with the people or the leaders of Israel. The knowledge of God creates obedience. Look how the two spies, among whom Joshua was one, came back with a positive report causing the nation to be blessed in Numbers 14:6-7. Two and a half tribes already obtained the land God promised to them as in Joshua 1:12-14. The promotion of God requires a servant, friend, or son relationship. All of these require a knowledge of God himself.