The Nation of Israel is a picture of the soul and human spirit of believers in the Church-age.

Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Tree of Life
Weekly Review
110319
The Nation of Israel is a picture of the soul and human spirit of believers in the Church-age.

As we continue in Joh 15, let’s look again expecting the LORD to reveal to us some of the principles that are often ignored or rejected because of believers who have no desire to know the real Truth.

Or they know the truth but do not really do not care what the Truth is. Or they are indifferent and familiar with GOD’s Truth.

It is Truth that is so vital for all of us to cherish and to honor and to obey as we are told by our LORD throughout the Word of GOD.

In fact, there are some real biblical analogies between what our LORD said to Joshua and the Jewish people and what He said to His disciples and the future church-age believers.

It falls under the same principle that I have taught throughout the years that the Nation of Israel is a picture of the soul and human spirit of believers in the Church-age. And there are just too many so-called coincidences and doctrines and doctrinal rationales to ignore. In other words, there are lots of typology that goes into certain passages and subjects and give us a much clearer vision of what the LORD is saying to all of us as believers in the Church-age.

Let’s look at some of the spiritual principles that existed in the past when our LORD challenged Joshua and the Jewish people to go forward into the promise land just as our LORD promises us the promise land as well. To prepare HIS disciples for the New Dispensation, which is about to happen, our LORD probably used this exact passage in the book of Joshua to remind HIS disciples of the real reason that they have been created. Notice the fantastic analogies that are found in this passage.

Beginning with JOS 1:5, our LORD states the truth, the whole truth, and noting about the truth. Look at the truth behind all these passages in the Word of GOD concerning the calling of GOD and HIS guidance and direction to Joshua and the Jews; JOS 1:5-9.

The first promise is found in JOS 1:5, “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.”

Notice one of the first promises that our LORD made to HIS people; “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life.” 

This is the promise that no matter how many attacks are made against you by anyone, believer or unbeliever, all those who attack you will not be able to stand before you when you respond back to their pettiness and do not react against them at all.

Then, back in JOS 1:5 our LORD reminds Joshua and the Jews that the divine protection that Moses had from Jehovah is the same divine protection that our LORD has for all of us.

GOD is not a respecter of man nor does He show favorites toward others. GOD is not one to show partiality. This divine protection that they have was not “because of them” but “in spite” of them; ROM 11:5-6.

The promises that our LORD gives us that He really wants us to enjoy is based upon one statement that our LORD made to us. Look at the last part of verse 5; is really fantastic, although like so many other passages, believers like the Corinthians, fail to take advantage of their relationship with our LORD.

JOS 1:5, “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.”

Therefore, a little encouragement form verse 6.

JOS 1:6-8, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 

Then, we have a command; JOS 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.” In fact, one of my favorite verses in the book of Joshua (Yehowshuwa` [pronounced Yeh-shoe– ah] which means “Jehovah is our help”, or “Jehovah is the Savior, the deliverer.

Joshua says in JOS 24:14, “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the GODs which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”

Sincerity is the Hebrew verb tamiym translated sincerity, but it also means that we must serve the LORD with honesty and integrity with no strings attached and without any hypocrisy, and not for personal gain says the apostle Peter; 1PE 5:2.

1PE 5:2, shepherd the flock of GOD among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to {the will of} GOD; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Notice the doctrinal advice that our LORD give to Joshua in this passage.

First, in JOS 24:14, Joshua says “Now, therefore, fear or respect and honor the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth;”

1. The first principle is the command to honor and respect the LORD; JOS 24:14; PSA 56:4-10.

PSA 56:4, “In GOD, whose word I praise, In GOD I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”

PSA 56:10, “In GOD, whose word I praise, In the LORD, whose word I praise,”

2. This is followed by the importance of submitting to the Divine Authority that our LORD promised us and to also serve Him in sincerity and truth or proper motivation.

JOS 24:14, “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the GODs which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”

For us believers in the Church-age, this refers to our LORD delivering us from the cosmic system and its citizens.

Therefore, in JOS 24:15 notice that our LORD brings up the importance of our free will decisions and our ability to choose the choices that the LORD has set before us.

JOS 24:15, “And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the GODs which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the GODs of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” 

I cannot stress the genius of GOD the Holy Spirit as He says in a sentence what it takes us years to understand and be able to teach others.

JOS 24:16-18, And the people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other GODs; for the LORD our GOD is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed. And the LORD drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the LORD, for He is our GOD.”

Now, why is it so important that we make an issue out of Truth?

One of the reasons why it is so important for the Apostles to learn about Truth is that Truth was the main issue when our LORD was sent to Pilate.

Pilate was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, and he was known for being an honest and upright politician, even though it is an oxymoron.

Now, rather than turning to every verse or every passage on truth, I have decided to stay in the Gospel of John as much as possible and listen to our Mentor, GOD the Holy Spirit, and what He has to say as He lead us and guide us on the road to spiritual victories.

Now, remember in JOH 18:38, Pilate said to our LORD Him, “What is truth?”   And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.

This question is answered right away in the first chapter of the Gospel of John which we have studied hundreds of times throughout the years.

JOH 1:14, And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1. What was the main difference between our LORD’s ministry and Moses’ ministry?
2. The difference is found and answered in JOH 1:17, For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Going on with more of these doctrinal conclusions, one of the most vital passages on the subject of Truth is found in JOH 4:24, “GOD is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Truth, that is the real truth, is constantly attacking the Written Word and the Living Word because they are one and the same…don’t forget that!

Written Word = Bible
Living Word = The Spiritual Life