The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

Joshua Succeeds Moses as Leader

The beginning of the second part of the Mosaic dispensation—from Joshua to Samuel—was marked by the following important development: AGP 56.8

“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, 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.” “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Joshua 1:1, 2, 5.

Thus through the prophetic gift the Lord continued to instruct and lead His people. Joshua was eighty-six years old when he received his commission to lead Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land, and into the glorious consummation of the great exodus movement. From this time until his death, twenty-five years later, Joshua was in continual communication with God. The Lord gave him detailed instruction regarding all the important parts of his work,—crossing the Jordan; taking Jericho, the great fortress at the entrance to Canaan; dealing with Achan in “the accursed thing;” the many conquests to be made; the allotting of the land to the tribes of Israel; the setting apart of the cities of refuge; and the loyal obedience Israel should forever render to all the just requirements of their Lord. AGP 57.1

When Joshua had completed the tasks assigned him, and had finished his course, he “called for all Israel, … and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age.” “I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” “So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance. And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old.” Joshua 23:2, 14; 24:28, 29. AGP 57.2

What a marvelous experience God’s people passed through from the day the Lord gave to His prophet Abraham the vision of their cruel bondage in Egypt and of their deliverance and return to the land of Canaan! What a revelation of God’s faithfulness to remember and to fulfill His promises! AGP 57.3

It should strengthen and cheer every heart to read and ponder the beautiful and impressive review of these events as given by the psalmist David: AGP 57.4

“Remember His marvelous works that He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O ye seed of Abraham His servant, ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones. He is Jehovah our God: His judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac, and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, to Israel for an everlasting covenant, saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; when they were but a few men in number, yea, very few, and sojourners in it. And they went about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people. He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, He reproved kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not Mine anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” Psalm 105:5-15, A. R. V.

“Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. And He increased His people greatly, and made them stronger than their adversaries. He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal subtly with His servants. He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron whom He had chosen. They set among them His signs, and wonders in the land of Ham.” “He brought them forth with silver and gold; and there was not one feeble person among His tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed; for the fear of them had fallen upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night.” Verses 23-27, 37-39.