After Moses and a generation died in the wilderness of Judea, Joshua prepared to lead the new generation into the promised land. It is helpful to remember that the previous generation was not allowed to enter into the land because of rebellion against God.
God spoke to Joshua, and said the following: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:2-5).
At first glance, it might seem that this is an unconditional promise. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life…” seems definitive. God would protect Israel, no matter what!
However, a few verses later an admonition is given to Joshua. “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (1:7). Therefore, the promise of God’s protection was conditioned upon their faithfulness to Him. An important lesson is here learned. When God determines to protect His people, no one can harm them. However, their protection is dependent upon their obedience.
In fact, God’s protection was short lived. The people crossed over, and as God promised, they obtained victory in their first battle. They destroyed Jericho. However, the man Achan “took of the accursed things” disobeying God’s instructions, “so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel” (Joshua 7:1).
Israel was defeated in the next battle against the insignificant opponent of Ai. Joshua was distraught. He couldn’t understand why God had not protected them as He had promised. God’s answer, “Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them” (7:11). Further, God said, “Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you” (7:12).
Nothing has changed between then and now. God has promised protection to His people. “…neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). God is well able to protect His people today, just as He was able to protect the children of Israel.
However, that spiritual protection is afforded only to those who remain faithful to Him. We are given the same type of guarantee as Joshua. Jesus proclaimed, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Faithfulness to God always has been and always will be what He requires from us in exchange for His favor. Do you want to be saved? Then obey Him! (cf. Hebrews 5:9).
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