Mountains of the Bible: Mt. Nebo

Introduction: Mt. Nebo and The Death of Moses
Mount Nebo is a powerful symbol in the Bible. It is often seen as a symbol of God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Even though Moses could not enter the Promised Land, God’s promise to the descendants of Abraham was reaffirmed as Moses saw the land from a distance. This emphasizes that God's plans and promises extend beyond individual lifetimes.

​Deuteronomy 34:1-8
According to Deuteronomy 34:1-8, Mt. Nebo is where God shows Moses the vast land of Canaan, which was promised to Abraham’s descendants. Moses dies on this mountain, which marks the end of his journey and the start of a new chapter for the Israelites. With Moses gone, Joshua steps up as the new leader. His leadership is quickly tested when he leads the Israelites into battle at Ai, showing that God’s promise and guidance continue. This transition from Moses to Joshua shows a change in leadership but not in their divine mission, as the Israelites continue toward the land God promised them. Moses lived to the age of 120, and now it’s time for Joshua to take the lead. From the moment God chose him to the end of his life, Joshua faced and overcame many challenges.

Joshua 1:1 - 10

Joshua: A Leader Against Overwhelming Odds
Joshua was commissioned to take over as the Israelites' leader after Moses's death. This was no small task. Moses was deeply respected and revered, not only by the people of Israel but also by the surrounding nations. Joshua was tasked with continuing Moses' legacy and completing the mission Moses had begun. Joshua's leadership was marked by overcoming seemingly extraordinary challenges, leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, and settling there—a task that had challenged the Israelites for 40 years.

Joshua was called to do even greater things than his mentor. He led a nomadic people, who had wandered in the desert for decades, into a land they had only heard about. This land had walled cities, strong armies, and powerful kings. The Israelites had been paralyzed with fear 40 years earlier when they first approached the Promised Land, but now it was Joshua's responsibility to lead them into battle and claim what God had promised. Planning military tactics to overcome these cities surely weighed heavily on Joshua, but his faith in God’s promises and obedience to God’s commands guided him through.

An Overview of Joshua 1 – 8
To understand how Joshua successfully led the Israelites, it’s helpful to take a brief overview of the first eight chapters of the book of Joshua. These chapters outline the beginning of Joshua’s leadership and the challenges he and the Israelites faced as they entered the Promised Land.

Chapter 1: Joshua's Commissioning
In Chapter 1, God commissions Joshua as Moses’ successor. This chapter sets the tone for Joshua’s leadership. God promises Joshua victory and protection as they move into the Promised Land. God reassures Joshua by repeatedly telling him to "be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:6-9). This is a reminder that strength and courage are essential when facing daunting challenges.

Chapter 2: The Spies and Rahab
In Chapter 2, Joshua sends two spies into Jericho, the first city they must conquer. The spies encounter Rahab, a woman who protects them from the king of Jericho. In return for her protection, Rahab asks the spies to spare her and her family during the impending attack on Jericho. This chapter highlights a great challenge—the spies were in enemy territory, at risk of being captured and killed, yet God provided a way for them to accomplish their mission through Rahab’s bravery.

Chapters 3 & 4: Crossing the Jordan River
Chapters 3 and 4 recount the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. The river was at flood stage, making crossing impossible under normal circumstances. However, God instructed Joshua to have the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the river, and as they did, the waters receded, allowing the entire nation to cross on dry ground. This event demonstrated God’s presence and power among the Israelites, boosting their confidence and faith as they prepared for the battles ahead.

Chapter 5: The Renewal of the Covenant
In Chapter 5, the men of Israel are circumcised. This act renews the covenant between God and the Israelites, signifying their commitment to God as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The males born during the years of wandering in the desert had not been circumcised, so this was a necessary step in preparing them spiritually and physically for the battles ahead.

Chapter 6: The Battle of Jericho
Chapter 6 details the fall of Jericho. God gave Joshua specific instructions on how to conquer the city—march around the city once each day for six days, and on the seventh day, march around it seven times while the priests blew their trumpets. On the seventh time around, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites took the city. They were commanded not to take any plunder for themselves; all the silver, gold, and other valuables were to be placed in the Lord's treasury. This chapter illustrates that victory comes through obedience to God’s instructions, even when those instructions seem unconventional or illogical.

Chapter 7: The Sin of Achan
Chapter 7 recounts the sin of Achan, a man who disobeyed God’s command by secretly taking some of the plunder from Jericho for himself. As a result of Achan’s sin, the Israelites suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai, a much smaller city. Only 3,000 troops were sent to attack Ai, confident in their ability to win easily, but they were soundly defeated, and about 36 Israelites were killed. This defeat devastated Joshua, who cried out to God, questioning why He had allowed this to happen. God revealed that Achan’s sin was the cause of their defeat. Once Achan’s sin was exposed and dealt with, God reassured Joshua that they would be victorious in their next attempt to conquer Ai.

Chapter 8: The Victory at Ai
In Chapter 8, after dealing with Achan's sin, Joshua led the Israelites back to Ai; this time, they were victorious. God instructed Joshua on a strategy to ambush the city, and the Israelites successfully captured Ai. This victory was a reminder that success depends on obedience to God and that sin can have serious consequences for the entire community.

The Do's and Don'ts of Facing Extreme Challenges
As we reflect on the first eight chapters of Joshua, we see that Joshua and the Israelites faced numerous challenges that seemed impossible to overcome. Their experiences provide valuable lessons for us today as we face difficulties in our lives—whether they be physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, or relational. When faced with seemingly impossible situations, it is crucial to start with prayer. We must ask God to search our hearts and reveal anything hindering us from fully trusting and obeying Him. Once we have done this, we can apply the “Don’ts” and “Do’s” to our lives.

Don’t: Be Frightened
Fear is a natural response to facing overwhelming challenges. However, it’s important not to let fear paralyze us. God repeatedly told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). This doesn’t mean he wouldn’t experience fear, but it means that he, and we for that matter, must not allow fear to control our actions. When we remember God is with us, we can overcome fear and move forward in faith.

Don't: Be Discouraged
Discouragement is another common obstacle when facing difficult situations. It’s easy to become discouraged when things don’t go as planned, or the challenges seem too overwhelming. The Israelites faced discouragement after their defeat at Ai, but Joshua didn’t allow this to stop them from doing what God commanded. Instead, he sought God’s guidance and addressed the underlying issue—Achan’s sin—before moving forward. We must not let discouragement hinder our progress. Instead, we should seek God’s help overcoming it and press on.
 
Don't: Be Disobedient
Obedience to God is crucial when facing challenges. The Israelites learned this the hard way when Achan’s disobedience led to their defeat at Ai. We cannot expect to overcome obstacles if sin reigns in our lives. God desires our obedience, and when we follow His commands, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and victory.

Don’t: Deviate from God’s Commands
God has given clear instructions in His Word, and it’s important not to deviate from them. Jesus summarized the law by commanding us to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40). This “law of love” should guide our actions and decisions, especially when facing difficult situations. When we deviate from God’s commands, we open ourselves up to unnecessary challenges and setbacks.

Do: Be Strong
Strength is essential when facing overwhelming odds. Strength, in this context, is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience. Joshua was repeatedly told to be strong, and this strength came from his faith in God’s promises. We, too, must draw our strength from our faith and trust in God. Life is tough, and we must face our challenges with determination and grit.
For example, my best friend Thom, who passed away from cancer many years ago, showed incredible strength in the face of his illness. Diagnosed as a teenager, he was told he might never have children or live a full life. Yet, he fought cancer for over 25 years, married a wonderful woman, and had four sons. Even in the face of death, Thom's strength and grit left a lasting legacy through his children.

DO: Be Courageous
Courage is confronting fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. It is not the absence of fear but the resolve to act despite it. The Israelites had to be resolute and courageous as they faced the fortified cities of the Promised Land. They knew the odds were against them but also that God was on their side.

DO: Be Obedient
Obedience to God is not only about following His commands but also about trusting His timing and methods. The Israelites’ victory at Jericho came through obedience to a seemingly illogical battle plan. They could have questioned or altered God’s instructions, but they chose to obey, and as a result, they saw the walls of Jericho fall.
Obedience may require us to do things that don’t make sense or challenge our comfort zones. When we obey God, we open ourselves up to His blessings and the fulfillment of His promises.

DO: Trust God
Trust is foundational. God made promises to the Israelites and was faithful to fulfill them. Joshua trusted God’s promises, and that trust was evident in his actions and decisions.

Conclusion:
What are the overwhelming challenges in your life? Whether related to your health, relationships, finances, or spiritual journey, I encourage you to apply these “Do’s” and “Don’ts” as you navigate them. Begin with prayer, asking God to search your heart and reveal anything hindering you. Then, be strong, courageous, obedient, and trust God as you face your challenges. Remember that God is with you, just as He was with Joshua and the Israelites. With God’s help, you can overcome even the most challenging odds.
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Spend some time this week reflecting on your challenges and seeking God’s guidance. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and give you the courage to face whatever lies ahead. Trust that He is greater than any obstacle you may encounter in your life.

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