The book of Joshua is a book of history and vision. While it gives the history of Israel's conquest of the Promised Land, it also gives us a glimpse of God's unfolding revelation for Israel. The underlying theme of this book is found in the character and nature of Joshua as a brilliant military leader and spiritual guide to his people. It is in that spirit that our text begins to take shape.

The Israelites spent 39 years in the wilderness because of their disobedience to God and fear of the Canaanites. The estrangement that disobedience brings keeps us in a state of unbalance because we tend not to trust our own judgment or God's leading in our lives. This text shares with us an important insight regarding the character and nature of God. After reminding the Israelites of his covenant wit…