Leaders in the Covenant Community

This quarter the Sunday school lessons begins with "Leadership Strong and Courageous," from Joshua 1:1-11, 16-17. After Moses death, the people needed a new leader. Joshua became the leader of the Israelites bounded for the Promised Land - Canaan. God spoke to Joshua giving him instruction that now is the time to cross over the Jordan, he and all the Israelites. God told Joshua what the boundaries were for the land He was giving them, as had been promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God promised Joshua He would be with him, He would not fail him, nor forsake him. God requested of Joshua that he would be strong and of good courage, observe all the laws that Moses had given them, so that they would prosper wherever they go. Joshua gave the command to the officers. He told the officers to pass through the community instructing them to prepare for departure in three days. In three days they would pass over Jordan to possess the land the Lord had promised them. The officers answered Joshua by saying, "All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go." They promised to listen to Joshua as they listened to Moses and prayed that the Lord thy God be with him, as He was with Moses. If the struggle was to be successful, there had to be complete commitment, allegiance, and loyalty to the Lord. Yes, it is still necessary today.