The Joshua Generation
When I was a new believer, I heard prophecies calling our generation the Joshua Generation, and recently I have heard it again about the present generation. In some way, I believe every generation, since the time of Christ, has believed they are the generation that will inherit the land, come into the fulfillment of the promises and see the coming of the Lord. The labelling of a generation as, “baby boomers”, “generation x”, or, “the millenniums”, serves to try to understand its peculiar distinctive and characteristics, but its calling and destiny is the same throughout all of time. Each generation is in transition and each generation must fulfill its part in God’s purpose.
Biblically speaking, a generation is the 40 productive years, (the age of 20 to 60), of an individual. Because of the disobedience of Israel, the generation of age 20 on up, died in the wilderness. After 40 years, a new generation, led by Joshua, with a new nature, could enter the Promised Land. This “Joshua Generation” was obedient, submissive and visionary. Instead of thinking that our generation is the “chosen one”, let us examine the characteristics of those who fulfilled their destiny, inherited the promises and impacted their generation.
To think generationally is an identity and has its origin in God. When God revealed His name to Moses, He said that His name is: “I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (Ex. 3.15) God did not just say He was the I AM, but connected it generationally to man. From a man came a family, that came a nation, that filled the earth. God is Father, “from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” (Eph. 3.15) We are a part of a continuum; a family line. He takes the solitary and places them in families. (Ps. 68.5-6) In a family, there is nurture, development and reproduction.
Discipleship is at the core of this generational identity. Moses discipled Joshua. Joshua accompanied him up Mount Sinai, was with him in the Tent of Meeting, was trained for war and received his mandate. The promise did not begin with Joshua, nor end with Joshua. He was just doing his part in God’s plan. In a family, we are to train up our children in the way they should go. Children need to be taught, disciplined and empowered. They are the hope for the future. Moses told the children of Israel to teach their children while they were walking, sitting, eating and as they were going to sleep. (Deut. 6.7) The diligence of the Father to disciple his children, would ensure that the blessing of God would continue from generation to generation.
At the end of Joshua’s life, he declared: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24.15) Just as Moses had passed his mandate on to Joshua, so did Joshua to his children. To think generationally is to think of transference. Paul told Timothy to take what he had received from him and transmit it to faithful men, who would do likewise. (II Tim. 2.2) Jesus concentrated His ministry in making disciples. The Great Commission is to “make disciples of all nations.” (Mat. 28.19) The next generation is essential for the purposes of God to be fulfilled. To be a Joshua Generation, we must look beyond our own life and interests. We must think, pray and plan generationally. Remember, what you do in moderation, your children/disciples will do in excess. Many have stopped with themselves. May it not be with us. May your zeal for God and dedication to His purpose be multiplied in the generations to come.
Scriptures to meditate on:
II Tim. 2.2; Joshua 1.1-8; Deut. 6.4-9; Prov. 20.7; 22.6; Ps. 127.3-5