I first read the analogy years ago. Someone, I think Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter, suggested that certain parallels exist between the Old Testament Book of Joshua and the New Testament Book of Ephesians! Such a thought thrilled my soul, my teenage soul at the time.

This much I recall.

In Joshua the people of God (the Israelites) have left Egypt, trekked through the Wilderness, the desert, and are ready to enter the Land of Canaan! The Land God had promised them many years ago. The overarching theme of Joshua … “Living up to one’s inheritance!”

Read with me Joshua 1:2, God speaking to (instructing) young Joshua . . . “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”

And likewise in Ephesians we are being taught that there exists a “higher spiritual plane” on which we Christians can live, daily! A life of victory in Christ Jesus our Lord, perennially! Living up to our inheritance, spiritually.

Ephesians 1:3 makes the case. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

Wow!

The Lord willing, for a few days (maybe even weeks) we shall be studying Joshua, chapter by chapter. I want to learn more about what we already have (in Christ Jesus) to empower us to love righty for the Lord Who loved (loves) us so!

Anyone want to learn with me?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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