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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Legacy of Great Men
Put yourself in this situation: You and several others are given the responsibility of determining what steps must be taken for the best interests of your entire nation.
Most of your colleagues, however, are bent on rejecting the very best solution, supporting the opposite of the best interests of the nation.
If you oppose the majority you will be severely criticized, but if you support the majority you will be responsible for the negative consequences of that decision. You know it is hard to oppose the majority, but you also know that is what you must do. Upon your decision may rest the progress or ultimate demise of your nation. What do you do? Take the easy way? Or the way you know is right? Whatever you do, some will say you are wrong—dead wrong.
Joshua faced this very situation on his return from looking over the land God had promised to Israel. Most believed God had promised them something they could not hope to obtain. Joshua and Caleb, however, said:
“Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30
He was outnumbered in his effort, but his legacy grew, and while his name is not in the “hall of fame” of Hebrews 11, his accomplishment is there, Hebrews 11:30.
All of us, from rich to poor, famous to ordinary, educated to ignorant – all of us will leave a legacy for those who follow. Family, friends, church, community, those who know us will remember us. Some may recall our lives with pleasure, others may not, but we all will leave behind a legacy that can have an influence on others for years.
QUALITIES OF GREAT PEOPLE
- They find out what is right and then follow that path.
- They keep their promises and are loyal to their companions.
- Their example is beyond any reproach, even under pressure.
- They possess genuine humility.
- The welfare of others is very important to them.
- They don’t care who receives credit for a good work.
- They respect the Word of God.
- They make the tough decisions.
Few men left a greater legacy for their family and their nation than Joshua. There are many reasons for us to remember his legacy:
- He was Moses’ successor to leadership of the nation of Israel, yet before that he served as Moses’ “servant” forty years, Joshua 1:1.
- When he took a leadership role it was in some of the most trying, dangerous times of his nation.
- He dealt with a sin problem that had a lingering effect upon God’s people, Joshua 7.
- He left a challenge to all that followed him in the wilderness:
“.. choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
- At his death, scripture records his greatest accomplishment, that of leading Israel in faithful ways:
“And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that He had done for Israel.” Joshua 24:31
In many ways, Joshua had a task that almost anticipated failure. He was in Moses’ shadow for years, then had to try to fill Moses’ shoes as Israel’s leader. Yet he did so without casting doubt upon Moses’ leadership or character.
He had risen from the depths of despair in slavery, only to serve with distinction in a secondary role for forty years. When it was time for Joshua to relieve Moses, both men brought about a transition that could and should teach modern man how such changes could be made. No recriminating words were spoken either to elevate or reduce Joshua’s stature among the people.
Most of us will not be placed in a similarly responsible situation. In a very significant way, however, all of us are responsible to keep God’s people on the right path, to do whatever it takes to do as Paul said:
“Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
What legacy will you leave for your children, the church and for the nation in which you have lived in peace throughout your life? Will you make the effort to find what is right and stand firm in that effort? Will you be willing to stand with the minority if need be? Or will you take the easy way out, either by doing nothing or by merely giving way to the opinions of what appears to be the “majority”?
Whatever way you choose, your children, your neighbors and your brothers and sisters in Christ will know of your choice, either by your words or your deeds. Your children will be greatly influenced by your choice. Which would you prefer: that they follow the legacy of Joshua? Or merely follow the crowd? Thank God for Joshua!
Carl B Garner
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“I know [Abraham], that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord… that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
“Nothing is so contagious as example.”
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Our Teachers
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the Bible class teacher. There are those who can teach and impart certain skills, trades, and knowledge. There are those who run large corporations, and those who rule countries. Yet, if a list were somehow composed of all positions of the world being arranged in order of importance, the Bible class teacher would be above them all. Why is this the case? When one is teaching the Bible, he/she is fulfilling the very means by which one may be drawn near to God (John 6:44,45). It is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), which is only able to act when it is presented (Romans 10:13,14). Furthermore, it is through the teaching of God’s Word that the Christian may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16,17), and then, by acting upon that knowledge, his calling and election is made sure (2 Peter 1:10). Thus, the efforts of the Bible class teacher are supremely important.
Not only can we see the eternal results of the labor of the Bible teacher; we also can see the immediate results. When the parents are overjoyed to hear their child’s first recital of a Bible lesson – we can thank the teacher. When we see our children grow in the admonition of the Lord, when we see our children developing good morals, when we see our members abstaining from doing that which is evil and clinging to that which is good – we can thank the Bible teacher. When we see men who faithfully preach the gospel, men who stand up to defend the truth, men who serve as God-fearing elders, deacons, teachers, and women who teach and help the church in every way they can – we can thank the Bible teacher for his/her vital part in their instruction and influence.
Teachers, your efforts can be felt into eternity, and it just might be the case that your efforts will help raise up strong, faithful leaders of the church for the future. Surely, it is impossible to overstate the importance of the Bible teacher!
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