10/15/26

Joshua 12:6 NASB95: Moses the servant of the LORD and the sons of Israel defeated them; and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh as a possession.

The list of men in the Bible referred to as עֶבֶד יְהוָה, or "the servant of the LORD," is very small. In the Old Testament, this list consists of Moses, Joshua, David, and Jesus. Jesus is not referred to by name, but Isaiah prophesies him as "the servant of the Lord."

What a precious title. There is also a group of people whom God refers to as "my servant." While a larger list and just as impressive a title. The fact that only 4 people are given this description in Scripture is quite amazing. Three of these men are guilty of sin, the lone exception being Jesus, who is the God-Man. He is the only pure and righteous one. Being God, no one else can be Him. However, we are told that we were predestined to be conformed (molded, pressed) into his image, the pure and righteous Son of man. So that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. Therefore, anyone who is a born-again follower of Christ has the privilege and is predestined to be conformed into "the servant of the Lord."

What was it about these men that caused them to be referred to in Scripture as "the servant of the Lord?"

We know Moses, Joshua, and David had a desire in their heart/soul to be obedient and pleasing to the Lord. And Jesus, well scripture says, Philippians 2:8: Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

He definitely was obedient.

Moses talked with God while God in His glory filled the tabernacle. Joshua was devoted to God and was known to stay in the tabernacle even after Moses left. Joshua seldom went into battle without seeking the Lord. He was known for short prayers. Not everyone prays long, royal prayers. David is probably the most often recorded person of prayer, in part due to his writing of the Psalms, many of which are prayers. Lastly, we know Jesus prayed often, and often He was alone with God. Luke 5:16: But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

We also see from our text today that Moses had God's heart. He almost always had a motive of following God in helping others. The text says, Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave it to the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh as a possession.

Joshua was the same, dividing up the land in the promised land according to God's design so they would receive God's promise.

David almost always had a desire to care for the nation of Israel.

All of these "servants of the Lord" failed from time to time, but Jesus never did. He humbled Himself for all mankind. Philippians 2:3-8: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

For this and many more reasons, these four were referred to as עֶבֶד יְהוָה "the servant of the Lord."

Are we striving to have a desire for obedience to the Lord, prayer with the Lord, and humble selflessness like the Lord's example? Maybe if we are, then the story of our life written on our tombstone will say, "the servant of the LORD."

Lord, I pray we will desire to be your servant. Not for recognition, but because we are in awe of you, we love you, and we thank you for providing salvation to all sinners who will place their faith in Jesus, "the servant of the LORD." In His name I pray. Amen.

Love Brother Scott