Joshua 1
-Introduction: The book of Joshua picks up the narrative
immediately after the death of God’s servant, Moses, as the children of Israel
were now ready to make the crossing into the Promised Land through the Jordan
River just north of the Dead Sea. This book is authored by Joshua, the
commander of God’s people in conquest of the Promised Land, except for the
ending portion generally attributed to the high priest, Phinehas, upon the
passing of Joshua. Phinehas would have been an eyewitness (Joshua 24:29-33).
The setting for this book focuses on the entire breadth of conquest in the land
of Israel, which is more or less the same territory that is controlled by the
modern state of Israel in the Middle East; although, God promised His people
land all the way to the Lebanese wilderness as far as the Euphrates River. The
children of Israel fell short in some ways of realizing all of God’s promises
at this time, but yet they were very strong and very courageous under the
leadership of a great commander, Joshua. The book can be divided into distinct
sections: section one could be called “Preparation and Entering the Promised
Land (Joshua 1:1-5:12),” section two could be called “Conquering the Promised
Land (Joshua 5:13-12:24),” and section three could be called “Dividing the
Promised Land (Joshua 13:1-24:33).” The events of this book took place around
1400 years before the coming of Messiah Jesus. A special feature of this book
is the blessing of Joshua and Caleb, the only two to make it from Egypt through
the wilderness and into the Promised Land because of their faith and obedience
to the LORD. This sets up the mega themes of the work, which include: Strength,
Courage, Success, Faith, Guidance, Leadership, Conquest, and Obedience (or
Submission). So, as we study this Holy Spirit inspired writing, let us consider
that we can choose for ourselves whom we will serve today…”but for me and my
house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).”
-Chapter 1: God spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, after the
death of Moses, who was the servant of the LORD as he guided God’s people out
of Egypt and through the wilderness where he received the commands of the LORD
and the promises for a hope and a future in the Promised Land for His people.
The LORD was very specific with His new leader telling him to “arise” and “cross
this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to
the sons of Israel (Joshua 1:1-2).” Every place Joshua would step was promised
to be given to him as a commander of the LORD’s earthly army. This was just as
He had spoken to Moses (Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28; 31:7). Land was promised by God
“from the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the
river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea
toward the setting of the sun… (Joshua 1:3-4).” God further guaranteed that “no
man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have
been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you (Joshua
1:5).” The LORD Himself then exhorts His warrior to “be strong and courageous”
in taking possession of the land which was sworn to them by the Sovereign. God
challenged him to “be careful to do” all of the Law which He had given to them
through Moses. The children of Israel were not to turn from it to the right or
to the left. They would need to walk the straight and narrow path of God to
find success wherever they went. The Book of the Law was not to depart from the
mouth of this leader. He was commanded by the LORD to meditate on it day and
night, and then do all that it said to do in obedience. This would insure the
blessing: prosperity and success in the way. God then reiterated for the third
time to “be strong and courageous” with no trembling (`arats – to be in fear,
dread, terror, oppression) or dismay (chathath – to be shattered,
dismayed, broken, sacred) (Joshua 1:6-9).
-Joshua
took this word from the LORD and commanded his officers of the people to pass
through the midst of the camp and authoritatively tell the people to prepare
provisions for themselves because in three days they were going to cross the
Jordan River into the Promised Land that the LORD had given them. A special
message was given to those who had been given land on the eastern side of the Jordan,
which was the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Joshua
called them to remind them of the covenant they had made with Moses to go into
the Promised Land with their brothers until all was conquered and there was
peace from the conflict. The wives, children, and cattle could remain behind,
but the fighting men were required to go into the fray with their comrades in
order to help according to their word (Numbers 32:31-32). They of course
followed in accordance with what they had promised and pledged obedience once
again to Joshua to go wherever he sent them and do all that he commanded to do.
They too assured the authority of Joshua, like God had previously done, and
warned of any rebellion against that authority as long as Joshua was “strong
and courageous (Joshua 1:10-18).”
-*Application* God crafts us in the early part of our
journey for the mission and call He has for us in the end. Joshua is a prime
example of being faithful in little and then in much (Luke 16:10). His
responsibilities and favor kept increasing as he sojourned through the earth in
obedience to his King. We should be no different. God calls us to promise in
various ways and then expects us to be very strong and very courageous with
unwavering devotion to His purposes. Expect great things in your life as you
hear from God and respond in total faith. Don’t ever cave in to fear, dread,
terror, oppression, breaking down, or trouble. God is with you too, wherever
you go. He will never leave us or forsake us in the journey no matter what the
circumstances seem to indicate (Joshua 1:5). None of His promises will fail.
Verses to Memorize:
Joshua 1:5, 7-9
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