Joshua 1:1-9
1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,
2 “Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.
3 Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.
4 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 will be your territory.
5 No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you.
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The commissioning of Joshua
The theme of the book
Verse 1 is a verse that links this book with Deuteronomy. Moses died in Deut. 34 and the Israelites mourned for 30 days. After the time of mourning had ended, the Lord spoke to Joshua. “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel” (v.2). This verse is the theme of the entire book. (1) God has already given Israel the land of Canaan, which is a wide region ranging from the east of the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean Sea on the west (Deut. 11:24). The nation of Israel reached its greatest extent in the time of David and Solomon, yet they had not acquired such a wide area of land. It is only in the Millennial Kingdom that Israel will acquire the entirety of the land promised. (2) This is the land God had promised the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). God then renewed this promise with Moses. (3) It is of human responsibility to win over the promised land. The Lord gave Joshua a great role of leading the Israelites to inherit that land. (4) It is certain that this mission will end in success, as the same Lord who was with Moses was also with Joshua. Do you have the conviction that the mission given to you will be a success? When you walk with the realization that the Lord is with you, you will be victorious.
Be courageous
Joshua was commanded to do according to all the Law of Moses. (1) God said to Joshua, “it shall not depart from your mouth.” This was to make the Law his lifestyle, continuously reciting it and speaking of it while conversing with his neighbors. (2) “You shall meditate on it day and night,” means to meditate on the Law, day and night, thinking of its meaning. (3) Joshua was given this command in order to practice the Law. In the Pharisees’ case, they studied the Law for the sake of study, not necessarily to obey them. Those who walk according to the Word of God, will be led to the right path, be strengthened to overcome challenges, and will receive blessings and prosperity from the Lord. Let us become as Joshua, by placing daily devotion in the center of our lives.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I give thanks for Your words commanding us to be strong and courageous. For You are with me, I fear nothing. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.