SCRIPTURE: JOSHUA 1
INTRODUCTION:
This book was written by Joshua, who had been chosen and appointed by God as the successor of Moses in leading the Israelite to conquer the Promised Land. The people miraculously crossed the Jordan River and conquered the town of Jericho. With God’s help, they quickly took possession of Canaan.
Joshua was an example of an excellent leader. He was confident in God’s strength, courageous in the face of opposition and willing to seek God’s advice. He was a brilliant military leader with a strong spiritual influence. The key to his success was his submission to God and his commitment to serve God when he said ” But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)
IMPORTANT VERSES:
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
THE LORD COMMANDS JOSHUA (vs. 1-18)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates – all the Hittite country – to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give me. Be strong and very courageous. be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.
But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
THOUGHTS: (From Application Study Bible)
As the book of Joshua opens, the Israelites are camped along the east bank of the Jordan River at the very edge of the Promised Land, and they are completing the mourning period for Moses, who has just died. Thirty-nine years earlier (after spending a year of Mount Sinai receiving God’s law), the Israelites had an opportunity to enter the Promised Land, but they failed to trust God to give them victory. As a result, God did not allow them to enter the land, but made them wander in the wilderness until the disobedient generation had all died.
During their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites obeyed God’s laws. They also taught the new generation to obey God’s laws so that they might enter the Promised Land. As the children grew, they were often reminded that faith and obedience to God brough victory, while unbelief and disobedience brought tragedy. When the last of the older generation had died and the new generation had become adults, the Israelites prepared to make their long-awaited claim on the Promised Land.
Joshua succeeded Moses as Israel’s leader. Changes in leadership are common in many organizations. In order to have a smooth transition of new management, leaders must be trained. If you are currently in a leadership position, begin preparing someone to take your place. If you want to be a leader, learn from others so that you will be prepared when the opportunity comes.
It was a challenge for Joshua to lead more than two million people into a strange new land. But God was with Joshua to give him strength and courage. Just as God was with Joshua, He is with us as we face tough situations, difficult people and temptations. God promises that He will never leave nor forsake us. By asking God to direct us, we can conquer whatever life’s challenges we may encounter.
Moses agreed to give the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh to settle at east of the Promised Land. But they promised to help their fellow tribes enter and conquer the Promised land before they could return to their homes.
When God commissioned Joshua, he was told three times to be strong and courageous. Joshua was given the same kind of encouragement from the people. When you are afraid to do what you know is right, remember that strength and courage are readily available from God but you need to have a close relationship with Him.