Joshua 1

Joshua 1:1 It happened after the death of Moses, Yahveh’s slave.[1] Yahveh spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’s assistant:

Joshua 1:2 “Moses my slave is dead. Now, you and all the people get ready to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites.

Joshua 1:3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot marches, just like I said to Moses.

Joshua 1:4 Your territory will be from the open country[2] and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River – all the land of the Hittites – and west to the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just like I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you.

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance.

Joshua 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous to keep the whole instruction[3] my slave Moses commanded you carefully. Do not turn from it to the right or the left so that you will have success wherever you go.

Joshua 1:8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. You see, then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged because Yahveh, your God, is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people:

Joshua 1:11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get provisions ready for yourselves, because within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land Yahveh is giving you to inherit.'”

Joshua 1:12 Joshua said to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh:

Joshua 1:13 “Remember what Moses Yahveh’s slave commanded you when he said, ‘Yahveh your God will give you rest, and he will give you this land.’

Joshua 1:14 Your wives, dependants, and livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But your most capable[4] soldiers must cross over in battle formation ahead of your brothers and help them.

Joshua 1:15 until Yahveh gives your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they too possess the land Yahveh your God is giving them. You may then go back to the land of your inheritance and take possession of what Moses Yahveh’s slave gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

Joshua 1:16 They answered Joshua, “We will do Everything you have commanded us, and everywhere you send us, we will go.

Joshua 1:17 We will obey you, just like we obeyed Moses in everything. Certainly, Yahveh, your God, will be with you as he was with Moses.

Joshua 1:18 Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words in all that you command him will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

[1] עֶבֶד = slave. Joshua 1:1, 2, 7, 13, 15; 5:14; 8:31, 33; 9:8, 9, 11, 23, 24; 10:6; 11:12, 15; 12:6; 13:8; 14:7; 18:7; 22:2, 4, 5; 24:17, 29.

[2] מִדְבָּר = open country. Joshua 1:4; 5:4, 5, 6; 8:15, 20, 24; 12:8; 14:10; 15:1, 61; 16:1; 18:12; 20:8; 24:7.

[3] תּוֹרָה = instruction. Joshua 1:7, 8; 8:31, 32, 34; 22:5; 23:6; 24:26.

[4] חַיִל = capable. Joshua 1:14; 6:2; 8:3; 10:7.

Joshua 1 quotes:

“God challenges Joshua also to be strong and very courageous in keeping the law (torah). The teachings of Moses will show the tribes how to take the land. The law, or instruction, was what Moses gave to Joshua. The Book of the Law ensures success (1:8) when Joshua follows it, keeps it in his mouth for speaking, thinks about it day and night, and obeys it carefully. If Joshua obeys the law in this way, God promises him, Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua will achieve prosperity and success (regular victories against the enemies) by following the instructions of the divine warrior. The passage should not be interpreted as promising financial security. Instead, God connects obedience to Moses’ gift, the law, to successfully receiving God’s gift, the land. Faithfulness te both gifts demands courage and strength.”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 18.

“The Israelites no longer had Moses, but they still had God. Previously God designated Joshua to be the successor to Moses (Numbers 27:12-23). In fact Joshua served alongside Moses as his “aide” (Josh. 1:1). Frequently this word carried the connotation of one who served God in the context of worship, but it also (as it does here) denoted one who served under or alongside another. This verse describes Moses in relation to God, while it mentions Joshua in relation to Moses. By the end of the book, however, Joshua earned the title, “servant of the Lord” (Josh. 24:29).”

Lyles, Ron, et al. Joshua and Judges. 1st ed, Baptistway Press, 2005. p. 14.

“This is the first great lesson we must learn: that Joshua, not Moses, leads the people into the land. Joshua’s name means “Salvation of Jehovah,” or “Jehovah Salvation” and the New Testament form of it is Jesus (see Matt. 1:21 and the meaning of the name). Oh, that all Christians would simply trust their faithful Joshua, leaning only upon Him, and His atoning work, following only Him! How quickly would He lead them all into the full realization in experience of what He has so wondrously purchased for us in His Cross! May Moses (our works) die now with each of us that we may know none else hereafter as our Leader but our Joshua, our Lord Jesus Christ! For He not only “bare our sins in his own body on the tree” (I Pet. 2:24), but our connection with Adam the first was ended at the cross (see Rom. 6:6).”

Newell William R. Studies in Joshua-Job. Kregel Publications 1983. p. 39.