Post by alon on Jan 25, 2016 21:04:46 GMT -8
Joshua 1
Joshua was in a difficult situation. After Moses died, he was to lead Israel into the land. After such a great leader is suddenly taken, the sense of loss goes beyond affection; who could lead them to war as Moses did? Their lives and their families depended on Joshua’s skills and abilities, particularly that of hearing what God wanted. Moses had talked to God face to face; the only man to this point to have done so. Who else could do that? However God had prepared Joshua for this task. He’d faithfully served Moses as his lieutenant, and now he was ready. The tasks we perform now get us ready for what God has in store for us.
Matthew 25:21 (ESV) His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Joshua 1:1 (ESV) After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant,
The continuity of leadership from Moses to Joshua is very important. It is recorded in 
(Num 27:15-23); and its’ repetition here emphasizes the importance. God’s people should never be left to wander aimlessly, each man doing as he sees fit.
Romans 3:10-12 (ESV) as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Left to our own devices, we tend to fall into all kinds of trouble.
In Joshua 1:2-18 Joshua’s commission is presented in four different speeches”
• vss 2-9 delivered by God
• vss 10-11 & 12-15 two delivered by Joshua
• vss 16-18 by the people
Joshua 1:2-9 (ESV) 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good 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 have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
This speech outlines the major themes of this book:
• crossing the Jordan
• acquireing the territory promised to Moses
• apportioning the land to the people
• obeying God’s teaching as requisite for success and prosperity
In verse 5, “with Moses” and “with you” emphasize God’s presence with the leadership of His people. Verse 5 is the claim of all who put their trust in God- He is with us!
God promised Joshua the inheritance (verse three), however the promised inheritance could only be claimed by trust and obedience; and these demand courage. Joshua was encouraged by God’s promise (verse six) and the assurance of His presence (verse nine).
Rom 8:31 (KJV) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
“Be strong and resolute” in verse six occurs three times in this section as well as at the end of chapter one. This echoes the three verses of Deuteronomy 31:6, 7, & 23. The Vilna Gaon equated “strong” to refer to body strength and “resolute” to the emotions. Together they are the basics of courage, which is necessary for all difficult tasks.
“Be strong” is an admonition, as well as an enabling statement. It is encouragement. God’s commands are His enablements, as it is not by our might but by His that victory is won.
Zec 4:6 (KJV) Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV) 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law [teaching] that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good 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 have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Daily reading and thoughts dwelling on God’s teachings, along with courage, would be essential in occupying the Ha’aretz. To the Hebrews, was teaching. Christianity tends to translate it as the Law, or laws. Teaching is a broader term than laws, and allows for some ambiguity. In Jewish thought, there is a hierarchy to the mitzvoth, which allows for unpredictable or conflicting circumstances. Laws, on the other hand, are absolute and must be obeyed to the letter.
Joshua 1:10-11 (ESV) 10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”
Here Joshua assumes command, and gives his first orders. “Three days”should not be taken literally, as it may be a ritualized term denoting a period of time before a significant event. It was actually at least five days before any movement could occur. Joshua had sent two spies to “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” (Josh 2:1) Jericho was one of the strongest fortified cities in the land. The important thing is Joshua took immediate steps to prepare for the advance. We do not to discard our good judgment or prudent foresight when undertaking God’s work. Faith and trust do not negate precaution and preparation. We still rely on God, but He likewise relies on us to do our part.
“The energy of faith would be necessary to possess the land. This would lead to warfare, as active advance leads to spiritual conflict in the case of every believer.” M F Unger.
Joshua 1:12-15 (ESV) 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
Joshua’s second speech is to the Transjordanian tribes. He spoke with absolute certainty and authority, knowing God would keep His promises. This inspired courage and obedience in the people; and for Joshua in turn it would have been uplifting to have the enthusiastic cooperation of those least likely to be enthusiastic about the coming war! It would separate them from their families. However the other 9 ½ tribes helped take their territory, now they must help those tribes acquire their land. This was a huge act of trust, as their families were left alone, surrounded by enemies. Verse 14 lists the three parts of a household taken as booty in warfare, “Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock.” These all would be unprotected except for God’s grace alone until they returned. And this would be a long campaign.
Joshua 1:16-18 (ESV) 16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”
The Transjordanian tribes made the final speech in chapter one, affirming that Joshua was the successor to Moses. So here we have the Hebrew nation poised to go in and take what is said to be the most beautiful and bountiful areas in the region.
Sources: “Bible History” by Hendrickson, Ungers Bible Handbook, EB Meyer, W Wiersby, JPS Study TNK, my father and others
