God Commissions Joshua

God Commissions Joshua

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

Jos. 1:1

Joshua’s Listening to the Lord

Now... Connects Joshua closely to the Pentateuch as a continuation of Deuteronomy. Of the twelve historical books, nine are thus connected to preceding ones.

after the death... Perhaps after the thirty days of mourning of Deut. 34:8—around the first of March (Deut. 1:3).

the servant of... So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

the LORD spake... "The Lord spake" (unto Joshua) occurs seven times (Jos. 1:1; 4:1, 4:8, 4:15; 14:10, 14:12; 20:1). "The Lord said" is found ten times (Jos. 3:7; 5:2, 5:9; 6:2; 7:10; 8:1, 8:18; 10:8; 11:6; 13:1). God could have spoken by an audible voice, dream, vision, prophecy, Urim and Thummim (Num. 27:21), or some other means. This first communication could be considered a preamble to the whole book. It was also a guarantee that the theocracy started by Moses would continue and that divine instruction would be continued with Joshua, even though it might not be a face-to-face communication every time (Num. 12:8).

O.T. and N.T. Ministers

Moses minister saying... The Hebrew: for "minister" in Jos. 1:1 is sharath, to attend, serve, minister to, wait upon (Exo. 24:13; Num. 11:28; Deut. 1:38).

The word is used nine ways:

1. Priests who were ministers of God and of Israel (Exo. 28:35, 28:43; 29:30; 30:20; 39:26; Num. 1:50; 3:3, 3:6, 3:31; 4:9, 4:12, 4:14; 8:26; 16:9; 18:2; Deut. 10:8; 17:12; 18:5-7; 21:5; 1Sa. 2:11, 2:18; 3:1; 1Ki. 8:11; 1Ch. 6:32; 15:2; 16:4, 16:37; 23:13; 26:12; 2Ch. 5:14; 8:14; 13:10; 23:6; 29:11; 31:2; Ezr. 8:17; Neh. 10:36, 10:39; Jer. 33:22; Eze. 40:46; 42:14; 43:19; 44:11-27; 45:4; Joe. 1:9, 1:13; 2:17)

2. Kings (Isa. 60:10)

3. Sacrifices used in worship (Isa. 60:7)

4. Domestic servants (2Sa. 13:17)

5. Concubines (1Ki. 1:4, 1:15)

6. Students for the prophetic office (1Ki. 19:21)

7. Civil servants (1Ki. 10:5; 1Ch. 28:1; 2Ch. 9:4; 22:8; Est. 2:2; 6:3)

8. Angels (Psm. 104:4)

9. Saved people who serve God (Isa. 61:6)

Six Kinds of N.T. Ministers:

1. Christ (Mat. 20:26, 20:28)

2. Gospel preachers (Act 26:16; Eph. 3:7; 1Co. 3:5; 4:1; 3:6)

3. Helpers in the gospel (Act 13:5)

4. Civil servants (Rom. 13:4-6)

5. Angels (Heb. 1:14; Mat. 4:11)

6. Laymen (Mat. 25:44; 1Co. 16:15; 2Co. 8:4; 9:1; Heb. 6:10)

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Jos. 1:2

Moses my servant... The 1st prophecy in Joshua (Jos. 1:2-9, fulfilled). Next, Jos. 1:11.

Seven conditional predictions of God (Jos. 1:6):

1. Every place you tread upon will be yours, from the Mediterranean to Euphrates, and the wilderness to Lebanon (Jos. 1:3-4).

2. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life (Jos. 1:5).

3. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you.

4. I will not fail you.

5. I will not forsake you.

6. You will divide this land for an inheritance to Israel (Jos. 1:6).

7. I am with you wherever you go (Jos. 1:9).

The Jordan River

Many events took place on the Jordan river. Lot chose the plain of Jordan (Gen. 13:10-11). Jacob crossed the river twice (Gen. 32:10). Israel camped on it at the end of the forty years (Num. 22:1). Here is where the book of Deuteronomy was uttered and written (Deut. 1:1), and where Joshua received his first instructions (Jos. 1:2).

The river was dried up by a miracle three times:

1. By Joshua (Joshua 3:1-4:23; Jos. 5:1)

2. By Elijah (2Ki. 2:7-8)

3. By Elisha (2Ki. 2:13-14)

Here battles were fought (Jdg. 3:28; 12:5); Naaman was cleansed from leprosy (2Ki. 5:10-14); and Christianity had its beginning (Mat. 3:1-17; Mar. 1:5-9; Luke 4:1; John 1:28; 3:26; 10:40).

Jordan has its source in the convergence of several rivers in the upper plain of Lake Huleh in the Anti-Lebanon mountains. The Jordan itself emerges from the southern tip of Lake Huleh, about 10 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, and makes its final stop in the Dead Sea. The total length of the river is about 200 miles, though its distance (as the crow flies) is only about 80 miles. Widths of the Jordan river vary from 60 to 100 feet, with depths ranging from 3 to 10 feet.

At the base of Lake Huleh the Jordan is about 230 feet above sea level. By the time it reaches the Dead Sea it has dropped to 1,290 feet below sea level. Thus, the river is aptly named Jordan which means "descender." Combined with the variations in width and depth, the steep descent produces at least 27 series of rapids, making the Jordan a significant natural barrier for east-to-west travel throughout Palestine.

The Jordan valley is about 4 to 10 miles wide. The river overflows its banks in March and April, and it was in that state when Israel crossed it (Jos. 3:15; 1Ch. 12:15).

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Jos. 1:3

Every place that... Thirty-eight years earlier Joshua had explored this good and fruitful land as 1 of the 12 spies (Num. 13:1-16; there [Num. 13:8] he is called “Hoshea,” a variant spelling of his name). The memory of its beauty and fertility had not dimmed. Now he was to lead the armies of Israel to conquer that territory.

What is the extent of these boundaries? The territory actually conquered and possessed in the time of Joshua was much less than what was promised in Gen. 15:18-21. Even in the time of David and Solomon, when the land reached its greatest extent, the outlying districts were only within Israel’s sphere of influence.

When will the nation of Israel fully possess the land? The prophets have declared that at the time of Christ’s return to earth He will regather the Jews and reign in the land over a converted and redeemed Israel. Full and complete possession of the land awaits that day (cf. Jer. 16:14-16; Amos 9:11-15; Zec. 8:4-8).

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. Jos. 1:4

even unto the... Cp. Gen. 15:18-21; Exo. 23:31; Num. 34:3-12; Deut. 11:24; Eze. 48:1-35.

land of the... Hittites, A great warlike people that occupied the mountain countries of south Canaan. The name may be used here of all the nations of Canaan, like the Amorites in other places. To be promised all their land must have encouraged the Israelites.

and unto the... The Mediterranean is great in comparison to the small seas of Israel—Galilee, the Dead Sea, and the Red Sea to the south (Jos. 1:4; 15:12; 23:4; Num. 34:6-7; Eze. 47:10-20).

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Jos. 1:5

I will be with... This promise was first made to Jacob (Gen. 28:15; Deut. 34:6).

As Joshua faced the tremendous task of conquering Canaan, he needed a fresh word of encouragement. From personal observation Joshua knew that the Canaanites and others were vigorous people who lived in strongly fortified cities (cf. Num. 13:28-29). Frequent battles kept their warriors in trim fighting condition. And for the most part the land was mountainous, a fact that would make war maneuvers most difficult. But when God gives a command He often accompanies it with a promise, so He assured Joshua a lifetime of continuous victory over his enemies, based on His unfailing presence and help. The words I will never leave you (cf. Jos. 1:9) may be rendered, “I will not drop or abandon you.” God never walks out on His promises.

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Jos. 1:6

Be strong and... Six commands—obedience:

1. Be strong and of good courage (repeated 3 times, Jos. 1:6, 1:7, 1:9).

2. Observe to do all the law (Jos. 1:7).

3. Do not turn from it to the right or the left.

4. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night (Jos. 1:8).

5. Be not afraid (Jos. 1:9).

6. Neither be dismayed.

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Jos. 1:7

that thou mayest... Four great benefits of obedience:

1. You will prosper wherever you go.

2. You will make your way prosperous (Jos. 1:8).

3. You shall have good success.

4. God will be with you wherever you go (Jos. 1:9).

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Jos. 1:8

this book of... Referring to the one book of the law just completed by Moses, to which Joshua added his writing (Jos. 24:26).

meditate therein day... This is the secret of obedience, which in turn is the secret of success (Psm. 1:3-4).

for then thou... To enjoy prosperity and be… successful in the Conquest of Canaan Joshua was to do three things with regard to the Scriptures: (a) The Law was not to depart from his mouth; he was to talk about it (cf. Deut. 6:7); (b) He was to meditate on it day and night, to think about it (cf. Psm. 1:2; 119:97); (c) He was to do everything written in it, to obey its commands fully and to act by it (cf. Ezr. 7:10; Jas. 1:22-25).

and then thou...Joshua’s life demonstrates that in a practical way he lived according to the teachings of the Law of Moses, the only portion of the Word of God then in written form. This alone explains the victories he achieved in battle and the success that marked his entire career. In one of his farewell addresses to the nation just before he died he urged the people to live in submission to the Scriptures (Jos. 23:6). Tragically they heeded this charge for only a short time. In succeeding generations the people of Israel refused to be guided by God’s authoritative revelation, and they all did what they chose (Jdg. 21:25). Rejecting an objective standard of righteousness, they chose a subjective one characterized by moral and spiritual relativism. This in turn plunged the nation into centuries of religious apostasy and moral anarchy.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Jos. 1:9

Have not I... Question 1. Next, Jos. 4:6.

Be strong and...The third call to courage addressed to Joshua was based on the promise of God’s presence. This did not minimize the task Joshua faced. He would encounter giants and fortified cities, but God’s presence would make all the difference.

be not afraid... Joshua probably had times when he felt weak, inadequate, and frightened. Perhaps he considered resigning before the Conquest even began. But God knew all about his feelings of personal weakness and fear and told Joshua three times, Be strong and courageous (Jos. 1:6-7, 1:9; cf. 1:18). God also urged him not to be afraid or discouraged (cf. Deut. 1:21; 31:8; Jos. 8:1).

for the Lord... These charges with their accompanying assurances (God’s promise, God’s power, and God’s presence) were sufficient to last a lifetime. Believers in all ages can be uplifted by the same three assurances.

Joshua Assumes Command

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Jos. 1:10

Then... When he had received the message from God (Jos. 1:2-9). The Lord had spoken to Joshua. Now Joshua was to speak to the people, which he did without delay. Joshua’s commands had a ring of certainty. The new leader had taken charge with confidence.

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it. Jos. 1:11

Pass through the... The 2nd prophecy in Joshua (Jos. 1:11, fulfilled). Next, Jos. 3:5.

command the people... Four commands—preparation for journey:

1. Pass through the host.

2. Command the people.

3. Prepare food for the journey.

4. Remember the word of Moses that you must help your brethren conquer Canaan before you settle in your possessions (Jos. 1:13-15). This command was to the tribes east of the Jordan. According to Jos. 4:13 only 40,000 soldiers out of 110,000 went over into the land of Canaan to help their brethren (Num. 26:7, 26:18, 26:34). The 70,000 remained in the land with the women and children to protect them and their new possessions.

And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, Jos. 1:12

And to the... Joshua’s second item of business was to remind the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that though they had received their inheritance east of the Jordan, they were committed to fight with their brothers and assist in conquering the land west of Jordan.

Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. Jos. 1:13

Remember the word... The key word here is remember, and their response (Jos. 1:16-18) shows they had not forgotten their promise and were ready to stand by it.

Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them; Jos. 1:14

Your wives... Besides the women and children, there were a sufficient number of men left to protect the new settlements from invaders.

Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising. Jos. 1:15

Until the LORD... Twofold time element of service:

1. Until full conquest of Canaan

2. Until all tribes were settled

toward the... Toward the sunrising, that is, eastward.

And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. Jos. 1:16

All that thou... Threefold consecration and promise:

1. We will obey all your commands.

2. We will go where you send us.

3. We will destroy anyone who rebels against you (Jos. 1:18).

According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Jos. 1:17

as he was... It was only natural to expect God to be with Joshua, the new leader, as He was with Moses who set the example. Likewise, Christ was the example for all Christians (1Pe. 2:21; 4:1).

Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. Jos. 1:18

Whosoever he be... Martial law was necessary, and wholehearted agreement of all the soldiers to the death penalty made it easier for Joshua to be strong and of good courage. By insubordination their fathers had failed forty years earlier. To prevent such failure from recurring, this penalty was agreed upon for anyone who refused to obey the Commander-in-chief.

only be strong... The people repeated this exhortation that God had given Joshua three times in his commission (Jos. 1:6, 1:7, 1:9).

Their pledge of loyalty and obedience (we will go.… we will obey you) included the solemn declaration that anyone guilty of disobedience would be executed. The tribes even encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous!