UNROLL
Before dawn on the plains of Moab, low black tents among flat-topped acacias, one lamp glowing at a tent door, the dark ridge of Nebo against the first pale light.

The Book of

Joshua 1

Moses is dead. The river is in flood. And God says to the man left standing: be strong and courageous.

18 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–5Crossing overInto the landChapter 1
  2. 6–12Taking the landThe LORD fights for Israel
  3. 13–21Dividing the landAn inheritance for each tribe
  4. 22–24Choose this dayServe the LORD

God Instructs Joshua

Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead.

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God

No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Question

Quick question

God’s promise to Joshua did not stay with Joshua.

Which New Testament letter quotes God’s promise in 1:5 for every believer?

Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them. Above all, be strong and very courageous.

Joshua 1:6–7

God
God

Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua, seen from behind with a staff, walks alone down a stony path from the camp into the Jordan valley in the morning, mist in the thickets below and the hills of Canaan beyond.

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Reflect

Wherever you go

Joshua was about to cross a river he had never crossed, into a land full of enemies. God did not promise it would be easy. He said, “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Where are you being asked to cross something you have never crossed before? Write it down. Then write what changes if God is already there.

Joshua Takes Charge

Joshua
Joshua

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”

Joshua
Joshua

But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan.

But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

On the plains of Moab in the morning, a great crowd of armed men of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, seen from behind with bronze spears upright, faces Joshua standing on a low rock before them.

So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.

0:15

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

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

Be strong and courageous

Moses’ chargebefore he died(Deuteronomy 31:7)For the landsworn to their fathers(1:6)To keep the lawday and night (1:7–8)God is with youwherever you go (1:9)The people sayitback to Joshua (1:18)

Whiteboard

Four times in one chapter Joshua hears it: three times from God and once from the people. Each time there is a reason: the land is sworn, the law is given, and above all, “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Moses had said it first, and the people end with it: “Above all, be strong and courageous!”

Pray

Courage that rests on You

Joshua’s courage was not meant to come from himself. It rested on a promise: “As I was with Moses, so will I be with you.” Ask the Lord for courage that rests on His presence, not on how strong you feel. Ask Him for a love for His word, to keep it in your mouth and on your mind, “day and night.”

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Joshua 1

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A verse to carry with you

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

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