It’s ironic in a way, my favorite verse in the whole Book of Joshua is right here in its first chapter!
In the introduction, nonetheless!
Let me show you what I mean. (By the way, sometimes my favorite “passage” changes as I proceed through a Book! Joshua’s last chapter has a “golden jewel” too!)
“1Now 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, 2 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. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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.” Joshua 1:1-9, read it all, if you possibly can, have the time.
First notice how clearly Joshua is written as an “extension” of the Pentateuch, of the five Books of Moses. It’s merely Deuteronomy continued!
Moses is gone.
Joshua is here.
The transition is smooth!
“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore (Joshua) arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them.” (Verse 2)
Joshua had been in training for a long time now, anyway.
And most importantly, God’s Word is still in effect! (As in “This Book of the Law!” Verse 8, but we will get there in a minute.)
Then see in verses 3 and 4 that God’s Promises are still empowered, too! What God told Moses … He will do in regard to Joshua as well, especially the land grant, the Promised Land! “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 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.” (Verses 3 and 4, a lot of real estate!)
I’m learning as I study for our Joshua Lessons that the old-fashioned Jews to this day love the Book of Joshua, particularly as their very “Deed Book” to the Holy Land!
Wow!
God to Joshua, how encouraging: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” (Verse 5) Reminds me of the old question, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” (2 Kings 2:14) Like … “Where is the Lord God of Moses?” And the rejoinder … “He is with Joshua!”
The Lord says things like this to Joshua so often … I am wondering if Joshua (still relatively young) might have needed such bolstering in his faith! “Be thou strong and very courageous.” (Verse 7, the second time in the opening paragraph similar words have been spoken, with a third time still coming in verse 9.)
Then my favorite verse, number 8, almost a life verse. “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.” Linkage to Deuteronomy, “THE Book of the Law!”
God’s “Story” continues! The “Metanarrative” they call it these days. Joshua’s material is NOT an addendum, but a continuation! Not a Postscript … but the next Chapter!
But look in verse 8 at the (two great) benefits of obeying God’s Word! “This book of the law (the Bible) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate (ponder it, talk it in your heart) therein day and night (constantly), that thou mayest observe to do (obey) according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt (#1) make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt (#2) have good success.”
Two clear blessings, all inclusive!
Then that third “challenge to be bold!” Verse 9: ““Have not I (the Lord) commanded thee (Joshua)? 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.”
What a beginning!
Surely enough “meat” to eat today, this (last) Tuesday in August, 2017.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Verse 9 alone has enough “power” to fuel a lifetime!