Joshua 1
1
Joshua’s Great Commission
1And # 1:1 The book of Joshua begins with the word “And.” What writer uses the connective “And” to start a new production? This indicates the close connection between the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua. In the Hebrew text every book from Joshua through 2 Kings (with the exception of Ruth) begins with “And,” demonstrating that the history of Israel is one connected narrative and inspired by one divine author, the Holy Spirit. after Moses, Yahweh’s servant, died, # 1:1 Jewish tradition states that Moses died on the seventh of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar. The book of Joshua takes up the story right after the thirty-day mourning period for Moses (see Deut. 34:5–8). Leaders may die, but God’s prophetic promises live on. Yahweh spoke to Joshua # 1:1 Joshua is the name Moses gave him, changing it from Hoshea to Joshua (Yehoshua), which means “Yahweh is salvation,” “may Yahweh save,” “Yahweh makes triumphant,” or “Yahweh is the Deliverer.” son of Nun, # 1:1 Nun means “eternal,” “perpetual,” “to re-sprout,” or “eternal increase.” Joshua was the son of Nun. One greater than Joshua is Jesus, Son of the Eternal God. Joshua is introduced into the story as the “son of Nun.” In western culture we are identified by our profession, by what we do or have accomplished. But in Hebrew culture, we are introduced in the language of sonship—as a son or daughter. In English, we, too, use patronyms to identify persons, which is nearly the same as “son of.” Moses’ faithful assistant, and said, # 1:1 Seventeen times in Joshua we read the words “Yahweh spoke to Joshua” or “Yahweh said.” Perhaps it was through an audible voice, in a dream, in a vision, in a divine encounter, through a prophecy, through the Urim and Thummim (see Num. 27:21), or by some other way. God has multiple ways of speaking to his servants. 2“My servant Moses is dead. Now get up! Prepare to cross the Jordan # 1:2 Jordan comes from two Hebrew root words meaning “to descend” and “to judge.” River, you and all the people. Lead them # 1:2 Joshua was the successor to Moses. The leadership of Israel was given not to one of Moses’ children but to the one whom God chose, prepared, and anointed. Leadership is not hereditary but established by the call of God on one’s life. God chose Joshua in part because of his lifetime of service to Moses and his longing to be in the presence of God. See Ex. 33:11. Moses (representing the law) was not able to take God’s people into their inheritance, but Joshua (representing Jesus) could. into the land that I am giving to the Israelites. 3Every part of the land where you march # 1:3 Or “Every place you put the sole of your foot upon,” a figure of speech for the power to conquer. To place the sole of your foot upon the land or upon your enemies was a metaphor for military victory. See Gen. 49:8; Josh. 10:24. I will give you, as I promised Moses. # 1:3 See Deut. 11:24. 4Your borders will extend from the southern desert to the northern mountains of Lebanon, and from the great river Euphrates in the east, to the Mediterranean # 1:4 Or “the Great Sea.” in the west—including all the land of the Hittites. # 1:4 God mentioned the Hittites because they were the strongest and most warlike of the tribes, but in this passage, they are representative of all the seven tribes of the land. There were other inhabitants of the land as well—seven particular tribes are listed in several texts, including Deut. 7. The Hittites controlled a vast empire (with a capital far off to the north in modern Turkey) whose population stretched to the borderlands of Egypt (this very region that was now no longer under Egyptian domination). 5Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you for the rest of your life! I will be with you as I was with Moses, # 1:5 What an amazing promise God gave to Joshua! In the same way Yahweh was with Moses (think burning bush, hearing God’s voice, speaking “mouth to mouth” with God [Ex. 33:11], performing miracles, divine encounters, defeating enemies), so he would be with Joshua. Throughout this book, God repeatedly assured Joshua of his presence (see Josh. 2:24; 3:7, 10; 4:14; 6:27; 10:14, 42; 13:6; 14:12; 21:44; 23:3, 10). and I will never fail # 1:5 Or “I will not weaken you” or “allow you to be weak.” At least one Jewish scholar renders it, “I will not part from you.” (See Reuven Drucker, Yehoshua, Art Scroll Tanach Series, 1988.) nor abandon you. 6You must be strong and brave. You will lead the people to acquire and apportion the land that I promised their ancestors I would give them. 7You must remain very strong and courageous! # 1:7 To be courageous means to translate your convictions into bold actions. Be faithful to obey all the teaching # 1:7 Or “law [Torah].” that my servant Moses commanded you to follow. Do not deviate from him # 1:7 This phrase could mean “Don’t deviate from [the instruction of] Moses” or “Don’t turn from Yahweh.” to the right or to the left, so that you will have overwhelming success # 1:7 Or “be prosperous,” “push forward,” or “break out.” in everything you undertake. 8Recite this scroll of the law constantly. # 1:8 Or “Don’t let this book of the law depart from your mouth.” Contemplate it # 1:8 Or “meditate,” “ponder,” “imagine,” “mutter,” or “talk to oneself.” See Ps. 1:2; Prov. 3:1–2. day and night and be careful to follow every word it contains; then you will enjoy incredible prosperity and success. # 1:8 Or “understanding.” See Prov. 3:4. 9I repeat, # 1:9 Or “Have I not commanded you?” be strong and brave! Do not yield to fear nor be discouraged, for I am Yahweh your God, and I will be with you wherever you go!” # 1:9 God gave Joshua seven promises: (1) He would possess a vast territory (see vv. 3–4). (2) No one would be able to defeat him (see v. 5). (3) God would be with him as he was with Moses (see v. 5). (4) God would never fail him (see v. 5). (5) God would never abandon him (see v. 5). (6) He would enjoy prosperity and success (see v. 8). (7) God would be with him wherever he went (see v. 9). Remember, what God promised Joshua, he also promises you, for all that was promised to this Joshua is fulfilled in the better Joshua (Jesus) in whom we are included for receiving all of God’s promises as yes and amen.
Preparation to Cross Over
10Joshua ordered the leaders of the people: 11“Go through the camp and instruct the people, ‘Pack your bags; # 1:11 Or “Prepare supplies” or “Gather what you need.” for within three days you will cross the Jordan to conquer and occupy the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess.’ ” # 1:11 Many scholars conclude that Joshua did not give this command until after the spies he sent out in ch. 2 had returned.
12Then Joshua addressed the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh: # 1:12 See Num. 32:28–32; Deut. 3:18–20. 13-14“Remember the words that Yahweh’s servant Moses commanded you: ‘Yahweh your God is giving you this land on the east side of the Jordan as your homeland.’ # 1:13–14 Or “[as] a place of rest.” Therefore, your wives, your little ones, and your livestock # 1:13–14 The order here is significant: “your wives, your little ones, and your livestock.” When the two and a half tribes asked Moses to remain on the other side of the Jordan, they displayed a warped sense of their values by speaking of their possessions before their wives and children. See Num. 32:16. may remain here, but all your valiant warriors must cross over with us armed. # 1:13–14 Forty thousand warriors from these two and a half tribes crossed over to fight for their brothers (see Josh. 4:13). From Num. 26:7, 18, 34, we learn that about ninety thousand people of these tribes remained on the east side of the Jordan, including the women, children (those under the age of twenty), and the old men. Their new settlement was vulnerable, and they needed a fighting force to remain in case of attack. They will take the lead and help their brothers 15until they take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving them as their homeland. # 1:15 The unity of God’s people is in focus in vv. 12–15. Similarly, we must be willing to fight for our brother’s victory as much as we fight for our own (see 1 Sam. 23:16; Phil. 2:3–4; Heb. 10:25). This is one of the very points where the people would fail when we begin to read Judges. Everyone began to do what they wanted rather than to work together for the benefit of the whole community. Afterward, you will be free to return to your own land and possess the land that Moses, Yahweh’s servant, gave you here on the east side of the Jordan.” # 1:15 Joshua the prophet foresaw the complete victory of possessing the land of their enemies. In vv. 12–15 we learn that the land-takers were required to be united. Neither one individual nor one tribe could take the land; it required all God’s people going in together and fighting as one. Battles are won as God’s people unite. But unity alone isn’t enough; we must be prepared for a battle over our complete inheritance. There must be no rest until everyone has received his or her inheritance. See Eph. 4:11–16.
16They answered Joshua: “We will do everything you have told us and will go wherever you send us. 17We always obeyed Moses, and we will always obey you. May Yahweh your God stand beside you as he stood with Moses. 18And anyone who questions your authority or disobeys whatever you command # 1:18 Literally “your mouth.” shall be put to death. So, Joshua, be strong and brave!” # 1:18 Or “be determined and confident!”
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