History · Chapter 1 of 24

Joshua 1

After Moses dies, the LORD commissions Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan into the promised land. He promises to be with Joshua as he was with Moses, never failing nor forsaking him, and three times commands him to be strong and courageous, meditating on the law day and night. Joshua orders the people to prepare provisions, and the eastern tribes pledge their full obedience.

What happens in Joshua 1

With Moses dead, the LORD speaks to Joshua, his former minister, telling him to arise and cross the Jordan into the land promised to Israel. God guarantees every place Joshua's foot treads, marks out the borders from the wilderness to the Euphrates to the great sea, and pledges that no one will stand against him: as he was with Moses, so he will be with Joshua, and will not fail or forsake him. Three times he charges Joshua to be strong and of good courage, tying success to keeping the book of the law, meditating on it day and night and turning neither right nor left.

Joshua then commands the officers to ready provisions, for in three days they will cross to possess the land. He reminds the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of Manasseh of their pledge to fight alongside their brethren before returning east, and the people vow to obey Joshua as they obeyed Moses.

Joshua 1 in context

Joshua opens the historical books that follow the Torah, picking up right after Deuteronomy and the death of Moses on the plains of Moab. Israel stands at the Jordan, a generation after the exodus, poised to enter Canaan. Joshua son of Nun, one of the two faithful spies from an earlier generation, now inherits Moses' role.

The chapter is the LORD's commissioning speech, setting the courage, obedience, and divine presence that will govern the conquest to come.

Main themes of Joshua 1

Joshua 1 (KJV)

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, 2Moses 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. 3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4From 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. 5There 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. 6Be 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. 7Only 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. 8This 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. 9Have 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. 10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11Pass 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. 12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, 13Remember 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. 14Your 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; 15Until 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. 16And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. 17According 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. 18Whosoever 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.

Verses to carry from Joshua 1

“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.”Joshua 1:5

“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.”Joshua 1:8

“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 1:9

Reflection

God did not tell Joshua to feel brave; he told him to be brave, and gave him a reason. The command comes with a presence: I am with you wherever you go. Whatever Jordan you are standing before, your courage need not come from within. It rests on the God who has promised never to leave you, and who has gone before you already.

A prayer from Joshua 1