PROLOGUE — The First Command After Moses’s Death
Joshua 1 picks up immediately after Moses’s death in Deuteronomy 34. In that void left by the passing of Israel’s greatest leader, God speaks directly to Joshua without delay, opening a new era.
ACT ONE — Arise, Go Over This Jordan (verses 1–9)
“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, 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.”
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise. Past the moment of mourning, a command to action follows immediately. God’s plan never stopped with the death of one leader — the next step began right after that loss.
God reaffirmed the promise, specifying the vast boundaries of the 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.”
And the most repeated command in this chapter now appears.
“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… 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… 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.”
Be strong and of good courage. This command is repeated three times within this single short chapter (verses 6, 7, 9). God already knew Joshua’s fear, and addressed it repeatedly. And the source of that courage is clearly specified — not military capability, but “this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.” True courage grew from continuous immersion in God’s word.
ACT TWO — Reaffirmation with the Tribes East of the Jordan (verses 10–15)
Joshua immediately took his first practical action as leader.
“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 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.”
And the promise already established in Numbers 32 and Deuteronomy 3 — the condition that Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh would fight alongside their brothers — is recalled once more. These three tribes responded immediately, in complete obedience.
ACT THREE — The People’s Response, Just as They Obeyed Moses (verses 16–18)
This chapter closes with a powerful vow from the whole of Israel.
“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee… Only be strong and of a good courage.”
Only be strong and of a good courage. Remarkably, the people speak back to Joshua the very command God had given him — “be strong and of good courage.” This is a beautiful scene of mutual encouragement — not only from above downward, but the entire community lifting one another up.
REFLECTION — Courage Rooted in the Word
The most powerful message Joshua 1 gives us is that genuine courage never comes from an inherent temperament or favorable circumstances. It grows from a continuous habit of never departing from God’s word, meditating on it day and night.
Facing a new challenge in your own life, are you seeking courage rooted in God’s word, rather than in your own ability?
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
Joshua Chapter 2 — the two spies and the remarkable faith of Rahab, the first step toward the conquest of Jericho, follow.
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