Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
JOSHUA 1
Joshua Installed as Leader
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ ”
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
Application Notes
1:1-18 As the book of Joshua opens, the Israelites are camped along the east bank of the Jordan River at the very edge of the Promised Land, and they are completing the mourning period for Moses, who has just died (Deuteronomy 34:7-8). The Israelites had an opportunity to enter the Promised Land 39 years earlier (after spending a year at Mount Sinai receiving God's law), but they failed to trust God to give them victory. As a result, God did not allow them to enter the land but made them wander in the wilderness until that disobedient generation had all died.
During their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites obeyed God's laws. They also taught the new generation to obey God's laws so that they might enter the Promised Land, which was also called Canaan. As the children grew, they were often reminded that faith and obedience to God brought victory, while unbelief and disobedience brought tragedy. When the last of the older generation had died and the new generation had become adults, the Israelites prepared to claim their long-awaited Promised Land.
1:1-5 Joshua succeeded Moses as Israel's leader. What qualifications did he have to become the leader of a nation? (1) God appointed him (Numbers 27:18-23). (2) He was one of only two living adults who had witnessed the Egyptian plagues and the exodus from Egypt. (3) He had been Moses’ personal aide for 40 years. (4) Of the 12 leaders sent to scout out the Promised Land, only he and Caleb showed complete confidence that God would help them conquer it (Numbers 13-14).
1:2 Because Joshua had assisted Moses for many years, he was well prepared to take over the leadership of the nation. Changes in leadership are common in many organizations. At such times, a smooth transition is essential for the successful establishment of the new administration. This doesn't happen unless new leaders are trained. If you are currently in a leadership position, begin mentoring someone who will be able to take your place. Then when you leave or are promoted, operations can continue to run efficiently. If you aspire to be a leader, learn from others so that you will be prepared when the opportunity comes.
1:5 Joshua's new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it What a challenge—even for a person of Joshua's caliber! Every new job is a challenge. Without God this experience can be frightening; with God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. We may not conquer nations, but every day we face tough situations, setbacks, difficult people, and temptations. God promises, however, that he will never abandon us or fail to help us. When we ask God to direct us. we can be confident that he will walk with us through all of life's challenges.
1:6-8 Many people think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria. He said that, in order to succeed, Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God's law, and (3) constantly read and study the book of the law—God’s Word. To be successful, follow God’s words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God’s eyes—and his opinion and rewards are more important than anything the world can offer.
1:7-8 How strange it sounds today to equate success with obedience. For many, success means controlling others; for Joshua, it meant being controlled by God. God told Joshua that to succeed he must obey the rules for living found in God's law. Often we can't see what the result or future benefits of following God will be. When we are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God's Word. Remind yourself of God's words day and night. Act today on what you know God has said, and he will assure your success in carrying out his purposes.
1:12-15 During the previous year, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had asked Moses if they could settle just east of the Promised Land. The area offered excellent pastureland for their large flocks. Moses agreed to give them the land on one condition—that they help their fellow tribes enter and conquer the Promised Land. Only after the land had been conquered could they return to their homes. Now the time had come for these three tribes to live up to their end of the agreement. When others have helped us achieve our goals, we should also try to help them achieve theirs. Stop and think about the goals you have achieved and any successes you are enjoying. Who helped you along the way? Have you done all you can to help them as they have helped you?
1:16 If everyone had tried to conquer the Promised Land their own way, chaos would have resulted. In order to complete the enormous task of conquering the land, everyone had to agree to the leader's plan and be willing to support and obey him. If we are going to complete the tasks God has given us, we must fully agree to his plan, pledge ourselves to obey it, and work together with others to put his principles into action. Agreeing to God's plan means both knowing what the plan is (as found in the Bible) and carrying it out daily.
1:18 When God commissioned Joshua after Moses’ death, he told him three times to be strong and courageous (see 1:6-7, 9). Here Joshua is given the same kind of encouragement from the people. Apparently, he took God's message to heart, and he found the strength and courage he needed in his relationship with God. The next time you are afraid to do what you know God is calling you to do, remember that strength and courage are readily available from him.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)