Joshua Introduction
Joshua, a Hebrew word meaning “Yahweh saves”, is another one of the history books in the Old Testament. Similar to Genesis and Exodus, this book is full of the recorded events of Israel’s past. While there is some debate amongst scholars about whether or not Joshua was the author of this book, he is a central figure in this story. The events in this book take place somewhere around 1406 B.C., after Israel had spent 40 years in the wilderness as they’re ready to enter the Promised Land.
Leadership transitions are almost always complicated and the book of Joshua is no exception. Moses had passed away and now it was someone else’s turn to guide the Israelites. Enter Joshua. Can you imagine being the next person to fill the shoes of Moses? Talk about pressure! We’ll watch Joshua grow into this role. Sometimes he will heed God’s word and the Israelites are blessed because of that. Other times he gets ahead of himself, often leading to disastrous results.
Along the way we’ll meet other characters and read some exciting stories full of dramatic twists and turns. As we read, grab a journal and take good notes. What do these chapters teach you about God’s character? What does it teach you about humanity? What are the implications for you today? We have said it before, but it’s important to remember the significance of these Old Testament books. Too often we get confused by the Old Testament because some of the names sound funny and because we equate “old” with “irrelevant.” There are so many things we can learn about God (and ourselves) through the lens of this book. Over the next 24 chapters, let’s continue to dig deep into the story of the Israelites.
Read Joshua 1
Joshua Installed as Leader
1After 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 them15 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!”
Go Deeper
The opening chapter of the book of Joshua marks a very important moment in Israel’s history. Their one leader, Moses, who had guided them for years and years has died. The people had grown used to Moses being the one who would speak to God on their behalf. He carried the relationship with God for the rest of his people. But since he is gone, the torch has been passed from Moses to Joshua. Now Joshua has to learn how to have his own intimate relationship with God. Not only that, but he also has to figure out how to courageously follow God wherever He leads. All of Israel is looking to Joshua to maintain their relationship with God. No pressure!
One of the main lessons of this chapter is that Joshua can no longer rely on someone else’s faithfulness. Just because Moses had a deep relationship with God, does not mean that Joshua will have that same kind of relationship. Joshua has to take ownership of his own faith and find courage from God, not another human leader. Multiple times the Lord instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous. Why? That’s what His people needed in their new leader.
There are moments in our lives in which we feel like God is giving us the same command that he gave Joshua in this chapter: it’s time for you to stop relying on someone else’s faithfulness. Don’t wait for your pastor to teach you the Bible. Don’t wait for someone else to share the gospel with your friend. Don’t wait for your spouse to disciple your kids. Today you have the chance to take ownership of your faith. God has called you to courageously follow Him. Stop waiting on someone else to do the job that God has given you. Today, be strong and courageous and follow God!
Questions
- How do you think Joshua felt in this moment?
- What are the differences between a follower and a leader?
- Why do Christian leaders tend to fall? How can you keep that from happening in your own faith?
Watch This
Check out this video overview of Joshua from The Bible Project!
7 responses to “Joshua 1 + Introduction”
New Beginnings
Joshua was a part of the time in Egypt. He was a part of the orginal Passover, all the miracles God performed for them in Egypt. He saw the Red Sea open and close over the enemies. He was a general in the army, of great courage, Ex 17:8-6. Joshua was also Moses’ servant or minister. He accompanied Moses to the mount Ex 32:17 and was with him when he judged the people for making the golden calf. Joshua knew the God of Isreal and the holy laws God gave them all to obey. Joshua was one of the spies that encouraged the people to trust God and move into the land, but sadly they listened to the other spies, because of this act of unbelief and rebillion that delayed them for 40 years. He was faithful and stayed with Moses. God appointed Joshua Moses’predecessor to lead the people on. Joshua was human and made mistiakes but he, like Moses, was God’s chosen and anointed leader. Vs7 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.
In chapter one Joshua is encouraged to do God’s commission, lead the people into the land, defeat the enemy, and claim the inheritance. Joshua was to get his faith from God’s written Word. Moses had kept a written account with the priests, so Joshua was to meditate on God’s Word day and night. Joshua had leadership underneath him. ( Wow have you ever stopped to think about what a well oiled ship Moses ran? He had a million or so people that he steered around day and night. So the leadership under him had to be spot on with the instructions they were told. Now it is Joshua’s turn). This is what his leadership said to him vs16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Verses 17 and 18 are a pray from these leaders over Joshua. We are to also, now in this day to be strong and of good courage!!
“If we are to conquer the enemy and claim our inheritance in Christ, we must have spiritual strength and spiritual courage” (W. Wiersbe)
Eph 6:10 Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
God You are so amazing in all that I see You do, every single day!! WOOHOO!!!! I am so incredible blessed in all Your glories that surround me. You make ways where there are no ways. You show up BIG when we think it is done. God thank You seems such a small thing to say. Please forgive me for… seems like not enough. God I believe but please help my unbelief!!! God today in these minutes of this day may I glorify You in all I say and do. God thank You for being strong in You and Your power in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.”
As a parent and now a grandparent, I have employed this rhetorical technique as well . . . “haven’t I told you?”. I use it with guidance that they have already heard countless times.
Likewise, it should be seared in our memory that God has commanded us to “be strong and courageous”! It should be second nature to us now. We shouldn’t even have to think about it! Be strong and courageous!
Although leadership changes, God’s character remains the same. His expectations and priorities are steadfast through the ages. What comfort to know that “he is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Encouraging!
What strikes me most about this chapter is a sense of forward momentum, as God instructs Joshua in things yet to come:
“GET READY to cross” (v. 2).
“I WILL GIVE you every place” (v. 3).
“Your territory WILL EXTEND” (v. 4).
“You WILL LEAD these people” (v. 6).
The entire Exodus is a story of God’s people moving forward:
OUT OF Egypt.
ACROSS the Red Sea.
THROUGH the wilderness.
INTO the Promised Land.
In The Message we read, “don’t get off track … so as to make sure you get to where you’re going” (v. 7).
I’m reminded of what AJ Swoboda writes in “The Dusty Ones”: “The Bible is a book about wanderers … for wanderers.”
Wanderers … keep walking. Though their (our) path may not be the shortest or the simplest, they (we) “press on” toward divine destination (Phil. 3:14).
In a season when it feels like I’m just not getting anywhere (and post-Covid years have left me feeling particularly stuck!), such reminders challenge and inspire me.
Get going. Keep going. Press on.
Guided by God, guarded by God … to glorify God.
I too have post- covid stuckness, but by the Grace of God I will persevere. I love this and will adhere to it. Let it be my mantra. “Get going. Keep going. Press on.
Guided by God, guarded by God … to glorify God.”
Thank you.
It’s interesting how he’s taught to keep being strong and courageous but I don’t hear any fear. Only excitement from the Israelites to move forward. Sometimes, god may give us commands that could be helpful in the near future…? 🙂