Scripture: After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:1-9 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Moses passes the baton to Joshua, with the Lord ushering Moses’ spirit to his eternal resting place. In the opening verses, the author (likely Joshua at this juncture) first provides geographical details (given the land is an essential element of Israel’s identity). So from Mount Nebo at the top of Pisgah (opposite Jericho), the Lord showed Moses all the land as far as the eye could see, which would have been extensive since, at age 120, his eyes remained undimmed. The Lord then buried Moses in the valley of Moab opposite Beth-peor (where Moses previously read the law to Israel), but no one knows precisely where.
For today’s reading, we begin our journey through Joshua, the culmination of Yahweh’s promises to Abraham and his heirs as told in the Pentateuch. The book of Joshua tells of Israel’s conquest and apportionment of Canaan among the twelve tribes. Throughout Israel’s advancement, the author (likely Joshua) will remind us that God fights for his people when they are “strong and courageous” (1:6, 7, 9, 18; 10:25) and put their complete trust in him. At the book’s end, we will read of Joshua’s charge to Israel to remain faithful to God and obey his commands, which the people affirm but inevitably fail to uphold.
Our story begins with Yahweh talking directly to Joshua, noting that Moses was his “servant,” and now Joshua will fulfill this role (vv.1-2). The Lord then promises Joshua that he will grant this sacred land to Israel, to be apprehended wherever Joshua places the sole of his foot (vv.3-4). Yahweh assures Joshua he will be present with him and never forsake him (just as he cared for Moses) and adds that no one will succeed in resisting Israel’s advancement (v.5-6). Lastly, as touched on above, in these last three verses of this opening passage, God repeats to Joshua for emphasis:
- Be strong and courageous.
- Obey my commands.
- I will be with you.
It is a command with a promise—fulfilled by both parties.
Takeaway: The cause-and-effect relationship between Yahweh’s commands and promise is evident to the original audience. Indeed, it thematically weaves throughout the storyline of Israel’s conflicts with future enemies. As they sense the presence of their Lord, he will overcome their fears and strengthen them, but they must obey his laws. Thus, Yahweh directs Joshua to meditate on his Book of the Law all his waking hours. While Joshua takes this command to heart, sadly, our Old Testament’s historical and prophetic books tell of future generations straying from God’s gracious laws that would have otherwise kept them under their Lord’s good care.
Our takeaway? It is a destructive pattern that the law could not resolve, necessitating our incarnate Christ to enter our world and fulfill what we could not: perfect obedience to the law. Luke tells us that even as a young boy, Christ poured over the Scriptures and engaged with the Rabbis (Luke 2:41-49). The Gospels also tell us that he often withdrew to be alone with his Father in prayer (and likely meditate on his Father’s commands revealed in Scripture) to discern his will (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, and Luke 5:16). Thus, understanding the correlation between courage, obedience, and an intimate connection with the Father, Jesus proclaimed to his disciples a two-pronged command with a promise:
- If you love me, you will obey my commands (John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23, and 15:14).
- So fear not (Matthew 10:26-31; 28:10, Luke 12:32, and John 6:20).
- For I will be with you always (Matthew 28:20).
Christ’s disciples would become more familiar with their Master’s words and that of Scripture to attune to his will and bravely proclaim his Gospel empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Our part? The same applies to us. Suppose we commit ourselves to meditating on Scripture as much as possible during our waking hours. Would it seem overwhelming? Confining? That’s understandable, but we need not be legalistic about it. The goal is to engage in Scripture to a level where we can readily recall and apply the Father and Son’s commands, promises, and salient teaching points from the breadth of the Bible to our lives. Indeed, when we meditate on “this book” and follow its precepts, we will deepen our understanding of his abiding presence in and love for us and mature our love for him, which will overcome our fears (1 John 4:18) and embolden us to press through any conflict or crisis courageously.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for the gift of your Son (our living Word) and the Scriptures (our written Word). So, please help us to meditate on the Word in our coming and going so that we might grow in our love and affection for you and your Son reflected in our obedience to your commands that spur strength, courage, and an awareness of your love for and presence with us. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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