June 12, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Joshua? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 1 (NIV)
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. ........Continue Reading
Well Joshua doesn’t start out with a subtle theme at all :)) “Be Strong and Courageous!” over and over they are reminded to follow God and there will be nothing to fear!
If we could live our lives realizing the same promises and results from verses 6-9. Take that to the bank!!!
Joshua 1
Joshua 1
So many wonderful promises given to Joshua as he got ready to set out. You have to feel for how nervous Joshua must have been having to take over for Moses. I like that the “be strong and courageous” is not a request; it is a command. And it’s repeated four times.
God encourages Joshua in his leadership and assures him that He will be with him all the way. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
And the people are pledged behind him…..”So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”
Moses left some pretty big shoes to fill. Just think about all the things he went through with and for the Israelites. How important it was for God to reassure Joshua as he takes over the reigns from Moses. There are no better words for Joshua to hear than for God to say I am with you in the same way that I was with Moses. As Moses’ right hand man, Joshua knew what that looked like and knew therefore what to expect. And so God’s commands therefore only makes sense: be strong and courageous, do not let the word depart from you and make sure you do everything written in it. Moses took the Book of Deuteronomy to tell them the same things!
And in response, Joshua commands the people and gives them the vision of what they will accomplish based on God’s promise: we will enter the land and possess it! As a good leader he also confirms the agreement made under past leadership: the Reubenites would possess land East of the Jordan but help the other capture the land west of the Jordan.
We would do well to embrace the confidence that comes with the assurance of God’s presence with us and be strong and courageous in the things that God leads us in as well!
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. 8Keep 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. 9Have 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.”