Joshua was the son of Moses’ helper, a man called Nun. In Joshua Chapter 1, Moses has died and the Lord told Joshua to gather the children of Israel together and take them over the Jordan River.
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Land Inheritance for the Israelites
The Lord told Joshua that he was giving the Israelites the land from the Euphrates River and the land of the Hittites and all the way to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Lord told Joshua that he would be with him for the rest of his life and will not abandon him.
God’s Instructions to Joshua
The Lord also told Joshua to divide the land among the Israelites and to remain courageous and strong. Joshua was to keep the commandments and to basically stay on the straight path. The Lord told him to observe and think on the Law both night and day, and again to not be afraid.
Joshua Gives Orders to the Officers
Joshua went to the officers who were in charge of the Israelites and told them to get their people together. He said to let them know that they would be crossing the Jordan River in three days and that they were going to conquer the land beyond it. This was because God promised them the land.
Joshua Gives Further Instructions
Joshua told some of the tribes that God had given them this land that they were about to cross into. But before that, he said they were supposed to take up arms and leave their families and livestock behind. These men would be the advanced guard into the land over the river. They were instructed to conquer it so that the other Israelites could possess it.
This advanced guard was charged with helping the other Israelites until they were allowed to rest. After that, the men could return to their own land.
The men agreed to obey Joshua as they had once obeyed Moses. They let Joshua know that they would go wherever he sent them. They also promised to execute any man who did not obey Joshua’s orders to take up arms. The men also exhorted Joshua to stay strong.
Joshua 1 (King James Version)
1 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,
2 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.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4 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.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 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, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 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.
9 Have not I commanded thee? 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.
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11 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.
12 And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
15 Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.