Joshua 1

Introduction to Chapter 1

Jos_1:1-9 serves as an introduction to the history of the war, and pointedly call attention to the leading thought of the whole book - that the invasion and subjugation of Canaan were undertaken by the Israelites at God’s direct command and completed in His never-failing strength.

Jos 1:1 And it happened after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, Jehovah spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

Now - Hebrew: “and,” The statement following is thus connected with some previous one, which is assumed to be known to the reader. So Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, etc., are by the same means linked on to the books preceding them. The connection here is the closer, since the Book of Deuteronomy concludes, and the book of Joshua opens, by referring to the death of Moses. Joshua, having been already appointed and designated leader of Israel (Num_27:18-23), assumed the reins of government "after the death of Moses." The time referred to here may have been at the conclusion of the thirty days in which they mourned for Moses.

The servant of the Lord - This title is given to Moses here and Jos_1:2, as also Deuteronomy 34:5 And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, and is repeated not without cause, to reflect honor upon him, to give authority to his laws and writings, in publishing whereof he acted as God's servant, in his name. This was the official title of Moses as invested with a special mission to make known the will of God; and it conferred great honor and authority. Servant of the Lord is a title also shared by Abraham, David, and the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah. The word servant can also be used to designate the high officials of a king. At the end of Joshua’s life, he was given the title servant of the Lord.

the Lord spake unto Joshua--probably during the period of public mourning, and either by a direct revelation to the mind of Joshua, or by means of Urim and Thummim Numbers 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask for him according to the judgment of Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation. This first communication gave a pledge that the divine instructions which, according to the provisions of the theocracy, had been imparted to Moses, would be continued to the new leader, though it seems more likely that God might speak to him "mouth to mouth" (Num_12:8). The Lord would be with him as He had been with Moses (Jos_1:5); and for this reason He probably revealed His will directly to him, as He had done to Moses.

Joshua--The original name, Oshea, Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun, which had been, according to Eastern usage, changed like those of Abram and Sarai (Gen_17:5-15) into Jehoshua or Joshua (that is, "God's salvation") was significant of the services he was to render, and typified those of a greater Savior.

Moses' minister--that is, his official attendant, who, from being constantly employed in important services and early initiated into the principles of the government, would be well trained for undertaking the leadership of Israel.

Jos 1:2 My servant Moses is dead. Now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people to the land which I give to them, to the sons of Israel.

Moses my servant - The word, servant, as applied both to Moses and Joshua, is to be understood in a very peculiar sense. It signifies God’s prime minister, the person by whom he issued his orders, and by whom he accomplished all his purposes and designs. No person ever bore this title in the like sense but the Redeemer of mankind, of whom Moses and Joshua were types.

thou, and all this people: which were very numerous, six hundred thousand men or more, besides a great number of women and children, and no boats to carry them over, or pontoons to put across the river:

unto the land which I give unto them, the Lord had a right to dispose of it to the children of Israel. As this land was a type of heaven, and eternal life, which is the free gift of God through Christ, passing over the river of Jordan to it may be an emblem of the passage through death to the heavenly state; both of the death of Christ, the antitypical Joshua, who passed through it, as a surety to make satisfaction for sin, and as a forerunner to set an example, to sanctify death, to open a way into the holiest of holies, and prepare a place for his people; and of the death of the saints, which is necessary to their enjoyment of perfect rest and happiness.

now therefore arise -- Joshua's mission was that of a military leader.

Moses is dead – Moses was not allowed to enter into the promised land because of his disobedience to the Lord in Numbers 27:12-14 And the LORD said to Moses, Get up into this Mount Abarim and see the land which I have given to the sons of Israel.And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people as Aaron your brother was gathered.For you rebelled against My command in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify Me at the water before their eyes; they were the Waters of Strife in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. Once he was dead, then the Israelites could cross into the promised land.

Side note: The crossing of Jordan signaled their entrance into the land God promised them, as crossing the Red Sea marked their freedom from Egypt.

Jos 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given that to you, as I said to Moses.

This passage records his call to begin the work, and the address contains a literal repetition of the promise made to Moses Deuteronomy 11:24-25 Every place on which the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours, from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the furthest sea shall your border be. There shall no man stand before you, for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon the face of all the land that you shall tread upon, as He has said to you. Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Be strong and of a good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid of them. For the LORD your God is He who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage. For you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give it to them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And Jehovah is He who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear; nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:23 And he commanded Joshua the son of Nun, and said: Be strong and of a good courage. For you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.

The sole of your foot shalt tread upon - That is, the whole land occupied by the seven Canaanitish nations, and as far as the Euphrates on the east; for this was certainly the utmost of the grant now made to them; and all that was included in what is termed the promised land, the boundaries of which have already been defined. See Deuteronomy 34:1-4 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah that is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, to Dan,and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the furthest sea,and the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, to Zoar.And the LORD said to him, This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, I will give it to your seed. I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there. It has been supposed that these words were intended to express the ease with which they were to conquer the whole land, an instance of which occurs in the taking of Jericho. It was only their unfaithfulness to God that rendered the conquest in any case difficult.

The sole of your foot shalt tread upon - The perfect, “I have given,” refers to the counsel of God as having been formed long before, and being now about to be carried into execution. These words rest upon the promise of God in Exodus 23:30-31By little and little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and inherit the land.And I will stretch your bounds from the Red Sea even to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the river. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you, to which the words “as I said unto Moses” refer.

Jos 1:4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon - The Israelites did not possess the full extent of this grant till the days of David. See 2Sa_8:3, etc., and 2Ch_9:26.

Land of the Hittites - These are generally reputed to have been the most hardy and warlike of all the Canaanitish nations; and as they occupied the mountainous countries on the south of the land of Canaan, it is natural to suppose that they would be the most difficult to subdue. It is possible that under this one term all the other nations are included, as it is certain they are in other places under the term Amorites.

Great sea: The Mediterranean, called great in respect of the lakes in the land of Judea, such as the sea of Gennesareth, or the sea of Tiberias, and the Dead Sea, which were comparatively small lakes. The Hebrews gave the name of sea, yam, to every large collection of waters.

From the wilderness - The wilderness of Kadesh and Sin, on the border of Edom; in the southeast corner, see Num_34:3,

This Lebanon - Emphatically, as being the most eminent mountain in Syria, and the northern border of the land: or this which is within thy view.

The boundaries of the land are given as in Deuteronomy 11:24 Every place on which the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours, from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the furthest sea shall your border be. with the simple difference in form, that the boundary line from the desert (of Arabia) and Lebanon, i.e., from the southern and northern extremity, is drawn first of all towards the east to the great river, the Euphrates, and then towards the west to “the great sea, toward the going down of the sun,” i.e., the Mediterranean; and then between these two points the more precise definition is inserted, “all the land of the Hittites;” whereas in Deuteronomy the southern, northern, and eastern boundaries are placed in antithesis to the western boundary, and the more precise definition of the country to be taken is given by an enumeration of the different tribes that were to be destroyed by the Israelites.

This promise was not fulfilled until the reigns of David and Solomon (see 1 Kings 4:21, 24) and then later in the time of Uzziah and Jeroboam.

Jos 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

There shall not any man be able to stand - What is promised to the people in common, Deuteronomy 11:25 There shall no man stand before you, for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon the face of all the land that you shall tread upon, as He has said to you; is here particularly promised to Joshua their general.

As He promises to be with Joshua, He also gives conditions in verses 6-9. When Israel doesn’t adhere to those conditions, they fail.

I will never leave you nor forsake you – stated twice for emphasis, as seen not only in this chapter, but elsewhere in the bible.

Jos 1:6 Be strong and of good courage. For you shall divide for an inheritance to this people, the land which I swore to their fathers, to give it to them.

Be strong, and of good courage - The same exhortation Moses gave him, Deuteronomy 31:7 And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage. For you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give it to them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.

Notice that be strong and courageous is repeated three times in verses 6-9 and again in the people's reply to Joshua in verse 18.

Jos 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous so that you may be careful to do according to all the Law which My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may act wisely wherever you go.

to the right or to the left - no deviation would be permitted.

Jos 1:8 This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it by day and by night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall act wisely.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth - The law which had already been written by Moses, and from which he and the people were to take all those precepts by which their lives were to be governed. Psalm 1 expresses this well and shows why Joshua and all should meditate on the Law. Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is only in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivulets of water that brings forth its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf shall not wither, and all which he does shall be blessed.

from your mouth - the custom of muttering while studying or reflecting. The Hebrew word hagah literally means mutter.

Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go.

Jos 1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people saying,

Officers - The scribes.

Commanded the officers - shoterim. These were different from the shophetim, who were judges among the people, and whose business it was to determine in all civil cases. The shoterim have been supposed to be subordinate officers, whose business it was to see the decisions of the shophetim carried into effect. Deuteronomy 16:18 You shall appoint judges and officers for yourself in all your gates which the LORD your God gives you, tribe by tribe. And they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.The same word is used in Deu_16:18; where it seems to design such officers that attended on the judges, and executed their orders.

Jos 1:11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare food for yourselves, for within three days you are crossing over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Jehovah your God is giving you to possess it.

Prepare you victuals - this must be understood of other sorts of food besides bread; for they had manna which fell about their tents every morning, so that they were sufficiently provided with that always, and which did not cease until they had entered the land, even until the sixteenth of Nisan, Joshua 5:12 And the manna stopped on the next day after they had eaten the old grain of the land. And there was no more manna to the sons of Israel, but they ate the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. Exodus 16:35 And the sons of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to a land in which people lived. They ate manna until they came into the borders of the land of Canaan. For although Manna was given them to supply their want of ordinary provisions in the wilderness; yet they were allowed, when they had opportunity, to purchase other provisions, and did so, Deuteronomy 2:6 You shall buy food from them for silver, so that you may eat. And you shall also buy water from them for silver, so that you may drink, and Deu_2:28. The order was possibly given with the knowledge that the manna would cease when they crossed the Jordan.

Prepare you victuals - tsedah, such prey or provisions as they had taken from the conquered countries, such as corn, oxen, sheep, etc.; for the word signifies prey, or what is taken by hunting, etc.

It is the view of the majority of commentators - Jewish and Christian, ancient and modern - that the “three days” here named are identical with those of Jos_3:2; and that the command of Joshua in the text was not in fact given until after the return of the spies. Here, as elsewhere in the Hebrew historical books and frequently in the Gospels, the order of time is superseded by the order of thought. For the purpose of the writer was not historical merely; it was, on the contrary, mainly religious and theoretical. Intending, then, to exhibit God as accomplishing His promises to the covenant-people, he begins by informing us that God gave the word and set Joshua and the host actually in motion to take possession of their inheritance. Having placed this leading fact in the forefront, he returns to mention in Josh. 2 certain transactions closely relevant to the early stages of Joshua’s conquests, but which had in fact happened before the camp was removed from the plains of Moab and immediately after the expiration of the thirty days’ mourning for Moses. The order of events was probably the following - 3rd Nisan, the spies are sent out Jos_2:1; 6th, the spies return Jos_2:23; 7th, the camp is removed from Shittim to the bank of Jordan Jos_3:1, and the command Jos_1:11 is issued; 10th, the river is crossed Jos_4:19.

Jos 1:12 And Joshua spoke to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half tribe of Manasseh, saying:

The 2 and a half tribes that were outside of the natural boundaries and on the other side of the Jordan River from the rest of Israel end up suffering from this isolation later. Joshua makes it plain though, that these tribes participated in the conquest of the promised land.

Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you saying, Jehovah your God has given you rest and has given you this land.

Remember the word - He puts the Reubenites, etc., in remembrance of the engagements they had made with Moses when he granted them their portion on the east side of Jordan. (See Numbers 32) Numbers 32:29 And Moses said to them, If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben will go with you over Jordan, each armed to battle before Jehovah, and the land shall be humbled before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession. and to which they had solemnly agreed; and, now the time was come to put it into execution, Joshua reminds them of it. See also Deuteronomy 3:18-20.

Rest - an important concept in the Old Testament and in the New Testament where in Heb 4:1-11it is shown as a type depiction of spiritual salvation. Hebrews 4:1-11 not afterward have spoken of another day. So then there remains Therefore, a promise being left to enter into His rest, let us fear lest any of you should seem to come short of it. For also we have had the gospel preached, as well as them. But the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter into the rest, as He said, "I have sworn in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He spoke in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested the seventh day from all His works." And in this place again, "They shall not enter into My rest." Since then it remains that some must enter into it, and since they to whom it was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief, He again marks out a certain day, saying in David, "Today," (after so long a time). Even as it is said, "Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, then He woulda rest to the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.

Jos 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan. But you shall go armed before your brothers, all the mighty men of valor, and help them

Your wives, your little ones - This was what they themselves proposed, agreed unto, and confirmed. Numbers 32:16-19 And they came near to him and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones, but we ourselves will go ready armed before the sons of Israel until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fenced cities because of those who live in the land. We will not return to our houses until the sons of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of Jordan, or forward, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of Jordan, eastward. And with these it appears, from Numbers 26:7, 18, 34 that these tribes had as many as 110,000 men capable of bearing arms of which some were left behind to guard their families and property; only 40,000 having passed over Jordan to assist the nine tribes and half to conquer the land. Joshua 4:12-13 And the sons of Reuben, and the sons of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed in front of the sons of Israel, as Moses spoke to them; about forty thousand armed men of the army passed over before Jehovah to battle, to the plains of Jericho.

Armed - chamushim, by fives; in several lines, five in front, probably the usual method of marching; but it seems to signify arrayed, equipped, accoutred, well-armed, and ready for battle.

Men of valour - All such were obliged to go over if occasion required it, but Joshua took only some of them, because they were sufficient for his purpose, and because some were fit to be left, both to secure their own wives, children, and possessions, and to prevent their enemies on that side from giving them disturbance in their enterprise upon Canaan.

Jos 1:15 until Jehovah has given your brothers rest, even as you, and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your God gives them; and you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses Jehovah's servant gave you on this side Jordan, towards the sunrise.

Toward the sun-rising - This is the East, as toward the going down of the sun signifies the West.

Jos 1:16 And they answered Joshua, saying: We will do all that you command us, and wherever you send us we will go.

And they answered - Not the two tribes and an half only, but the officers of all the people, in their name, concurring with the divine appointment, by which Joshua was set over them

Jos 1:17 Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so we will listen to you. Only may Jehovah your God be with you as He was with Moses.

only the Lord thy God be with thee, which is not mentioned as a condition of their obedience to him, but rather as a reason of it, and as an encouraging motive to it. Some have taken this to mean that they will follow Joshua as long as there is evidence that he is led by the Lord.

Jos 1:18 Whoever rebels against your command and will not listen to your words in all that you command him, he shall be put to death. Only be strong and of a good courage.

This happened in chapter 7.