Ob and In:
1. The tough war was back up by all surrounding promise
v. 3 I am handing over to you every place you (NET, plural) set foot, as I promised Moses
v.5 No one will be able to resist you (NET, singular) all the days of your life
(BKC) From personal observation Joshua knew that the Canaanites and others were vigorous people who lived in strongly fortified cities (cf. Num. 13:28–29). Frequent battles kept their warriors in trim fighting condition. And for the most part the land was mountainous, a fact that would make war maneuvers most difficult. But when God gives a command He often accompanies it with a promise, so He assured Joshua a lifetime of continuous victory over his enemies, based on His unfailing presence and help.
Why did God give Joshua this 3 dimensional promise of success? Why did he need this encouragement? What is the relationship between the promise and the possession of the promise?
Reflection: With his personal experience, Joshua knew how hard the wars ahead of him would be. Therefore, God gave him the 3 dimensional promise, namely, every place and all the the days of your life. What a blessing to have these success. However, the success would not come without they set foot in the land. Pray that God would give me the brevity and strength.
2. The frequent mentioning of Moses, the legitimate successor was Joshua
(EBC) Moses’ death separates the Book of Joshua from the Pentateuch, for, obviously, Moses’ leadership had ended. A close relationship to the Pentateuch, however, is maintained because everything Joshua accomplished was the fulfillment of what God had begun with Moses. Observe the many links between Moses and Joshua in this chapter alone (vv.1, 3, 5, 7–8, 13–15, 17).
3. The command to Joshua balance with the promise to him and to Israel
Commands: v.2b Get ready! Cross the Jordan River. Lead these people into the land
(BKC) Though the land was God’s gift to Israel, it could be won only by hard fighting. The Lord gave them title to the territory but they had to possess it by marching on every part
Promises: v.3 I am handing over to you; v.5 As I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone
(EBC) The secret of Moses’ success had been God’s presence with him. It would be the secret of Joshua’s success also, and it continues to be the secret of success for the church (cf. Matt 28:19–20).
Reflection: God's commands to us are never lack of His backing up with His promise. Yes, we need to fight to claim the promise, and we need brevity, but where do our brevity come? The Crossing of the Jordan was not alone. Where do my courage to continue in ministry come from? Who will protect me? Are they not promised by the LORD? Without the LORD I can complain that I have no courage or no strength, but with Him, I have no excuse. Also, Him alone is sufficient. Any thing or any one else is extra.
I appreciate the gifts the kids gave me, the kindness they treated me, the meals that the adults brothers and sisters treated me. Pray that I can feel sufficient just with the LORD.
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