1. Context: (BKC) The purpose of the Book of Joshua is to give an official account of the historical fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to the patriarchs to give Israel the land of Canaan by holy war...That the nation was later dispossessed reflects not on the character of God but on the fickleness of a people who took divine blessings for granted, fell into the worship of their neighbors’ gods, and therefore came under the chastisement God had warned them about (cf. Deut. 28:15–68). But Israel must possess the land forever according to the promise, something that awaits the return of Messiah and the redemption of Israel. According to the Prophet Isaiah, the Messiah will be a “second Joshua,” who will “restore the land and … reassign its desolate inheritances” (Isa. 49:8).
I. The Invasion of Canaan (1:1–5:12)
A. The commissioning of Joshua (chap. 1)
1. Joshua’s listening to the Lord (1:1–9)
1:9 The third call to courage addressed to Joshua was based on the promise of God’s presence
2. Repeated words: strong, brave, vs afraid and panic
That means, Joshua was afraid and panic and the LORD told him not to be like that. And it also means that Joshua was facing some very difficult times. The difficulties may be still there, and we may not do anything about that, but our inner responses are our choices. How to change our inner response is in the 2nd half of v.9
3. The promise
for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do.” (NET-Heb “in all which you go.”)
The name, the LORD, was given to Moses right before they made the covenant (Exo 3:14). Moses was afraid to take up the task and God promised him with the same promise (Exo 3:12). (Other examples of God be with the person are Abraham, Jacob Gen 21:22, 26:3, 28:15; Israel Isa 41:10, the disciples Mt 28:20, those who keep themselves from the love of money Heb 13:5). God had shown Himself to be faithful to His covenant. Joshua as well as us, should took His words by faith.
Reflection: I thank God that He knows my thoughts and trouble hearts. With all my struggles, difficulties I was restless lately. He chooses to talk to me with this verse this morning. His promise is there, but if I dont have faith, my inner feelings (afraid, panic) will not change (to be strong and brave). I was just looking forward for the days of no trouble or everything just get done smoothly. When there is no such option, or God does not think those options are good to me I need to face it with faith.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition). Thomas Nelson.
Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition, Jos 1:9). Thomas Nelson.
Campbell, D. K. (1985). Joshua. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 326). Victor Books.
Campbell, D. K. (1985). Joshua. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 326). Victor Books.
Campbell, D. K. (1985). Joshua. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 326). Victor Books.
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