January 6 Joshua 1-5
The book of Joshua is the first of the 12 historical books of the Bible. It records the Lord leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. The name Joshua means “the Lord is salvation” or “Jehovah saves.” Interestingly, the name Joshua corresponds with the name “Jesus.”
Reading the first 5 chapters of Joshua covers a lot of ground. I want to focus on the call of Joshua in chapter one.
Joshua 1:1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as 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 territory. 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 leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua was born as a slave in Egypt, he was trained by Moses and chosen by God to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua was one of the twelve spies Moses sent to scout the land of Canaan (Numbers 13). Along with Caleb, he was one of the only two spies who came back with a positive, faith-filled report, encouraging Israel to trust God and take possession of the land.
Because of their faith and obedience, Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land. The rest of the Israelites died in the wilderness because of their unbelief (Numbers 14:29-30). That’s another lesson for another day.
God chose Joshua to succeed Moses as leader of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:1-9). It is clear that Joshua’s selection wasn’t random. God chose him because of his proven faithfulness, courage, and loyalty to God. He is an example of how God uses those who are fully devoted to Him.
God assured Joshua of success because of His divine power and presence. God promised, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” v5. God makes the same promise to believers today. In Hebrews 13:5, God promises us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” When Jesus gave the Great Commission He said, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). God never sends us out alone. He is with us wherever we go.
God charged Joshua to “be strong and courageous.” Strength does not come from self-confidence, but from confidence in God’s power and calling. Success is always tied to obedience. In verse 8, God told Joshua: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Courage and obedience would bring success.
We should read and study God’s Word every day. God’s Word should not depart from our mouths. We should meditate on it day and night. I’ve found that true prosperity and success are rooted in God’s Word, not in worldly ideas or strategy. We can trust God and take Him at His Word. We can trust that God is always with us.