Joshua 1

This is the first chapter of Joshua. The Book of Joshua is the first of the Historical Books, which follow the Pentateuch. Following Deuteronomy 34, which records the death of Moses, this chapter depicts Israel under new leadership on the eve of crossing the Jordan.

Outline

• Verses 1–9 After the death of Moses, the LORD commands Joshua to cross the Jordan into the land. He defines the land's boundaries as extending from the wilderness and Lebanon to the Euphrates, including all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun. He then promises to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. The exhortation "Be strong and of a good courage" appears three times, in verses 6, 7, and 9, and Joshua is told that if he meditates on the law day and night and observes it, he will prosper.
• Verses 10–11 Joshua commands the officers of the people to tell them to prepare provisions, announcing that within three days they will cross the Jordan.
• Verses 12–15 Joshua reminds the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of Moses' command. Their wives, children, and cattle are to remain on this side of the Jordan, while their mighty men of valor are to cross over armed before their brethren and help them. Once their brethren have also obtained rest, they may return and possess their own land.
• Verses 16–18 They pledge to follow Joshua as they followed Moses. They declare that whoever rebels against his commandment shall be put to death, and they answer, "only be strong and of a good courage."

Key Verses

• Joshua 1:5 "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" — the promise of God's presence once given to Moses now passes to Joshua.
• Joshua 1:8 "thou shalt meditate therein day and night" — meditating on and observing the law is presented as the condition for prosperity.
• Joshua 1:9 "be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee" — the chapter's central exhortation concludes with God's promise of His presence.

People and Places

• Joshua — the son of Nun and Moses' minister, who succeeds Moses as leader.
• Moses — the leader who has already died, repeatedly mentioned in this chapter as the point of reference.
• Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh — the tribes that had already received land east of the Jordan (Numbers 32).
• Jordan River — the boundary that must be crossed before entering the Promised Land.
• Lebanon, the Euphrates, and the Great Sea — mentioned as boundaries of the Promised Land. The "Great Sea" refers to the Mediterranean Sea.

Points for Reflection

• The exhortation "be strong and of a good courage" echoes Moses' words to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6–8. The image of meditating on the law day and night is often read alongside Psalm 1.
• Interpretations differ concerning the "prosperity" of verse 8. Many interpreters understand it as accomplishing one's appointed mission through obedience to the law. Others tend to read it as a promise of personal material success, a reading frequently cited in critiques of prosperity theology.
• The boundaries of the land in verse 4 are broader than the territory actually occupied in Joshua's time. For this reason, many understand these boundaries as describing the scope of the promise.
• There are also connections with the New Testament. "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" in Hebrews 13:5–6 is understood to reflect the promise of verse 5 of this chapter and of Deuteronomy 31. The "rest" of verses 13 and 15 connects with the discussion in and around Hebrews 4:9–11. Because the name Joshua is the same as "Jesus" in Greek, there is also a traditional interpretation that regards him as a type of Christ.
• The pledge of the tribes east of the Jordan is fulfilled in Joshua 22.

In the Korean Church

Joshua 1:9 is one of the most widely quoted verses in the Korean church. It is frequently used as a New Year's motto and as a sermon text for school entrance and graduation ceremonies, ordination and installation services, and commissioning services. In Sunday schools, it is taught as the starting point of the story of Joshua's appointment as leader. The phrase "Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon" in verse 3 is cited by some as a basis for so-called land-treading prayer. Some, however, question whether it is appropriate to apply the promise of the text directly to individuals or churches today.