Joshua 1
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Joshua 1:1:
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, |
After the death of Moses — Either immediately after it, or when the days of mourning for Moses were expired. Joshua was appointed and declared Moses's successor in the government before this time; and here he receives confirmation from God therein.
The servant of the Lord — This title is given to Moses here and Joshua 1:2, as also Deuteronomy 34:5, and is repeated not without cause, to reflect honour upon him, to give authority to his laws and writings, in publishing whereof he acted as God's servant, in his name: and that the Israelites might not think of Moses above what was meet, remembering that he was not the Lord himself, but only the Lord's servant; and therefore not to be too pertinaciously followed in all his institutions when the Lord himself should come and abolish part of the Mosaical dispensation; it being but reasonable that he who was only a servant in God's house, should give place to him who was the son, and heir, and Lord of it. The Lord spake — Either in a dream or vision, or by Urim, Numbers 27:21. Moses's minister — Who had waited upon Moses in his great employments, and thereby been privy to his manner of government, and so prepared for it. --John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes 
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Joshua 1:2-4:
“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. |
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Joshua 1: 5:
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. |
God is not in the business of dropping you in the middle of a project He has given you. God is not in the business of deserting people when we get in trouble, if we are honestly endeavoring to do His will. God does close doors. The promise of His power and presence does not preclude occasional disaster and frequent tribulation. Our faith will be tested and we may go through great suffering. Gods power will be with us through the good times and the bad times. His presence will continually sustain us.
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John Wesley
Joshua 1: 5: No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
All scripture is the Word of God and Joshua was an example of a godly man who both believed God’s word and acted upon it. Joshua knew the value of hearing God’s Word and meditating upon it. He knew that neglecting the Word of the Lord was a recipe for disaster and like Mary of Bethany he learned the one thing that was needful – to listen to the voice of the Lord and to meditate upon all that He has said day and night – and like them we too need to ponder it in our hearts, and talk about it to other believers. Like Joshua we would be wise to take heed to God’s word – to recite His word in our heart and to keep the truth of His Word forever on our out lips and in our hearts – and to observe all that God has written to us in our lives – for then we will prosper and succeed in whatsoever we do – to our benefit and to His glory. Sometimes we misunderstand what it means, “to succeed” or “to prosper”, which has given rise to a prosperity teaching, which places the emphasis temporal, worldly prosperity rather than eternal spiritual wealth. God may choose to bestow worldly wealth on His children or He may permit the alternative – but the good’s and chattel of this world are passing away, and like Paul we need to be content in all things… but what is important is to know the Word of God – to trust the Word of God and to apply the Word of God in Knowing Jesus every circumstance of life – knowing that to do so will lead to a success in the Christian life – for all things work together for good to those that love the Lord and trust His Word. We should read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Word of the Lord. We should study God’s Book of instruction – particularly those passages that relate specifically to the Church – and we should continually feed on His Word in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving. We should meditate on His word, memorize His Word, trust His Word and love His Word – And we should be sure to obey His Word and apply His Word in our daily lives – for in so doing we will certainly prosper and succeed in all we do – to His praise and glory.
This word to Joshua is often quoted; it is the basis of that New Testament word “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Beloved, a life of warfare is before us, but the Lord of Hosts is with us. Are we called to lead a great but fickle people? This promise guarantees us all the wisdom and prudence that we shall need. Have we to contend with cunning and powerful enemies? Here is strength and valor, prowess and victory. Have we a vast heritage to win? By this sign we shall achieve our purpose; the Lord Himself is with us.
It would be woe to us indeed if Jehovah could fail us; but, as this can never be, the winds of disquietude are laid to sleep in the caverns of divine faithfulness. On no one occasion will the Lord desert us. Happen what may, He will be at our side. Friends drop from us, their help is but an April shower; but God is faithful, Jesus is the same forever, and the Holy Spirit abideth in us.
Come, my heart, be calm and hopeful today. Clouds may gather, but the Lord can blow them away. Since God will not fail me, my faith shall not fail; and as He will not forsake me, neither will I forsake Him. Oh, for a restful faith!
--Charles Spurgeon
All scripture is the Word of God and Joshua was an example of a godly man who both believed God’s word and acted upon it. Joshua knew the value of hearing God’s Word and meditating upon it. He knew that neglecting the Word of the Lord was a recipe for disaster and like Mary of Bethany he learned the one thing that was needful – to listen to the voice of the Lord and to meditate upon all that He has said day and night – and like them we too need to ponder it in our hearts, and talk about it to other believers. Like Joshua we would be wise to take heed to God’s word – to recite His word in our heart and to keep the truth of His Word forever on our out lips and in our hearts – and to observe all that God has written to us in our lives – for then we will prosper and succeed in whatsoever we do – to our benefit and to His glory. Sometimes we misunderstand what it means, “to succeed” or “to prosper”, which has given rise to a prosperity teaching, which places the emphasis temporal, worldly prosperity rather than eternal spiritual wealth. God may choose to bestow worldly wealth on His children or He may permit the alternative – but the good’s and chattel of this world are passing away, and like Paul we need to be content in all things… but what is important is to know the Word of God – to trust the Word of God and to apply the Word of God in Knowing Jesus every circumstance of life – knowing that to do so will lead to a success in the Christian life – for all things work together for good to those that love the Lord and trust His Word. We should read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Word of the Lord. We should study God’s Book of instruction – particularly those passages that relate specifically to the Church – and we should continually feed on His Word in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving. We should meditate on His word, memorize His Word, trust His Word and love His Word – And we should be sure to obey His Word and apply His Word in our daily lives – for in so doing we will certainly prosper and succeed in all we do – to His praise and glory.
This word to Joshua is often quoted; it is the basis of that New Testament word “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Beloved, a life of warfare is before us, but the Lord of Hosts is with us. Are we called to lead a great but fickle people? This promise guarantees us all the wisdom and prudence that we shall need. Have we to contend with cunning and powerful enemies? Here is strength and valor, prowess and victory. Have we a vast heritage to win? By this sign we shall achieve our purpose; the Lord Himself is with us.
It would be woe to us indeed if Jehovah could fail us; but, as this can never be, the winds of disquietude are laid to sleep in the caverns of divine faithfulness. On no one occasion will the Lord desert us. Happen what may, He will be at our side. Friends drop from us, their help is but an April shower; but God is faithful, Jesus is the same forever, and the Holy Spirit abideth in us.
Come, my heart, be calm and hopeful today. Clouds may gather, but the Lord can blow them away. Since God will not fail me, my faith shall not fail; and as He will not forsake me, neither will I forsake Him. Oh, for a restful faith!
--Charles Spurgeon
Mar 1, 2022: Relevant Magazine: What God Wants You to Know When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Iwill not leave you or forsake you.”
This promise found in Joshua 1:5 is given numerous times in Scripture. Every time one of God’s children or the whole community of God’s children faced something hard, new, difficult, or overwhelming, God greeted them with this promise. He never called them to a task, sent them to a destination, or led them into difficulty and then abandoned them. No matter how hard the situation or inadequate their response, God was with them and for them. The declaration that he would never leave them is a significant reminder and protection for everyone who suffers.
Iwill not leave you or forsake you.”
This promise found in Joshua 1:5 is given numerous times in Scripture. Every time one of God’s children or the whole community of God’s children faced something hard, new, difficult, or overwhelming, God greeted them with this promise. He never called them to a task, sent them to a destination, or led them into difficulty and then abandoned them. No matter how hard the situation or inadequate their response, God was with them and for them. The declaration that he would never leave them is a significant reminder and protection for everyone who suffers.
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Joshua 1:6-7:
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. |
When you can trust that God is in control, then you can obey him as he leads you through life’s battles. When Joshua led the children of Israel against Jericho, he had only the first five books of the Bible to tell him about God’s power. The rest of God’s story was yet to be written. -Focus On God
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Joshua 1: 8:
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. |
Our tendency is to interpret this into narcissistic terms. God is interested in much bigger things than that. God doesn't function in cosmetic terms. He's not in the business of tummy tucks and nose jobs or of making life easy. He's in the business of transforming us into His image. He's in the business of helping us to serve Him, meeting the deepest needs of others who hurt, who are in pain, who need deliverance from sin, who need their bodies healed and their minds restored. This is success and prosperity.
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Knowledge brings us to the door of truth, but meditation opens the door to the house and takes us into all its rooms. This is the way to enter into the secret places of the things of God. William Bridge, The Sweetness of Divine Meditation, (Crossville, TN: Puritan Publications, 2021)
| All scripture is the Word of God and Joshua was an example of a godly man who both believed God’s word and acted upon it. Joshua knew the value of hearing God’s Word and meditating upon it. He knew that neglecting the Word of the Lord was a recipe for disaster and like Mary of Bethany he learned the one thing that was needful – to listen to the voice of the Lord and to meditate upon all that He has said day and night – and like them we too need to ponder it in our hearts, and talk about it to other believers. Like Joshua we would be wise to take heed to God’s word – to recite His word in our heart and to keep the truth of His Word forever on our out lips and in our hearts – and to observe all that God has written to us in our lives – for then we will prosper and succeed in whatsoever we do – to our benefit and to His glory. Sometimes we misunderstand what it means, “to succeed” or “to prosper”, which has given rise to a prosperity teaching, which places the emphasis temporal, worldly prosperity rather than eternal spiritual wealth. God may choose to bestow worldly wealth on His children or He may permit the alternative – but the good’s and chattel of this world are passing away, and like Paul we need to be content in all things… but what is important is to know the Word of God – to trust the Word of God and to apply the Word of God in Knowing Jesus every circumstance of life – knowing that to do so will lead to a success in the Christian life – for all things work together for good to those that love the Lord and trust His Word. We should read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Word of the Lord. We should study God’s Book of instruction – particularly those passages that relate specifically to the Church – and we should continually feed on His Word in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving. We should meditate on His word, memorize His Word, trust His Word and love His Word – And we should be sure to obey His Word and apply His Word in our daily lives – for in so doing we will certainly prosper and succeed in all we do – to His praise and glory.
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Out of thy mouth — That is, thou shalt constantly read it, and upon occasion discourse of it, and the sentence which shall come out of thy mouth, shall in all things be given according to this rule.
Day and night — That is, diligently study, and upon all occasions consider what is God's will and thy duty. The greatness of thy place and employments shall not hinder thee from this work, because this is the only rule of all thy private actions, and publick administrations. --John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Day and night — That is, diligently study, and upon all occasions consider what is God's will and thy duty. The greatness of thy place and employments shall not hinder thee from this work, because this is the only rule of all thy private actions, and publick administrations. --John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
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Joshua 1:9:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. |
Anxiety is undefined fear and cause a conflict with victory in your life. Anxiety invites defeat and can paralyze faith. |
Charles Simeon
"Be not afraid, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go," said the Lord to Joshua; and He says the same to us, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world! Matthew 28:20." Now, imagine a soldier with his commander and his prince always at his side; would he not be stirred up by that to acts of valor, which, in the absence of such a stimulus, he would be unable to put forth? Know, then, that your God is ever with you; and with you, not only as a Witness of your actions, but as a Helper, to strengthen you, to uphold you, to combat with you. What encouragement can you desire beyond this? Hear his own words, addressed to every soldier in his army, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness! Isaiah 41:10."
What does it matter, then, how many there may be against you? If they were as numerous as the sands upon the sea-shore, you may boldly say, "There are more with you than with them." In fact, "If God is for you, who can be against you?" They may assault you, and boast of their triumphs; but they can do nothing, but in accordance with his will, and in subserviency to his designs. --Charles Simeon
What does it matter, then, how many there may be against you? If they were as numerous as the sands upon the sea-shore, you may boldly say, "There are more with you than with them." In fact, "If God is for you, who can be against you?" They may assault you, and boast of their triumphs; but they can do nothing, but in accordance with his will, and in subserviency to his designs. --Charles Simeon