Joshua Chapter 1

At a Glance

  • Joshua 1 marks a pivotal transition: Moses is dead, and the LORD commissions Joshua to lead Israel into the land.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Placed at the genesis of the conquest narrative, Joshua 1 serves as the prologue to the Israelites’ entry into Canaan.
  • - Courage through Covenant: God’s presence guarantees fearless leadership and mission.
  • - Law as Compass for Action: The book’s central exhortation: keep the Law and prosper.

JOSHUA CHAPTER 1

Chapter Overview

Joshua 1 marks a pivotal transition: Moses is dead, and the LORD commissions Joshua to lead Israel into the land. The chapter is saturated with exhortation, promise, and practical leadership directives. God repeats the core assurance: He will be with Joshua as He was with Moses, a theological claim that anchors Joshua’s courage. The famous command to be strong and courageous frames the chapter (and the entire conquest narrative): obedience to the Law, not deviating to the right or left, and meditating on it day and night to prosper. Joshua receives explicit instructions to prepare the people, assign leaders, and ready them for the crossing of the Jordan. The section on the allotment of tribal land—“Remembere…” (line truncated in excerpt) likely directs practical governance and national organization. The overarching cadence is: presence of God, call to courage, obedience to the Torah, and strategic preparation for entering the land. The chapter ends with Joshua’s first official act: he commands the officers to mobilize, set the agenda for crossing, and designate returners from the tribes who will lead the people into possession of their inheritance.

Historical & Literary Context

Placed at the genesis of the conquest narrative, Joshua 1 serves as the prologue to the Israelites’ entry into Canaan. The genre blends prophetic commissioning, legal exhortation, and military-political instructions, all under the banner of covenant faithfulness. The Deuteronomistic lens emphasizes obedience to the law as the means of prosperity and success in land. The chapter echoes Moses’ blessing and the earlier divine assurances, translating them into a concrete plan of action: be courageous, keep the law, and cross the Jordan. The rhetoric of “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you” situates Joshua within a lineage of God’s faithful leadership, legitimizing his authority. The chapter thus functions as both a transition and a theological program: trust in God, adhere to the law, and advance in obedience to fulfill the promises. It sets the tone for the dramatic events of the following chapters—centralized worship, military campaigns, and the distribution of land.

Key Themes

- Courage through Covenant: God’s presence guarantees fearless leadership and mission.

- Law as Compass for Action: The book’s central exhortation: keep the Law and prosper.

- Divine Assurance in Transition: God’s promise to be with Joshua echoes His faithfulness to Moses.

- Preparation and Community Mobilization: Leadership requires organization, discernment, and readiness.

- Land as Inheritance and Call: Entering the land ties obedience to national identity and future prosperity.

Modern Application

Joshua 1 offers a template for leadership in transition in contemporary life: when stepping into new roles, believers should anchor themselves in God’s presence and promises. The call to courage invites believers to face daunting tasks—whether starting new ministries, guiding a church through change, or managing personal transitions—with prayerful reliance on God. The insistence on Scripture-readiness—meditating on the Law—speaks to the contemporary need for biblically informed decision-making. The chapter also models responsible planning and delegation: Joshua’s commissioning of officers and mobilization of the people shows the value of practical leadership and communal participation in mission. Finally, it reframes success not as conquest alone but as fidelity to God’s word and purposes in a new chapter of life.

- Exodus 3-4 (God’s call of Joshua’s predecessor as a foreshadow)

- Deuteronomy 31 (Moses’ transition and commissioning)

- Joshua 3-4 (Crossing the Jordan)

- Psalm 1 (Blessing for those who delight in the law)

Recommended Personas

- Moses (for hinge moments of leadership transition)

- Joshua (for immediate, practical leadership and courage)

- Jesus (for faithful courage in the face of mission and the ultimate invasion of the land—the Kingdom)

Chapter Text

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,

2

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

3

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

4

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

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.

10

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11

Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

12

And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,

13

Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.

14

Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;

15

Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

16

And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.

17

According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

18

Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Joshua Chapter 1 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

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