Joshua 1:1-9

The Demonstration of the Faithfulness of God to His People

Be Strong and Courageous

Introduction:

Good morning my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today, we begin a new sermon series and I am very excited for what the Lord will accomplish through our study of His Word.

Historical Background:

The Book of Joshua is a historical book.

The book recalls the history of:

A. The Israelites conquest into the land of Canaan (Chapter 1-12)

B. The allotment of inheritances to the twelve tribes (Chapter 13-24)

Date: The book was written about 1425 BC.

Authorship: Many evangelical scholars ascribe the book to Joshua himself as the main author with minor additions made by Eleazar the high priest and his son Phinehas.

The purpose of the Book:

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.

To give an account of the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and to show the power of God in overcoming Israel’s enemies.

The book also highlights the importance of faith in God and the need to live by the moral standards He demands (Deut. 28)

To show that behind the physical warfare is a spiritual battle.

Joshua 1:1–3 NASB95

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

The book starts with “After the death of Moses”. This links to the last chapter of Deuteronomy (chap 34). This signals the time for renewing the conquest and to continue what God has started through Moses…to bring the people to the land that God has promised to give to them.

The root word of the english word “give” is repeated 25 times in this book.

God chose Joshua to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses (v.2). He was chosen by God to be the successor of Moses.

Who is Joshua?

A son of Nun, an Ephraimite (1 Chron 7:22–27)

Born in Egyptian bondage c. 1500 b.c

Two months after Israel’s exodus, he was appointed Moses’ commander and successfully defended an Amalekite attack (Exod 17:9).

Moses changed Hoshea’s name to Jehoshua, yehôshûaʿ, “Jehovah is salvation” (Num 13:16; 1 Chron 7:27). Joshua, later forms of which are Jeshua (yēshûaʿ, Neh 8:17)

Joshua represented Ephraim in spying out Canaan. He opposed the majority report, insisting that Israel, if faithful to God, could conquer Canaan. He almost suffered stoning for his trust in God (14:7–10).

After Moses’ death, Joshua, as the oldest man in Israel, must have been in his nineties (Caleb was eighty-five, Josh 13:1; 14:7–11).

Joshua is one of the few Old Testament leaders portrayed positively. Joshua provides an Old Testament model of what might be expected from the Messiah. the Greek name “Jesus” is equivalent to the Hebrew name “Joshua,” which means, “the Lord is salvation.”

Like Joshua, Jesus battles against forces opposed to God and those who follow Him continue in this struggle against the powers of evil. As Israel’s warrior, Joshua is a type of Christ as the Lord’s warrior.

God’s Command to Joshua

Joshua 1:2–3 NASB95

2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

I. Arise and Cross the Jordan (1:2)

The command to Joshua is, “Now therefore arise.”

Prepare yourself for the new duties and responsibilities that have come upon you.

Joshua might think that he is nowhere talented, skilled, experienced, nor anointed as Moses, but he was called by God therefore he must obey God.

He might feel inadequate for the job to lead millions of people who has no permanent residence yet.

Think of this example...

A wise, considerate, and well respected and honored father died, and the eldest son, a young man, is called to take his place, perhaps in the leadership of an organization or place of business. Then He is called to be the comforter and adviser of his widowed mother, and the example and helper of his brothers and sisters. Then he hears a voice from heaven, “Your father is dead; now therefore arise!” Prepare yourself for the duties that now is upon your shoulders; difficult they may be and beyond your strength, do not be discouraged by this; rather accept it and see it as provided and designed by God, that you may apply yourself with heart and soul to your duties, in the belief that faithfulness will be rewarded.

Do not worry about whether you are capable of doing these duties, nor comparing yourself to your Father’s qualities.

“If God has called you, He will equip you”

The work to which He calls you is not yours but His. Remember He is far more interested in its success than you can be.”

A much needed comforting Words of assurance from God to Joshua

I will be with you, I will not fail you (v5)

I will be with you wherever you go (v9)

Joshua 1:5 NASB95

5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

Joshua 1:9 NASB95

9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The same promise from Jesus to his followers.

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

II. Be Strong and Courageous (1:6-7)

Joshua 1:6–7 NASB95

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

a command repeated 4 times in v6, v7, v9, and v18

This is not a redundant command and reminder. It is a very much needed reminder that must be heard over and over again to sink in!

The River is deep (100 feet plus) and flooded (Joshua 3:15)

The Enemy nations with fully equipped armies bigger than them.

The millions of sinful people that he will lead who are not trained warriors.

"Joshua’s primary duty is not military but spiritual. Without obedience to the law, military success will not follow. God is the one who gives such victories.”

III. Meditate and Obey the Law (v8)

Joshua 1:8 NASB95

8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

The Word of God is central to their success (v8).

Their success will be contingent of their obedience to God’s Word.

“Trust and Obedience in the LORD guarantees the success, not military might nor strategies”

Proper Response:

Be Strong and Courageous because God is with you

His Holy Spirit lives in you to comfort and strengthens you.

His Word is available for you (in keeping God’s Word there is a great reward)

His Church is equipping you to be effective in your service to the Lord.

Be Strong and Courageous because you are fighting a spiritual battle and the task is not easy.

The world system is evil and immoral and rejects God.

The enemy (Satan and his minions) will try to put you down and disqualify you.

The human heart is self-gratifying and resistant to God’s will. We live in a generation that ignores God and then blames God for the chaos in their lives.

Be Strong and Courageous even if others are not.

Do not compare yourself to others and use them as standards.

Your commitment is to the Lord, your God!

Maintain focus on the goal that God has set for you (maturity and service)