COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF JOSHUA CHAPTER S 1-4.
Israel prepare to enter the land of Canaan, and experience the
miraculous power of YHWH in opening up the River Jordan so that they
can pass over. Meanwhile two military scouts have reconnoitred
Jericho, being saved from capture by a prostitute innkee... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF JOSHUA CHAPTER S 1-4.
Israel prepare to enter the land of Canaan, and experience the
miraculous power of YHWH in opening up the River Jordan so that they
can pass over. Meanwhile two military scouts have reconnoitred
Jericho, being saved from capture by a prostitute innkee... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Moses, my servant is dead, now therefore arise, go over this
Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I give to them,
to the children of Israel.”
Because of Moses' prior disobedience God had said that Moses would not
be allowed even to enter the land of Canaan (Numbers 20:12; Numbers
2... [ Continue Reading ]
“Every place that the sole of your feet shall tread on, to you I
have given it, as I said to Moses.”
The land was to be theirs, but it had to be possessed. Step by step
they would receive it as they went forward by faith in YHWH. Sometimes
it would be two steps forward and one step back, but always... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even to the great river,
the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great
Sea toward the going down of the sun (the west), shall be your
border.'
The land was strictly defined. The wilderness is that which they came
through on their way fr... [ Continue Reading ]
“There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of
your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you, I will not fail
you, nor forsake you.”
God's promise to Joshua was that he would triumph wherever he went,
not necessarily always immediately, but always in the end. Furthermo... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Be strong, and of good courage, for you will cause this people to
inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
Joshua was to be ‘strong', the word often indicates strength of
hand. But his hand was to be strong because his spirit was strong.
‘Of good courage.' This word also ind... [ Continue Reading ]
“ 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 have good
success wherever you go.”
Here the strength and courage is related to the keeping of God's
In... [ Continue Reading ]
“ 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.”
The idea here is of learning by heart and then co... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Have not I commanded you? Be strong, and of a good courage. Do not
be afraid, nor be dismayed, for YHWH your God is with you wherever you
go.”
God had pointed to the land he was to possess (Joshua 1:2), He had
pointed to the enemy (Joshua 1:5), He had pointed to the purpose
(Joshua 1:6), He had p... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying “Pass
through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying,
‘Prepare victuals, for in three days you are to pass over this
Jordan, to go in to possess the land which YHWH your God gives you to
possess it.' ” '
The officers (shoterim)... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe
of Manasseh, Joshua spoke saying.'
These were the tribes who had requested permission to stay in
Transjordan and settle there. Moses had agreed, after much
heartsearching lest it displease God, on condition that they assisted
in the... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Remember the word which Moses, the servant of YHWH, commanded you,
saying, ‘YHWH your God gives you rest and will give you this land.'
”
Joshua reminded them of their promise made. They had been given their
‘rest', no longer journeying, no longer always on the move. They
could build their homes a... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the
land which Moses has given you in Beyond Jordan, but you shall pass
over before your brothers, armed, all the mighty men of valour, and
shall help them.”
This was what they had themselves proposed. The ‘all' was not
necessarily to... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Until YHWH has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and
they also have possessed the land which YHWH your God gives them, then
you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which
Moses, the servant of YHWH, gave you in Beyond Jordan, toward the
sunrising.”
God's intent... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded
us we will do, and wherever you send us, we will go.”
Their response was excellent. They solemnly swore to put themselves
under Joshua's command to do whatever he demanded of them, until he
was ready to release them. These are the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
“ In the same way as we have obeyed Moses in all things, so will we
obey you. Only Yahweh your God be with you, as He was with Moses.”
This was rather a rosy view of the relationship that they had had with
Moses. They had not always been quite so responsive. But in general it
was true. It would of... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Whoever he be who will rebel against your commandment, and will
not listen to your words in all that you command him, he shall be put
to death: only be strong, and of a good courage.”
Their covenant was solemn for the penalty for breaking it was death.
They agreed that disobedience to Joshua, whe... [ Continue Reading ]