Joshua 1

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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, 1:2 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.
1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
1:4 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.
1:5 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.
1:6 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.
1:7 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 withersoever thou goest.
1:8 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.
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.
1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 1:11 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.
1:12 And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, 1:13 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.
1:14 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; 1:15 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.
1:16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
1:17 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.
1:18 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.


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Everything King James Bible:Joshua

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Joshua
Book: Joshua
Chapter: 1

Overview:
The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses. (1-4) God promises
to assist Joshua. (5-9) Preparation to pass over Jordan. (10-15)
The people promise to obey Joshua. (16-18)

1-4 Joshua had attended upon Moses. He who was called to
honour, had been long used to business. Our Lord Jesus took upon
him the form of a servant. Joshua was trained up under command.
Those are fittest to rule, who have learned to obey. The removal
of useful men should quicken survivors to be the more diligent
in doing good. Arise, go over Jordan. At this place and at this
time the banks were overflowed. Joshua had No bridge or boats,
and yet he must believe that God, having ordered the people
over, would open a way.

5-9 Joshua is to make the Law of God his rule. He is charged to
meditate therein Day and night, that he might understand it.
Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not
neglect the one thing needful. All his orders to the people, and
his judgments, must be according to the Law of God. Joshua must
himself be under command; No Man's dignity or dominion sets him
above the Law of God. He is to encourage himself with the
promise and presence of God. Let not the sense of thine own
infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient. I have
commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be
sure to Bear thee out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we
have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as
Joshua here, was borne up under his sufferings By a regard to
the will of God, and the commandment from his Father.

10-15 Joshua says to the people, Ye shall pass over Jordan, and
shall possess the land; because God had said So to him. We
honour the Truth of God, when we stagger not at the promise of
God. The two tribes and a half were to go over Jordan with their
brethren. When God, By his Providence, has given us Rest, we
ought to consider what service we may do to our brethren.

16-18 The people of Israel engage to obey Joshua; All that thou
commandest us to do we will readily do, without Murmuring or
disputing, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go. The
best we can ask of God for our magistrates, is, that they may
have the presence of God; that will make them blessings to us,
So that in seeking this for them, we consult our own interest.
May we be enabled to enlist under the Banner of the Captain of
our Salvation, to be obedient to his commands, and to fight the
good fight of Faith, with all that trust in and Love his name,
against all who oppose his authority; for whoever refuses to
obey him must be destroyed.