Joshua is commissioned to lead Israel

1:1 After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready! Cross the Jordan River! Lead these people into the land which I am ready to hand over to them. 1:3 I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses. 1:4 Your territory will extend from the wilderness in the south to Lebanon in the north. It will extend all the way to the great River Euphrates in the east (including all of Syria) and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 1:5 No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone. 1:6 Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them. 1:7 Make sure you are very strong and brave! Carefully obey all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep! Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do. 1:8 This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. 1:9 I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” 1:10 Joshua instructed the leaders of the people: 1:11 “Go through the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your supplies, for within three days you will cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to you.’” 1:12 Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh: 1:13 “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you. The Lord your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you. 1:14 Your wives, children and cattle may stay in the land that Moses assigned to you east of the Jordan River. But all you warriors must cross over armed for battle ahead of your brothers. You must help them 1:15 until the Lord gives your brothers a place like yours to settle and they conquer the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to them. Then you may go back to your allotted land and occupy the land Moses the Lord’s servant assigned you east of the Jordan.” 1:16 They told Joshua, “We will do everything you say. We will go wherever you send us. 1:17 Just as we obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. But may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses! 1:18 Any man who rebels against what you say and does not obey all your commands will be executed. But be strong and brave!”

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After Moses dies, the Lord commissions Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan into the land promised to their fathers. God promises to be with Joshua, commands him to obey the law carefully, and calls him to be strong and brave. Joshua prepares the people, and the tribes pledge to obey him and help in the conquest.

This passage begins a new stage in Israel’s history. Moses is dead, but the Lord’s purpose has not changed. He calls Joshua to rise, cross the Jordan, and lead the people into the land the Lord is giving them.

God’s promise is joined to God’s command. Joshua must be strong and brave, but his courage must rest on the Lord’s presence. The Lord says he will not leave Joshua. He also commands Joshua to carefully obey the law given through Moses. Joshua must keep it in view, remember it day and night, and do everything written in it. Success is tied to obedience, not to human strength alone.

Joshua then acts at once. He tells the officers to prepare the people, because they will cross the Jordan in three days. He also speaks to the tribes east of the Jordan and reminds them that their fighting men must help their brothers until the whole nation has received its inheritance. The people answer with loyalty. They promise to obey Joshua and say that rebellion against his commands is a serious matter. The chapter therefore establishes Joshua’s authority, the people’s unity, and the need for covenant obedience.

• God’s work continues after Moses dies.
• Joshua’s leadership is grounded in God’s presence and promise.
• Courage must be joined to careful obedience to God’s law.
• The people of God must be united, not divided by self-interest.
• Rebellion against God’s appointed authority is serious.
• Success in this passage is tied to covenant faithfulness, not to strength alone.

• Promise: The Lord will be with Joshua and will not leave him.
• Promise: The land will be given to Israel as the Lord said.
• Command: Joshua must be strong and brave.
• Command: Joshua must carefully obey all the law.
• Command: Joshua must meditate on the law day and night.
• Command: The people must prepare supplies and cross the Jordan.
• Command: The eastern tribes’ warriors must help their brothers in battle.
• Warning: No one should rebel against Joshua’s commands.

This chapter opens the conquest of the promised land. It connects the promises made to the patriarchs with the law given through Moses. God is bringing Israel into the land by his own power, and he does so through a leader who must depend on his word. In the larger Bible story, this helps carry forward the hope of God’s faithful rule and the gift of rest for his people.

Readers should learn that courage comes from God’s presence, not from self-confidence. Leaders should govern by God’s word, not by impulse. God’s people should support one another and not seek ease while others still carry the burden. The passage also warns that outward success is not the highest goal; faithful obedience is.

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