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 ]