Joshua 1:8

_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._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

8._This book of the Law, _etc Assiduous meditation on the Law is also commanded; because, whenever it is intermitted, even for a short time, many errors readily creep in, and the memory becomes rusted, so that many, after ceasing from the continuous study of it, engage in practical business, as if they were mere ignorant tyros. God therefore enjoins his servant to make daily progress, and never cease, during the whole course of his life, to profit in the Law. Hence it follows that those who hold this study in disdain, are blinded by intolerable arrogance. But why does he forbid him to allow the Law to depart from his mouth rather than from his eyes? Some interpreters understand that the _mouth _is here used by synecdoche for_face; _but this is frigid. I have no doubt that the word used is peculiarly applicable to a person who was bound to prosecute the study in question, not only for him...

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....

Verse Joshua 1:8. _THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THY MOUTH_] The law which had already been written by Moses, and from which he and the people were to take all those precepts by which their lives were to be governed. Though there was a copy of the law laid up in the sanctuary, yet this was not sufficient. Joshua must have a copy for himself, and he was to consult it incessantly, that his way might be made prosperous, and that he might have good success. If he kept God's word, God would keep him in body and soul; if he should observe to do according to that word, then God would cause all his way to be prosperous. Those who are obedient to God lack no manner of thing that is good....

EXPOSITION THE SOURCE OF JOSHUA'S CONFIDENCE.— JOSHUA 1:5 THERE SHALL NOT ANY MAN BE ABLE TO STAND BEFORE THEE. Literally, _no one_ _shall set himself up against thee, i.e; _successfully resist thee (ἀντιστήσεται, LXX). AS I WAS WITH MOSES. Literally, _as I have been _with Moses: that is to say, was with him and remained with him unto the end. The continuity of the work of God under the old dispensation is thus as clearly marked as that of the new in Matthew 28:20, and John 20:21. The promises made to Abraham, the law given to M

THIS BOOK OF THE LAW SHALL NOT DEPART OUT OF THY MOUTH,.... He was often to read it, frequently repeat it, and speak of it, to refresh his own memory with it, and the memory of those about him. Jarchi restrains it to the book of Deuteronomy now before him: BUT THOU SHALT MEDITATE THEREIN DAY AND NIGHT; whenever he had any leisure from the important business of his office, whether by day or night, see Psalms 1:2; THAT THOU MAYEST OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT IS WRITTEN THEREIN; which frequent speaking of it, and constant meditation on it, would lead unto: FOR THEN THOU SHALT MAKE THY WAY PROSPEROUS, AND THEN THOU SHALT HAVE GOOD SUCCESS; in his wars with the Canaanites....

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE ENTRANCE OF THE PEOPLE INTO CANAAN AND THE CONFLICTS 1. The Entrance Commanded and Success Promised CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The Lord speaks to Joshua (Joshua 1:1)_ 2. Joshua speaks to the people (Joshua 1:10) 3. The answer of the people (Joshua 1:16) The little word “now” with which this book begins is in the Hebrew “and.” It links the book with Deuteronomy and the other books of the Pentateuch. It also shows that the previous books were in existence, for the mention of Moses, his death, and Joshua, the minister of Moses, presupposes that the reader knows all about them. But there is a stronger evidence in the eighth verse of the chapter, that the Pentateuch

I. JOSHUA'S COMMISSION; PREPARATION FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE JORDAN. This chapter does not call for much comment. It is, for the most part, an introduction to the whole book from a Deuteronomic writer. There may have been a Deuteronomic account of the conquest of the land which the compiler of our book used, but more probably the old narrative of JE was taken over by the Deuteronomist, who managed to superimpose his own views by means of an introduction and various additions. These additions are very considerable; hardly any Chapter s have escaped. JOSHUA 1:4. The boundaries of the land are strangely indicated, AND the passage should no doubt read, From the wilderness in the south to Lebanon; and from the river Euphrates to the western sea (_i.e._ the Mediterranean) shall be your border or rather, territory. In reality, the kingdom never extended as far as this from E. to W.

THIS BOOK OF THE LAW i.e. the five books referred to as one throughout the Old Testament. See App-47. MOUTH. Put by Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Cause), for what is spoken by it (App-6), i.e. Joshua is to continually speak of it, MEDITATE. talk to thyself. Compare Psalms 1:2. audible musing. WAY. Some codices with one early printed edition, read "ways"....

_This book of the law_ Joshua is admonished that the Law must be strictly and carefully observed, if the great work, to which he had been called, was to be successfully accomplished. He was "to read, mark, and inwardly digest it," and carry out its provisions to the letter....