Joshua Chapter 1
Joshua 1:1-18
Joshua, takes the mantle from Moses, and has been instructed by YHVH to cross the Jordan him and the entire people to the land that He gave. The dimensions of the land extend from from the desert and Lebanon to the Euphrates River, the entire land of the Hittites until the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun.
YHVH tells Joshua, No man will stand up to you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses so will I be with you; I will not release you nor will I forsake you. So that Joshua will not fear the task set before him. Which is to cause this people to inherit the land that I have sworn to their fathers to give them.
Joshua is to be very strong and courageous, to observe to do, according to the entire torah that Moses My servant commanded you; do not deviate from it to the right or to the left, in order that you may succeed wherever you will go. This Book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely. Behold, I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous,’ do not fear and do not lose resolve, for YHVH, your God, is with you wherever you will go.
The above charge is not just for Joshua but also, us. We are to be strong and courageous, with the Torah never leaving our mouth. We need to think about it night and day, and observe to all of it that is written. It will make us succeessful and wise. When things get tough, we are to remember not to fear nor lose resolve, for YHVH is with us where we go.
Joshua then tells the marshals of the people to prepare provisions for themselves, because in three days they will cross this Jordan to come and to take possession of the land that YHVH, your God, is giving you to inherit it.
This like the preparation that Moses took prior to the Exodus from Egypt, is short and must be heeded in order to not get left behind.
The reminder from Joshua to Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, that they would also enter into the new land and help all the mighty warriors take possession of the land. Then they were allowed to return to the land of there inheritance and possess it.
The men of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, affirm there chage and declare that they will heed Joshua as they repviously heeded Moses. They further declare that any man who will rebel against your utterance or will not listen to your owrds, in whatever you may command him, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.
Even though there were many, many times that the Children of Israel did not heed Moses, and took to complaints, (see Number 14:22 – 24) the Children of Israel have been reminded of their past deeds and complaints and strongly urged to not follow in their footsteps. (see Deut 29:9 – 30:1-20). Moses reminds them to heed YHVH and follow, observe, and do the Torah.