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Read Joshua Chapter 1

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1Now 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,

2Moses 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.

3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

4From 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.

5There 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.

6Be 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.

7Only 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 whithersoever thou goest.

8This 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.

9Have 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.

10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11Pass 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.

12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,

13Remember 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.

14Your 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;

15Until 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.

16And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.

17According 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.

18Whosoever 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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Explanation

Joshua 1

In short

Moses has died, and God tells Joshua it is now his turn to lead Israel across the Jordan River into the land God promised them. God encourages Joshua repeatedly to be strong and brave, reminding him that God will always be with him. Joshua then gives his officers orders to prepare the people to cross in three days.

What the text says

Verses 1-2: After Moses dies, God speaks to Joshua and tells him to get ready. Moses is gone; now Joshua must lead all the people across the Jordan into the land God is giving them.

Verses 3-4: God promises Joshua that wherever they step, that land belongs to them. The territory stretches from the wilderness to Lebanon, from the Euphrates River to the Great Sea in the west, including the lands of the Hittites.

Verses 5-6: No enemy will stand against Joshua during his life. God promises to be with Joshua just as he was with Moses, and will not leave him. Joshua must be strong and courageous as he divides this inherited land among the people, as God swore to their ancestors.

Verses 7-9: Joshua must be very courageous and follow all of Moses' law exactly, not turning left or right from it. He must speak and think about the law day and night, so his path will be successful. God repeats: be strong, be courageous, do not be afraid. God is with him everywhere he goes.

Verses 10-11: Joshua tells the officers to command the people to prepare food, because in three days they will cross the Jordan to take the land.

Verses 12-15: Joshua speaks to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of Manasseh, reminding them of Moses' command. Their families and cattle stay on the east side of the Jordan, but these men must cross armed ahead of their brothers and help them fight until all tribes have their land. Then they return to their own territory.

Takeaways

  • God transfers his leadership from Moses to Joshua and promises constant presence and protection.
  • Obedience to God's law and courage are linked: Joshua's success depends on both.
  • The two eastern tribes commit to help their brothers conquer the land before settling in their own territory.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.