By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Joshua 1:1–11, 16–18
The Book of Joshua bears the name of the newly appointed leader of Israel. After Moses’ death, Joshua was chosen by God to secure and sustain Abraham’s seed and to lead the Israelites into the promised land known as Canaan.
Born into slavery in Egypt around 1484 B.C., Joshua lived to be 110 years old. He lived 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness and 30 years in the promised land.
The opening words indicate both the historical starting point of the book and the theological crisis with which it deals. Moses’ death, described at the end of Deuteronomy, concludes God’s judgment on the generation that came out of Egypt. What’s next now that Moses has died and the people of Israel have fallen under the judgment of God? Chapter 1 introduces the answer to this question.
God’s Promise (1–5)
“Now that Moses is dead, what are we going to do?” This had to have been the foremost question on the minds of the Israelites. Their great lawgiver who had led them for 40 years was dead. Their mediator, liberator and miracle-working prophet was dead. God buries His workers but never His work.
God’s purposes do not change. People change. All the people 20 years and older who came out of Egypt with Moses had died in the desert. It was a new generation that would enter the promised land. Leaders change. Joshua replaced Moses. But God does not change. God is the same and so are His purposes that He has established for His redeemed people.
The continuity between the patriarchal period and the period of Jewish conquest — established on the character and will of God — is focused on the written Word of God. At this time in the storyline, God’s written Word consisted of the first five books of the Bible — the Pentateuch.
God commissioned Joshua to lead His people into the promised land with confidence in His presence and with knowledge of His promises. God encouraged Joshua by promising that He will be with him just as He was with Moses. He also encouraged Joshua by emphasizing that He would give His people the land. The Israelites would settle the land not because of their military ingenuity or great abilities but because He was giving them the land.
Joshua’s Assignment (6–11)
The Lord challenged Joshua to be strong and courageous as he led the people of Israel into the land He had promised to the descendants of Abraham. The Lord also made clear the importance of studying and obeying His commands. Faithfulness to the Word of God was necessary if Joshua and the nation of Israel were to be successful in taking the land of Canaan.
Joshua’s words to the people needed to be saturated with the words from God’s law. God’s book of instruction was not to depart from Joshua’s mouth as he instructed the people.
Joshua was to know God’s Word, talk about God’s Word, meditate on God’s Word and obey God’s Word. You can no more teach what you do not know than you can come from where you have not been.
Israel’s Response (16–18)
The people of Israel pledged their support to Joshua. They promised to obey everything he commanded them to do as they had obeyed everything Moses had commanded them to do. They assured Joshua that they would hold each other accountable and encouraged him to be strong and courageous.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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