Book of Joshua, chapter 1
Before Moses died, God had chosen his helper, Joshua, to be the one to lead the great company of Israel into Canaan, the land God had promised to give them for their own (Num. 27:15-23).
Joshua had once been in Canaan (Numbers 14:6-8), so he knew of the land, and God now told him where the borders should be (vs. 4). He told Joshua to think much of the book of the law, which had all God’s directions for just what the people should do and have in that land, written while they were still in the deserts. And we find Joshua followed God’s words and was a brave leader.
There were many men to help Joshua, but there were many fierce enemies in Canaan, who would not want the people of Israel to enter. But God told Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage: be not afraid, for the Lord Thy God is with thee, whither-so-ever thou goest.”
So Joshua told the officers to go among, the people to tell them to be ready in three days to cross the River Jordan, winch they were near, and must cross before they could be in Canaan.
Joshua spoke to the men of the two tribes of Reuben and Gad and half of the men of Manasseh to remember that they had agreed to help the rest into Canaan, and afterward could come back to their homes on the east side of Jordan where they were to leave their wives and children, because they liked the pastures there.
Later we learn how the Jordan River was crossed (Joshua, ch. 3 and 4).
How could Joshua have good success? (Joshua 1, vs. 8).
In the Book of the Law which Joshua was to read, were the words we read in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Do you know, the first mention of “a book” in the Bible, is the one written for Joshua to remember how, in the wilderness, the Lord helped him win his first battle? (Ex. 17:14).
ML 02/13/1938