The Land Promise to Abraham
Joshua’s commission advances the promise of land first given to Abraham and his offspring.
Joshua 1
The LORD Commissions Joshua: Be Strong and Courageous
After Moses’ death, the LORD commissions Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan, promises His presence, commands strength and courage rooted in obedience to the Law, and Joshua prepares the people for the crossing while the eastern tribes reaffirm their loyalty.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) , Public Domain · Translation notes · Reference sources
- The LORD Commissions Joshua 1:1-5
After Moses’ death, the LORD commands Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan and promises him land, victory, and divine presence.
- The LORD Commands Joshua to Be Strong and Courageous 1:6-9
Joshua’s courage must be rooted in the LORD’s promise, the LORD’s presence, and careful obedience to the written Law.
- Joshua Commands the People to Prepare 1:10-11
Joshua orders the officers to prepare provisions because Israel will soon cross the Jordan.
- Joshua Reminds the Eastern Tribes of Their Duty 1:12-15
Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh must fight for their brothers before returning to their own land.
- The People Pledge Allegiance to Joshua 1:16-18
The eastern tribes promise obedience, affirm Joshua’s leadership, and exhort him to be strong and courageous.
Biblical Theology
How This Chapter Fits
Theological Argument
The chapter argues that the LORD’s covenant purposes are not dependent on one human leader. Moses dies, but the LORD’s promise continues. Joshua’s leadership must be shaped by courage, obedience, and the presence of God. Israel’s possession of the land will come through divine faithfulness, but it must be pursued through Word-governed obedience.
From Moses’ death to Joshua’s commission, from divine promise to commanded courage, from leadership charge to communal preparation and loyalty.
- Moses is dead, but the LORD speaks and commands the mission to continue
- Joshua is commissioned to lead Israel into the land
- The LORD reaffirms the territorial promise previously given through Moses
- Joshua is assured of victory because the LORD will be with him
- Strength and courage are required because the task is weighty
- Courage must be governed by careful obedience to the Law
Christological Focus
Joshua 1 introduces Joshua as the leader who will bring Israel into the promised land after Moses. In the larger canon, Joshua’s leadership anticipates Christ, the greater Joshua, who brings His people into final inheritance and rest, not merely by commanding courage but by securing salvation through His own obedient life, death, resurrection, and abiding presence.
The chapter argues that the LORD’s covenant purposes are not dependent on one human leader. Moses dies, but the LORD’s promise continues. Joshua’s leadership must be shaped by courage, obedience, and the presence of God. Israel’s possession of the land will come through divine faithfulness, but it must be pursued through Word-governed obedience.
Covenant Significance
Joshua 1 establishes that the covenant promise made to the patriarchs and reaffirmed through Moses now continues through Joshua. The land is gift, but possession requires courage, obedience, unity, and trust in the LORD’s presence.
- The death of Moses does not cancel the LORD’s covenant promise
- Joshua is commissioned as Moses’ successor under the LORD’s authority
- The land promise is reaffirmed with geographical scope
- The LORD’s presence with Moses becomes the pattern for His presence with Joshua
- The Book of the Law remains the covenant authority for Israel’s life
Formation
Theological Burden The LORD’s covenant purposes continue by His presence and promise, and His people must respond with Scripture-governed courage and obedience.
Pastoral Burden Move believers from fear, passivity, and leader-dependence into courageous obedience grounded in God’s unfailing presence and written Word.
Character Aim A strong, courageous, Word-shaped people who trust the LORD’s presence and move forward together in obedient faith.
- Name the transition or fear that feels like a Jordan crossing
- Meditate on Scripture daily with the aim of obedience
- Prepare practically for the next step God has made clear
- Refuse courage based on personality or self-confidence
- Help others receive what God has promised rather than protecting only personal comfort
Canonical Connections
Moses Commissions Joshua
Joshua 1 continues the leadership transition prepared before Moses’ death.
Be Strong and Courageous
The courage command links Deuteronomy’s transition material with Joshua’s leadership.
The Law as Governing Word
Joshua’s success depends on careful obedience to the written Law, echoing the Torah’s central role in Israel’s life.
The Eastern Tribes’ Obligation
Joshua reminds Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of the obligation they accepted under Moses.
The LORD Commissions Joshua
After Moses’ death, the LORD commands Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan and promises him land, victory, and divine presence.
1 Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying,
2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel.
3 I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses.
4 Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.
5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
The LORD Commands Joshua to Be Strong and Courageous
Joshua’s courage must be rooted in the LORD’s promise, the LORD’s presence, and careful obedience to the written Law.
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them.
7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua Commands the People to Prepare
Joshua orders the officers to prepare provisions because Israel will soon cross the Jordan.
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people:
11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
Joshua Reminds the Eastern Tribes of Their Duty
Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh must fight for their brothers before returning to their own land.
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
13 “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’
14 Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them,
15 until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”
The People Pledge Allegiance to Joshua
The eastern tribes promise obedience, affirm Joshua’s leadership, and exhort him to be strong and courageous.
16 So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go.
17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses.
18 Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”