In one sense verses 1-9 are a preamble to the whole book. They contain the basic principles that were to guide Joshua and Israel so they could obtain all that God had promised their forefathers.
1:1 The first word of the book is a conjunction translated "now"or "and."It shows that this book picks up where Deuteronomy stopped.
"Servant of the LORD' is a title of honor shared by Abraham, David, and the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah. (It is used most frequently of Moses: Exod 14:31; Num 12:7-8; Deut 34:5; and thirteen times in Joshua; my servant' occurs twice.) The term servant' was used to designate even the highest officials of a king. . . . Only at the end of his life was he [Joshua] honored with the title servant of the LORD' (24:29)."11
Joshua was an Ephraimite (Num. 13:8; 1 Chron. 7:27).
1:2 The nation had mourned Moses' death for 30 days (Deut. 34:8). Now God instructed Joshua to prepare to enter the land. The death of any of His servants never frustrates or limits God, though this causes Him sorrow (Ps. 116:15).
1:3 God had promised all the land that the Israelites would tread under foot to the patriarchs and Moses (Gen. 13:17; Exod. 23:30-31; Deut. 11:24). The Israelites were now to claim it as their own by taking possession of it.
1:4 The area described here includes all that God promised to Abraham and the other patriarchs (Gen. 15:18; et al.). The writer apparently referred to the Hittites in a representative sense to describe all the Canaanite tribes (as in 1 Kings 10:29; 2 Kings 7:6; Ezek. 16:3).12
1:5 Many students of the book have called this the key verse. Here God promised Joshua His unfailing power and presence so that he might be completely successful in subduing the enemy. Joshua's failure to be entirely successful was not God's fault but the Israelites'.
"This text [vv. 2-5] summarizes the book. Verse 2 describes the crossing of the Jordan as found in 1:1-5:12. Verse 3 outlines the conquest' of 5:13-12:24. Verse 4 implies the distribution of the land in 13:1-22:34. The emphasis on all the days of Joshua's life in verse 5 is found at the end of Joshua's life in the final two chapters of the book. These verses also introduce the character of the LORD God of Israel. He is one of the main actors in the book. Here he reveals himself through his promises on behalf of Joshua and Israel."13
1:6 God exhorted Joshua on the basis of this promise (v. 5) to be "strong"and "courageous"(cf. Deut. 31:6). The first of these words in Hebrew implies strength in the hands for grasping and holding firmly. The second implies strength in the knees for standing solidly. Ownership of the land depended on God's faithfulness, but occupation of the land depended on Israel's faithfulness (cf. Deut. 30:20).
The writer stressed two major theological points in this book: Yahweh's faithfulness in giving Israel the Promised Land, and Yahweh's hatred of sin.14
"The word inherit' ["possession"in the NASB] used to describe the future possession of the land, is of rich theological significance. It has subsequently become a NT term for the enjoyment of the spiritual blessings of salvation (e.g., 1 Pet. 1:4)."15
1:7 Joshua's responsibility included unswerving obedience to the Mosaic Law. This would be the key to his success. Knowing the law was only the first step. Practicing it was what would make Joshua effective (cf. Deut. 5:32-33).
"The important lesson which we hence learn is, that in nothing is there more scope for the display of the highest moral heroism than in daring, in all circumstances, to cleave steadfastly to the word of God as the rule of our conduct. It is in this chiefly that the fortitude of the Christian soldier is to evince itself."16
1:8 Moses had left Israel a written document that the Israelites regarded as authoritative law, namely, the Mosaic Law. The Lord commanded Joshua to keep this Word in mind constantly so he would remember his responsibilities under God and find encouragement to keep them (cf. Ps. 1:2; Isa. 59:21).
"The phrase from your mouth' refers to the custom of muttering while studying or reflecting. The Hebrew word translated meditate' (hagah) literally means mutter.' When one continually mutters God's Word to himself, he is constantly thinking about it."17
". . . [Meditation] does not mean theoretical speculation about the law, such as the Pharisees indulged in, but a practical study of the law, for the purpose of observing it in thought and action, or carrying it out with the heart, the mouth, and the hand. Such a mode of employing it would be sure to be followed by blessings."18
We should never view Bible study and memorization as ends in themselves. They are important methods of obtaining the end of being obedient to God's Word. We cannot obey it unless we understand it and are consciously aware of it as we make decisions day by day.
"The higher any man is raised in office, the more need has he of an acquaintance with the sacred oracles, and the better will he be qualified by the study of them for the discharge of his arduous duties."19
1:9 This was not just good advice. Joshua was receiving orders from his Commander. Trembling or fearing would betray lack of confidence in God.
Notice the chiastic structure of God's charge to Joshua.
AI will be with you (v. 5).
BBe strong and courageous (vv. 6, 7).
CThat you may have success (v. 7).
DThis book of the law (v. 8).
C'Then you will have success (v. 8).
B'Be strong and courageous (v. 9).
A'The Lord your God is with you (v. 9).
This structure emphasizes the centrality of the book of the law of God as the key to Israel's success, Joshua's effective leadership, and God's presence with His people.
With this challenge Joshua could advance into Canaan confidently.
This passage contains the principles necessary for spiritual success in every age. We must know what God requires, maintain perpetual awareness of that, and be consistently and completely obedient to it in our daily experience to gain victory over our spiritual adversaries.20
