Joshua 1

Jos 1:1-18.

THE

LORD

APPOINTS

JOSHUA TO

SUCCEED

MOSES.

1. Now after the death of Moses--Joshua, having been already appointed

and designated leader of Israel

(Nu 27:18-23),

in all probability assumed the reins of government immediately

"after the death of Moses."

the servant of the Lord--This was the official title of Moses as

invested with a special mission to make known the will of God; and it

conferred great honor and authority.

the Lord spake unto Joshua--probably during the period of public

mourning, and either by a direct revelation to the mind of Joshua, or

(Nu 27:21).

This first communication gave a pledge that the divine instructions

which, according to the provisions of the theocracy, had been imparted

to Moses, would be continued to the new leader, though God might not

perhaps speak to him "mouth to mouth"

(Nu 12:8).

Joshua--The original name, Oshea,

(Nu 13:8),

which had been, according to Eastern usage, changed like those of Abram

and Sarai

(Ge 17:5-15)

into Jehoshua or Joshua (that is, "God's salvation") was significant of

the services he was to render, and typified those of a greater Saviour

(Heb 4:8).

Moses' minister--that is, his official attendant, who, from being

constantly employed in important services and early initiated into the

principles of the government, would be well trained for undertaking the

leadership of Israel.

2-9. now therefore arise, go over this Jordan--Joshua's mission was

that of a military leader. This passage records his call to begin the

work, and the address contains a literal repetition of the promise made

to Moses

(De 11:24, 25; 31:6-8, 23).

3, 4. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon that

have I given you--meaning, of course, not universal dominion, but only

the territory comprised within the boundaries here specified

(see on

De 19:8).

4. all the land of the Hittites--These occupied the southern

extremities and were the dominant tribe of Canaan. Their superior power

and the extent of their dominions are attested by the mention of them

under the name of Khita, on the Assyrian inscriptions, and still more

frequently on the Egyptian inscriptions of the eighteenth and

nineteenth Dynasties. What life and encouragement must have been

imparted to Joshua by the assurance that his people, who had been

overwhelmed with fear of that gigantic race, were to possess "all the

land of the Hittites"!

5-9. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee--Canaan was

theirs by a divine grant; and the renewed confirmation of that grant to

Joshua when about to lead the people into it, intimated not only a

certain but an easy conquest. It is remarkable, however, that his

courage and hope of victory were made to depend

(see on

De 17:18)

on his firm and inflexible adherence to the law of God, not only that

regarding the extirpation of the Canaanites, but the whole divine code.

10-18. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people--These

were the Shoterim

(see on

Ex 5:6;

De 20:5).

11-13. command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals--not manna,

which, though it still fell, would not keep; but corn, sheep, and

articles of food procurable in the conquered countries.

for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan--that is, the

third day, according to Hebrew idiom--the time allotted for getting

ready before the encampment in Abel-Shittim broke up and they removed

to the desert bank of the river where no victuals were available. At

the same time Joshua himself convened the two and a half tribes which

had settled east of Jordan, to remind them of their promise

(Nu 32:1-42)

to assist their brethren in the conquest of western Canaan. Their

readiness to redeem their pledge and the terms in which they answered

the appeal of Joshua displayed to great advantage their patriotic and

pious feelings at so interesting a crisis.

14. ye shall pass . . . armed--that is, officered or marshalled under

five leaders in the old and approved caravan order

(see on

Ex 13:18).

all the mighty men of valour--The words are not to be interpreted

strictly as meaning the whole, but only the flower or choice of the

fighting men (see on

Jos 4:12).