Joshua Chapter 1

Now that the great leader Moses had passed, it was time for Joshua to pick up the mantle and move the people forward to the promised land.  God was now speaking in the ear of Joshua.  Joshua knew that this signaled the beginning of what would be several battles that would need to be fought, but he went with confidence.  His confidence was in God.  Joshua had been paying attention.  Joshua had been the assistant to Moses for many years.  He had seen God work in miraculous ways for the benefit of the people. In his heart he knew that there was nothing or no person who could stand in the way of them achieving all that God had promised. 

Let's Reflect

1.  According to verse 5 how would Israel being led into the promised land by Joshua win battles with all the adversaries they would face?

2.  What encouraging phrase is mentioned several times in this passage?

3.  According to verses 7 and 8 what did the people need to do to have good success with their endeavors in the promised land?

4.  Can you imagine the excitement that passed through the camp when the people got word that they were finally going to be moving forward to the promised land?  How many days did Joshua give them to get packed up to move?

5.  There was the reminder of the promise made to God and to Moses by the men of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that they were to do what?

6. A representative of those three tribes gave a beautiful response to Joshua when he entreated them to go.  What was their response?

Here we see a unity in the people of Israel.  They were united in following Joshua who was their new leader and they were united to follow the plan that God had laid out for them.