EXPLORE THE TEXT
We can discern God’s best for our lives by studying His Word.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land
I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance.
7 Above all, be strong and very courageous
to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you.
Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.
8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth;
you are to meditate on it day and night
so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.
For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
9 Haven’t I commanded you:
be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people,11 “Go through the camp and tell the people,
‘Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days
you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land
the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.’”
“Strong and courageous” in verse 6.
The phrase appears three times in Joshua 1.
Emphasize the importance of Joshua demonstrating these qualities.
Earlier, the Lord instructed Moses to encourage Joshua
because He would enable Joshua to lead the people into the land of Canaan
and receive their inheritance from the Lord (Deut. 1:38; 3:28).
Here, it was the Lord Himself who was encouraging Joshua. .Israel would need to see Joshua’s strength and courage as an example
to follow in the face of what would appear to be insurmountable challenges in the land of Canaan.
Joshua would be the one who would distribute the land to the people as their inheritance. (PSG, p. 14)
God connected strength and courage to full obedience to His Word in verses 7-9.
What does it mean to meditate on God’s Word?
What are practical ways to meditate on Scripture each day?
Responding to God’s challenge, Joshua prepared the people to move into the promised land.