Joshua

Joshua 1: God promises to be with Joshua

Begin in prayer

Before reading God's command that Joshua be strong because He will be with him, please ask for the Lord's help. Ask Him to turn our eyes from our own strength to Jesus and teach us to listen to His Word.

Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Exodus 3:11-12

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us why Joshua could be strong, and lead us to trust Jesus rather than our own strength. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After Moses dies, the LORD tells his servant Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan into the land God is giving them. God promises to be with Joshua as He was with Moses. Joshua must be strong and careful to obey the law, thinking about it day and night. He tells the officers to prepare the people's food because they will cross within three days. The Reubenites, Gadites and half of Manasseh must help their brothers before returning to their own land. They agree to obey Joshua and ask that the LORD be with him.

As you read Joshua 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is with Joshua, and His word gives Joshua courage to lead.

Moses, the servant of the LORD, was dead, and the LORD spoke to Joshua, the servant of Moses (verses 1 and 2). God told Joshua to lead all the people across the Jordan into the land He was giving them (verse 2). The land would reach to the Euphrates and the great sea, and no one could stand against Joshua (verses 4 and 5). Joshua could lead because of one promise, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you” (verse 5). The LORD told him to be strong and courageous, and added that He is “with you wherever you go” (verse 9). The book of the law was to stay on Joshua's lips, and he was to think about it day and night (verse 8). The good success promised there belongs to his task of leading Israel into the land. His courage rested on God's promise, and God's word showed him the way to walk. The tribes east of the Jordan promised to obey Joshua, and they asked that the LORD be with him (verses 16 and 17).

How does Joshua 1 show us that the LORD is with Joshua, and that His word gives Joshua courage to lead?

God promises Joshua that He will be with him.

The LORD spoke to Joshua after Moses died (verses 1 and 2). He promised to be with Joshua as He had been with Moses (verse 5). Joshua could lead because God was with him. Jesus promised His disciples that He would be with them always (Matthew 28 verse 20).

Joshua must keep God's word before him and obey it.

The LORD told Joshua that the book of the law must not leave his mouth (verse 8). He was to think about it day and night, so that he would do what it says. The good success promised there belongs to Joshua's task of leading Israel into the land. Joshua would lead by obeying God's word, and not by leaning on his own strength.

The tribes promise to help and obey Joshua.

Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh already had land east of the Jordan (verses 12 to 14). Joshua told them to cross over armed and help their brothers until the LORD gave them rest (verses 14 and 15). They answered that they would do all he commanded, and listen to him as they listened to Moses (verses 16 and 17). Verse 18 says a rebel against Joshua would be put to death, and that is no pattern for our homes.

Memorise

Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin do I need Jesus to forgive?

Moses was dead, and the LORD told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Joshua could be strong because God said He was with him wherever he went. Jesus promised His disciples that He would be with them always (Matthew 28 verse 20). Hebrews 4 verse 8 says that if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day. That rest is found in Jesus.

Joshua's strength could not pay for the sins of the people. Jesus went to the cross and gave His life as a ransom for many. By His death He paid the whole debt of His people's sin. God raised Him from the dead.

So please do not lean on your own strength. Turn from your sin and come to Jesus, and trust Him alone. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD was with Joshua, and that Jesus promised to be with His disciples always. Parents, please explain verse 18 in your own words, where the tribes say a rebel against Joshua would die. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His promise to be with Joshua, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Lord God, thank You for speaking to Joshua and promising to be with him. Please forgive our proud trust in ourselves. Bring us to repent and believe in Jesus. Help our family listen to Your Word and obey You this week, depending on Your strength. Amen.