Joshua 1:1-9 meaning

Joshua 1:1-9 begins the account of Joshua’s life as leader of the Israelites. The book of Joshua continues the story of the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. Chronologically, it follows the book of Deuteronomy, which ends with the death of Moses, the principal author of the Pentateuch and Israel’s religious leader at the time (Deuteronomy 34:5).

Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun (v. 1). Who was Moses? Where did he come from?

The name Moses is either Egyptian or Hebrew. If Egyptian, it means “born” or “child.” If Hebrew, it comes from the verb “Mashah,” meaning “to draw out.” In either case, the name is appropriate because Moses was a child drawn “out of the water” (Exodus 2:10). When Moses grew up, God chose him to become the religious leader of Israel at a crucial moment when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God saw their afflictions and sent Moses there to rescue them. Moses accepted the call. He confronted Pharaoh and the Egyptians, redeeming the people from bondage and leading them through the wilderness journey. He was the mediator between God and the people, so the text describes him as the servant of the LORD.

Moses, like several other Biblical characters, is a prototype of the Messiah.

1. Like Jesus, He was not recognized or accepted as the deliverer by Israel when he first reveals himself (Exodus 2:13-14, John 10:22-42).
2. Like Jesus, after Moses first reveals himself to his Israelite brothers, he flees to Midian and awaits his “second coming” to complete Israel’s redemption from Egypt (Exodus 2:15, Matthew 24:30).
3. Like Jesus’s second coming, at Moses’s second coming there are plagues as he completes the redemption of Israel (Exodus 7:1-6, Revelation 16, 19).
4. Like Jesus, God brought forth bread (manna) in a miraculous way and feeds the Israelites during Moses’s time as mediator (Exodus 16, Matthew 14:18-21).

In the Old Testament, the term servant [Hebrew, “ʿeḇeḏ”] often applies to specific people such as Abraham, Caleb, David, and Zerubbabel, whom Yahweh God used as His agents to carry out His plans (Genesis 26:24; Numbers 14:24, 2 Samuel 7:5, and Haggai 2:23 respectively). Like these men, Moses was the LORD’s servant (Numbers 12:7). He obeyed the LORD as his Master.

The Hebrew term translated as LORD is Yahweh, the self-existent and eternal God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). The term often emphasizes God’s covenant relationship with His people. In our passage, the term LORD shows that God is the Suzerain (ruler) of the Israelites, and Moses, the servant of the LORD, is Yahweh’s special emissary to the people. Moses’s mission was to give the divine laws to the Israelites to teach them how to please God. Once Moses died, the Israelites needed another leader, so the LORD—the covenant God of Israel—spoke to Joshua.

The name Joshua is “Yehoshua” in the Hebrew language. It means “Yahweh saves” and is the equivalent of the Greek term “Iēsous,” rendered as “Jesus” in the New Testament. According to the book of Numbers, Joshua the son of Nun had a different name at birth. His original name was Hoshea, which means “salvation” or “deliverance.” But, when Moses was about to commission twelve men to spy out the Promised Land, he “called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua” (Numbers 13:16).

Like Moses, Joshua is also a prototype of the Messiah.

1. Like Jesus, Joshua bears the name “Yehoshua” which means “Yahweh Saves.”
2. Like Jesus, he brings Israel into the “rest” i.e. the Land of Israel. Jesus will bring Israel into the “true rest,” i.e. The Messianic Era (Hebrews 4:8-9).
3. Like Jesus, Joshua defeats many nations standing against the nation of Israel. Jesus, at His second coming, will destroy the nations gathered against Israel (Revelation 19:5).

The biblical text identifies Joshua as the son of Nun. We know virtually nothing about Nun except that he descended from the tribe of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-27). However, the mention of Joshua’s father here was to identify him with the Joshua of Deuteronomy who would succeed Moses.

Joshua was “filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:9). Before his death, Moses had handed over his authority and God-given wisdom to Joshua. He had done this in public before the people of Israel, so that there would be no dispute for leadership once he died. Moses directly told the Israelites, “Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken” (Deuteronomy 31:3).

The text further describes Joshua as Moses’ servant. The term translated as servant (Hebrew, “mĕšārēt”) usually means “someone who serves in a worship context.” In our passage, however, it refers to someone rendering service to an individual. In other words, Joshua was Moses’ disciple. He was a close follower of Moses and served as his assistant.

As mentioned earlier, Joshua was one of the twelve men chosen to spy out the land of Canaan before the Israelites began their conquest of it. Ten of the spies were intimidated by what they saw. The Canaanites were strong, their cities were well fortified, and in some regions there were giants (Numbers 13:28-29, 32-33). In their fear, the ten spies reported that the Israelites should abandon any hope of entering the Promised Land. The two remaining spies, Joshua and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, were the only ones who expressed faith in God and His promises. They urged the Israelites to have the same faith, to believe that “the Lord is with us; do not fear [the Canaanites],” but, in reply, the people of Israel wished to stone Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:6-10).

The result of this rebellion was that God punished that entire generation of Israelites, those that had been freed from bondage in Egypt. God declared that the fearful Israelites would die first before a new generation (their children) could enter the Promised Land and conquer it. Only Caleb and Joshua were spared and allowed to live long enough to enter the Land, since they had faith in the LORD God (Numbers 14:30).

Joshua, at the time of the spying, was forty years old (Joshua 14:7). Thus, forty years later when the rebellious generation died out, Joshua was eighty years old as the new leader of the Israelites. As an old man, he was still as strong as when he was young, probably due to the LORD’s blessing upon him to effectually lead the Israelites (Joshua 14:11). In all the years during the exodus and in the wilderness wandering, Joshua served as Moses’s servant, learning from him, acting out his commands, and seeking what was best for the people of Israel under God’s leading.

For example, Moses commanded Joshua to lead the battle against the Amalekites, while he focused on religious duties (Exodus 17:8-16). Also, Joshua reappeared as Moses’ companion at the covenant at Sinai (Exodus 24:13). These biblical examples demonstrate that the two men had served together for some time. As such, Joshua was the logical replacement for Moses.

Joshua was a very zealous disciple of Moses, having served him since he was young. In the book of Numbers, Joshua received a rebuke from Moses. Joshua thought he was judging rightly when he asked Moses to forbid Eldad and Medad from prophesying in the camp, since they did not gather at the tabernacle like the other elders. Moses corrected Joshua’s mistake,

“Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, ‘Moses, my lord, restrain them.’ But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!’”
(Numbers 11:28-29)

When Moses was alive, the LORD spoke to him. God first called him out of the burning bush and sent him to Pharaoh and the Egyptians to redeem the Israelites (Exodus 3). After the burning bush episode, God continually talked to Moses, giving him instructions for the Israelites so that they knew how to please their covenant partner. But when Moses died, the LORD addressed his assistant, Joshua, saying, Moses My servant is dead (v. 2).

That the LORD told Joshua His servant Moses was dead has a twofold implication. First, the LORD was infinitely greater and mightier than the prophet Moses, who is one of the most prominent figures in the Hebrew Bible. Moses lived and died. But the LORD lives and reigns forever and ever (Psalm 18:46, 93:1-2). Second, the LORD mentioned Moses’ death to Joshua as a way of passing the baton to him; his new role as Israel’s leader could now begin. All the years he served as Moses’ aide were to prepare him for this new task.

Having reminded Joshua of Moses’ death, the LORD commanded him, saying, Now therefore arise. The verb translated as arise (“qûm”) generally refers to a change in physical position or place (Exodus 10:23) or a departure for a journey (Genesis 46:5a). In our passage, however, it serves as an auxiliary verb to indicate urgency or immediacy (Jonah 1:2). In this case, it does not mean “to stand” or “to get up” as if someone were lying down. It simply means to get ready to act (see Numbers 22:20-21; Judges 4:14; 1 Kings 17:9). The verb “to cross” that follows the auxiliary verb defines and determines the statement. In essence, God said to Joshua: Hurry up! cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel (v 2). 

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the Hebrew word “qum/kum” to tell a dead girl to arise. Mark’s gospel chose to keep that phrase in the original language and provide a Greek translation:

“Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, ‘Talitha kum!’
(which translated means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’).”
(Mark 5:41)

The land refers specifically to the land of Canaan, which the LORD had long promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17:8). It was a fertile and beautiful land (Exodus 3:8; Numbers 14:8; Deuteronomy 31:20). The beneficiaries of the land were the sons of Israel, so God told Joshua to be diligent to lead them across the Jordan to receive their gift. The Jordan refers to the river which from Mount Hermon flows south to the Sea of Galilee, then to the Dead Sea. It is the largest river in Israel. The covenant people were camped on the plains of Moab in a place called Shittim (Numbers 33:49, Joshua 2:1, 3:1) on the eastern side of the Jordan. They needed to cross the Jordan river to enter the land of Canaan on the west side. The Hebrew etymology of the word Jordan means “descending from Dan.” This is due to the Jordan river originating in the region allocated to the tribe of Dan, where it flows out of its subterranean aquifer near Caesarea Philippi (also known as Banias, named after the pagan god Pan/Ban). This aquifer is sustained from the melting snows on Mount Hermon.

The time drew near for God’s people to conquer a prosperous land where they could live freely after many years of captivity in Egypt and wanderings in the wilderness. The LORD ensured the land was within the people’s reach and commanded them to march toward Canaan and conquer it. They were to play their part in the bargain by obeying their covenant partner and trusting Him to grant them success.

As He addressed Joshua and the Israelites, the LORD used the plural pronoun you: Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you (v. 3). This expression likely refers to the ancient practice of gaining a formal title to a land by walking in and through it. In the ancient Near Eastern societies, the foot symbolized power and indicated the ability to conquer something. In this case, the statement above means that all the territory over which the Israelites walked would belong to them (Deuteronomy 11:24). God would grant it to His people just as He spoke to Moses (Deuteronomy 1:8, 6:10-12, 17:14, 18:9).

In generations past, God had given certain lands which surrounded Canaan to other peoples. He gave Mount Seir to the sons of Esau, and other lands He gave to the sons of Lot (Moab and Ammon). During the exodus, God explained to the Israelites that He would not give them any part of the land of the Edomites, Moabites, or Ammonites because He had already given those lands as an inheritance to those peoples (Deuteronomy 2:4-19).

This vast territory that God gives as an inheritance to Israel extends from the wilderness in the south to Lebanon in the north (v. 4). The wilderness is the dry country extending from Beersheba to the desert of Sinai and the Gulf of Aqaba. The region of Lebanon refers to the inland mountain range, north of Israel (Deuteronomy 1:7). Israel’s territory would go as far as the great river, the river Euphrates on the eastern border. It includes all the land of the Hittites, which is the northern part of Syria. It goes as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. The Great Sea is the Mediterranean Sea, which marks the western boundary. All this vast land would be Israel’s territory.

The LORD then used the singular pronoun you to speak directly to Joshua, promising him continued victory in all his endeavors: No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life (v. 5). That means that Joshua would defeat all of his enemies with God’s help. That is why God reassured Joshua of His constant presence: Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.

This promise from God to help defeat Joshua’s enemies is similarly given to David (2 Samuel 7:8-9) and also the Son of David, Solomon (1 Chronicles 22; 9), and the highest Son of David, Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:15).

The LORD would be with the new leader, just like He had been with Moses during his many years of leading Israel from Egypt to the plains of Moab (Exodus 3:12). As Moses’ assistant, Joshua had witnessed the demonstrations of God’s presence in Moses’ life. Thus, he knew this promise was significant. Since God is always faithful and true to His word, He would not fail Joshua or forsake him. Therefore, He urged Joshua to be strong and courageous, meaning that the new leader was to have strength in conflict and firmness in resolution to achieve victory (v. 6).

Anyone replacing someone else in a leadership role may feel intimidated and unequipped. He may think he will not be able to perform like the previous leader. For Joshua, it would have been more difficult since he would take over from Moses, “whom the LORD knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:10-12).

Joshua may have wondered whether he would be able to fill Moses’s shoes.

Nevertheless, the successor of Moses needed to be brave. He was not to let his heart waver because the LORD chose him to go with the people into the land, which He swore to their fathers to give them. The land of Canaan would be Israel’s inheritance. Here, God made it clear that His promise to Israel’s ancestors included their possessing of the Promised Land (Genesis 12:7). Therefore, their leader Joshua was to stand firm as he led the people to fulfill that promise. He was to give the land to Israel on God’s behalf.

The LORD repeated the command with a heavy emphasis: Only be strong and very courageous (v. 7). The purpose of this repetition was not to address military matters. Rather, it was to boost Joshua’s spiritual life and ensure he obeyed the Mosaic Law faithfully. God wanted Joshua to trust and obey Him, so He declared: Be careful to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded you.

The law (“Torah” in Hebrew) here pertains to God’s instructions to Moses for the Israelites. It refers to the entire legal corpus found in the Pentateuch (primarily in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Joshua was to observe it. He could not turn from it to the right or the left. The statement—not to turn aside to the right or the left—is an exhortation to not hesitate or seek alternate ways, but to follow the one straight path unwaveringly. It means that Joshua was to follow a straight line. He could not deviate or depart from it. The result of Joshua’s obedience to the divine Word, God declared, is so that you may have success wherever you go (v. 7b). This makes clear that not being careful to do according to all the law would bring the opposite of success. God promises that blessings will come upon those who obey His Words, while inevitable curses will come to those who do not (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 28:15, Malachi 4:4-6).

In this passage, the verb to have success means to have insight or be reasonable. Rather than modern ideas of what success looks like—wealth, status, fame—the success in view here relates to wisdom. An insightful person has an appropriate attitude as he deals with life circumstances. He practices justice and righteousness because he relies on the LORD, the only one who grants “discretion and understanding” (1 Chronicles 22:12). Accordingly, the person may not be well off financially but has a fulfilled life. God used this verb to tell Joshua that his accomplishments depended upon his correct observance of the Law rather than his military ability or skills. Thus, the LORD warned him, This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth (v. 8).

When the author penned the book of Joshua, the Law was probably in a written form already (Deuteronomy 31:26). That is why God pointed to that written document, telling the new leader of Israel to not deviate from it, but to meditate on it day and night. Here, the author connected the mouth (the physical opening) with thought and knowledge. The Apostle Paul also makes a connection between the mouth and the heart:

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
(Romans 10:9-10)

To meditate on the Law means to focus solely on the Word of God and reflect upon Him and His marvelous works (Psalm 1:2, 63:6, 143:5, 119:27). This activity is usually done aloud. The phrase day and night is a way of saying “all the time.” In the ancient world, where oral cultures were predominant, people often remembered a text by reciting it. That is why the LORD said to Joshua that this book of the law should not leave his lips. Rather, it would color his speech, fill his mind, and govern his life. Joshua’s constant meditation on the Law of God would make him careful to do according to all that is written in it. This activity would keep him straight as he led the covenant people to the Promised Land.

Keeping God’s Word in the forefront of our minds gives a proper perspective that is much different than the perspective our sin nature is communicating to us. The more we meditate on and choose this proper perspective, the more we will experience the same success that is promised to Joshua.

A reflection on God’s Word and its truths carries benefits, and the LORD mentioned one of them to Joshua: For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success (v. 8b). The terms prosperous and success do not imply that God would bless Joshua with financial wealth. Rather, they signify that God would bless Joshua in all his endeavors. He would help him with all the responsibilities entrusted to him. If Joshua obeyed the divine ordinances faithfully, God would order his steps, allowing him to lead Israel successfully to inherit the land of Canaan. This principle is the same today. Believers must seek to understand the Bible deeply and always apply it to be successful in our spiritual and physical endeavors.

The LORD closed this section by repeating His exhortation to Joshua. He introduced it with a rhetorical question—an inquiry meant to stress a point rather than get an answer: Have I not commanded you? (v. 9). The purpose of the question is to reinforce the command to be strong and courageous. The expected answer is “Yes.” The LORD had commanded Joshua to be brave to lead His covenant people. Joshua needed to accept the responsibilities and do them diligently to prosper and be successful in all his undertakings.

God again encouraged the new leader by saying Do not tremble or be dismayed. There would be times when the adversaries of Israel would appear invincible. Despite this, Joshua needed to march toward his foes confidently and defeat them because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. The presence of God guarantees success and victory because He is the great warrior and is sovereign over all outcomes (Isaiah 42:13, Job 42:2).

The call to be courageous (not cowardly) is also applicable to all believers in Jesus:

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
(2 Timothy 1:7)

If we live our lives as Joshua was called to, by following God’s word in all we do and trusting Him to work all things to good (Romans 8:28), we can feel courageous rather than tremble or be dismayed. When we leave the outcome to God and do our best to simply obey and trust in Him, there is no room for fear in our hearts.