God’s promise to make Joshua a respected leader among the Israelites demonstrates the continuity of His faithfulness from one generation to the next.
In “Now the LORD said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you’” (v.7), we see God speaking with intentional clarity to Joshua, the new leader of the Israelites. Joshua, who likely began his leadership around 1406 B.C., follows in the footsteps of Moses, the great prophet and deliverer of Israel who died the same year. The LORD promises to magnify Joshua before the people, demonstrating that the same divine presence that guided Moses through the Exodus and the formation of the nation is now working in Joshua’s life as well. This declaration underscores God’s decisive plan to lead His people forward, using Joshua as the appointed representative.
Although this single verse does not explicitly mention the location where God speaks to Joshua, the surrounding context in Joshua 3 describes the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River—a body of water connecting the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. The Jordan River region features fertile plains in some stretches, while also marking a boundary between the Israelite camp and the Promised Land. By choosing this strategic place, the LORD will highlight Joshua’s leadership in a miraculous event: the parting of the Jordan River, reminiscent of Moses separating the waters of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22). This link to Moses suggests that Joshua’s actions will confirm God’s promise to remain with him every step of the way.
Furthermore, God’s assurance to Joshua foreshadows how He continuously raises up leaders to fulfill His overarching redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (John 5:46). Just as Moses and Joshua led the people physically across barriers, Jesus paves the way spiritually for humanity to enter into a right relationship with God. In commissioning His disciples, Jesus likewise promised to be with them always (Matthew 28:20). The message of “just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you” (v.7) echoes through the scriptures as a reminder that God’s faithful presence remains steadfast.
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Joshua 3:7 meaning
In “Now the LORD said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you’” (v.7), we see God speaking with intentional clarity to Joshua, the new leader of the Israelites. Joshua, who likely began his leadership around 1406 B.C., follows in the footsteps of Moses, the great prophet and deliverer of Israel who died the same year. The LORD promises to magnify Joshua before the people, demonstrating that the same divine presence that guided Moses through the Exodus and the formation of the nation is now working in Joshua’s life as well. This declaration underscores God’s decisive plan to lead His people forward, using Joshua as the appointed representative.
Although this single verse does not explicitly mention the location where God speaks to Joshua, the surrounding context in Joshua 3 describes the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River—a body of water connecting the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. The Jordan River region features fertile plains in some stretches, while also marking a boundary between the Israelite camp and the Promised Land. By choosing this strategic place, the LORD will highlight Joshua’s leadership in a miraculous event: the parting of the Jordan River, reminiscent of Moses separating the waters of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22). This link to Moses suggests that Joshua’s actions will confirm God’s promise to remain with him every step of the way.
Furthermore, God’s assurance to Joshua foreshadows how He continuously raises up leaders to fulfill His overarching redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (John 5:46). Just as Moses and Joshua led the people physically across barriers, Jesus paves the way spiritually for humanity to enter into a right relationship with God. In commissioning His disciples, Jesus likewise promised to be with them always (Matthew 28:20). The message of “just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you” (v.7) echoes through the scriptures as a reminder that God’s faithful presence remains steadfast.