Project 119: Joshua 1:10-18
| Project 119
“Whatever and Wherever”
God’s command to Joshua to be strong and courageous spurred him to begin obeying God’s instruction by inviting the nation to follow his faithful example. Whereas some would-be leaders talk a good game, Joshua lived one.
However, faith doesn’t always launch out in total blindness. Most times it calculates what’s at stake and makes plans accordingly. In this case Joshua gave orders to the officers of the people to “get your supplies ready” (Joshua 1:11) and prepare to take possession of the Promised Land.
Not only did Joshua consider the material resources that would be necessary in the conquest of Canaan, he also asked them to be prepared to help one another in winning the battles that would have to be fought. For example, in Numbers 21:21-25 and 32:1-27, the two tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh who asked to remain on the east side of the Jordan had been ordered by Moses to send fighting forces across the river to help the rest of Israel in times of battle—an expectation that Joshua obediently would not let those two and a half tribes forget.
To their credit, these tribes agreed to live up to their commitments. “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go” (Joshua 1:16). Their only concern was that Joshua not forget his dependence on God as they move forward toward Canaan. They echo God’s word for Joshua to be strong and courageous by living in obedience to the instructions God provides.
How good it is when we have people around us who remind us of the importance of following through on commitments we have made. While it may be easy to think that whatever success we experience in life happens because of what we make possible, we do much better to remind one another that our only hope for tomorrow lies in devotion to God. Those are instructions we cannot hear enough.
Joshua 1:10-18 (ESV):
10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’”
12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16 And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”