Jehovah Commissions Joshua Concerning Canaan

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Joshua 1:1-5
Psalters: 263, 101, 4, 319
  1. The promised land.
    1. God had promised to give Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:7).
    2. Now Jehovah declares that He is ready to make good His promise to “give to them” (2; Deut. 9:1-5).
    3. Note that the boundaries listed in verse 4 are the ideal boundaries reached under Joshua (11:23; 21:43,45).
    4. The land of Canaan was a type of final salvation in Jesus Christ, of our eternal inheritance in the new heavens and earth.
  2. That the land was a gift did not mean the people would possess it effortlessly.
    1. The land of Canaan was not vacant, simply waiting to be possessed, but was occupied.
    2. Joshua and Israel would have to go into the land (“your foot shall tread upon”) and fight against the.
      1. Jordan must be crossed, battles fought, and cities captured before they would enjoy their inheritance.
      2. The possession of the land would be a consequence of their faith, not their fighting.
    3. There is beautiful harmony of God’s gracious giving of the land and their going over Jordan and fighting enemies.
      1. There is nothing contradictory between God’s gift and Israel’s efforts because He is the One Who gives them the desire and the ability to perform the efforts.
      2. So Joshua is commanded to arise and go over Jordan, he and all the people of Israel.
  3. God’s assuring promises.
    1. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life.”
    2. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” God unfailing presence.
    3. “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (cf. Heb. 13:5b,6).
    4. This is recorded for our sake also.