Joshua 1 Get Ready
Moses is dead and the mourning period is over. God tells Joshua that it’s time to take the land. Joshua tells the people to get ready. Three days and counting!
I can see the people asking “Is it time yet?” on a daily basis. They are just across the Jordan from the Promised Land. They can see it! SO close, and yet so far away. Were they like a child waiting for Christmas? Were they excited? Were they watching the people of Jericho and wondering how God was going to bring this victory about? I’m going to bet that they were ready at any moment to stomp on anyone who tried to preach fear or defeat. They have had 40 years of wandering because their parents went with this message. “We WILL take the land, with the Lord’s help” was their cry. Let’s look in on the congregation as they get the word to get ready.
♥ ♦ ♥
Joshua is watching daily for the spies to return. He is wondering what is taking so long. He hasn’t told the people about the spies. The last time spies were sent out, it didn’t go well at all. Joshua does NOT want a repeat of that event.
This morning, as Joshua observes the morning sacrifice, the Lord speaks to him.
“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:2-9)
Joshua is overjoyed with this message from the Lord. “It’s Time!”
As soon as the sacrifice is burning on the altar, Joshua summoned the officers of the people using the single silver trumpet. He knows that the people will be watching to see what is going on, as this was not a call for the whole assembly. This is a good thing though because it will make the officer’s job easier. The people will be waiting for news.
Once the officers are all assembled, Joshua goes straight to work. “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.’” (Joshua 1:11)
The officers were MORE than happy to receive this news; and to pass it on. Before the small assembly broke up, Joshua turned to address the officers of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh who had already received their inheritance on this side of the Jordan.
“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.’ 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, 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.” (Joshua 1:13-15)
The officers ALL answered Joshua with the same response. They would obey him as they had Moses. “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 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! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:16-18)
All this buoyed Joshua. He knew that the Lord had put him in this place, but not having to fight the people for respect was a JAMOR bonus. What made his heart even lighter was the speed in which the message moved through the camp. Joshua could hear shouts of joy as the people learned of their impending departure. They were ready!
It took little time for the people to pack their belongings. They kept out only what they would need for the next few days.
As the people were packing, the two spies reached camp. They came to Joshua with the news they had gained in the land. They shared the story of Rahab and how she had hidden them. They also told of the bargain they had made with her. Joshua agreed whole heartedly to the terms they had worked out. The most exciting part was the spies’ assessment of what lie ahead for the people.
“Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” (Joshua 2:42) This commitment to follow the Lord and to trust Him to fulfill ALL He had promised would stay with Joshua forever. And he would return to this thought as the people readied for their upcoming departure. He prayed that this message too would filter through the camp.
(to be continued)
Talk about a LONG-awaited event. I know that waiting for Christmas as a child was difficult. This was a 40 year wait. I can’t imagine the joy of knowing that the day was withing their grasp. This group was committed to following the Lord. They did NOT want to repeat their parent’s mistakes. (I know I’ve said this already, but it bears repeating.) They probably said it to themselves daily! Were they thinking of all the steps that had to happen first? Step one was crossing the flood stage Jordan. Were those who had participated in the crossing of the Red Sea wondering if God would do the same thing this time? Were they rubbing their hands together at the thought of having their children witness an even like the one they did? Were they hoping their children would ask for the opportunity to explore this wonder, as they had wanted to, so long ago? When they crossed, it was with terror on their heels. This time, they wouldn’t be doing so under threat of death.
Father God, THAT is one experience I would LOVE to have participated in. I would want to explore all the marvels of that moment. To touch the water as it stood in a heap. To watch the fish as they swam around within that water. To touch the ground and feel how dry it was. Probably even pick up a stone or two from the bottom of the riverbed that wouldn’t have been available otherwise. Will You show me what it was like when we meet face-to-face? I know it is not beyond Your ability to do so. I’m hoping so Father. I’ll have to wait and see.
