Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

1:1-9 God confirmed Joshua as Israel’s leader and Moses’ successor. God made Abraham a specific promise to bring his descendants into possession of the land of Canaan (Gen 12:7; 15:7; 17:8). This promise was repeated to Moses (Exod 3:6-8; 13:3-5; Deut 1:6-8; 6:10-19). Now God was ready to fulfill his promise using Joshua. Joshua led Israel’s first generation of settlers into the Promised Land, and his victories against two Canaanite coalitions—first in the south and then in the north—opened the hill country for settlement by the Israelites.

1:1-2 Moses had died on Mount Nebo east of the Jordan (Deut 34:1-5).

Verse 3

1:3 Moses’ death did not end God’s presence with or guidance of Israel.

Verse 4

1:4 Ancient Israel’s southernmost settlement was in the Negev, in the vicinity of Beersheba (15:28). Israel’s northernmost tribes settled in portions of the Lebanon mountains, which made them neighbors of the Sidonians. • The Hittites were one of the subgroups that made up Canaan’s population (see study note on 3:10).

Verse 5

1:5 God promised never to fail or abandon Joshua, just as he had promised Moses (cp. Deut 31:6-8).

Verse 6

1:6-9 For emphasis, God told Joshua three times that he would need to be strong and courageous in order to be successful against the Canaanites, who outnumbered Israel. The people would also need to be careful to obey all the instructions Moses had given them if Israel were to settle the land, establish productive farms, and build homes, villages, and cities. The land is God’s land, as is the whole earth (Ps 24:1); God brought Israel into Canaan as tenants, not as owners (Lev 25:23).

1:6 you are the one: God delegated Joshua as the primary agent to fulfill the promise he had given to their ancestors (see Exod 6:8).

Verse 8

1:8 This Book of Instruction (Hebrew torah) probably refers to the book of Deuteronomy (see Deut 4:44; 29:21; 30:10; 31:9-12). It includes Israel’s foundational law codes as well as God’s moral and spiritual instructions. • God commanded Joshua to think and speak of God’s instruction day and night—i.e., continually (cp. Deut 6:6-7; 17:18-20).

Verse 9

1:9 As the Israelites entered Canaan, they would fight the worshipers of the Canaanite gods, but they were afraid these gods would grant the Canaanites victory in battle. In reassuring Joshua, God used his personal name the Lord (Hebrew Yahweh; see study note on Exod 3:15) to remind Joshua that the Lord was more powerful than any false gods the Canaanites might invoke. • your God is with you: God’s continuous presence made it possible for Joshua to heed God’s instruction.

Verse 10

1:10 commanded: Joshua now began leading God’s people.

Verse 11

1:11 Because of fear and unbelief, the previous generation had refused to enter the Promised Land from the south forty years earlier (see Num 13–14). The current generation would now enter from the east, across the Jordan River.

Verse 12

1:12-15 Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had requested and received from Moses the conquered land east of the Jordan (Num 32:33).

Verse 13

1:13 God wanted the people of Israel to experience the spiritual, cultural, and emotional rest of a right relationship with him and each other, not just the physical rest of living in a secure and abundant land (see Heb 4:1-11).

Verse 14

1:14 The warriors of the 2½ tribes had promised to cross the Jordan with the rest of Israel to help them conquer their land (Num 32:16-19). Joshua reminded them of their obligation.

Verse 17

1:17 Israel often did not obey . . . Moses. However, the tribes living east of the Jordan did cross with the rest of Israel, and they did not return to their own land and homes until Joshua dismissed them (22:6).

Verse 18

1:18 Disobeying God’s chosen ruler was treason against God himself.