Joshua 1

Matthew 7:13 (New American Standard Bible)

¹³"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

Joshua 1

In Joshua 1 G-d gave leadership of the Israelites to Joshua. Moses has passed away and Joshua has taken his place before Adonai and before the Israelites to lead them into the promised land. As the L-rd is assigning Joshua this great task he tells Joshua,

⁷"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

⁸"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 success.

⁹"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (NASB)

Although the Adonai is speaking directly and specifically to Joshua in this passage I believe that we can take into account the principles and specifics that G-d speaks for our own lives.

vs 7 & 8- This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth. In the David H. Stern's Complete Jewish Bible the word "law" is translated Torah. "Keep this book of the Torah on your lips, and meditate on it day and night". This verse points out that it is important to speak of and study G-d's Torah or G-d's laws so that we can KEEP them. Why keep G-d's Torah? Many would consider it a burden and an unobtainable goal but when the L-rd told Joshua to keep his laws so that he would be prosperous and have success. If Joshua can stay on the straight and narrow path neither turning to the right or the left, Adonai promises to give Joshua success where ever he goes.

Psalm 119:97 (New International Version, ©2011)

מ Mem

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.

John 14:21 (New International Version, ©2011)

²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

vs 9- G-d promises Joshua that if he puts his faith in Him and His ways that He will be with Joshua where ever he goes. G-d actually commands Joshua NOT to be afraid.

Amazingly G-d's commands to Joshua in this chapter paint a picture of G-d's character and His desire to take care of us. He let's Joshua know of the blessing of knowing and keeping His Torah is that he will make him prosperous, give him success and be with him where ever he goes.

G-d desires so much to take care of and bless us that if we rest in Him and His promises he will give us rest and fight our battles for us. But we must be obedient to Him and trust him.

¹³"Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.'

Finally in Joshua 1, our need for a redeemer is once again demonstrated.

⁸"Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous."

Romans 6:23 (New American Standard Bible)

²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.