SUMMARY
The Lord commissions JoshuaThe successor of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan. to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan, which the Lord is giving to them.
ANALYSIS
The book of Joshua begins where the book of Deuteronomy ends, with the death of MosesProphet who led Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land and received the law at Sinai. (see Deuteronomy 34). This is just the first instance of many links between the two books, hence, the scholars’ designation of the author of Joshua as the “Deuteronomist.”
After the illustrious career of Moses, “the servant of the LORD” (1:1), Joshua is to take over leadership of the Israelites and lead them at last into Canaan, the land God has promised to them. This entry into the land fulfills the promises of the whole Pentateuch–promises to AbrahamGod promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to all nations., IsaacSon born to Abraham and Sarah in fulfillment of God's promise., and JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, renamed Israel, became the father of the twelve tribal families., as well as promises to Moses and the first generation of Israelites in the wilderness. As such, the book of Joshua records a momentous time in Israel’s history.
The task of leading the people at such a time would seem daunting to anyone. Perhaps that is why Joshua is told by God three times (1:6, 7, 9) and by the people once (1:18) to “be strong and courageous.”
The Lord also commands Joshua to obey the book of the law of Moses (1:7-8). The phrase “book of the law” refers to Deuteronomy, or at least some part of Deuteronomy (see Deuteronomy 31:9-13, 24-26). Joshua reads this book of the law to the people in a covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God's people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. renewal ceremony in Joshua 8:30-35 (see also Joshua 24:25-27).
