In yesterday's passage the Lord encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous. The time is at hand to begin taking hold of the promises the Lord made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land of Canaan. Now that Joshua's spirit is refreshed by his time with the Lord, he's ready to take action. He tells the people to prepare themselves to cross the Jordan River in three days.
"So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 'Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.'" (Joshua 1:10-11) Joshua didn't tell the people to prepare themselves to move out until after the Lord told him it was time to move out. Joshua isn't operating on his own timetable but on the Lord's timetable. It wasn't until after the Lord encouraged and strengthened Joshua for the task ahead that Joshua began preparing the Israelites for action. Even then he gives them three days to pack up for the move because they have to prepare their hearts and minds and belongings.
I want to stop here to point out that we must beware of "now or never" offers. The Lord prepares us ahead of time for big tasks. When an unexpected opportunity suddenly comes our way out of the blue, and when there's an intense sense of urgency about it as if we have to make a decision now or the opportunity will disappear, that's a good sign that it isn't from the Lord. If we aren't being given time to pray and consult the Lord about whether or not this is His will for us, there's a good chance it isn't His will or that it isn't His will at this time. If we are being pressured to make a big decision without talking to the Lord first, we have to ask ourselves whether the offer is coming from the enemy of our souls as an attempt to get us off track, out of the Lord's will, and straight into trouble.
Next Joshua reminds some of his fellow Israelites of a promise they made. You'll recall from Numbers 32 that the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh wanted as their inheritance the land on the east side of the Jordan River. They were cattle farmers and thought the land on the east of the Jordan was perfect for their herds. But the men had promised Moses that they would still cross the Jordan and help the other tribes gain their inheritance on the west side. Joshua reminds them of their obligation. "But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 'Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, 'The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.' Your wives, your children and your livestock must stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites.'" (Joshua 1:12-14a) These tribes were assigned territories ahead of the other tribes (because they requested it) and now they are to go across the Jordan ahead of the other tribes. They had given their word to Moses that they would lead the charge into the promised land, saying, "We will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place." (Numbers 32:17a)
They had sworn they would not return to their land east of the Jordan until all the other tribes received their territories, so Joshua reminds them that their oath was not made void by the death of Moses. Their oath was made as much to the Lord as to anyone else and they are bound to fulfill it. "You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as He has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise." (Joshua 1:14b-15)
The men confirm their intention to do exactly what they said they'd do. They also swear their allegiance to Joshua as the servant of the Lord. Just as they obeyed the Lord's instructions relayed to them by Moses, they intend to obey what the Lord says to them through Joshua. "Then they answered Joshua, 'Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!'" (Joshua 1:16-18)
These men now bestow a blessing upon Joshua: "May the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses." This is a prayer we ought to be praying for our religious leaders. We are to pray for our political leaders too, for the Apostle Paul said, "I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people---for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Paul was living under the authority of the Roman Empire at the time, yet he still prayed for the heathen idolaters who were in political authority. He prayed that they would come to know the Lord and that the Lord would be with them as they ruled the land. He prayed that those who had already come to faith in the Lord would remain strong in the faith. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our political leaders loved and obeyed the Lord? Imagine how much better everything would be for every citizen if our government officials were seeking the will of the Lord and doing exactly what He tells them to do!
The men make it a capital offense to disobey the instructions of Joshua. Joshua's instructions are coming straight from the Lord; to disobey him is to disobey the Lord. The death penalty will be carried out upon anyone who defies Joshua's orders.
The men finish restating their promise by confirming to Joshua what the Lord has already said to him: "Be strong and courageous!" The Lord often confirms His instructions to us through other believers. For example, let's say we've been praying about a certain matter and meditating upon the word of God. We keep feeling like the Lord is sending us a particular message or is leading us in a particular direction. The Holy Spirit is working to confirm the Lord's message to our hearts and we feel quite confident that we have heard the Lord clearly. Still, we are weak and mortal creatures. We like as much confirmation as we can get, don't we? We have a tendency to doubt whether or not we really heard the Lord saying what we think He said. He'll usually follow up by sending us the same message through other believers.
I'll give you a quick example (one of many) of how He's done this in my own life. In 2019 I needed an endoscopy done to diagnose whether I was having symptoms of acid reflux or whether it was something more serious. I'd never had anesthesia in my life and I was terrified of it. I was overwhelmed with the fear that I wouldn't wake up. Several times I'd talked myself in and out of going through the procedure. A few days before I was scheduled to have it done I was praying and studying the Bible and very clearly felt the Holy Spirit confirming I should have the test done when He took this verse and aimed it right at me: "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." (Psalm 3:5) Of course I was already familiar with this verse but I knew on this particular occasion the Holy Spirit was telling me to go ahead and have the test done and that I would be fine. I went to bed feeling at peace but woke up in the morning doubting whether I'd misheard the Lord. I asked Him if, in His patience and mercy, He'd send me additional confirmation. An hour or two later I opened the Facebook app on my phone to begin scrolling down the newsfeed and at the top of my newsfeed a casual friend (who knew nothing about my health issues or my upcoming test) had posted: "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." So I said, "Okay, Lord, I hear You. I'm still scared but I believe You're telling me You'll keep me safe under anesthesia and that You'll wake me up again."
The Lord knows we are weak. He knows we need reassurance. He knows we feel better when a message is confirmed to us. Joshua was an ordinary human being just like the rest of us and he needed reassurance and confirmation. The Lord lovingly sent him that reassurance and confirmation through the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh when they repeated the words the Lord had already said to him: "Be strong and courageous!"
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