Joshua 1 (4)

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’” Joshua 1.10, 11

Reflect and discuss.
1.  How important is it to prepare daily for your walk with and work for the Lord? How do you prepare? How do you think about the day ahead, and how does this affect your preparations?

2.  Read Matthew 25.1-13. What do the lamps represent? What does the oil represent? What’s the lesson here about making ready for the Lord’s return?

Think about it.
Joshua was an effective leader, and we will see this in a variety of ways. Here we may observe three important components of effective leadership as he begins to ready the people for their mission.

First, effective leaders do not act alone. God had structured His people so that each of the twelve tribes was broken down into family groups, and each of the tribes and family groups appointed heads or judges to preside over them. Moses was introduced to this way of organizing by his father-in-law in Exodus 18, and God confirmed the grace shown to Jethro when He commanded that judges and elders be appointed for every tribe, family group, and town in Israel. Joshua knew these leaders were important to the success of God’s mission for Israel, so he engaged them from the get-go.

Second, Joshua also understood that this project would require the commitment and involvement of all the people of God. He made sure to instruct the leaders to ready all the people and the entire camp of Israel for the events that were about to ensue. Joshua might have done this by speaking to the people in a general assembly; however, he understood that to engage and keep all the people involved, they would need to identify with their chosen leaders, so he entrusted this beginning of preparations to them.

Third, Joshua outlined the scope and objective of Israel’s mission, and set it firmly within the framework of what God had promised His people. The task ahead of them would be long and arduous, but the goal was worth it, and the Word of God underwrote it all. There must be no mistaking the mission on the part of the people, and no doubt as to whether God was in it with them.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Leaders lead by vision, goals, plans, and promises (or objectives, outcomes). How can you see that in Joshua’s instructions to the officers of the people? Does this reflect the practice of your church’s leaders? Explain.

2.  Was it important that all the people understood the mission to which God had called them? Why?

3.  We note that Joshua commandedthe officers of the people. He didn’t suggest, and he didn’t request nor merely encourage. He commanded. What is implied in this verb? How would those officers have understood what was required of them? Is there a place for commanding leaders in churches today? Explain.

“For this reason Joshua said to the people, ‘Prepare your provisions for the journey.’ Today, if you willingly listen, Christ our Lord says to you, ‘If you will follow me, prepare food for the journey.’ This food is good works which accompany us like faithful food for the journey to future bliss. Therefore, consider, brothers, that if each one does not prepare food for himself, he cannot follow Joshua when he enters the land of promise.” Caesarius of Arles (470-543 AD)

Lord, Your promises lie ahead of me today, as I go into my Personal Mission Field. Help me make ready, so that…

Pray Psalm 121.
How do you need the Lord’s help today? Be specific as you seek Him for it. How will you know the Lord as your help, shade, and preserver throughout this day?

Psalm 121 (Duke Street: Jesus Shall Reign)
I lift up my eyes up to the heights: 
Whence comes my help by day, by night?
My help comes from the Lord above!
He made creation by His love!

God will not let our footsteps fall; 
He will preserve us all in all.
He does not slumber, does not sleep; 
God will His chosen people keep.

You are our Keeper and our Shade; 
You have our debt of sin repaid!
You will preserve us by Your might; 
Naught shall afflict us day or night.

Lord, You will guard our lives from ill; 
You will our trembling souls keep still. 
All our endeavors You will guard; 
Eternal praise be Yours, O Lord!

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.