Joshua 1 (7)

Read Joshua 1

Reflect and discuss.
1.  As you read Joshua 1, see how many verses you can cluster around each of the words in the title of today’s summary (Presence, Promise, Power).

2.  From our study of chapter 1, why is Joshua an especially important book for those who are called to seek the Kingdom and righteousness of God (Matt. 6.33)? What have you learned thus far to help you in this calling?

Think about it.
Joshua presents a study in realizing the presence, promise, and power of God’s Kingdom. Like the main characters in a novel, each of these themes is introduced here in chapter 1. Let’s review:

Presence: The people are poised on the brink of entering the land of promise, where they will establish a new nation unlike any the world has seen before, one that will gain the admiration of all who see it (Deut. 4.5-8). More important even than this, God is present with His people (v. 5), and promises them – as He did Moses (Ex. 33.14) – that His presence would go with them unto rest and joy (v. 13-15).

Promise: Through Moses, God cast a vision of the blessings He would bring to His people in the land of promise (Deut. 28.1-14), and He summarized that vision to Joshua here in chapter 1 (vv. 3-6). Two-and-a-half tribes had already begun to taste and see that the promises of God were true and good, and they would be an inspiration for the other tribes throughout all the conquest of Canaan.

Power: God reminded Joshua of the power He had shown in the past, in delivering Israel from Egypt. Now He commanded Joshua to appropriate that power through obedience to His Law. God would flow His power through Israel, make their way to prosper, and give them success in all things as they walked according to His Word.

What God commanded Joshua, Joshua commanded the leaders of Israel, who would, in turn, command the people. Thus all would be aware of the task before them, and would take their part in seeking to realize the presence, promise, and power of God in this new kingdom He was preparing for them.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  How would God make His presence known among the people of Israel? Why was it important for the people to know this? How would they expect to realize God’s presence with them?

2.  Joshua was encouraged to remember the many ways God had shown Moses the power that accompanies His presence (v. 5). God promised to make His power available to Joshua as well. Joshua’s exercise of divine power would be for the sake of delivering Israel into the presence and promises of God. How is he a type of Jesus in this regard?

3.  In the book of Joshua, Joshua is a type of Christ, but so also is the land of promise. Explain. Meditate on Acts 1.8. In what ways are the “marching orders” Jesus has given us similar to those God gave Israel through Joshua?

“The book does not so much indicate to us the deeds of the son of Nun as it represents for us the mysteries of Jesus my Lord. For he himself is the one who assumes power after the death of Moses; he is the one who leads the army and fights against Amalek. What was foreshadowed there on the mountain by lifted hands was the time when ‘he attaches [them] to his cross, triumphing over the principalities and powers on it.’” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

Today, Lord, I would realize more of Your presence, promise, and power as I…

Pray Psalm 105.
Let this psalm lead you to praise and thank the Lord for His many blessings to you, and to guide you in preparing to realize more of His presence, promise, and power this day.

Psalm 105 (Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the Lord Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry! 
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand. 

Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part. 
Him and His strength and presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak. 

You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand! 
He is our Lord, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth. 

He will His covenant faithfully guard – His oath, the promise of His Word. 
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!

He brought His people from Egypt alive, and made their joy and song revive. 
He made the nations’ land their own, and all the wealth that they had known. 

To them He granted the promised land, the portion of His gracious hand. 
Though they were few, and wandered far, He kept them close within His heart. 

So let us all in our Savior confide, and in His holy Law abide. 
Let us observe His glorious Word, and praise our sovereign, faithful Lord!

T. M. Moore

The seven lessons in this week’s study in the book of Joshua, are available as a free PDF by clicking here.

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.