Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:5-9 Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. But how foolish! Meditation has a fourfold purpose: We have mentioned that three times God commanded Joshua to have courage (Josh. 1:1-9). The New Testament makes one of them in particular available to us all. i., p. 626. But the Lord relieved this fear by promising that He would never depart from Israel so long as Joshua stood as their leader. 1:6, 7, 9). Joshua 1:9 is rich with meaning and worthy of much meditation. If we are not obeying Him in the details of our lives there is little point in making great offerings. Can a Christian claim these things on the strength of Joshua 1:7-8? Likewise, in the Christian life we do not sit idle and bask in blessings shining down from heaven. Sermon Bible Commentary. Meditation keeps divine truth in the forefront of our minds, where we can easily find it in moments of great need. I saw three or four members hurrying in, and I hurried in with them. Yes, in our flesh we cannot keep it. He said, "I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way" (Exod. He was evidently referring to the dressing of his corpse and its removal to a place of burial. After reading a passage, we must remember it from time to time during the day and ask ourselves what it says about our present experience. Joshua 1:9. Note; (1.) Ellison, Christian World Pulpit, vol. The purpose of the law is to teach us the sinfulness of our hearts so that we might know our need of a Savior (Rom. God said, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth" (v. 8), and also, "Observe to do according to all the law" (v. 7). He had, of course, indirectly pointed to Himself all the way through. Temptation often gives us little time to prepare a defense. Nor do we face certain martyrdom, as did Peter. It is a comfort to the people of God, that, though ministers die, Jesus their Lord for ever lives to provide for and direct them. 1:2). I too will be present with thee. I got a half-holiday for the purpose. These words have much to say to us. Only when we know the law in its supreme holiness do we understand why through our own efforts it is impossible to please God. 10:34-36), and to endure hardships of all kinds (2 Tim. Hutchinson, describing certain passages in the Puritan defence of Nottingham against the Cavaliers, adds quaintly, “It was a great instruction that the best and highest courages are beams of the Almighty.” No one except our Redeemer can redeem us from the sin of cowardice. II. Those whom God calls to succeed eminent ministers, though they may feel their own insufficiency, must not be discouraged, but rely upon his grace and strength who gives the mission. We must devote time to the solemn task of searching the Word for personal help. While Moses was receiving the law on Mt. Joshua 1:1-9 SUPER MEN - Joshua: Be Strong and Courageous June 2, 2019 Joshua 1:1-9 (p. 147) Introduction: Franklin Delano Roosevelt ascended to the Presidency of the United States after fighting the corrupt tyranny system in New York City. The fruit of this kind of meditation is a deeper familiarity with the ways of God than we could ever reach just by listening to lessons and sermons (Ps. Why might he have succumbed to fears at this moment of taking power? JOSHUA’S COMMISSION (Joshua 1:1-9). For what deeper self-depreciation is there than for a man to live in the world forgetful of what he is brought here for—forgetful of his Christian privileges, of his Christian name, of his Christian freedom? The Christian can plant his feet on the same promise. When we cannot quite recall what the Bible says, we try to reconstruct it in our own words. 3:13). II. The bounds are wide and extended; and had they been faithful to God, he had not suffered a tittle to have been unfulfilled: if they never occupied the whole, they must blame their own unbelief and disobedience. The above things, to go over Jordan with the people into the land of Canaan, and to observe the law of Moses in all things, and to be of good courage, which is again repeated; consider who it is that has given these orders and instructions, the great Jehovah, the everlasting I AM, … "Spiritual" in this context refers primarily to a believer who is qualified to give counsel because the same sin has not captured him (Matt. How much easier to defend ourselves if we can instantly recall those texts that define right and wrong and those that promise us divine assistance against the tempter. Therefore, to assure that we will meet trouble with a courageous heart, we must cling by faith to two certainties. primarily from his dad. It is not too much to say that all men go wrong by underestimating themselves? According to tradition, Peter was indeed crucified, and by his own choice he was crucified head down. Although mourning in the Middle East is always expressed by wailing and weeping, their sorrow had an intensity beyond what was merely customary, because they keenly felt the loss. God calls us to live courageously, without fear, knowing that God is with us at all times. Indeed they had chariots and walled cities, and among them were giants. Their entrance into the land marked the beginning of a difficult military campaign. We do not look forward to complete success, as did Joshua. He would die in great agony because he served Christ. (16-18) Commentary on Joshua 1:1-4 (Read Joshua 1:1-4) Joshua had attended upon Moses. The ten spies had been right in reporting that the Canaanites were a strong people. 33:3). Now I just need to work on bringing that same trust and courage into all the moments of life! This was not just good advice. What is the remedy for doubt? We come up with our own version of the Bible. 6:33). While we live in this world, our enemies look for ways to overcome us, and we remain in a state of warfare. 7:18-19). Faith that a loving God is in control. But we have not been delivered from the obligation to pursue a manner of life that shines with goodness and holiness as defined by the law. He himself, after working as Moses’ assistant for almost forty years, regarded him almost as a father figure. The consideration of which would serve to animate him to the work he was called unto, to encourage his faith in God, to engage in his service cheerfully and readily: be strong, and of a good courage; See Gill on Joshua 1:6; See Gill on Joshua 1:7. be not afraid, nor be thou dismayed; at his enemies, numerous and powerful, nor discouraged at anything in himself, any unfitness for such service, as he might think, or at any difficulties he might fear from the people he had the government of, and was to lead on; it was enough that the divine Presence was promised him, and which is repeated: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest: or, as the Targum of Jonathan,"for thy help is the Word of the Lord thy God;'See Gill on Joshua 1:5. God promises to meet all his real needs, not to satisfy all his selfish dreams. We like Joshua 1:9 because we’ve had times in our lives where we feel much like Joshua would have—overwhelmed by the call of God upon our lives. Their mourning for him continued thirty days (Deut. (24) This passage also teaches that nothing is more effectual to produce confidence than when trusting to the call and the command of God, and feeling fully assured of it in our own conscience, we follow whithersoever he is pleased to lead. When God is pleased to work, none shall hinder: the mountains of difficulty shall, before our divine Zerubbabel, become a plain. On the strength of these certainties, we look to God for help when trouble comes, and whatever happens, we accept the outcome as for our good. -- it is YHWH your God Who is with you’. God’s Commission to Joshua. I commanded thee — I whom thou art obliged to obey: I who can carry thee through every thing I put thee upon: I of whose faithfulness and almighty power thou hast had large experience? Joshua reminds the 2 and ½ tribes of their responsibilities (10-18) I. The people celebrate this blessing by passing in front of the ark of the Lord—the abode of his presence—and dropping memorial stones in the Jordan riverbed. the Lord spake unto Joshua . The Bible tells us in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? References: Joshua 1:9.—J. Moses’ minister. “Have not I commanded you? Joshua has just seen how fervently the people admired and loved their deliverer from Egypt. God speaks to Joshua (1-9) II. I first got into a seat with the name of ‘Canning’ on it. 8:2). (5-9) Preparation to pass over Jordan. I didn’t think of getting an order from an M.P. There are times in every individual’s life, where they are frightened and distressed about the future. 14:6-10). Clarke (1760-1832) was Methodist, Wesleyan, Arminian, (e.g., Clarke "suggested that although God can know all future events, He chooses not to know some events beforehand" Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, page 808).He did not always interpret Scripture literally and so was amillennial (to quote Clarke on 1000 years - "I am satisfied that this period should … The courage expected of us falls between the easiest and the hardest. In the face of a crisis, are instruction from God is the same as it was to Joshua… We detect here evidence of Joshua’s humility. The Lord appoints Joshua to succeed Moses. Otherwise, his knowledge of it will consist of snatches imperfectly remembered and perhaps tainted with distortions. The Bible is full of truth that is not easily grasped. In His assurances to Joshua, He told him the measures he could take to keep his followers from mutiny. He also calls us to meditate in His word day and night with a view to obeying all His commands. 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