I Will Give the Land
“I will give you
every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” Josh. 1:3
The Lord appointed Joshua to take
command and lead the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the Promised
Land of Canaan. Joshua 1:1-11 depicts the charge given to Joshua,
including: “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I
promised Moses… No one will be able to stand up against you all the days
of your life…I will never leave you nor forsake you….Be strong and very
courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land which I
swore to their forefathers to give them…Have I not commanded you? Be
strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for
the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua received the charge and command
from the Lord and gathered the people together. Clearly he knew from the
Lord’s instruction the battle would not be easy. Yet God had promised the
victory. Joshua went forth in faith and told the people in 3:5, “Consecrate
yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” Chapters
3 and 4 describe the powerful scene whereby the people of Israel fall in behind
the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. As soon as the priests
touched the water of the Jordan, the river stood up in a heap. The
Israelites could cross the river safely, while the priests stood in the middle
of the Jordan on dry land, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. It was only
after each person had crossed the Jordan that the priests then made their way
to the other side of the riverbank. When they did, the waters began to
flow again. This is the awesomeness of God: for the Ark contained the
presence of God: He went ahead of His people; stood in their midst; and came in
behind them. We have battles in our lives – they are the Lord’s to fight.
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