V 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. It is great reminder to everyone that we should meditate on the word of God day and night and be very careful to do, only then God will shower his blessing/favor upon us
Prosperity and success in God’s term is way different from world’s term. God’s Word has the power to make us prosperous and successful (v. 8). Therefore, let’s get embedded in the Word of God by eagerly examining (studying) the Word of God and exemplifying the Word of God in our lives.
The promises ,”I will never leave you nor forsake you”, “God will be with you wherever you go” encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous.
God wants us to prosper and get rest. In our time as Christians, we have battles in our own ways. If we give God the first priority in everything we do and follow His commandments , our life will be prosperous and peaceful. For that we have to be strongly rooted in God’s word and commandments.
V15:You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest. Many times, as soon as we reach safety, we start taking rest, but God wants us to go forward, in defense of our brothers until they are safe.
Should we read the OT through the NT glasses? When the Lord tells the Israelites to “obey all the law…Keep this Book of the Law” (v. 7) is he expecting the law to prove they are sinners or is he genuinely asking them to lead a moral life knowing fully well that they can’t live up to it? What was the success (vv. 7, 8) he was talking about? Maybe, I’m jumping the gun. Would like to see how I feel after 24 days.
Or was He just trying to get them to trust and depend on him completely? “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5) and “…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (v. 9)
Remember God’s words always and do according to it.Keep it on your lips always.Help your brothers.
13,14,15 Joshua was asking them to help their fellow brothers to be settled even when they were already settled and they obeyed and came out of their comfort zone to help their fellow brothers. We should also do that.
7 Only be strong and very courageous , that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left , that you may prosper wherever you go. – Jesus said Mathew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness , all these things shall be added to you.
– Law controls the body and spirit follows.
– Now it is in the reverse; body to follow spirit
Be strong (v9)Meditate(v8)
Fear not(v9)
this is a great promise for me to gain great strength when I have to face tough situations. I will not feel under qualified to do his work. The only reason how I can live courageously is by trusting God is with me always. He calls us to live a strong courageous life without fear, knowing that he will be with us always.
1. Facing funerals and Raging rivers Moses has died. Moses the greatest leader of Jewish history has died. Israel is now stuck between a funeral and a river. So what does Yahweh say to Joshua? Mourn ? No. Arise and crossover Jordan. Moses might die but God IS. Moses has left Israel but Yahweh has not.
2. Bold for a reason
God is not asking Joshua to be bold and bite his teeth and use his willpower. He is not saying you can do it Joshua. Try harder. Yes! you can. No never. God is not a self-help motivational speaker. Quite simply Joshua is asked to be bold (6,7,9) “Only” Because Yahweh is by His side (v 9 keyword “for”).
3. Most of the chapter describes how Joshua succeeds in uniting the people of the tribes to conquer the land. The 2.5 tribes are not interested. They think they are fine where they are. Joshua does NOT say God needs you. Instead, he says come and join and see how God is going to do it ( John 1?) for your brothers. You are going to give rest to your brother (16,17). a helpful model for leadership in a crisis.
After Moses, God uses Joshua to lead His people. God strengthens him, promises him, “Be strong and courageous, I will give you every place where you set your foot (v3). Your territory will extend (v4). No one will be able to stand against you (v5). You will lead them (v6)”.
-All you need to do is, Obey my word (law), do not turn from it to the right or to the left, keep my words always on your lips, meditate on it day and night (v7-8).
-Then, ONLY then, I’ll be with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you (v5), you will be prosperous and successful (v7-8). This is the message for the children of God. Let’s keep his words in our hearts and meditate on it day and night!
God told Joshua to follow the law. We should do what God tells us to do.
V(8-9): Obeying the Word of God is a guide for us and will lead us to be prosperous and successful. Our hearts and minds will prosper in God’s Word which could very well lead us to success here on earth.Another point is that God is with us everywhere we go!!! God is with us in even MORE ways than we usually imagine. This gives me confidence and courage to face all obstacles.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Everyone likes the verse “Be strong and good courage , be not afraid ” . In Joshua period, Moses was a servant of God and he commanded some commandments to follow , (v7). If god gives one promise to is it’s not for living worldly prosperous and safety life , we may face lots of things it could be ( suffering , problems , selfless life etc) ,for that purpose only we need that promise to comfort us and to be meek us . God is reminding us all the time (“be strong and courage and be not afraid “) to live a life like Jesus .