Basic HTML Version
Crossing the Jordan
This chapter is based on Joshua 1 to 5:12.
It was not until their faithful leader was taken from them did the
Israelites fully realize the value of his wise counsels, his parental
tenderness, and his unswerving faith.
Moses was dead, but his influence would live on. After the sun
has sunk behind the hills, its glow still lights up the mountain peaks;
so the works of the pure, holy, and the good shed light on the world
long after those who performed these deeds have passed away. “The
righteous will be in everlasting remembrance” (
Psalm 112:6
).
While the people were filled with grief at their great loss, they
were not left alone. The pillar of cloud rested over the tabernacle
during the day and the pillar of fire at night. God was still willing
to be their guide and helper if they would walk in the way of His
commandments.
Joshua was now the recognized leader of Israel. Courageous,
persistent, not thinking of himself, and above all, inspired by a
living faith in God—this was the kind of man God chose to lead the
armies of Israel. He had acted as prime minister to Moses, and by
his quiet, sincere faithfulness, his firmness when others hesitated,
his determination to keep the truth in the middle of danger, he had
shown his fitness to be the next leader after Moses.
Joshua looked to the work before him with great anxiety, but the
assurance of God removed his fears: “As I was with Moses, so I will
be with you: I will not leave you nor forsake you. ... To this people
you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their
fathers to give them.” “Every place that the sole of your foot will
tread upon I have given you.” “Only be strong and very courageous,
that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses
My servant commanded. ... This Book of the Law shall not depart
from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.” “Do
302