Basic HTML Version
Chapter 23—Entering the Promised Land
This chapter is based on
Joshua 1
;
3-6
;
23
and
24
.
After the death of Moses, Joshua was to be the leader of Israel, to
conduct them to the Promised Land. He had been prime minister to
Moses during the greater part of the time the Israelites had wandered
in the wilderness. He had seen the wonderful works of God wrought
by Moses, and well understood the disposition of the people. He was
one of the twelve spies who were sent out to search the Promised
Land, and one of the two who gave a faithful account of its richness
and who encouraged the people to go up in the strength of God to
possess it. He was well qualified for this important office. The Lord
promised Joshua to be with him as He had been with Moses, and to
make Canaan fall an easy conquest to him, provided he would be
faithful to observe all His commandments. He was anxious as to
how he should execute his commission in leading the people to the
land of Canaan, but this encouragement removed his fears.
Joshua commanded the children of Israel to prepare for a three-
day journey, and that all the men of war should go out to battle. “And
they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us, we will
do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as
we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto
[176]
thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as He was with Moses.
Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will
not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he
shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.”
The passage of the Israelites over Jordan was to be miraculous.
“And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow
the Lord will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the
priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before
the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went
before the people. And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I
136