By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read Joshua 1:1-9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“God buries his workmen, but his work goes on.” Israel has finished mourning for Moses, and now God speaks to Joshua concerning his responsibilities as the new leader of the nation.

The Rev. Ron Purkey

Let me point out Canaan is a type of the Christian’s inheritance in Christ. Canaan is not a picture of heaven, because the believer does not have to battle to gain his heavenly home. Canaan represents God’s inheritance, given to the believer and claimed by faith. The victorious Christian life is a life of battles and blessings, but it is also a life of rest.

God had chosen Joshua to be Moses’ successor as far back as the battle with Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16; notice verse 14). Moses was told to remind Joshua, and write it in his book, that Amalek would be exterminated. In Numbers 27:15 and following, God instructed Moses to “ordain” Joshua; and Moses gave a final word of blessing and encouragement to his successor. It must have encouraged Joshua greatly to know he was called of God, for he had a tremendous task ahead of him.

Notice God gives every encouragement to Joshua: (1) the promise of the land, verses 2-4; (2) the promise of God’s presence, verse 5; and (3) the assurance that God would keep his word, verses 6-9. It is interesting to study the verbs God uses: “the land which I do give . . . ” (verse 2); “ . . . that have I given” (verse 3); “ . . . to this people you shall divide . . . ” (verse 6). He had already given them the land; all they had to do was step out by faith and claim it! God has already given us “every blessing of the Holy Spirit” in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). All we need do is step out by faith and possess our possessions.

As God was with Moses, so he would be with Joshua: “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (verse 5). This promise was repeated to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:20), and is given to us in Hebrews 13:5-6. Leaders change, and times change, but God does not change. Notice that courage is demanded in the Christian life (verses 6-7, 9), but this courage is supplied by the word of God (verse 8).

Moses had been writing “the Book of the Law” (Exodus 17:14; 24:4-7; Numbers 33:2; Deuteronomy 31:9-13), and this book was now given to Joshua. He was to read the book, meditate upon it night and day, and obey its commands. See Psalms 1:1-3 and 119:15. If Joshua was able to conquer Canaan having only the first five books of the Bible, how much more ought we to overcome now that we have a complete Bible?

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.