Joshua 1:1-18.  Remember to read the “Intro to Joshua” for a little background as we look at this piece of Israel’s history.  In today’s reading Joshua takes control.  Or should I say he is given control.  God puts Joshua in command.  And Joshua does just that, they are sitting on the east bank of the Jordan River looking west tot he promised land.  He immediately orders the people to prepare to cross informing them that they will enter within three days. Then he reminds the tribes of Reuben and Gad and a part of the tribe of Manasseh that they need to go too.

As the Israelites came to the end of their wandering in the desert east and mostly south of the promised land they moved north along the eastern edge of the Dead Sea.  This territory was controlled by Canaanites, Amorites, Edomites, Midianites, and Moabite.  These groups fought against the Israelites even though in some cases Moses had tried to pass peacefully.  Although they were instructed not to destroy cities in the promised land when they took it over that was not the case as they traveled east of the River.  They destroyed some cities there and killed much of the population.  This may seem harsh but in Numbers 25 we see the influence that these people could have on the Israelites.  Remember that the Israelites were given certain rule to see if they could honor God in their lives (See “Intro to Joshua”).  The first of these rules was to not have any other god than Yahweh (Exodus 20:2-3).  In that chapter we see these foreign people luring the Israelites away from the LORD (Yahweh)to Baal the Canaanite god  (and remember that these people practices human sacrafices to their gods).  The result was that 24000 Israelites were executed for following the Canaaite god.

When the finally arrived at the place they were going to enter the promised land at the north end of the Dead Sea there was quite a bit of territory on the east of the river that they had conquered.  It was good land for ranching so the tribes of Gad and Reuben asked if they could stay there and live there.  Moses was concerned that they were not being part of the nation that God was forming.  The Gadites and Reubenites agreed to fight along side of their “brothers” (distant cousins really) and so Moses instructed that the land be given to them along with a part of the tribe of Manasseh.  That is what Joshua is reminding them about. And they remember.

Now a couple of things that interested me.  First I think it is important when something is repeated.  In the first 9 verses of Joshua God tells him to be strong and courageous.  But God also tells Joshua the He is giving him and sons of Israel the land.  God tells Joshua that no man will be able to resist him.  Why?  Because God is with him.  There is a condition though, and it seems to be a part of this whole experiment.  Success depends on learning and living by the commandments that God gave to them through Moses.  Remember and do the Law.  Finally I think it is cool that the Reubenites and Gadites and Manassites also tell Joshua to be strong and courageous.

For me today I want to remember to remember.  I need to read and study God’s word.  that’s what we are doing right now.  But I also need to do it.  That’s harder.  Finally I hope that I can repeat God’s words to others.  Ephesians 4:29 says that our words need to be build other people up by being filled with the good news of who God is and what he is doing.  God help me live for you.  Let me stay close to you through your word.  Let me think about it all the time, day and night.  Help me do it. Let me help others by sharign your love with them.  And let me never forget that you are pure and I need to be to.  Thank you for cleaning me up and thank you for your Spirit who helps in all of these things.