Joshua 1:5-9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:6

Verse 6 6.Be strong, etc An exhortation to fortitude is added, and indeed repeated, that it may make the deeper impression. At the same time the promise is introduced in different words, in which Joshua is assured of his divine call, that he might have no hesitation in undertaking the office which had been divinely committed to him, nor begin to waver midway on being obliged to contend with obstacles. It would not have been enough for him diligently to begirt himself at the outset without being... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:8

Verse 8 8.This book of the Law, etc Assiduous meditation on the Law is also commanded; because, whenever it is intermitted, even for a short time, many errors readily creep in, and the memory becomes rusted, so that many, after ceasing from the continuous study of it, engage in practical business, as if they were mere ignorant tyros. God therefore enjoins his servant to make daily progress, and never cease, during the whole course of his life, to profit in the Law. Hence it follows that those... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 1:9

Verse 9 9.Have not I commanded, etc Although in Hebrew a simple affirmation is often made in the form of a question, and this phraseology is of very frequent occurrence, here, however, the question is emphatic, to give an attestation to what had previously been taught, while the Lord, by bringing his own authority distinctly forward, relieves his servant from care and hesitancy. He asks, Is it not I who have commanded thee? I too will be present with thee. Observe the emphasis: inasmuch as it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua the successor of Moses. The very name Joshua, Jesus, "God's salvation," is enough of itself to awaken special interest in the man who, on the page of Scripture, first bears it. It is suggestive at once of the nature of his life work, and it leads us to anticipate some points of analogy between him and the Savior of the world. Joshua is one of the few Old Testament characters against whose name there is no reproach. Not that this Book presents any formal delineation of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:5

EXPOSITION THE SOURCE OF JOSHUA 'S CONFIDENCE .— There shall not any man be able to stand before thee. Literally, no one shall set himself up against thee, i.e; successfully resist thee ( ἀντιστήσεται , LXX ). As I was with Moses. Literally, as I have been with Moses: that is to say, was with him and remained with him unto the end. The continuity of the work of God under the old dispensation is thus as clearly marked as that of the new in Matthew 28:20 ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:5-6

The leader's promise. Such is God's word to Joshua when commencing his great task. He needed the urgent precept and the supporting promise. He was no youthful dreamer, but one long past middle life, who had no exaggerated estimate of Israel's faithfulness, and no illusions about its task. He needed, and here he gets, the quickening influence of a sacred charge. As God spake to him, so he would speak to all who are constrained by a sense of duty to God or man to undertake some task that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:5-9

The source of Joshua's confidence. I. HE HAD BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD . Moses was dead, and Joshua's heart might well have failed him. For the great lawgiver had found the task of leading the Israelites from Egypt to the borders of the promised land too much for his strength and spirit ( Exodus 18:13-17 ; Numbers 11:11-17 ; Deuteronomy 1:9-15 ). Constant rebellions and murmurings had weakened his hands. "They provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:6

Be strong and of a good courage. Literally, be strong and vigorous. The word does not refer so much to the character of Joshua as to his actions. He was to be a man of action, alert, prompt, ready to act when occasion demanded (see Deuteronomy 31:6 , Deuteronomy 31:7 , Deuteronomy 31:8 , Deuteronomy 31:23 ). Which I sware unto their fathers (see note on verse 3). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:6-9

A renewed covenant. The covenant made with the patriarchs, and afterwards with their descendants when they came out of Egypt, is here renewed in almost the same words. The promises are identical ( Joshua 1:4 , Joshua 1:5 ), and also the conditions of their fulfilment, which are summed up in fidelity and obedience: " Observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee" ( Joshua 1:7 , Joshua 1:8 ). This renewal to each generation of the covenant between... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 1:7

Be very courageous . The word is the same as is translated "be of good courage" above. Knobel remarks that the phraseology here is similar to that of Deuteronomy, but "strange to the other Books" of the Pentateuch. This may be from the fact that Deuteronomy is throughout hortatory, while the other Books are historical. But the recurrence of the hortatory phrases of Deuteronomy here is at least remarkable (see verse 3). Prosper . Rather, perhaps be wise (cf. Deuteronomy 29:9 , though,... read more

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