Introduction
Commentary On The Book of Joshua Chapters 1-4.
Israel prepare to enter the land of Canaan, and experience the miraculous power of YHWH in opening up the River Jordan so that they can pass over. Meanwhile two military scouts have reconnoitred Jericho, being saved from capture by a prostitute innkeeper Rahab who is promised that when Jericho is taken she and all her close family will be spared. The crossing of the Jordan is safely accomplished and twelve stones set up as a memorial of the event.
Chapter 1. God Instructs and Encourages Joshua.
The book commences with the fact that, with Moses being dead, YHWH directs and encourages Joshua to take command of the children of Israel, and to go over Jordan with them. His purpose was that Joshua might take possession of the land of Canaan, and divide it among them. He initially gives him firm and gracious promises and strong assurances of His presence, and some good advice with respect to his behaviour, upon which Joshua orders the people to be ready ‘in three days’ to go along with him. He particularly addresses the Reubenites and Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, who had settled in Transjordan, and puts them in mind of what Moses had ordered when they had obtained permission to do so. They had subsequently promised to go along with their ‘brothers’, and assist them in conquering the land. This they had readily agreed to do, and had promised total obedience to him. Now they were being called on to fulfil their obligation.
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