A Legacy Continues
“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.” ~Joshua 1:2
Moses, the servant of God, has died, but his name lives on. Six times in just nine verses, God mentions his name. Even Joshua is not referred to merely as Joshua. Did you notice that he is Joshua, the assistant of Moses? If I were Joshua, I might think, “Enough about Moses already! I feel small, weak, and out of my depth as it is. He might be dead, but I am very much alive. How on God's green earth am I supposed to fill his empty shoes?”
The opening verses of this chapter are filled with timeless relevance for God's people at crucial moments. What lessons can we discern?
God's Servant Has Died, but God Remains: “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant…” (Joshua 1:1). God's servants come and go, but God and His word abide forever.
God's Servant Has Died, but His Purpose Remains Unchanged: “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel” (Joshua 1:2). God's work and mission are not dependent on His servants—even servants as great as Moses. He creates us to fulfill His purposes, but the Creator stands in no need of His creation.
God's Servant Has Died, but His Promise Endures: “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses...” (Joshua 1:3–4). Notice that even before the Israelites step into Canaan, God confidently announces, “I have given it to you!”
God's Servant Has Died, but His Presence Abides: “Be strong and courageous...for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). The same presence that guided Israel in the wilderness, David against Goliath, and Daniel and his friends in the fiery furnace will accompany you, too.
God's Servant Has Died, but Our Duty Remains: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night...” (Joshua 1:8). Meditation and obedience are intertwined. The Hebrew word for meditation means to mutter under your breath, much like a student memorizing a poem. What fills your mouth will fill your heart, and what fills your heart will guide your life.
God insists that such a practice stands behind every true spiritual success in life. “For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8). If I could impart one exhortation that would make the greatest difference in your spiritual lives, it would be this: Memorize Scripture. In my experience, filling your mind with Scripture is akin to filling your life with God, and very often, the one leads to the other.