11 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord , that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun , Moses' [1]servant , saying , 2 "Moses My servant is dead ; now therefore arise , cross this Jordan , you and all this people , to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel . 3 " Every place on which the sole of your foot treads , I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses . 4 " From the wilderness and this Lebanon , even as far as the great river , the river Euphrates , all the land of the Hittites , and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory . 5 " No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life . Just as I have been with Moses , I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 " Be strong and courageous , for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 1:1-6
Commentary on Joshua 1:1-4
(Read Joshua 1:1-4)
Joshua had attended upon Moses. He who was called to honour, had been long used to business. Our Lord Jesus took upon him the form of a servant. Joshua was trained up under command. Those are fittest to rule, who have learned to obey. The removal of useful men should quicken survivors to be the more diligent in doing good. Arise, go over Jordan. At this place and at this time the banks were overflowed. Joshua had no bridge or boats, and yet he must believe that God, having ordered the people over, would open a way.
Commentary on Joshua 1:5-9
(Read Joshua 1:5-9)
Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is charged to meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it. Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful. All his orders to the people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God. Joshua must himself be under command; no man's dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God. He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God. Let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be sure to bear thee out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as Joshua here, was borne up under his sufferings by a regard to the will of God, and the commandment from his Father.