Israel is in a significant time of transition. In Joshua 1, the Lord tells Joshua that He will be with him and that He will give Israel the land He promised to their forefathers. The key to Joshua’s success would be to meditate on God’s Word, obey it, and apply it to his life.
Our Hope Is Anchored in God’s Word
What has God said in His Word about the Jewish people and the land of Israel? What promises and covenants has God made with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Every Christian can be blessed by knowing these Scriptures, recognizing their significance in the time in which we live, and using them as a foundation for prayer for Israel.
In our previous studies, we examined God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). God promised them the land of Canaan and even described the boundaries of the land He promised to give them.
In the first chapter of Joshua, we see Israel entering a key time of transition. Moses has died, and the Lord tells Joshua that He will be with him and will not fail or forsake him. The Lord commands Joshua to be strong and courageous and tells him that He will give Israel the land He promised to their forefathers.
The Lord also makes clear that Joshua’s success would be connected to his obedience to God’s Word. He was to meditate on the Book of the Law, day and night, and carefully follow all that was written in it.
Joshua 1:2–9 NASB 1995
The first thing the Lord says to Joshua is, “Moses My servant is dead.” The Lord did not want Joshua to remain focused on the past. Instead, He called him to arise, be strong and courageous, and lead Israel into the land He had promised to their forefathers.
God also tells Joshua that the key to his success would be to meditate on His Word day and night and to do everything written in it. In this passage, God confirms His promise concerning the land and describes its boundaries:
2 “Moses My servant is dead; so now 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 steps, 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 one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon 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. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 5:13–15 NASB 1995
The Lord then appears to Joshua as a man with his sword drawn as he approaches Jericho. Joshua asks whether this man is for Israel or for its enemies. The answer reveals an important spiritual principle: the Lord does not take human sides in a conflict; He is the “captain of the host of the LORD.” Abraham Lincoln during the civil war was asked if he was praying that God be on the side of the north. He answered and said, no I am not praying that God is on our side; I am praying that I am on God’s side. Our prayer should always align with God’s Word and His will.
13 Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, he raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 He said, “No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.” And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” 15 And the captain of the LORD’S host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
This passage reminds us that Joshua’s confidence was not ultimately in Israel’s strength but in the Lord and in His Word. Joshua’s responsibility was to listen to God, follow His instructions, and walk in obedience. God is committed to fulfilling His Word, and if we follow Him, we will have success.
Joshua 10:24–25 NASB 1995
Another key principle appears in Joshua 10. Israel’s victories were connected to their obedience to the word of the Lord. Joshua encouraged the leaders of Israel’s army to be strong and courageous because of what the Lord had promised and was committed to do:
24 And it came about when they brought these kings out to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks. 25 Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.”
The story of Joshua teaches us the importance of trusting God’s Word, obeying His instructions, and remaining strong and courageous in the face of opposition.
We see this principle unfolding today in modern Israel. As we consider Israel today, these Scriptures provide an important foundation for prayer. We should carefully study what God has spoken concerning Israel, His covenant promises, and the land, and allow His Word—not circumstances—to shape the way we pray.
Our hope is ultimately anchored in the faithfulness of God and in His Word.