Exegesis Paper: Joshua 1:1-9, Context, Exegesis, Application of the Meaning

    EXEGESIS PAPER: JOSHUA1:1-9  Name Instructor Course Date   Background             In Joshua 1:1-9 God commissions Joshua as the leader of the Israelites following the death of Moses, and Joshua is tasked with guiding the people to the Promised Land. God promises Joshua that he will be the Israelites that no person will stand in his way as he was to fulfill God’s promise. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”   God also urges Joshua to be courageous and follow his laws while also meditating as commanded by God. The history of the people of Israel is one where the people were persecuted, but Go d had made a covenant with Moses his servant to deliver the people. God/ Yahweh installed Joshua as a leader and gives the reassurance that there is nothing to worry about as Joshua was capable of leading the people to the promised Land. God further encourages Joshua to follow his commandments for him to be prosperous during journey and after settling on the Promised Land. It is only when the people drew strength from God that he was able to fulfill their needs and desires. In encouraging Joshua, God understands the limitation of humans and their weaknesses and the Israelites had endured so much that some had doubts that God’s promise would be fulfilled. Commentary             Even as Joshua sought to lead the Israelites to Canaan he was more concerned with peace and living in the land promised by Yahweh, are much struggle and conflict. Besides being a promise, the land characterized fulfillment to the people of Israel, since it is the land that was chosen as their destination as the God’s people. The removal of obstacles validates Joshua’s feelings that God was on his side. It is as though, Canaan is haven to the Israelites where they are back to their spiritual home, and where they can finally live a good life.             The link between the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua is the Israelites journey to Canaan after the death of Moses, where there is a need for another leader to take over. The previous generation did not meet God’s expectations, and the people had been excluded. In any case, the people were promised the land inheritance, but then Moses was to prepare Joshua the incoming leader of the Israelites.  The leadership of Joshua was God’s plan as he was the heir apparent, and his reassurance that Joshua would lead if he was courageous. The succession plan then is effective in addressing the immediate needs of the people of Israel.             The first verse mentions Moses as being the servant of the Lord indicating that he was highly regarded, and now that he had died there was a need to for Joshua to take over where Moses had left. Joshua was referred as a minister, but this does not diminish his role in fulfilling God’s inst...