神命令約書亞征服迦南
1耶和華的僕人摩西死了以後，耶和華曉諭摩西的幫手，嫩的兒子約書亞，說： 2「我的僕人摩西死了。現在你要起來，和眾百姓過這約旦河，往我所要賜給以色列人的地去。 3凡你們腳掌所踏之地，我都照着我所應許摩西的話賜給你們了。 4從曠野和這黎巴嫩，直到幼發拉底大河，赫人的全地，又到大海日落之處，都要作你們的境界。 5你平生的日子，必無一人能在你面前站立得住。我怎樣與摩西同在，也必照樣與你同在；我必不撇下你，也不丟棄你。 6你當剛強壯膽！因為你必使這百姓承受那地為業，就是我向他們列祖起誓應許賜給他們的地。 7只要剛強，大大壯膽，謹守遵行我僕人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏離左右，使你無論往哪裏去，都可以順利。 8這律法書不可離開你的口，總要晝夜思想，好使你謹守遵行這書上所寫的一切話。如此，你的道路就可以亨通，凡事順利。 9我豈沒有吩咐你嗎？你當剛強壯膽！不要懼怕，也不要驚惶；因為你無論往哪裏去，耶和華－你的神必與你同在。」
約書亞吩咐百姓準備渡河
10於是，約書亞吩咐百姓的官長說： 11「你們要走遍營中，吩咐百姓說：『當預備食物；因為三日之內你們要過這約旦河，進去得耶和華－你們神賜你們為業之地。』」
12 約書亞對呂便人、迦得人，和瑪拿西半支派的人說： 13「你們要追念耶和華的僕人摩西所吩咐你們的話說：『耶和華－你們的神使你們得享平安，也必將這地賜給你們。』 14你們的妻子、孩子，和牲畜都可以留在約旦河東、摩西所給你們的地；但你們中間一切大能的勇士都要帶着兵器在你們的弟兄前面過去，幫助他們， 15等到耶和華使你們的弟兄像你們一樣得享平安，並且得着耶和華－你們神所賜他們為業之地，那時才可以回你們所得之地，承受為業，就是耶和華的僕人摩西在約旦河東、向日出之地所給你們的。」 16他們回答約書亞說：「你所吩咐我們行的，我們都必行；你所差遣我們去的，我們都必去。 17我們從前在一切事上怎樣聽從摩西，現在也必照樣聽從你；惟願耶和華－你的神與你同在，像與摩西同在一樣。 18無論甚麼人違背你的命令，不聽從你所吩咐他的一切話，就必治死他。你只要剛強壯膽！」
各位弟兄姊妹平安！
今天我們一起來讀 約書亞記第一章。在這一章中，我們看到了耶和華的僕人摩西去世後，上帝親自曉諭摩西的幫手約書亞，讓他承接摩西的領導職位，繼續完成以色列人進入應許之地的使命。
為什麼是約書亞來承接這個職分呢？
約書亞早在出埃及之前，就已經開始服侍摩西。他陪伴摩西整整四十年，作為摩西忠心的助手，一直在他左右觀察學習。他不僅親眼目睹了摩西如何與上帝對話，更親身經歷了上帝在以色列人中的作為。這些經歷讓約書亞得以充分預備，成為接續摩西職分的合適人選。
上帝的鼓勵與應許
上帝三次對約書亞說：「你當剛強壯膽。」這既是命令，也是鼓勵。上帝應許說，無人能在約書亞面前站立得住，並且祂會與約書亞同在，像曾經與摩西同在一樣。這些話成為約書亞接下重任的堅強後盾。
第七節和第八節尤為重要，上帝強調：「謹守遵行我僕人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏離左右。」律法書是摩西在上帝啟示下寫下的，成為以色列國的憲法和世代相傳的啟示。上帝要求約書亞不僅要遵行律法，還要「晝夜思想」，確保一切行動都符合上帝的旨意。
律法書有兩個涵義：一方面是人民應當謹守遵行的大原則，另外一個方面 “晝夜思想“ 這是基督徒該更深刻理解的部分，在新約時代，我們不需要遵守舊約的獻祭相關的律法，但是律法的精神，也就是上帝的心意，依然要繼續被持守，十誡的每一條，到今天都還是必須被遵守的核心律法，並不因為耶穌來了就會被廢除。當我們理解關於律法的時候，要知道的是律法的形式會因著時代改變，但是命令律法的那一位 – 上帝 – 並不因時代的改變而妥協祂的原則，反而是要把律法從石板上轉到心版上 – 打從心裡去有愛，打從心裡去明白律法的總綱就是愛，保羅在羅馬書13:9-10告訴我們了，愛就完全了律法。全律法都包在愛人如己這一句話內了。
約書亞的挑戰與人民的支持
值得注意的是，當初約書亞和加勒去探迦南地，回來宣告「我們可以得地為業」時，卻幾乎被人民用石頭打死（民數記14章）。然而，這一次，約書亞被上帝立為領袖，人民也同心合意地支持他。他們承諾會聽從他的指揮，並願意跟隨他進入迦南地。
這一章讓我們看到，上帝如何親自挑選和預備祂的僕人，並賜下話語和應許來帶領他們完成使命。也提醒我們，遵行上帝的話語並不僅是個人的事情，更需要整體的同心協力，才能進入上帝為我們預備的應許之地。
The Lord’s Charge to Joshua
1After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua’s Charge to the Israelites
10Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11“Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
12Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. He told them, 13“Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest. He has given you this land.’ 14Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them 15until the Lord gives them rest, as he has given you rest, and until they, too, possess the land the Lord your God is giving them. Only then may you return and settle here on the east side of the Jordan River in the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, assigned to you.”
16They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. 17We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Peace be with you!
Today, we will read Joshua Chapter 1 together. In this chapter, we see that after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, God personally instructed Joshua, Moses' assistant, to take up the mantle of leadership and continue the mission of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Why Was Joshua Chosen for This Role?
Joshua began serving Moses even before the Exodus from Egypt. For forty years, he faithfully accompanied Moses, learning as his loyal assistant and observing everything closely. He not only witnessed how Moses communicated with God but also experienced firsthand God’s mighty acts among the Israelites. These experiences fully prepared Joshua to succeed Moses as the leader of Israel.
God’s Encouragement and Promise
God encouraged Joshua three times by saying, “Be strong and courageous.” This was both a command and a reassurance. God promised that no one would be able to stand against Joshua and that He would be with Joshua just as He had been with Moses. These words served as a strong foundation for Joshua as he took on his new responsibilities.
Verses 7 and 8 are particularly significant, where God emphasizes, “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left.” The Book of the Law, written by Moses under God’s inspiration, became the constitution of Israel and a generational guide. God instructed Joshua not only to obey it but also to “meditate on it day and night,” ensuring that all his actions aligned with God’s will.
The Meaning of the Book of the Law
The Book of the Law holds dual significance. On one hand, it represents the principles that the people were to follow. On the other hand, the command to “meditate day and night” calls for a deeper understanding, particularly relevant for Christians today. In the New Testament era, while we no longer observe Old Testament sacrificial laws, the spirit of the law—God’s will—must still be upheld. The Ten Commandments remain core, binding laws that are not abolished by Jesus’ coming. When we reflect on the law, we must recognize that while its form may change over time, the One who gave the law—God—does not compromise His principles with changing times. Instead, He writes the law upon our hearts, leading us to love genuinely and understand that the fulfillment of the law is love. As Paul states in Romans 13:9-10, love is the fulfillment of the law, encapsulated in the command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Joshua’s Challenge and the People’s Support
It’s worth noting that when Joshua and Caleb previously scouted the land of Canaan and declared, “We can take possession of the land,” the people nearly stoned them to death (Numbers 14). However, this time, as God appointed Joshua as leader, the people united in support of him. They pledged to obey his commands and follow him into the land of Canaan.
Reflection
This chapter shows us how God personally selects and prepares His servants, granting them His word and promises to lead them in fulfilling His mission. It also reminds us that obeying God’s word is not just an individual responsibility but requires collective unity to enter the promises God has prepared for us.
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