Read: Joshua 1

The book of Joshua opens with Joshua being installed as the new leader of Israel. That Joshua would take over following the death of Moses had already been established back in Deuteronomy 31:1-8, 23.

At the start of the book, the people are still outside of the promised land. Moses has died and the people are mourning the loss of their leader. However, the 30-day mourning period is over and it is time to go into the land.

In this text, we see that Joshua, who the Lord was going to use to fulfill his promise to give the people the land, is affirmed by both the Lord and the people as Israel’s new leader. The main theme in this passage is the faithfulness of God to his promise. God will do what He has said He will do. In response, Joshua was expected to be strong and courageous. He was expected to trust the Lord, honoring and obeying Him, and to model that for the people.

1. Why did Moses have to die before the people could go into the land? (see Numbers 20:10-13)
2. Look at V. 3: how certain could Joshua be that the Lord would give them the land?
3. Look at V. 6-8: the Lord tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. How would Joshua do this?
4. How does Joshua respond to what the Lord tells him?
5. Why did Joshua approach the specific tribes he did about going into the land?(see Numbers 32:1-27)
6. How do the people respond to Joshua?
7. Look at V. 13 and V. 15: the Lord was giving Israel land to possess. What else was he giving to them?
8. What are some ways this passage anticipates Jesus? (Consider Hebrews 4:8-13)
9. Jesus is the leader of God’s people who delivers us into true rest. How does this impact your daily life, particularly in light of ever-changing circumstances?

For more resources:

Songs for Sunday: https://www.emmanueltuscaloosa.org/blog/post/what-were-singing-march-29

Family Worship Resources: https://www.emmanueltuscaloosa.org/blog/post/this-week-in-family-worship-