Reading Plan · Day 62
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
Joshua 1-3
Day 62
About Joshua
The first five books of the Old Testament made up the section known as the Torah: five books written by Moses that presented God's eternal plan. The second section of the Old Testament was known as the "historical section." It consisted of twelve books that documented Israel's history from their entry into the Promised Land until their captivity. The Book of Joshua was the first book of the historical section and was believed to have been written by Joshua. God led the Israelites through Judges. Moses was the first Judge. Joshua was the second Judge. This book documented the events during Joshua's time as Judge. Remember, God had intended for Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. However, Moses disobeyed God. This meant Joshua became the steward/keeper of another man's (Moses') ministry.
Day 62 Read
Where You Stopped
Joshua 1
1Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, 2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
2Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses.
4From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.
3Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Commentary · verses 3-4
The "great sea" was the Mediterranean Sea.
5There 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.
5There 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.
Commentary · verse 5
What an amazing statement from God! God was with Joshua as He was with Moses. God would not fail him nor forsake him.
6Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.
6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Commentary · verses 6-7
God put a lot of emphasis on being strong and courageous.
- Strength was "the ability to handle a sudden conflict." Basically, it takes strength not to panic during the moment of conflict.
- "Courage" was "the ability to handle an anticipated conflict." It takes courage to continue walking towards a coming conflict.
8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Commentary · verse 8
God told Joshua to meditate on the Law. One reason for this was so Joshua would have "good success." Part of the Strong's Concordance entry for the word "success" was to "wisely understand"...having a right HOW and a right WHY. The meaning of success in God's Eyes was not the same as success as our culture or the world sees it. Good success could only come from wisdom, which only came from God.
9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Commentary · verses 10-18
Verses 10-18: preparations to cross the Jordan River.
10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11Pass through the midst of the camp, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which Jehovah your God giveth you to possess it.
10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
Commentary · verse 11
Joshua told them to prepare their victuals (food, provision) because they would cross the Jordan River in three days.
12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, 13Remember the word which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you, saying, Jehovah your God giveth you rest, and will give you this land.
14Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall abide in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but ye shall pass over before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them; 15until Jehovah have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and possess it, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising.
12And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
13Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
14Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
15Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
Commentary · verse 15
Joshua reminded the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh about the agreement they made to fight with the rest of Israel until they all found rest.
16And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou hast commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.
16And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
Commentary · verse 16
They agreed to do all that Joshua commanded.
17According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only Jehovah thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
18Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy commandment, and shall not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage.
17According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
18Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
Commentary · verse 18
Strength and courage were emphasized again.
Where You Stopped
Joshua 2
1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men as spies secretly, saying, Go, view the land, and Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab, and lay there.
1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Commentary · verse 1
Joshua sent out two spies to go to Jericho and they met up with Rahab (the harlot) and lodged with her. The following story was referenced in Hebrews 11:31 as proof that Rahab was an example of faith to us. In addition to that, Rahab was referenced in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5) and James 2:25 also referenced this story.
2And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to-night of the children of Israel to search out the land.
3And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, that are entered into thy house; for they are come to search out all the land.
2And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
3And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
Commentary · verses 2-3
The King of Jericho found out and told Rahab to bring forth the men. How did the king know to confront Rahab about this?
4And the woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said, Yea, the men came unto me, but I knew not whence they were:
4And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
Commentary · verse 4
Rahab hid the men.
5and it came to pass about the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out; whither the men went I know not: pursue after them quickly; for ye will overtake them.
6But she had brought them up to the roof, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
7And the men pursued after them the way to the Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they that pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
8And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; 9and she said unto the men, I know that Jehovah hath given you the land, and that the fear of you is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.
10For we have heard how Jehovah dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan, unto Sihon and to Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
5And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
6But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
7And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
8And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
9And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
Commentary · verses 5-10
Rahab told them that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of them. The Israelites were famous. People outside of Israel fainted because they heard about God drying the Red Sea and what they did to the two kings on the other side of Jordan.
11And as soon as we had heard it, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Jehovah your God, he is God in heaven above, and on earth beneath.
11And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Commentary · verse 11
Rahab had faith. She stated that the God of the Israelites was the God of heaven and earth.
12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by Jehovah, since I have dealt kindly with you, that ye also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a true token; 13and that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death.
12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:
13And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
Commentary · verses 12-13
Rahab asked for a "true token" so they would spare her and her household.
14And the men said unto her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business; and it shall be, when Jehovah giveth us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
15Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the side of the wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
14And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
15Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
Commentary · verses 14-15
She let them down by a cord. Her house was on the wall.
16And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers light upon you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
18Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt gather unto thee into the house thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household.
19And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we shall be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20But if thou utter this our business, then we shall be guiltless of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
16And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
18Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
19And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
Commentary · verses 16-20
The conditions of the oath were established. They were similar to the Passover: when people put blood (red) over their doors and the angel of death passed over the house.
21And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
21And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Commentary · verse 21
She agreed to the deal. If she did not tell of the two spies, they would not kill her and her family.
22And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
23Then the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun; and they told him all that had befallen them.
24And they said unto Joshua, Truly Jehovah hath delivered into our hands all the land; and moreover all the inhabitants of the land do melt away before us.
22And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.
23So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:
24And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.
Commentary · verses 22-24
The two spies gave a good report. Did Joshua only send two spies because only two spies gave a good report forty years previously? Remember, Joshua was one of those two previous spies. Did Joshua send two spies so they would serve as two witnesses for the coming judgment of Jericho?
Where You Stopped
Joshua 3
Commentary · verses 1-13
Verses 1-13: instructions for crossing the Jordan River.
1And Joshua rose up early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel; and they lodged there before they passed over.
2And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp; 3and they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of Jehovah your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
1And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
3And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
Commentary · verse 3
The Ark of the Covenant would lead the way.
4Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go; for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves; for to-morrow Jehovah will do wonders among you.
4Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
Commentary · verse 5
Joshua told the people to sanctify themselves because God was going to do wonders among them.
6And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
7And Jehovah said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
6And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
7And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
Commentary · verse 7
God wanted the people to know that He was with Joshua as He was with Moses. This would build their faith.
8And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall stand still in the Jordan.
8And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.
Commentary · verse 8
The priests with the Ark of the Covenant were to stand still in the Jordan.
9And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of Jehovah your God.
10And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite.
11Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into the Jordan.
12Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man.
13And it shall come to pass, when the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of Jehovah, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, even the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand in one heap.
9And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
10And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
12Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
13And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
Commentary · verse 13
Joshua told them God would cause the water to be cut off and it would start piling up, like a dam, so they could cross.
Commentary · verses 14-17
Verses 14-17: the crossing of the Jordan River.
14And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over the Jordan, the priests that bare the ark of the covenant being before the people; 15and when they that bare the ark were come unto the Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (for the Jordan overfloweth all its banks all the time of harvest), 16that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over the Jordan.
14And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Commentary · verse 17
What Joshua told them God would do came to pass. The priests with the Ark of the Covenant stood on dry ground and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground. Very similar to Moses and the Red Sea.
This day's reading covered God's instructions to Joshua prior to crossing the Jordan and God's miraculous damming of the Jordan so that all the Israelites passed over on dry ground.
After Moses was dead, God spoke to Joshua and told him to go over the Jordan River.