MPV Commentary

The Lord Appoints Joshua to Succeed Moses.

After the death of Moses, Joshua assumed leadership of Israel (Numbers 27:18-23). As the servant of the Lord, Moses had been invested with a special mission to make known God's will. This title conferred great honor and authority on him. The Lord spoke to Joshua during the period of public mourning, either by direct revelation or through the Urim and Thummim (Numbers 27:21). This first communication gave Joshua a pledge that the divine instructions imparted to Moses would continue with him as the new leader.

Joshua's original name was Oshea, which had been changed to Jehoshua or Joshua, meaning "God's salvation." This name signified the services he was to render and typified those of a greater Savior (Hebrews 4:8). As Moses' minister, Joshua was well-trained for undertaking the leadership of Israel.

Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan. Joshua's mission was that of a military leader. The address contains a literal repetition of the promise made to Moses (Deuteronomy 11:24-25; 31:6-8, 23). Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given you. This means not universal dominion but only the territory within the boundaries specified (see Deuteronomy 19:8).

All the land of the Hittites was theirs by a divine grant. The renewed confirmation of this grant to Joshua when about to lead the people into it intimated a certain and easy conquest. However, his courage and hope of victory depended on his firm adherence to the law of God, including the extirpation of the Canaanites.

Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people to prepare victuals for three days before crossing the Jordan. This was necessary because manna would not keep, and they needed food procurable in the conquered countries. At the same time, Joshua convened the two and a half tribes east of Jordan to remind them of their promise (Numbers 32:1-42) to assist their brethren in the conquest of western Canaan.

The people were to pass over the Jordan armed, officered or marshalled under five leaders in the old caravan order. All the mighty men of valour would accompany them, meaning not the whole but only the flower or choice of the fighting men (see Joshua 4:12).