God Commissions Joshua
(Deuteronomy 11:8-17)
1Now afterthe deathof Mosesthe servantof the LORDit came to pass, that the LORDspakeunto Joshuathe sonof Nun,Moses'minister,saying,2Mosesmy servantis dead;now therefore arise,go overthis Jordan,thou, and all this people,unto the landwhich I do giveto them, [even] to the childrenof Israel.3Every placethat the soleof your footshall tread upon,that have I givenunto you, as I saidunto Moses.4From the wildernessand this Lebanoneven unto the greatriver,the riverEuphrates,all the landof the Hittites,and unto the greatseatoward the going downof the sun,shall be your coast.5There shall not any manbe able to standbeforethee all the daysof thy life:as I was with Moses,[so] I will be with thee: I will not failthee, nor forsakethee.6Be strongand of a good courage:for unto this peopleshalt thou divide for an inheritancethe land,which I swareunto their fathersto givethem.7Only be thou strongand verycourageous,that thou mayest observeto doaccording to all the law,which Mosesmy servantcommandedthee: turnnot from it [to] the right handor [to] the left,that thou mayest prosperwhithersoever thou goest.8This bookof the lawshall not departout of thy mouth;but thou shalt meditatetherein dayand night,that thou mayest observeto doaccording to all that is writtentherein: for then thou shalt makethy wayprosperous,and then thou shalt have good success.9Have not I commandedthee? Be strongand of a good courage;be not afraid,neither be thou dismayed:for the LORDthy God[is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua Takes Charge
10Then Joshuacommandedthe officersof the people,saying,11Passthroughthe host,and commandthe people,saying,Prepareyou victuals;for within threedaysye shall pass overthis Jordan,to go into possessthe land,which the LORDyour Godgivethyou to possessit.
12And to the Reubenites,and to the Gadites,and to halfthe tribeof Manasseh,spakeJoshua,saying,13Rememberthe wordwhich Mosesthe servantof the LORDcommandedyou, saying,The LORDyour Godhath given you rest,and hath givenyou this land.14Your wives,your little ones,and your cattle,shall remainin the landwhich Mosesgaveyou on this sideJordan;but ye shall passbeforeyour brethrenarmed,all the mightymen of valour,and helpthem;15Until the LORDhave givenyour brethrenrest,as [he hath given] you, and they also have possessedthe landwhich the LORDyour Godgiveththem: then ye shall returnunto the landof your possession,and enjoyit, which Mosesthe LORD'Sservantgaveyou on this sideJordantoward the sunrising.
16And they answeredJoshua,saying,All that thou commandestus we will do,and whithersoeverthou sendestus, we will go.17According as we hearkenedunto Mosesin all things, so will we hearkenunto thee: only the LORDthy Godbe with thee, as he was with Moses.18Whosoever[he be] that doth rebelagainst thy commandment,and will not hearkenunto thy wordsin all that thou commandesthim, he shall be put to death:only be strongand of a good courage.
