Joshua 1 · The Lantern

God Instructs Joshua

And it was after the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, that the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, the minister of Moses, saying:

"And the Lord said," he says, "to Jesus the son of Nave, the minister of Moses: Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise and cross over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I give to you." You will perhaps ask how our Lord Jesus the Son of God was also the "minister" of Moses: because "when the fullness of times had come, God sent his Son, made of a wo…

Joshua the son of Nun became so great, because his union with Moses was the means not only of instructing him in a knowledge of the law but also of sanctifying him to receive grace. When in his tabernacle the majesty of the Lord was seen to shine forth in its divine Presence, Joshua alone was in the tabernacle.

Having finally finished with the Pentateuch of Moses, as though freed for a great advantage, we set (our) hand to Jesus son of Nave, who the Hebrews call Joshua ben Nun, that is, Joshua son of Nun, and to the book of Judges, which they call Sopthim, to Ruth also and Esther, which they extol by the same names.

“Moses my servant is dead. And now, rise, cross this Jordan — you and all this people — into the land that I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

Every place where the sole of your foot treads, to you I have given it, as I spoke to Moses.

From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates — all the land of the Hittites — and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting sun shall be your border.

No man will stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will not let you go, and I will not forsake you.

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Nevertheless, I say, fear not. Paul comforteth you, saying, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." He indeed Himself hath said.

The fifth kindness follows, which is bestowed with true certainty on every really staunch Catholic. He means: "Even if I were to walk among heretics and schismatics" (they are rightly called the shadow of death since they have the form of death as they lead us to hell) "I will not fear their foul enticements, for you defend me with the protection of your presence." In the proph…

Be strong and bold — for you shall give this people the land that I swore to their fathers to give them, as an inheritance.

Only be strong and very bold, keeping to do according to all the instruction that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn aside from it, right or left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.

This book of the instruction shall not depart from your mouth; and you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may keep to do according to all that is written in it — for then you will make your way prosper, and then you will succeed.

But I fear lest, through excessive negligence and dullness of heart, the divine volumes be for us not only veiled but even sealed, so that, "if a book to be read is given into the hands of a man who does not know letters, he says: I do not know letters; if it is given into the hands of a man who knows letters, he says: it is sealed." Whence it is shown that we must not only app…

You should not be like a wanderer, rambling about the streets, without just cause, to spy out those who live wickedly. But by minding your own trade and employment, endeavor to do what is acceptable to God. And keeping in mind the oracles of Christ, meditate in the same continually.

Next, on what subjects and to what extent may we philosophize? On matters within our reach, and to such an extent as the mental power and grasp of our audience may extend.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and bold. Do not be terrified, and do not be dismayed — for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua Takes Charge

And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying:

“Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying: Prepare provisions for yourselves — for within three days you are crossing this Jordan, to go in and possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.”

And to the Reubenite and to the Gadite and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, saying:

“Remember the word that Moses, the servant of the LORD, commanded you, saying: The LORD your God is giving you rest, and has given you this land.

Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall stay in the land that Moses gave you across the Jordan; but you shall cross over armed before your brothers — all the mighty men of valor — and help them,

until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they too possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it — the land that Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave you across the Jordan, toward the sunrise.”

And they answered Joshua, saying: “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

According to all that we listened to Moses, so we will listen to you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses.

Every man who rebels against your mouth and does not listen to your words in all that you command him shall be put to death. Only be strong and bold.”

Joshua1

God Instructs Joshua

Joshua Takes Charge