NOTES for Jos 1:6

Throughout the first chapter of the book of Joshua these words are repeated four times. But three times God says them, and once the people do. In the first case God tells Joshua that he is to take part in the fulfillment of God's promise, that is, in a work that plainly surpasses human possibilities, and calls him to be firm and courageous in his agreement to this participation and in faithfulness to God's design. Then God says that in order for Joshua to be able to follow this path successfully and wisely, he must firmly and courageously read the book of the law continually, "day and night," keep it from departing from his mouth, meditate on it, and do everything written in it. Here it is worth giving a certain explanation: at this stage of God's forming His people, the main instrument of connection was precisely the law; continual immersion in the book of the law was the way of remaining in constant relationship with God, the realization of His presence. And from this follows God's third call to firmness and courage: they are necessary for cooperation with God, who is always nearby, all-powerful, all-seeing, and unpredictable.