Monday 2 September 2024

Psalm 55:1-8

Background
The opening words “after the death of Moses” are much more than a note about timing. Moses had fulfilled an amazing task in leading the Israelites out of slavery, forming them into a coherent potential nation under God, and bringing them to the border of the land they were promised (albeit across a flooded river!). Moses’ death, even if expected, would have created profound uncertainty had it not been for the decisive motivation this passage creates. We are intended to see the instruction “Now proceed to cross the Jordan” (v. 2), along with the rest of God’s speech here, as coming immediately after Moses died.

The chapter neatly divides into two: the Lord’s charge to Joshua (vs 1-9) and Joshua’s charge to the people (vs 10-18). If you choose to read to the end of the chapter you will notice that both sections offer strong encouragement to Joshua to embrace the leadership role that now rests with him.

The land that God has given to the people (v. 3) had first been promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:6-7) and its extent defined more fully as Abraham’s journeys continued. While the Mediterranean Sea in the west and the Sinai desert in the south were natural boundaries, the River Euphrates here defines the boundary to the north east, thus encompassing much more land, albeit largely desert, than Israel has ever actually controlled.

The ”book of the law” (v. 8) is a reference to the Torah, the first five Bible books, as they existed when the book of Joshua was compiled, rather than in Joshua’s lifetime when that material was being preserved in oral memory. The verse is not so much about the importance of the details of the law as the necessity for wholehearted devotion to God and of God’s revealed will being at the heart of Joshua’s and the people’s life.

To Ponder:

• In contrast to the approach here presented – that Moses has died so it’s time to get on decisively with fulfilling his legacy – we sometimes suggest that following a death, time must be taken to grieve before doing anything momentous. What are the pros and cons of each approach?
• Hebrews 13:5-6 draws on this passage as it addresses every Christian reader, assuring God’s presence and urging bold action. Is it a mantra that works for you?

Prayer
Thank you, God, that just like Joshua, any of us can achieve anything when we truly believe you are with us wherever we go.

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Mosedale
Stephen is a retired Methodist minister living near Exeter. He served in West Africa and Scotland and was a New Testament tutor at Cliff College.