Moses had died. Thirty days of mourning for him had ended. God had commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land. He had promised to be with him and to give him victory over all the enemies he would encounter. He had also emphasized to him the importance of keeping the Law that Moses had commanded them and of not turning from it to the right or to the left.

Joshua now prepared the people to pass over the Jordan and take possession of the land. He had a special word for the two and a half tribes that had asked to be given their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Moses had told them that their warriors were to help their brethren of the other tribes conquer the land of Canaan and were then to be free to go back to enjoy their possession.

“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you,” he told them. How important, too, it is for us to remember the words our blessed Lord has spoken to us! “Believe also in Me.” “Abide in Me.” “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” “Do this in remembrance of Me.” “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” “Love one another as I have loved you.” “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Their immediate reply was that they would do all that he had commanded them. They would obey him as they had obeyed Moses. How well had they done this?! We too are often far more ready to promise than to yield obedience! May God help us not only to promise to follow and obey Him, but to do so day by day!