As a good soldier, Joshua says ″Yes!″ to the orders of his Commander, the Lord God, and immediately issues instruction to the leaders of the two and a half tribes already settled on the east side of the Jordan River (Joshua 1:12-15). First, he instructs them to remember the word of the Lord, given through Moses (v. 13). Second, he reaffirms God's promises (v. 13). Third, he reiterates the Lord's command for them to help conquer the rest of the promised land (v. 14).

The book of Joshua records only half a dozen occasions when the Israelites speak to Joshua. This is the first such occasion. The leaders of the two-and-a-half eastern tribes pledge their loyalty to him (vv. 16-18).

In contrast, the book of Joshua records more than two dozen occasions when he speaks to the Israelites. The first such occasion also appears in today's Bible reading. The last such occasion appears shortly before his death.

Throughout the rest of the book, we will see Joshua speaking to:

• leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel (1:10-11; 22:1-8; 23:1-16)
• individuals (2:1; 7:19, 25; 14:13)
• all the people (3:5, 9-13; 4:21-24; 24:1-15, 19-20, 22-23; 24:25-28)
• the priests and Levites (3:6; 4:17; 6:6)
• small groups (4:4-7; 9:8, 22-23; 17:4-6; 18:8)
• his army (6:7, 10, 16-19; 8:3-8; 10:17-19, 22, 24-25, 27)

The order above is illustrative of Joshua's priorities. He talks to the leaders of the 12 tribes first (1:10-11), and the army last (6:7). Unlike many military commanders, Joshua is not seeking to exalt himself and establish his power by gathering an army loyal to him. Instead, he remains focused on obeying his God wholeheartedly each and every day.

Upon receiving God's mandate to lead the people, the first thing Joshua did was to talk to the leaders of the tribes to gather the people to get ready to cross the Jordan to ″go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own″ (1:11). As we will see near the end of the book, Joshua finishes well. May you and I do the same!