The book of Joshua records the dedication of the nation (chaps. 1–5), the defeat of the enemy (chaps. 6–12), and the division of the land (chaps. 13–24). Joshua leads Israel from victory to victory as they follow the Lord and claim their promised inheritance.
《约书亚记》记载了以色列国的委身（1-5章）、敌人的战败（6-12章）以及国内土地的划分（13-24章）。约书亚带领以色列从胜利走向胜利，坚定跟随主的旨意，继承了主所应许的基业。
God Equips Us 神装备我们
Joshua was not in an easy situation, facing a difficult assignment and replacing a great leader like Moses. But God had equipped him and prepared him for this very work. Joshua had faithfully served with Moses and was now qualified to lead. The task that you faithfully do today gets you ready for what God is preparing for you (Matt. 25:21).
约书亚的处境不易：他不仅需要替代一位伟大的领袖，眼前还面临一项艰巨的任务。但神已装备了他，也预备他完成这项工作。约书亚以往与摩西一同忠心侍奉，如今有资格担当领导了。你今日所忠心执行的事，预备你担任神日后将给予你的任务（太25:21）。
God Encourages Us 神鼓励我们
The inheritance can be claimed only by the obedience of faith (v. 3), but faith and obedience demand courage. God encouraged Joshua by giving His promise (v. 6) and the assurance of His presence (v. 9) and by reminding him that his success came from the Word (vv. 7–8). God also encouraged Joshua through the people (vv. 16–18). Are you an encouragement to your leaders?
产业的继承唯靠信心的顺服（3节），但信心与顺服是需要勇气的。神通过自己的应许（6节）、祂必同在的保证（9节），以及提醒他说成功乃自话语（7-8节），借此鼓励约书亚。神也通过子民给予鼓励（16-18节）。你对带领人来说是否是一份鼓励呢？
God Enables Us 神成就我们
“Be strong!” is much more than an admonition (vv. 6, 7, 18), for God’s commandments are God’s enablement. It was not Joshua’s experience or skill that brought the victory; more than once, he was defeated. The victory came from the power of God that was released when they obeyed Him by faith. God still does the impossible (Luke 1:37)!
“你要坚强！”这句话并不只是一份劝诫（6，7，18节），因为神的诫命就是祂大能的应许。以色列得胜的因素并不在于约书亚的经验或技能；他被击败的次数不只一次。胜利源于神的大能；当以色列信靠顺服神时，神就施展了祂强大的能力。神仍然成就不可能的事！（路1:37）
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- The Book of Joshua is the book of new beginnings for the people of God, and many believers today need a new beginning. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, Israel needed to claim their inheritance and enjoy the blessings of the land that God had prepared for them. That’s the kind of life God wants us to experience today. Jesus Christ, our Joshua, wants to lead us in conquest now and share with us all the treasures of His wonderful inheritance. He has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3). Let’s pray that we will trust Him and enjoy the blessings He had planned for us.
《约书亚记》记载了神子民的新开始，而今日，许多信徒也需要新的开始。在旷野中飘荡了40年后，以色列需要继承他们的产业并享受神在那地所为他们预备的祝福。这也就是神今日所要我们体验的生活。我们的约书亚耶稣基督，现在就要带领我们征服世界，与我们分享祂美好产业中的一切财宝。祂已“赐给我们天上各样属灵的福气”（弗1:3）。让我们祈祷能信靠神并享受祂为我们预备的祝福。
- God commissioned Joshua to achieve three things: lead the people into the land, defeat the enemy, and claim the inheritance. Since Joshua had a threefold task to perform, God gave him three special promises, one for each task. God would enable Joshua (1) to cross the river and claim the land (vv. 3–4), (2) defeat the enemy (v. 5), and (3) apportion the land to each tribe as its inheritance (v. 6). God didn’t give Joshua explanations as to how He would accomplish these things, because God’s people live on promises and not on explanations. When we trust God’s promises and step out in faith (v. 3), we can be sure that the Lord will guide us every step of the way. Let’s pray that we take the steps of faith today.
