“And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.”
Context and Background: Joshua 3:7 is part of the narrative of the Israelites preparing to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. Moses, the previous leader of the Israelites, had died, and Joshua was appointed by God to lead the people into the land of Canaan. The verse serves as an assurance from God to Joshua that He will be with him, just as He was with Moses.
The Promised Magnification: In this verse, God tells Joshua that He will “begin to magnify” him in the sight of all Israel. This magnification refers to the exaltation and recognition of Joshua’s leadership role before the entire nation. God intended to display Joshua’s authority and legitimacy as the new leader, reinforcing the people’s confidence in him.
Divine Appointment and Continuity: By saying, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee,” God establishes a connection between Joshua and Moses. This statement emphasizes the continuity of God’s presence and guidance from one leader to the next. God’s faithfulness and promise to be with Moses in his leadership role would also extend to Joshua. It reassures Joshua that he can rely on God’s guidance and power as he leads the Israelites.
Lessons and Applications:
- God’s faithfulness: The verse highlights God’s faithfulness to His chosen leaders. Throughout the Bible, we see how God supports and empowers those He has appointed for specific tasks. This verse reminds us that God remains faithful to His promises and continues to work through successive generations.
- Transition and succession: The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua teaches us about the importance of smooth transitions and the passing on of responsibilities. It demonstrates that God is capable of raising up new leaders when the time comes and ensures the continuity of His plans.
- Trust in God’s presence: Just as God assured Joshua, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us in our own journeys. When we face challenges or transitions, we can trust in His guidance and provision. God’s presence empowers us to fulfill the tasks He has called us to.
- God’s magnification: God’s promise to magnify Joshua before the people reminds us that God is the one who promotes and exalts individuals according to His divine purposes. It is not about self-promotion but about humbly following God’s lead and relying on His recognition.
In conclusion, Joshua 3:7 highlights God’s faithfulness, the continuity of leadership, and the assurance of His presence. It encourages us to trust in God’s guidance, knowing that He will magnify us according to His plans and purposes.
