1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, Notesn1 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel.

3 I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses.

4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

Note · Josué 1.1–5

La promesse précède la capacité du successeur

La première parole ne demande pas à Josué de devenir un autre Moïse. Elle l’appelle à traverser avec le peuple, dans la confiance en une présence qui continue. Les frontières énoncées appartiennent à cet horizon ancien de promesse ; elles ne constituent pas à elles seules un programme politique directement applicable à une situation contemporaine.

6 “Be strong and courageous ; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it ; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

9 Haven’t I commanded you ? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.” Notesn1 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

Note · Josué 1.6–9

Le courage reçoit une règle qui le dépasse

L’insistance sur la force est encadrée par la méditation et la pratique de la loi. Il ne s’agit donc pas seulement d’oser entreprendre ce que l’on désire. La réussite évoquée concerne la mission confiée dans le récit ; elle ne garantit pas à chaque croyant le succès financier ou l’absence d’échec dès lors qu’il lit la Bible.

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,

11 “Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food ; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God gives you to possess.’”

12 Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying,

13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded you, saying, ‘Yahweh your God gives you rest, and will give you this land.

14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan ; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them

15 until Yahweh has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which Yahweh your God gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’”

Note · Josué 1.10–15

Être déjà installé ne dispense pas de la solidarité

Les tribus de l’est ont reçu un territoire, mais les hommes mobilisés doivent accompagner leurs frères. La promesse commune empêche de considérer sa propre sécurité comme la fin de toute responsabilité. L’organisation matérielle, jusque dans les provisions, appartient aussi à la marche : la confiance n’annule pas la préparation concrète.

16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

17 Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only may Yahweh your God be with you, as he was with Moses.

18 Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn’t listen to your words in all that you command him shall himself be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

Note · Josué 1.16–18

L’adhésion au responsable ne lui donne pas un pouvoir absolu

La réponse reconnaît Josué et demande que Dieu soit avec lui. La peine annoncée contre la rébellion montre la dureté du cadre militaire ancien. Une communauté chrétienne ne peut reprendre cette formule pour supprimer les désaccords, imposer la soumission à un dirigeant ou soustraire ses décisions à tout discernement.