“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.”-Joshua 1:2
In verse 2, the Lord informs the people that because Moses has passed away, it is now okay for Israel to advance towards the Promised Land.
However, understand that this instruction was given to the people a full 30 days after Moses’ death.
Do you know why?
If you said because of the Torah-ordained 30-day mourning period, you got it.
We’re also given some more important information concerning the timing of when Israel actually crossed into the Promised Land.
We’re told that as soon as Israel was in Holy Land territory, the first thing they did was celebrate Passover.
And do you remember when Passover takes place on the Jewish calendar?
It occurs on day 14 of the 1st month of the Hebrew year.
Therefore, we know Moses passed away about one month earlier in the 12th month (ADAR) of the year according to the Hebrew calendar.
Traditionally, it is believed that Moses died on the 7th day of ADAR (the 12th month).
Now Moses’ death was the necessary requirement before Israel could enter the Promised Land.
Why?
Because of the sin Moses committed when he struck the rock with his staff instead of speaking to it as he was commanded to do.
Again, there is a reason why Scripture is putting an emphasis on Moses’ death here.
And it’s because Israel was forbidden from entering the land of Canaan until Moses had died.
Another important thing you should know is that before he passed away, Moses held a ceremony where he oversaw a name change for his successor.
Hoshea, who was a son of Nun, had his name changed to YEHOSHUA.
In English, we would say the change went from HOSEA to JOSHUA.
The meaning of each of these names is also slightly different.
HOSHEA means “he saves”.
And Yehoshua means “Yah saves”.
Yah is just a shortened version of YAHWEH.
Again, YEHOSHUA is the exact same name of the Savior or Messiah to come.
That’s right.
In Hebrew, Yeshua was simply another way of saying Joshua in later times.
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