- Insight from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 1—Commands for Journeying. The book of Joshua begins with a flurry of commands from God for Joshua and from Joshua for the Israelites regarding their journey into the promised land. •Commands for Joshua: God gave Joshua an edict to get moving; an encouragement about the promised land; and an exhortation to be strong in spirit and in the Scriptures. •Commands from Joshua: they were for the executive officers to get the people ready, and for the eastern tribes to be faithful to their agreement.