A Poem of Joshua Chapter One
by
Phillip Alegria
The Lord God of Israel,
Spoke to Joshua, and He said,
Arise, cross over Jordan,
Since Moses, my servant, is dead.
I’ve given to you every place,
Your foot shall tread upon,
From the wilderness, the Euphrates river,
Even to Lebanon.
All throughout your life,
No man shall stand to thee,
As I was with Moses,
With you I will also be.
For an inheritance to this people,
The land thou shalt divide.
So that when you have taken it,
You may therein abide.
But be strong and of a good courage,
Be not afraid, neither dismay.
For the Lord God is with thee,
And will be near thee all the way.
In this book of the Law,
Thou shalt meditate night and day,
And if thou obey the commands therein,
Thou will have a prosperous way.
Then Joshua told the officers,
Of the people to command,
“Prepare yourselves to enter,
Into the Promised Land.”
And the mighty men of valour,
From Ruben, Manasseh, and Gad,
Would fight along side their brethren,
Until victory they had.
And they answered Joshua, saying,
“What thou sayest, we will do.
As we hearkened unto Moses,
We will hearken unto you.”
“He who rebels against thy word,
Whoever he may be.
That man shall be put to death,
To this we will see.”