Project 119: Joshua 1:1-9
| Project 119
“Be Strong and Courageous”
The book of Joshua presents the history of Israel’s conquest of Canaan through the eyes of a God who fights on behalf of His people. Left to their own devices, God’s people would never have been able to cross the Jordan and enter the land of milk and honey, because the challenges were too great and the Canaanite nations too mighty. But as the Bible often reminds us, “with God, nothing is impossible.” Therefore, we do well to be strong and courageous, knowing that our strength and courage come from the God who goes before us.
One of the important themes in the book of Joshua is how the nation’s leader becomes “a new Moses.” Moses has died and now Joshua is their leader. Thus the book begins by calling Joshua to follow God’s lead in the same way as did Moses. As Moses was “the servant of the LORD,” (Joshua 1:1) so will be Joshua. If Joshua follows God in similar fashion to Moses, then he will guide the people to claim the land with the help of a God who promises never to “leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). There is every reason for the Joshua to be hopeful, but he must choose hope through his obedience to God as God’s servant.
Notice how Joshua chooses the pathway of hope. In the first place, he is to focus on the possibilities that are before him. The strength and courage to which Joshua calls are grounded in his willingness to be an example of obedience to God’s people (Joshua 1:6a). By choosing that way, Joshua will be guaranteed prosperity and success (Joshua 1:8b).
If Joshua has any reservations about the good future God has in store for him, he needs only to look back to the past and how God had already worked on behalf of His people. As the covenant God who is faithful to His promises, God had delivered the nation from the bondage of Israel, and will show similar faithfulness in leading them to inherit the promised land He had sworn to give to the children of Abraham (Joshua 1:6b).
Most importantly, Joshua could count on God’s abiding presence (Joshua 1:9). There would never be a time when God would leave His people without help. In the face of every challenge God would be present to lift Joshua’s spirits and embolden his sagging heart.
As we think about the days ahead, we would do well to understand the connection between obedience and blessing. Success is not promised without a willingness on our part to do what God gives us to do. Instead, as we heed God’s commands we can be certain that divine favor will follow. And the best news of all is that the strength we need to do what God commands is provided through our openness to His abiding Presence.
What then do we have to fear? We can be strong and courageous knowing that our God goes before us. All that is required of us is that we faithfully follow.
Joshua 1:1-9 (ESV):
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not 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, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”