After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses… 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:1-9 emphasis mine)
Can you imagine being assigned the duty of filling Moses’ shoes? I’d liken it to being asked to fill Billy Graham’s today I suppose. It seems like an impossible task!
Moses is gone and Joshua is now responsible for not only leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, BUT having to lead them into battle to destroy the Canaanites and take the land for themselves!
Joshua had been by Moses’ side for years, but he never quite had the relationship with God that Moses had. AND not only did Joshua need to take the people into the Promised Land and conquer it, he also needed to make sure the new settlements were divided fairly and according to God's plan, while constantly reminding the people that they were only there because of The Lord’s great love for them! This would be a huge task!
So God comes to Joshua and tells him:
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...Only be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9, 18b)
Commanded — Tsavah has military overtones, as would befit a military commander. God gave Joshua not just an order but a commission to reject his fear. "Have I not commanded you?
Strong — Chazaq means to strengthen, but it's more than that. It means to be firm, prevail, withstand. The meaning of the word almost assumes success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong..."
Courageous — 'amats, is similar to chazaq, but speaks of being alert and brave. Strength is good, but it needs a direction, which 'amats begins to give. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Frightened — 'arats means to tremble with fear, to be terrified. Joshua, who had watched God work through Moses, and had been one of two ready to take on the Canaanites forty years ago, (Numbers 13), was shaking in his sandals. His task seemed overwhelming, and he suddenly didn’t feel up to it. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened,
Dismayed — Chathath means to be so dismayed and afraid that you shatter into pieces. Joshua was that afraid!! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,"
Have you ever know such fear? To be so afraid that you’re body trembles?
I have! My heart has beat so hard I thought it was banging on my chest! I can remember even feeling sick and trembling, for things far less severe than all Joshua had to face at this moment.
Which is why I found it odd that God orders Joshua to reject his fear, to be firm, to prevail against his enemies, and be brave in the face of impossible odds. I completely understand his fear in facing what seems impossible, but how was Joshua to dismiss his fears completely?
The key for all of us when we’re facing insurmountable mountains is found in The Lord's next statement:
God didn't leave Joshua to do it on his own. He made a way through a promise: "...for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
God promised to go with Joshua. That’s faith! Joshua would be stepping out in faith… in God and not himself. But there is another key element we all need to remember:
The LORD was going to be with Joshua because Joshua was going where God wanted him to go. God could promise Joshua that He would be with him because He knew Joshua would follow His leading and encourage the Israelites to do the same.
This means we too can reject our fears, stand firm, prevail against the enemy and bravely face what seem impossible odds. We too can step out in faith; knowing God goes with us when we’re following Him. And we can also encourage others to do the same!
