“"Be Strong and Courageous"”

Sunday, December 18, 2022

As the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan river and undertake the enormous task of driving out the Canaanites from their promised inheritance, Joshua found himself in the lonely position as their leader. Moses had been in charge for forty years—their entire lifetime, for most of them —but he had just died. Joshua had been his “assistant” (Jos 1.1), and had been hand-picked as Moses’ successor; but during those forty years Joshua always answered to Moses, got instructions from Moses, and knew the final decisions fell to Moses. Now, the whole nation was looking to him for leadership. What a burden to shoulder!

God reminded Joshua that while his position looked rather different now, it really wasn’t. “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 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. 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. 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.” (Joshua 1.5-9)

From Joshua’s perspective in the past, it looked like Moses was the lonely leader, burdened with the weight of this great nation’s physical and spiritual well-being, and with the power to make momentous decisions, as well as the responsibility for how each one turned out. But, despite what people tend to assume, Moses was never alone; God was always with him.

Moses never had to make critical decisions; God made the decisions and Moses carried them out. It’s not that Moses’ job was an easy one—often the decisions God handed down were not popular with the people, and he faced rebellions of all shapes and sizes, as well as occasions when a lesser man would have simply given up and let this bullheaded nation carry on headlong to disaster against God’s instructions. But he was never alone, and neither would Joshua be alone. As he answered to Moses before, now he would answer to God.

God also told Joshua how to conduct himself in his position of authority, and it wasn’t advice about how to get people to obey, how to deal with opposition and get what you want—none of that. What did he tell him? To meditate on the law, repeat its words, and carry out its commands. And at the start (v6), in the middle (v7), and once more at the end (v9), he repeats the exhortation: “be strong and courageous.”

We don’t typically think of obedience as a courageous act, and certainly not a reflection of strength. Rather, we see submission as a sign of weakness. Surely, if he were strong, he wouldn’t let someone else boss him around! He’d do what he deems best, and surge forward with confidence in his choices and his ability to bind them on his inferiors! But, while this is our human inclination, we must all acknowledge that God is stronger than we are! That being the case, it’s perfectly appropriate to submit to his wishes—even in the face of an angry mob out for your blood! Joshua was going to face many hardships during the course of his tenure as leader over Israel, and the way to handle them with courage and strength was not to elevate himself, rule with an iron fist, or rely on his own judgment and will. Rather, it was to recognize his proper role, and fulfill it to the best of his ability, adhering to God’s will and judgment, and relying on God’s strength.

Joshua would be leading Israel against enemies in bloody battles for years to come, facing dangers few of us have faced, and continuing to run toward peril, in service to God. Knowing that Moses had faced just as much opposition from his own people as from hostile nations, how welcome this encouragement must have been! But it didn’t stop there. When Joshua assembled the leaders of each tribe and told them it was time to make preparations for their invasion, what did they answer?

And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1.16-18)

Nothing can stand against God’s purpose, but we’re given the choice, whether to put ourselves on his side, or the side of his enemies. Often, the Israelites chose the latter, and incurred all sorts of frustration and judgment as a result. But when they repeated God’s own words and determined to abide by his will, nothing could stand against them, either! Today, God’s people are not establishing a physical kingdom. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ep 6.12). But we are nevertheless engaged in a spiritual warfare, as we

“destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10.5)

seeking a home in God’s promised rest. As you participate in this battle for spirit and soul, follow the good example set by the Israelites. Be strong and courageous.

Jeremy Nettles

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