Musing – Does Moses’ Advice to Joshua Apply to Us Today?

 Hebraic Musing – Does Moses’ Advice to Joshua Apply to Us Today?

We are living in uncertain days and it is getting harder to keep trusting Almighty God.  At the end of Deuteronomy we see that the LORD had Moses tell the people of a major event about to take place. “The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them.” Deut.31:3 NKJV   I have to wonder how the Israelites, and Joshua, were thinking; but Moses continued in v.6 – “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

And then in v.7 Moses tells Joshua - “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.” Deut.31:6&7   Moses is telling Joshua an assignment and a responsibility that could cause Joshua to be a bit concerned!  But he and the Israelites were repeatedly encouraged by the LORD to “be Strong and Courageous“ at least 20 times.

And Moses gave them further encouragement in vs.22-23 – “Therefore Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.  Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

In the Book of Joshua the LORD spoke directly to Joshua.  “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Josh.1:5-6

The LORD also tells Joshua how to make this all happen.  Could this also be advice for us?!?!  “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. (And the result...)  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh.1:7-9 

And the Israelites answered Joshua.  “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.  Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. ...  Only be strong and of good courage.” Josh1:16-18

Later, the Israelites faced a serious challenge and Joshua said – “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” Josh 10:25 

And David had to say this to give his son Solomon the reassurance he’d need to build the Temple. “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”  1 Chron.28:20

If you have made Jesus LORD of your life, then it is all about your work in His Kingdom; it’s not about you.

Points to ponder

How did Joshua feel as he realized the job ahead?
What is your assignment in the LORD’s Kingdom?
How do you feel about your calling?

Would our LORD give us an assignment or calling without supporting us?

Is the LORD with us when He tells us to “Go into all the world and ... ”

♫  Be bold, be strong, The Lord thy God is with thee... Do not be afraid, Do not be dismayed,
       Walk in faith and victory, For the Lord thy God is with thee. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      January 10, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

Note – Inspired by, excerpted from JS Hocker’s email, “The Biblical Admonition: Be strong and courageous!”