Be Strong and of Good Courage

By Dan & Brenda Cathcart

The video version is available at: https://youtu.be/uFPutG-i9CM

The scripture reading is: Joshua 1:1-18

This week’s teaching is the last of the Haftarahs. Throughout the last year, we have examined many of the prophets and seen a repeating pattern of rebuke, judgment, redemption and restoration. It is appropriate that this cycle should end on a high note with this reading from the first chapter of the book of Joshua.

One will find no rebuke or judgment in this Haftarah. It is all uplifting and encouraging. In it we see a continuation of the Torah. In the final Torah Portion this week we read of the death of Moses and the commissioning of Joshua appointed by God to lead the people.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NKJV 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "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. 8 "And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."

In commissioning Joshua to take over the leadership of the nation of Israel, Moses encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous. Four times in the opening chapter of the book of Joshua he is encouraged to be strong and courageous. How is Joshua to exemplify strength and courage? How does this Haftarah apply to us today in the mission God has commissioned us to accomplish?

Moses was now dead, and Joshua was fully commissioned to take his place and lead the people across the Jordan and into the land promised them through their Father Abraham.

Joshua 1:1-5 NKJV 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. 3 "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 "From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and 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; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

These first five verses of the Book of Joshua serve as an introduction to the entire book. A closer examination of the original Hebrew reveals that in this passage the word “you” in its various forms is in the second person personal. God is speaking to Joshua personally and giving personal assurance that Joshua is indeed commissioned by God to perform the tasks before him.

For forty years Joshua knew that they were destined to inherit the land that God promised them. In this passage, God reiterates the promise and defines the borders of the Promised Land. God also states in verse five that “no man shall be able to stand before you…” so why is it that God had to tell Joshua to be strong and of good courage?

To begin with we can look at the phrase in the Hebrew. The word translated as strong is number 2388 in the Strong’s Concordance, Khaw-zak meaning to be strong, to lean, to fortify, or to become mighty. The word implies a certain fortitude or physical power. The word translated as “be courageous” is number 553 aw-mats meaning to be courageous, to be physically and mentally alert, to fortify, harden, or make strong.

In this single phrase, we see two parallel words which mean very close to the same thing. So, here in one sentence we have a kind of parallelism emphasizing the importance and nature of strength and courage.

Did Joshua need some extra encouragement as they were about to enter the Promised Land? It would certainly be a major undertaking. Joshua had been there before, many years earlier and knew what awaited them. Did he have the complete support of the people? Moses had led them since before they had left Egypt. Moses was like a father to them and a grandfather to those born in the wilderness. How would they take to a new leader? It would take a lot of strength and courage to lead a people who had just lost their great patriarch.

Joshua’s first task was to take them into the land.

Joshua 1:6 NKJV 6 "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.

Joshua had to organize an army. He had to train them, outfit them, and supply them, all the while arranging for food, water, and shelter for the entire civilian population.

Joshua, as the commanding General had to develop specific battle plans as they set out to conquer the land and see to their execution. Joshua was not only the military leader but also the spiritual leader, and as such was responsible for their morale at all times.  It would take incredible leadership ability to pull it all off.

Joshua is then admonished to be strong and courageous in following the Torah faithfully.

Joshua 1:7-9 NKJV 7 "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. 8 "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. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 "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."

Joshua was called upon to exhibit spiritual strength and courage, to do all that the Torah taught him to do. Verse seven warns Joshua not to deviate to the right or to the left. This is a reiteration of instruction in the Torah itself.

Deuteronomy 5:32 NKJV 32 "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Joshua was also admonished to meditate on the Torah. But what does it mean to meditate? In our modern way of thinking, we would assume it means quiet thought. But the Hebrew is somewhat opposite. It is number 1897 haw-gaw’ meaning to mutter, to speak, study, talk, or utter. Joshua was to always speak of the Torah, to have it constantly on his lips. When one does this, it becomes a constant reminder.

This continual study and speaking of God’s Torah would lead naturally to life application of the Torah. Verse eight indicates this practice would lead to prosperity and success.

The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy speaks of this same concept.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Joshua, perhaps, faced a few dangers and doubts along the road. Over the course of time in the wilderness, Joshua observed the many occasions when the people were not entirely faithful to the covenant and saw first-hand the disastrous results of that unfaithfulness. Although well-equipped for the task, and with many close associates to assist him going forward, Joshua was now responsible for God’s people and their success was dependent on his Torah faithfulness. He really did need strength and courage!

The third area of strength and courage which Joshua needed was in the form of learning to truly trust in God.

Joshua 1:9 NKJV 9 "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."

This promise to Joshua is nearly a repeat of one of the promises found in verse five. God promises once again that His presence would be with Joshua continually, that He would go with Joshua every step of the way. This was certainly a reminder of the earlier promise found in Deuteronomy 31:7-8 that we read at the opening of this teaching.

This promise of God’s presence with Joshua is not unlike Yeshua’s own promise to us that the Holy Spirit would be with us as we embark on the mission that He has ordained for us.

Acts 1:8 NKJV 8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Joshua was to trust God completely. He was to remember that God could be trusted no matter what the present circumstances appeared to be. This understanding on Joshua’s part would turnout to be vitally important as they crossed into the Promised Land.

God had now prepared and given Joshua all the tools required for him to lead the army and the people. It was now time for action.

Joshua 1:10-11 NKJV 10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.'"

The text says that Joshua commanded the “officers of the people” the Hebrew word for officers is number 7860 sho-tare’ meaning an official superintendent or magistrate, officer, overseer, or ruler.  The word does not necessarily imply an officer in the military sense. Joshua was speaking to all the civilian leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel as well as the commanders of the army.

Joshua also reminded the tribes of Rubin, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh that, although they were remaining on the eastern side of the Jordan, their men were to participate along with the others in conquering the land across the Jordan.

Joshua 1:12-15 NKJV 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.' 14 "Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 "until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise."

The army which Joshua assembled to take possession of the Land would consist of members of all twelve tribes. Only after this task was completed could they enter rest with their brothers. They were all in agreement with Joshua’s orders.

Joshua 1:16-18 NKJV 16 So they answered Joshua, saying, "All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 "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. 18 "Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."

Their words to Joshua are reminiscent of those the people spoke at Mount Sinai when they received the Torah from God.

Exodus 19:8 NKJV 8 Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

With their response, Joshua would have realized that the people, not just his military offices and the leaders of the people, but all of them were placing their trust and their lives in his hands. They were prepared to trust Joshua completely just as he was to place all his trust in God. Not only God, but now the people were encouraging Joshua to be strong and courageous!  How could he fail?

There were four areas Joshua needed strength and courage. First was to be able to lead the people to the Promised Land across the Jordan. He had spent a lifetime preparing for this task and God had done everything possible to enable him to do it.

Second, Joshua need strength and courage to follow the Torah. Joshua was not just another military leader. He was to be a Godly leader of both the army and the people. Third, Joshua was to trust in God no matter what the circumstances; no matter how bleak the situation at hand might appear.

And finally, Joshua was to have strength and courage to be a true leader of the people in the model of Moses. Very large shoes to fill indeed! The people knew that Joshua was chosen by God to lead them in this time and in their words and actions they gave Joshua the support he needed. God had prepared Joshua for his mission and stated clearly that He would be with Joshua every step of the way.

It is interesting to note the placement of the Book of Joshua in the Bible immediately following the Torah. Moses, being a type or example of Messiah, brought God’s people out of their place of bondage and embarked on their journey toward the Promised land. Moses made provision to have the leadership pass to Joshua.

The narrative of the Book of Joshua is a continuation of the historical narrative which began with the first verse of Genesis. Together with the Torah, we see a continuation of the story of a called-out people and how they were to take their place among the nations and bring the light of God to those nations.

There is a striking parallel to this theme recorded in the New Testament writings. In the four Gospels we see the Master Yeshua’s divinely inspired teaching and commentary of the Torah. Yeshua taught His followers to be a light to the world just as the Nation of Israel was to be a light to the other nations.

Just prior to Yeshua’s death he told His followers that they would receive power to carry out their commission. Not unlike the strength and courage that Joshua received from God, Yeshua told His disciples that He would always be with them.

Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

The Book of Acts follows the Gospels, continuing the story of the spread of the good news which began with Messiah Yeshua Himself. Armed with the Torah, along with the teachings of Messiah Yeshua, these early disciples, the faithful remnant, took the message of atonement and redemption to the nations of the world. The Book of Acts is the opening chapter in this story. The story and mission remain unfinished.

Beginning with our next teaching, we are embarking on a year-long study of the ministry of these early disciples of Yeshua. Who were they? Where did they go? What is it they taught? And most importantly, how are we to continue this mission until Yeshua returns. Join us each week for “The Apostle’s Journey.”

Study Questions:

1. Discuss the connection of this teaching to the Torah Portion Vezot Ha’Bracha Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12.

2. Why is it important for Rubin, Gad and Manasseh to participate in taking the land?

3. What did God do to encourage Joshua and instill in him strength and courage? (read a broader context of scripture about Joshua’s service under Moses’ leadership.)

4. This Haftarah mentions specific boundaries of the Promised Land. How does this description of the boundaries compare with other scripture listing the boundaries?

5.  Joshua was told to meditate on the Torah. Given the Hebrew definition of the word “haw-gaw’”, how would Joshua apply it in his time?  How should we “meditate” on God’s word today?

6. What new insight did you gain from this teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you realign your life based on this new understanding?

Bonus: For what other reasons do you think that Joshua chapter 1 was chosen to be the last Haftarah in the cycle?

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