There are times when we need to make an important decision or step of faith and we look to Joshua 1:9 for encouragement and strength. There we find the promise that God would accompany Joshua wherever he went and we like to claim that promise as our own. The story behind the verse manifests the faithfulness and goodness of God towards Joshua and towards his people. Now, who was Joshua and under what circumstances did he receive that promise?
God chooses some people from a young age to carry out a specific job and Joshua is an example. He was born in Egypt under the slavery and oppression of Pharaoh. In Exodus 17 he is first mentioned when Moses appointed him as the leader of a group that would go to fight the Amalekites at Rephidin. That is the first of several victories that Joshua would experience during his lifetime. Joshua did not know it yet, but one day he would be the successor of Moses leading the people.
In his youth Joshua was assistant to Moses; he stood guard in front of the Tent of Meeting where God spoke face to face with Moses and gave him instructions for the people. Josué took his work very seriously and stood out for his dedication.
And the Lord spoke with Moses face to face, as one who speaks with a friend. After that, Moses returned to the camp; but Joshua, his young assistant, never left the Tent of Meeting.
(Exodus 33:11)
Joshua’s real name was Hosea, but Moses changed it to Joshua, which means “Jehovah is salvation.” He was one of the twelve spies that Moses sent to explore Canaan, the land that God had promised to give the Israelites. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones to give a positive and faith-filled report encouraging the people to obey God and go conquer the land of Canaan. Because of their trust in God’s promises they were allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30).
I have already commanded you: be strong and brave! Do not be afraid or discouraged! For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
(Josue 1: 9)
Successor of Moses
When God warned Moses that his death was near, Moses asked for a new leader for the people (Numbers 27:17). God appointed Joshua because he was a man of great spirit, or in other words, he was a man in whom the Spirit of God dwelt (Numbers 27:18). Moses commissioned him as his successor before he died and the people immediately recognized that his leadership was from God.
Then Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses laid his hands on him. The Israelites, for their part, obeyed Joshua and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.
(Deuteronomy 34:9)
Promises and how I would receive them
In Joshua 1:1-9 God speaks directly to Joshua. He tells her that although Moses had died, his plan for the people was still in effect and would be fulfilled under Joshua’s leadership. They would enter the Promised Land! God would give them every place their feet would tread! in these verses God also confirms his call to Joshua and makes him some promises. Let’s look at these promises and how you would get them.
1. Victory
During all the days of your life, no one will be able to face you. Just as I was with Moses, I will also be with you; I will not leave you nor forsake you.
(Joshua 1:5)
No one would be able to meet and defeat Joshua because God would be with him in the same way that he had been during the life and leadership of Moses. He would not succeed in his own strength; God’s power and presence would lead him to victory. He just needed to trust no matter how big or powerful the enemy seemed. He knew that God is greater and more powerful than any enemy!
2. The inheritance
Be strong and brave, because you will make this people inherit the land that I promised their ancestors.
(Joshua 1:6)
God would fulfill the promise he had made to Abraham and their ancestors: they would inherit the land of Canaan. His eyes and his faith should not be on the physical strength that Joshua, the people or his enemies may or may not have. His eyes should be fixed on God and on the strength that he would grant them until they saw the fulfillment of the promise.
3. Success
I only ask you to have a lot of courage and firmness to obey all the law that my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn away from her at all; Only then will you be successful wherever you go.
(Joshua 1:7)
Success would come and it was assured, but it would require obedience. Under Moses, and throughout their history as God’s people, they had learned the importance of obeying the law. Blessings and victories come as we express our trust in God by obeying his commands..
4. Prosperity
Always recite the book of the law and meditate on it day and night; carefully carry out everything that is written in it. This way you will prosper and be successful.
(Joshua 1:8)
Joshua would see prosperity and success, win battles, and conquer the land of Canaan with the people. The strategy to achieve this was not to get better weapons or to train them better as soldiers. As a leader, he needed to have the word of God in his mouth and in his heart. He was to recite it day and night, meditate on it, talk about it and carry out all the instructions that were written there. He thus he would prosper and obtain the success.
5. Your company
I have already commanded you: be strong and brave! Do not be afraid or discouraged! For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
(Josue 1: 9)
The command to be brave and not to be afraid came with the best promise he could receive: he would have the company of God. He would not be alone, God would be with Joshua wherever he went. Thanks to that presence of God, he would triumph over fear and stand firm, confident in the victory that was already his.
The phrase Be strong and brave
Why are phrases of encouragement towards Joshua repeated so much? We see that when God told Moses in Deuteronomy 1:38 that Joshua would be his successor and that he would lead the people to Canaan, he also told Moses that Joshua needed encouragement.
The one who will enter is your assistant, Joshua son of Nun. Encourage him, for he will cause Israel to possess the land.
(Deuteronomy 1:38)
We see this again in Deuteronomy 31:7-8 when Moses commissions him as his successor, and then in verse 23 of the same chapter when God says to Joshua:
Be strong and be brave, because you will lead the Israelites to the territory that I swore to give them, and I myself will be with you.
(Deuteronomy 31:23)
We don’t know for sure why Joshua needed those words of encouragement. Did he compare himself to Moses and think he didn’t measure up? Did he see that the obstacles to be faced as a leader were too great? We do not know. But we do know that he did it: he was very brave and worked hard in his work. He trusted God with all his heart, obeyed the mandates of the law and was able to enjoy the company and blessing of God until he entered the Promised Land with the people and for the rest of his life.
In the same way we can be sure that we will receive the promises that God has given us. When we obey God and live in a way that glorifies him, we see how he fulfills his promises and we enjoy his blessings. Like Joshua We will win the battles that life presents us holding the hand of our God. He always keeps his promises, and together with him we can have courage and be brave.