When God Says “Be Strong and Courageous”
What’s Joshua 1 about?
This is the moment when Moses passes the torch to Joshua, and God delivers one of Scripture’s most famous pep talks. It’s about stepping into your calling when the previous leader was literally irreplaceable, and discovering that God’s presence is the only qualification that really matters.
The Full Context
Picture this: Moses, the towering figure who led Israel out of Egypt, spoke face-to-face with God, and guided two million people through forty years in the wilderness, has just died. Now Joshua—Moses’ assistant, not his son—is supposed to fill those sandals. The people are camped on the east side of the Jordan River, staring across at the Promised Land that’s been the goal for an entire generation. But between them and their inheritance are fortified cities, giant warriors, and the kind of military campaigns that would make seasoned generals nervous.
This opening chapter of Joshua serves as both a commissioning ceremony and a theological manifesto. Written likely during or shortly after the conquest period (around 1400-1350 BCE), it establishes the foundational principle that will carry Israel through the next phase of their journey: success comes not from military might or strategic brilliance, but from unwavering obedience to God’s word. The repetition of “be strong and courageous” isn’t just motivational speaking—it’s a divine command that acknowledges the very real fear Joshua must be feeling while pointing him toward the only source of true confidence.
What the Ancient Words Tell Us
The Hebrew phrase chazaq we’emats (“be strong and courageous”) appears three times in this chapter, and it’s not the kind of strength you build at the gym. Chazaq carries the idea of being firm, resolute, holding fast—like a tree that bends in the storm but doesn’t break. Emats speaks to inner fortitude, the kind of courage that comes from deep conviction rather than momentary bravery.
But here’s what’s fascinating: when God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous in Joshua 1:6, He’s talking about taking possession of the land. When He repeats it in Joshua 1:7, it’s specifically about obeying the Law. And when the people echo it back to Joshua in Joshua 1:18, they’re talking about leadership itself.
Grammar Geeks
The verb form used for “meditate” in Joshua 1:8 is hagah, which literally means to mutter or murmur. Ancient people didn’t read silently—they moved their lips, repeated phrases, let the words roll around in their mouths like they were tasting them. This wasn’t casual Bible reading; it was active, audible engagement with God’s word.
The word for “success” (sakal) in Joshua 1:8 doesn’t just mean winning battles or accumulating wealth. It means acting wisely, having insight, conducting yourself with prudence. God isn’t promising Joshua that he’ll never lose a battle—He’s promising that constant engagement with His word will make Joshua the kind of leader who sees clearly and acts wisely.
What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?
When Joshua’s generation heard these words, they weren’t thinking about individual quiet times or personal Bible study. They were standing at the threshold of the most daunting military campaign in their history, facing enemies who had iron chariots while they had bronze weapons, enemies who lived in fortified cities while they lived in tents.
The promise “every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you” (Joshua 1:3) wasn’t abstract theology—it was battlefield strategy. God was telling them that the land was already theirs by divine decree; they just had to walk it out, literally. But notice the tension: it’s already given, but they still have to take it. It’s promised, but it requires action.
Did You Know?
The boundaries described in Joshua 1:4—from the wilderness to Lebanon, from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean—describe a territory that Israel never fully possessed all at once. Even at the height of David and Solomon’s empire, these borders were more aspiration than reality. God’s promises sometimes have a “not yet” dimension that spans generations.
The original audience would also have caught something we might miss: Joshua’s name in Hebrew is Yehoshua, meaning “Yahweh saves.” Every time someone called his name, they were making a theological statement. This wasn’t coincidence—it was divine preparation for a man whose very identity would remind people where their salvation came from.
Wrestling with the Text
Here’s something that might puzzle modern readers: if God has already given them the land (Joshua 1:3), why do they still need to fight for it? Why doesn’t God just remove the inhabitants supernaturally? This tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility runs throughout Scripture, but it’s especially stark here.
The answer seems to be that God’s promises often require partnership. He’s not looking for passive recipients but active participants. The land is given, but it must be taken. Victory is assured, but battles must still be fought. It’s like a parent who puts money in a bank account for their child—the inheritance is real and secure, but the child still has to learn how to access it responsibly.
Wait, That’s Strange…
Notice that God’s primary instruction to Joshua isn’t about military tactics or leadership strategies—it’s about Bible study. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). For a military commander about to launch a conquest, that’s unexpected advice. It suggests that spiritual preparation trumps strategic preparation.
There’s also this interesting detail: the people’s response to Joshua in Joshua 1:16-18 includes a subtle threat. They promise to obey him “just as we obeyed Moses,” but then add that anyone who rebels should be put to death. Were they being supportive or warning him? The Hebrew allows for both readings, which might reflect the very real tensions of leadership transition.
How This Changes Everything
What strikes me most about Joshua 1 is how it redefines courage. We tend to think of courage as feeling fearless, but God’s command to “be strong and courageous” comes precisely because Joshua is afraid. The courage God offers isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the presence of His promises in the face of fear.
This chapter also revolutionizes how we think about success. The world measures success by outcomes: Did you win? Did you get rich? Did people applaud? God measures success by obedience: Did you stay close to My word? Did you trust My presence? Did you act on My promises even when you couldn’t see the end result?
“God’s presence isn’t just comfort for the journey—it’s the qualification for the calling.”
The phrase “I will be with you” appears in various forms throughout this chapter, and it’s the same promise God made to Moses at the burning bush, to Jacob at Bethel, to David before Goliath. It’s not just divine encouragement—it’s divine enabling. God’s presence doesn’t just make hard things easier; it makes impossible things possible.
Key Takeaway
When God calls you to something that feels too big for you, He’s not asking you to be someone you’re not—He’s asking you to be who you are in partnership with who He is. The courage comes not from feeling ready, but from knowing you’re not going alone.
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