Be Strong and Courageous

The Context

What had happened before Joshua 1?

Deuteronomy 34 is the histrotial context, and it shows where the nation of Israel is in terms of thier enmotion and political status.

The place Israel at was the plains of Moab.

Deuteronomy 34:1 NASB95

1 Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan,

What does it mean by saying “which is opposite Jericho”? Why did Moses mention this? What did Moses or God want Israel to know? (anyone is willing to guess?)

The asnwer is Deuteronomy 34:4

Deuteronomy 34:4 NASB95

4 Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.”

This is the moment generations of Hebrews have been waited for. This is the place Moses had seen the promised land that God has talked about at least 4 and half centuries ago.

It is a complicated time for Israel at the moment, becasue Moses at this time has been the leader for the Israel nation over the past 40 years, the relatioship and the trust were developed deep and wide during this time.

and the LORD said to Moses

Deuteronomy 34:5 (NASB95)

5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord.

With the death of Moses and knowing that the promised land is just ahead of them, it is bitterness, excitness, and anxious, at the same time.

Bitterness: Moses is dead

Excitment: the promised land is just over the river of Jordan

Anxious: who will be the next leader?

What would you in a situation like this in your life?

Have you been to somewhere you have never been to?

Are you at a time of transitioning?

Are you anxious what happen the next? who is the leader? how will you life look like?

God says that

Be Strong and Couragious, becasue God is with you.

You must know that it is

1. God is God

What does it mean by “the mission is God’s mission?

It means that God has a plan already. Let’s not worry about what God could do.

He is OMNIpotent, He is all powerful;

He is OMNIscience, He is all known;

He is OMNIpresence, He is everywhere;

God has already known and planned;

Instead of worrying about it, pray about it, let the Lord handle it for you, it may not be a plan you thought about, but I will be the best plan.

2. God’s prepararation

Deuteronomy 34:9 NASB95

9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

3. God’s Call

Joshua 1:2 NASB95

2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

4. God’s Vision

Joshua 1:3–4 NASB95

3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

5. God’s Assurance

Joshua 1:5 NASB95

5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

6. God’s Instruction

Joshua 1:1-9

7. Our Response

Joshua 1:10–15 NASB95

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you, to possess it.’ ” 12 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’ 14 “Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, 15 until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

8. Affirmation from peope

Joshua 1:16–18 NASB95

16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 “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. 18 “Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.”