Yehoshua 1: Live Strong

Joshua had the unenviable task of following up Moshe’s leadership. How does one take over from the first and greatest leader of a nation? The book of Joshua begins with a double dose of support. The name Moshe appears ten times in the first chapter, more than any other chapter in the book.“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant…”וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי מוֹת מֹשֶׁה עֶבֶד ה׳ וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן־נוּן מְשָׁרֵת מֹשֶׁה(Joshua 1:1)Moshe’s tutelage and selection of Joshua gives him legitimacy in the eyes of the people. What better way to gain the respect of your followers than to continuously name drop your connection with their beloved leader? The second way is through the repetition of the Joshua tagline: “chazak v’ematz”—be strong and resolute.Back in Deuteronomy 31, when Moshe publicly announces that Joshua will succeed him, he tells Joshua to be strong and resolute twice:“Be strong and resolute, for you shall go with this people into the land…”חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ כִּי־אַתָּה תָּבוֹא אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה אֶל־הָאָרֶץ(Deuteronomy 31:7)“The LORD… He will be with you; He will not fail you nor forsake you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed.”הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ לְפָנֶיךָ… לֹא יַרְפְּךָ וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ לֹא תִירָא וְלֹא תֵחָת(Deuteronomy 31:8)The phrase is then repeated four times here in chapter one. Just like the repetition of Moshe’s name, the repetition of Joshua’s tagline given by Moshe is another way to solidify Joshua’s status.God’s charge to Joshua here is multifaceted. In verse 6, Joshua is told to be strong to lead the people:“Be strong and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ כִּי־אַתָּה תַּנְחִיל אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה אֶת־הָאָרֶץ(Joshua 1:6)Here God wants Joshua to be physically strong and courageous for the battles that are ahead. But God also wants Joshua to be spiritually resolute in verse 7:“Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the Torah that Moses My servant commanded you…”רַק חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ מְאֹד לִשְׁמֹר לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּכָל־הַתּוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ מֹשֶׁה עַבְדִּי(Joshua 1:7)The third time starts with a rhetorical question:“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not fear and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”הֲלוֹא צִוִּיתִיךָ חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ אַל־תַּעֲרֹץ וְאַל־תֵּחָת כִּי עִמְּךָ ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ(Joshua 1:9)The rhetorical question here can be understood as God saying to Joshua: “Would I command you to be strong and resolute all on your own? Of course not! I will be there with you to help you be strong and resolute.”The chapter ends with the fourth and final pronouncement. This time it does not come from Moshe or from God, but from the people:“Only be strong and resolute.”רַק חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ(Joshua 1:18)The people reassure Joshua that they will follow his every word and that he has their backing to be strong and resolute. The people have accepted their new leader.