Chapter 2: Be Strong and Courageous

God did not stop at the command. He made Joshua a promise by saying:

GOD“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”— Joshua 1:3, 5

Then God told Joshua to be strong and courageous. He said it when He spoke about leading the people into the land. He said it again when He spoke about obeying His law. And He said it a third time:

GOD“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”— Joshua 1:9

Three times. Joshua had watched an entire generation die in the desert because they let fear make their decisions. God was not simply encouraging him. He was warning him: do not become them.

God also gave Joshua a single condition. He told him to meditate day and night on the Book of the Law. This was the collection of commands God had given to Moses over the past forty years, including the Ten Commandments, the rules for worship, and the instructions for how Israel should live as a nation. Do everything written in it, God said.

Joshua turned to his officers and gave the order. Prepare your provisions. In three days, we cross the Jordan.