Joshua 1:2–9 – How to Lead When the Weight Feels Too Heavy
“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.”
— Joshua 1:2 ESV
🔍 What Do You Do When the Mantle Falls on You?
In the aftermath of Moses’ death, the voice of God breaks the silence—not with a eulogy, but with a commission. There is no moment of hesitation in God’s words: “Now therefore arise, go…” The mission has not died with the leader. Instead, it has passed into the hands of another servant—Joshua. And the task is enormous: lead an entire nation across the Jordan into hostile territory, inherit land already occupied, and govern a people with a history of rebellion and fear.
What follows is one of the most repeated and most needed commands in all of Scripture: “Be strong and courageous.” This phrase appears three times in this short passage alone (vv. 6, 7, 9), and it sets the tone not only for Joshua’s mission but for every believer called to live by faith and not by fear.
📖 A Divine Commission in Three Parts
1. The Call to Arise and Go (v.2)
“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan…”
God does not minimize the loss of Moses, but neither does He allow grief to stall the mission. There comes a time when honoring the past means stepping into the future. The word “arise” here is not just physical—it is spiritual. Joshua must rise into leadership. He must stand where Moses once stood—not in imitation, but in obedience.
2. The Promise of Inheritance (vv.3–4)
“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you…”
The promise is stunning in scope. God gives Joshua a vision that reaches beyond what he can yet see. From the wilderness to Lebanon, from the Euphrates to the Great Sea—this is a reminder that God’s promises are greater than our perception. But the inheritance must be walked out—“wherever your foot treads…” The land was given, but it had to be possessed.
3. The Presence of God Assured (v.5)
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life… I will not leave you or forsake you.”
God promises victory—not because Joshua is fearless, but because God is faithful. The same divine presence that sustained Moses will now sustain Joshua. This phrase—“I will not leave you or forsake you”—is echoed again in Hebrews 13:5. It is God’s eternal promise to all who follow Him: You may feel alone, but you are never abandoned.
💡 What Does It Mean to Be Strong and Courageous?
The command to be strong and courageous is not a self-help mantra. It is not based on internal grit or personality. It is rooted in a knowledge of God’s promises, God’s word, and God’s presence. Let’s look at each occurrence:
🔹 Joshua 1:6 – Courage to Lead with the End in Mind
“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land…”
This first command is about purpose. Joshua’s courage must rest on the outcome God has already declared. The people will inherit the land—not because of Joshua’s strategy, but because of God’s covenant. Leadership requires vision beyond the battlefield.
🔹 Joshua 1:7 – Courage to Obey Without Compromise
“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law…”
Here, the emphasis is on the word of God. Joshua must not veer to the right or to the left. The courage required here is moral and spiritual: the courage to obey in a disobedient world. Courage isn’t just for combat—it’s for character. It takes more strength to be holy than to be popular.
🔹 Joshua 1:9 – Courage to Walk Forward in God’s Presence
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
This final declaration ties everything together. God is not just giving Joshua a command—He is giving him Himself. God’s presence is the reason for courage. The Hebrew word for “dismayed” carries the idea of being shattered or broken down. God says: Don’t let fear undo you. I’m with you. Keep going.
🧠 Word Study – “Strong” and “Courageous”
📜 Strong (Hebrew: “chazaq”) – to seize, to fasten upon, to fortify, to strengthen.
Used often in the Old Testament, this word carries a sense of holding tightly, not giving way. It implies spiritual tenacity.
📜 Courageous (Hebrew: “amats”) – to be alert, brave, bold, or determined.
This is not recklessness. It is calm boldness rooted in assurance, not arrogance.
Together, they paint a picture of someone who is not fearless, but who acts faithfully even when afraid—because of who God is.
🔔 Application – How Can You Be Strong and Courageous?
1. Know What God Has Said
You cannot obey what you do not know. Joshua’s strength was tied directly to the Law. The same is true for us. Saturate your mind with the Word of God (see Joshua 1:8).
2. Believe What God Has Promised
God had already given the land—but Joshua had to believe it enough to step forward. Faith activates the promise. When we believe God’s Word, we begin walking in His will.
3. Walk in the Presence of God
God’s promise to Joshua—“I am with you wherever you go”—is echoed to every believer in Christ. You are never alone in your obedience. Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the presence of God.
4. Don’t Wait to Feel Ready
God didn’t ask Joshua if he felt qualified. He told him to go. Courage is built in motion. As you move forward in faith, your strength is renewed.
📣 What This Means for Us Today
We live in a culture of fear—fear of rejection, failure, uncertainty, suffering, loss. But the calling of God remains the same: “Be strong and courageous.” Whether you’re stepping into leadership, confronting a personal battle, facing an unknown future, or simply trying to live faithfully day by day, this command is for you.
And this promise is for you too:
“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
— Joshua 1:9 ESV
🙏 Questions for Reflection
- Where is God calling you to arise and lead?
- Are you tempted to compare your calling to someone else’s (like Joshua with Moses)?
- Which area of your life needs obedience without compromise?
- What specific promise of God do you need to meditate on today?
The world does not need more impressive people—it needs more obedient people. Will you step forward in courage today?
Next up: The spies are sent, but this time it’s different. Rahab enters the story, and God shows us how faith can be found in the most unexpected places.
