Day 56: Joshua Becomes Israel’s Leader


*Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Nearing death, Moses appoints Joshua as his successor and encourages the Israelites to be strong and courageous as they enter the Promised Land.

  • Moses’ Encouragement to Israel:
    • Moses addresses the Israelites, affirming that he is no longer able to lead them due to his old age, and Joshua will now lead them into the Promised Land.
    • He reassures them that despite his absence, the Lord will go before them and destroy the nations inhabiting the land, just as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites.
  • Reminder of God’s Faithfulness:
    • Moses reminds the Israelites of God’s faithfulness throughout their journey in the wilderness, promising that the Lord will not forsake them.
    • He emphasizes that it is the Lord who will cross over before them, destroying their enemies and giving them possession of the land.
  • Commissioning of Joshua:
    • Moses publicly commissions Joshua before the entire congregation, urging him to be strong and courageous as he leads the people into the land the Lord has promised them.
    • He encourages Joshua, reminding him that it is the Lord who will go with him, never leaving him nor forsaking him.
  • Assurance of Victory:
    • Moses reassures the Israelites that the Lord will do to their enemies as He did to Sihon and Og, and they should not fear them.
    • He reminds them that it is the Lord who will fight for them, and they need only to be strong and courageous.
  • Continued Encouragement:
    • Moses encourages the leaders of the tribes to support Joshua and remain steadfast in following the commandments of the Lord.
    • He emphasizes that the Lord is the one who goes before them, and He will be with them, never failing nor forsaking them.
  • Final Charge to Be Strong and Courageous:
    • Moses charges Joshua and the Israelites to be strong and courageous, knowing that the Lord will go with them and give them victory over their enemies.
    • He reiterates that it is the Lord who will lead them into the land and drive out the nations before them.

31:1 And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.

31:2 And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

31:3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.

31:4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.

31:5 And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.

31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

31:7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.