*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.
Deuteronomy 31:1-8 teaches us that we don’t have to be afraid because God is always with us. As Moses prepared to step down as leader, he reminded the Israelites that God would go before them and never leave them. This reminds us that no matter what changes or challenges we face, we are never alone. It encourages us to be strong, trust in God’s presence, and move forward with confidence, knowing that He will guide and protect us.
Deuteronomy 31:1-8 (WEB)
31:1 Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 He said to them, “I am one hundred twenty years old today. I can no more go out and come in. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ 3 The LORD your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua will go over before you, as the LORD has spoken. 4 The LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. 5 The LORD will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”