Brian Maloy

As always — it’s really important to consider context when we’re studying Scripture. Where were we RIGHT before beginning Joshua?

The Pentateuch — the first 5 books of the Bible, the Books of Moses. 

We would have just read Deuteronomy, and been reminded of the commands of the Lord, and how they (the Hebrews) were to live holy lives in the Promised Land among pagan evil people who would be challenging. Deuteronomy includes the last words spoken by Moses to his people, before his death, and their entering the Promised Land — it’s a big deal.

But now we pick up the story in Joshua, and God is giving Joshua instruction for leading His people going forward. It’s a moment where there is a transition of leadership, lots of change and anticipation, and much uncertainty for God’s people, and Joshua. Surely that’s a familiar and relatable emotion for most of us humans!

> Let’s Read Joshua 1:1-18 

Consider this — what’s the relationship between confidence and courage? Or how does trust in someone encourage one toward action? I read somewhere yesterday, and now cannot find it… 
Trust is the engine of biblical courage. Courage is the motion that trust produces.

What does it mean to be a person of courage? 
Biblical Courage: is the willingness to act in obedience to God because you trust His presence, His promises, and His character. Courage in Scripture is always rooted in who God is, not in who we are. Courage flows FROM God. For example:

• Acting in obedience (Joshua 1:7; Deuteronomy 31:6; Acts 5:29)
• Standing firm (1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10–14; Psalm 27:1–3)
• Moving forward (Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Exodus 33:14)
• Trusting God’s promises (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 56:3–4)

When we look at Joshua’s instruction from the Lord, nowhere does Yahweh say:

• Be strong & courageous because you’re capable, or well trained, or proven.
• It’s very clear that Joshua is to be strong and courageous BECAUSE of what God has spoken, how He has been faithful in the wilderness, and than He is with them.

But hold on to this question — WHY do we NEED to be strong and courageous?

Joshua 1:1-5

End of Deut. Is Moses’ death — he has been the leader of Israel for 40 years… so much has changed for the Hebrews in that 40 years. Leadership changes are hard, and Joshua is now to “fill the shoes” of his Mentor, Moses. Woof. 

What I love about this beginning of Joshua is this deep reminder (that was spoken to the Hebrews from Exodus through Deuteronomy) that these promises that are to come, are only through the power of the Lord. The Lord has been teaching them to depend on Him for decades — and now, they must really put that trust in practice to conquer the land in HIS power, not their own. They cannot do this on their own.

Question: Think about being Joshua in this moment, what would you be thinking?

What promises would you hold fast to?
What memories would you recall over and over?

>> Really think, where have YOU experienced God’s faithfulness?
(Not trying to be harsh in the slightest, but this is a question we should DAILY learn to ask ourselves — we should have big obvious answers, like I can think Foster Care to Adoption for our family, the house fire, etc., but we should be able to list a million small ways too, there are beautiful blessings every day in our lives)

I believe that Yahweh was challenging Joshua with those questions in a manner, because Joshua needed desperately to hold fast to the Lord, His promises, His past faithfulness, and His presence. Dearly… 

There is a beautiful continuity God is providing here for the Hebrews, to learn again to trust HIM not earthly Godly leaders like Moses or Joshua. In His kindness He certainly provides Joshua who is familiar and right hand to Moses, but leadership transitions can be moments of vulnerability regardless. But when we are following the Lord, we are not in the same position, His covenant faithfulness is not dependent on human leaders. 

Think about where you’ve not just seen God’s faithfulness in your life, but in others, in the church, the body of Christ? These matter enormously too. 

Joshua 1:1–5 teaches that God’s mission continues, God’s promises stand, and God’s presence empowers — therefore courage is not self‑confidence but covenant confidence in the Lord who is. 

Joshua 1:6-11

Think about how we define success — how do we?
Obedience to Yahweh was Joshua’s measure of success. Joshua’s obedience is what measured his success… amazing. Obedience. Not military strategy, faithful obedience!
Praise the Lord. 

In v8 the Lord says to Joshua, “for then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do” — but look what the first half of that verse says:
“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.” 

Yahweh tells Joshua to obey the Word of the Lord, meditate on it, day and night, observe carefully… THEN you’ll be successful. 
Again, his success was based on his obedience to the Lord’s Word. Praise. The. Lord. 

How many can truly say their success rests upon their faithful obedience? 

We should be able to — yet that is not the heartbeat of many workplaces, teams, families, even churches… 
So let’s assume we desire to have the same measure of success in our own lives — 

I am incredibly blessed that in my workplace, I know a measure of success for my work is my faithfulness to my classroom instruction, but also my faithfulness to what God has called me — working in a Christian environment, it’s expected to see our work as ministry, and as such, to be faithful even when discouraged, weary, or uncertain. 

Joshua 1:12-15

These verses feel like a small narrative pause, but they’re actually a neat theological moment. Joshua turns to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half‑tribe of Manasseh (the tribes who already received their land east of the Jordan) and reminds them of the commitment they made back in Numbers 32 and Deuteronomy 3.

They already had their inheritance. They were already “settled.” Their families were safe. Their land was secured.
But Yahweh calls them to fight for the good of their brothers until everyone receives what God promised.

God’s people don’t stop obeying when their needs are met, they keep obeying until the whole community walks in God’s promises.

Joshua reminds them:

• “Remember what Moses commanded you…”
• “Your wives, children, and livestock may remain here…”
• “But you must cross over in battle formation…”
• “You must help your brothers…”
• “Until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you…”

And it’s a reminder that obedience is not just individualistic. God’s people flourish together.
This is so counter‑cultural. Our world says: “Once you get yours, you’re done.” But Yahweh says: “Once you get yours, you help others get theirs.”

Question: Where has God given you “rest” — strength, resources, stability — that He may be calling you to use for the good of others?
That should be a deeply personal, but very honest question to wrestle through for all of us.

Joshua 1:16-18

This spot, we see the Hebrews replying back — which is noteworthy in this preparation. 

This is a cool moment, because the tribes who chose to settle on the east side of the Jordan, are called to fulfill their oaths to help the tribes beyond the Jordan claim their territory. And their response is awesome!  They not only vowed to fulfill, but affirmed that God would be with Joshua as He was with Moses. It’s a really encouraging community moment for the people. Talk about unity. 

Question: How does a shared commitment to God’s purposes encourage other people? How does that build up the body of Christ? How does that serve the whole?

When God’s people share the same commitment to His purposes, it creates this deep sense of “we’re in this together.” That’s what’s happening in Joshua 1:12–18. The eastern tribes already had their land, already had their rest — but they didn’t check out. They didn’t say, “Well, we’re good, hope the rest of you figure it out.” They stepped forward for the sake of their brothers.

A shared commitment does a few things:

• It strengthens weary hearts. When you see someone else obeying, it makes you want to obey too. Courage is contagious.
• It keeps us from drifting into self‑centered faith. We remember that God’s mission is bigger than our personal comfort.
• It builds unity. When we pull in the same direction, the body of Christ becomes a living picture of the gospel. 
• It reflects God’s own heart. He never blesses us just for us, He blesses us so we can bless others. We are blessed to be a blessing (Abraham)!
• It reminds us that obedience is communal. No one follows Jesus alone. We need each other to stay faithful.

When the church shares a commitment to God’s purposes, it becomes a place where people are lifted, encouraged, protected, and strengthened. It becomes a family that actually looks like the kingdom. And beautifully reflects God’s goodness and faithfulness to a lost world. 

For Our Context:

When we think about our own context, our lives, our church, our Bible studies, our families, all “kingdom work” — what advantage is there to working together with other believers versus the “individualistic” mentality? 

Honestly, everything in our culture pushes us toward individualism — “my goals, my success, my spiritual life, my preferences.” But the kingdom doesn’t work that way. God designed His people to move together.

Working together with other believers keeps us grounded in the reality that God never intended us to follow Him alone. There’s a strength that comes from shared obedience that you simply cannot manufacture by yourself.

• We see things we’d miss on our own. Other believers help us discern, correct, encourage, and stay the narrow.
• We carry each other’s burdens. When one is weak, the others step in — just like the eastern tribes did.
• We experience God’s faithfulness through His people. Sometimes the way God strengthens you is through the obedience of someone sitting next to you.
• We reflect Christ more clearly together than we ever could alone. The body is meant to function as a body, many parts, one purpose.
• We accomplish more kingdom work together than we ever could individually. God’s mission is too big for lone rangers.

Just like in Joshua 1, when God’s people move together, everyone receives the blessing of God’s faithfulness — and Praise the Lord we do.

Wrap Up

I love this book of the Bible, and the beginning sets us up for where we are going, just like it did for Joshua and the Israelites. There is a common theme that rises to the top — “Be Strong & Courageous”!

It occurs 4 times in Joshua 1:

1. God to Joshua — v6
   1. “Be strong and courageous…”
   2. This is tied to God’s promise: Joshua will lead the people into the land God swore to their fathers.
2. God to Joshua — v7
   1. “Only be strong and very courageous…”
   2. This one emphasizes obedience to the Word — keeping the Law Moses gave.
3. God to Joshua — v9
   1. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous…”
   2. This one grounds courage in God’s presence: “for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
4. The people to Joshua — v18
   1. “Only be strong and courageous.”
   2. This is the people echoing God’s words back to Joshua — a community affirmation of God’s call.

I love the consistency, and the nuance of each — because let’s be honest, we NEED the nuance of each. We need to remember God’s promise, His past faithfulness, His Word, and His presence — not just part of that. We need it all. 

1. God’s Promise (v6) — We need courage rooted in what God has said He will do
2. God’s Word (v7) — We need courage shaped by obedience, not outcomes
3. God’s Presence (v9) — We need courage grounded in who walks with us
4. God’s People (v18) — We need courage reinforced by community

Why are all four important?

Because each one guards a different weakness in us:

• Promise guards us from despair & doubt.
• Word guards us from confusion or emotions.
• Presence guards us from fear.
• People guard us from isolation.

Take one away, and courage struggles. Hold all four, and courage becomes a steady, obedient, God‑reliant way of life.

So — consider this — where are you likely to struggle? 
In remembering God’s promises?
In failing to cling to His Word?
In doubting His presence?
In isolating yourself from covenant community?

We need to know ourselves, and trust the Lord, seeking the help of the Spirit — if we are to endure the difficult seasons of life that are promised to come. 

> Knowing we are not that different than the Hebrews, we can surely understand WHY we need this courage. Our world too is hostile, and will tempt us away from living holy, set apart lives. We struggle to reflect God’s faithfulness to the world around us. We are too apt to reflect the world around us — and as such, we NEED strength and courage, that ONLY God Himself can give. 

If we too are meant to be strong and courageous — we must be resting in the Lord alone, and glorify Him alone.