Deuteronomy 3:28
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Moses isn't just passing on a job; he's being told to empower Joshua with a charge, encouragement, and strengthening. This isn't just about appointing a successor, but about equipping him with God's promised presence for the immense task ahead.
But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is nearing the end of his life and has just been told he won't enter the Promised Land. He's been given a final directive to pass on the leadership to Joshua, a weighty task involving guiding the entire nation across the Jordan River and conquering the land. This verse captures Moses' crucial, God-given instruction to prepare Joshua for this immense responsibility, highlighting that it is Joshua, not Moses, who will lead them into their inheritance.
Moses is stepping down, a leader who walked with God for 40 years. Now, he has one last, vital task: preparing his successor. What does it take to pass the torch of leadership with faith?
A Leader's Final Charge
Moses' time is up. He won't be leading Israel into the Promised Land. This is a huge shift, not just for him, but for everyone. Yet, in this moment of personal transition, Moses' focus isn't on his own disappointment, but on the future. God's command to Moses is clear: "charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him."
This isn't just a casual instruction; it's a weighty commission. Moses needs to impart authority, build Joshua's confidence, and remind him of God's power. This highlights that leadership transitions are crucial moments. They require intentionality, imparting wisdom, and reinforcing faith in the one taking the helm.
Moses saw the land but couldn't enter. Yet, God assures the people they will inherit it, through Joshua. How does God's faithfulness remain constant even as leaders change?
The Mission Continues
This verse carries a powerful message of God's unwavering commitment. Even though Moses, who led them out of Egypt, will not personally lead them into the Promised Land, God guarantees that the promise will be fulfilled. "He shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land."
Joshua is not just a replacement; he is the divinely appointed instrument through whom God's promise will be realized. This reminds us that God's purposes are bigger than any single leader. While leaders may change, God's faithfulness to His people and His Word stands firm. He equips and empowers new leaders to carry His mission forward.
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Understand the original words
tsavah · Hebrew Verb
To commission, instruct, or solemnly command someone with authority. In a biblical context, it implies passing on responsibility or leadership, often with a sense of urgent duty and accountability.
Yehoshua · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew name meaning 'The LORD is salvation,' the son of Nun who succeeded Moses. He is characterized as a man of faith and courage who led Israel into the Promised Land, serving as a type of Christ as the true Savior/Leader who brings God's people into their inheritance.
chazaq · Hebrew Verb
To provide courage, hope, or resolve; to embolden another for a task. It implies imparting strength from one's own resources or by invoking divine power to help the person persevere in the face of difficulty.
amats · Hebrew Verb
To make firm, robust, or capable. Biblically, this often involves a divine endowment of moral or physical capacity to withstand opposition and fulfill a God-given assignment.
nachal · Hebrew Noun
The act of receiving or inheriting something as one's own. In the context of Israel, it refers to the Promised Land, which was a gift from God to be received through faith, obedience, and conquest as part of the covenant promise to the patriarchs.
This verse highlights a pivotal moment of transition, where Moses, the revered leader, anoints his successor, Joshua. It underscores God's faithfulness in ensuring His promises are fulfilled, even when His chosen servant cannot complete the task himself. The emphasis on encouraging Joshua speaks to the immense responsibility and potential challenges he faced in leading God's people into their inheritance.
c. 1440 BC
Moses' Leadership and Wilderness Wandering
Under Moses' leadership, the Israelites escaped Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to disobedience. Moses received God's law and led the people through numerous challenges.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Crosses the Jordan River
God miraculously parts the Jordan River, allowing the Israelites, led by Joshua, to enter the Promised Land. This marks the beginning of the conquest.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses Commissioned to Pass on Leadership
God instructs Moses to lay hands on Joshua, commissioning and empowering him to lead the Israelites into the land. Moses is also told he will not enter the land himself.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following the Jordan crossing, Joshua leads the Israelites in a series of military campaigns to conquer the various peoples and cities of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Division of the Land of Canaan
After the conquest, the land is systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel, establishing their inheritance under Joshua's leadership.
This passage echoes Deuteronomy 3:28 by showing God directly commissioning and encouraging Joshua to lead the people, promising His presence and strength just as Moses was instructed to do. It highlights the transfer of leadership and the divine assurance needed for such a monumental task.
Hebrews 4:8This New Testament passage directly links the leadership of Joshua to the concept of 'rest,' contrasting it with Moses' inability to bring the people into the promised land, reinforcing the idea that Joshua was the one divinely appointed to lead them into their inheritance as stated in Deuteronomy 3:28.
Numbers 27:18-23This earlier passage details God's instruction to Moses to lay his hands on Joshua, ordaining him as his successor and imbuing him with authority. It sets the stage for the charge given in Deuteronomy 3:28, showing the divine process of appointing and empowering Joshua.
Deuteronomy 31:7-8Here, Moses reiterates God's command to Joshua, reminding him to be strong and courageous because the Lord himself will go with him and not forsake him. This passage serves as a continuation of the encouragement and strengthening mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:28, showing Moses fulfilling God's charge.
gillDeuteronomy 3:28: "But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see."
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him,.... Charge him to take the care of the children of Israel, to introduce them into the good land, and put them into the possession of it; encourage him against all fear of his and their enemies, and strengthen him with promises of the presence of God, and o…
bensonDeuteronomy 3:28: "But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see."
Deuteronomy 3:28 . He shall go over — It was not Moses, but Joshua, or Jesus, that was to give the people rest, Hebrews 4:8 . It is a comfort to those who love mankind, when they are dying and going off, to see God’s work likely to be carried on by other hands when they are silent in the dust.
Moses isn't just passing on a job; he's being told to empower Joshua with a charge, encouragement, and strengthening. This isn't just about appointing a successor, but about equipping him with God's promised presence for the immense task ahead.
Moses is nearing the end of his life and has just been told he won't enter the Promised Land. He's been given a final directive to pass on the leadership to Joshua, a weighty task involving guiding the entire nation across the Jordan River and conquering the land. This verse captures Moses' crucial, God-given instruction to prepare Joshua for this immense responsibility, highlighting that it is Joshua, not Moses, who will lead them into their inheritance.
Moses is nearing the end of his life and has just been told he won't enter the Promised Land. He's been given a final directive to pass on the leadership to Joshua, a weighty task involving guiding the entire nation across the Jordan River and conquering the land. This verse captures Moses' crucial, God-given instruction to prepare Joshua for this immense responsibility, highlighting that it is Joshua, not Moses, who will lead them into their inheritance.
"But charge Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.’" — Moses isn't just passing on a job; he's being told to empower Joshua with a charge, encouragement, and strengthening. This isn't just about appointing a successor, but about equipping him with God'…
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Last reviewed October 2026
