Deuteronomy 31:7-8
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The verse highlights that Moses isn't just giving Joshua a pep talk; he's doing it publicly, "in the sight of all Israel." This public commissioning served to officially transfer Moses' authority and legitimize Joshua's leadership before the entire nation, ensuring they would follow him.
Then Moses summoned 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 that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Moses approaches the end of his life and his leadership, he gathers all of Israel to publicly commission his successor, Joshua. This moment signifies a crucial transition of authority, emphasizing that God's promises and presence will continue with the people even after Moses is gone. Moses’s final words to Joshua are a charge to be strong and courageous as he leads the people into the Promised Land, a task God Himself has ordained and will empower.
Imagine standing before thousands, about to receive a monumental task. Moses doesn't just tell Joshua what to do; he commissions him publicly. Why was this public declaration so important?
Moses calls Joshua forward in the presence of all Israel. This isn't a private whisper; it's a public handover of leadership.
The Weight of Authority
By doing this publicly, Moses ensured that Joshua's authority would be recognized. It wasn't just Moses's choice, but a clear, witnessed appointment. This would help the people accept Joshua as their new leader after Moses was gone, preventing confusion or dissent.
Setting the Stage
This public act also symbolized the transfer of God's covenant promises. Joshua wasn't just leading an army; he was inheriting the responsibility of bringing God's chosen people into the land God had sworn to give them. It was a weighty, divinely ordained task, now formally transferred.
Moses tells Joshua, 'Be strong and courageous.' This isn't just a pep talk; it's essential for the mission ahead. What kind of strength and courage does God's work require?
The command to 'Be strong and courageous' is repeated multiple times in Deuteronomy, both to the people and to Joshua. It's a vital theme for anyone stepping into God's purposes.
Facing the Unseen
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Joshua's task was immense: leading Israel into the promised land and conquering its inhabitants. This required not just military might, but a deep-seated courage to face powerful enemies and fulfill the covenant promises. It was a courage rooted in trust, not in his own abilities.
The Divine Guarantee
This courage wasn't meant to be mustered from within. Moses reminds Joshua that he will 'go with this people into the land... and you shall cause them to inherit it.' The promise isn't just that Joshua will lead, but that God is with them. This divine presence is the ultimate source of strength and courage for any leader God calls.
Understand the original words
erets · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the Promised Land, this denotes the inheritance given by God. It represents the fulfillment of divine promises and the place where God's people reside under His rule and blessing.
shaba · Hebrew Verb
A solemn declaration made by God or a human, calling upon God to witness the truth of a statement. God’s oath confirms the immutability and certainty of His covenant promises.
chathath · Hebrew Verb
A state of being overwhelmed, disheartened, or broken in spirit. It is the opposite of the faith-filled courage that relies on God's presence and promises.
This moment is packed with the weight of legacy and the challenge of succession. Moses, about to die, publicly commissions Joshua, not just as a successor, but as a leader empowered by God's promises to fulfill what generations before had dreamed of – inheriting the land God swore to give them.
~1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, initiating their journey towards the Promised Land.
~1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites, led by Joshua, begin the military conquest of the land of Canaan.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua Appointed as Leader
God designates Joshua as Moses' successor, equipping him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses' Final Addresses
As Moses nears the end of his life, he delivers Deuteronomy, recounting God's laws and history, and preparing the people and Joshua for the future.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Dies
Moses passes away before the Israelites enter the Promised Land, fulfilling God's decree.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin the full settlement of the land.
This passage echoes Moses' charge to Joshua, directly commanding him to 'Be strong and courageous' as he leads the people into the promised land.
1 Kings 2:2King David, near the end of his life, gives similar final instructions to his son Solomon, urging him to 'Be strong and show himself a man,' highlighting the recurring need for courage in leadership transitions.
2 Chronicles 32:7During a time of immense threat from the Assyrians, King Hezekiah reminds his people to 'Be strong and courageous' and emphasizes that God is with them, paralleling the divine reassurance given to Joshua.
1 Corinthians 16:13The Apostle Paul uses similar language to encourage believers to 'Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong,' showing how this call to courage is relevant for spiritual battles as well.
calvinDeuteronomy 31:1-8: "And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel."
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.
Vocavit ergo Moses Josua, et dixit illi in oculis totius Israelis, Esto fortis, et robera te: tu enim ingredieris cum populo isto terram quam juravit Jehova p…
cambridgeDeuteronomy 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."
7 . in the sight of all Israel ] Deuteronomy 34:12 . Be strong and of a good courage ] As in Deuteronomy 31:6 but Sg.; cp. Deuteronomy 3:28 . LXX: ἀνδρίζου καὶ ἴσχυε . go with ] Rather bring , as in some Heb. MSS, Sam. Vul…
The verse highlights that Moses isn't just giving Joshua a pep talk; he's doing it publicly, "in the sight of all Israel." This public commissioning served to officially transfer Moses' authority and legitimize Joshua's leadership before the entire nation, ensuring they would follow him.
As Moses approaches the end of his life and his leadership, he gathers all of Israel to publicly commission his successor, Joshua. This moment signifies a crucial transition of authority, emphasizing that God's promises and presence will continue with the people even after Moses is gone. Moses’s final words to Joshua are a charge to be strong and courageous as he leads the people into the Promised Land, a task God Himself has ordained and will empower.
As Moses approaches the end of his life and his leadership, he gathers all of Israel to publicly commission his successor, Joshua. This moment signifies a crucial transition of authority, emphasizing that God's promises and presence will continue with the people even after Moses is gone. Moses’s final words to Joshua are a charge to be strong and courageous as he leads the people into the Promised Land, a task God Himself has ordained and will empower.
"Then Moses summoned 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 that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession o…" — The verse highlights that Moses isn't just giving Joshua a pep talk; he's doing it publicly, "in the sight of all Israel." This public commissioning served to officially transfer Moses' authority and…
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Last reviewed October 2026
