“Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of God, that God
spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying: Moses My servant is
dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan…”
With the passing of Moses, the mantle of leadership devolved upon Joshua, the prophet’s
staunch disciple. Abravanel notes that within the duration of Joshua 1, there is one phrase that
gets reiterated on three distinct occasions. They follow.
- “Be strong and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which
I swore unto their fathers to give them” - “Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which
Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left…” - “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Be not affrighted…”
Why the reiteration, Abravanel asks? Building upon his predecessors, he delineates three
messages the Maker transmitted to Joshua. One, God goads Joshua with regard to the Hebrew
nation. Specifically, the leader not fear them. As a rule, Joshua heard the Maker say, trouble
stirs when it comes to parceling out land, each man jockeying for a bigger piece of the pie. “Be
strong and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land…” Joshua would
need to show firmness and stout heart in dealing with the twelve tribe’s respective territory.
Two has to do with Joshua’s inner convictions, his religious observance or piety. In that
department, God urges the new leader: “Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded you…” This warning spoke to
Joshua’s character. He needs to curb his desires and earthly pursuits. With abundant strength,
he could muster steely resolve to fulfill divine directives. Citing Ethics of our fathers, Abravanel
brings: “Who is heroic? One who controls his passions." Though self-restraint is important for all
Jews, that trait is all the more so crucial for leaders.
Three takes into account Joshua’s role as commander-in-chief. “Have not I commanded you? Be
strong and of good courage. Be not affrighted, neither be you dismayed…” God bids Joshua to
take military control, and not flinch in the face of impending war.
Concluding, Abravanel writes that these three exhortations were not totally new to Joshua. The
third warning begins: “Have I not commanded you?” Interestingly, the first two verses quoted
above had not been prefaced with: “Have I not commanded you.” Abravanel learns that God
had not shored up Joshua in the areas of courage to divvy up the Holy Land or Torah
observance. Until now.