(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 31:1-30)

Moses’ time with Israel is coming to a close. In today’s Scripture, we read that Moses is now 120 years old and he knows that he will not cross the Jordan with Israel. It is Joshua that will cross over with them and so he reminds Israel and Joshua to be strong and courageous.

Why do they need to be reminded to be strong and courageous? It is because all this time, all they have known is Moses as their leader, and now Moses was going to leave them. The people were afraid because of the uncertainty of the journey ahead.

So Moses reminded Israel and Joshua to be strong and courageous and reminded them not be afraid, because it is the Lord that would lead them and be with them. It wasn’t Moses all this time actually, but it was the Lord, and if the people put their faith in Joshua rather than God, then this would lead to fear rather than a healthy fear of the Lord.

Fear of the Lord is acknowledging the power of God, which leads to faith, trust, and security, rather than fear of the unknown, which leads to doubt, discomfort, and uncertainty.

That is why Israel is to be strong and courageous even if it isn’t Moses that is leading them anymore, and why Joshua is to be strong and courageous because he doesn’t have to be the next great thing.

Brothers and sisters, we too should be strong and courageous, not because life is easy, not because the journey and road ahead is smooth, not because we have someone or something that we can put our hope and trust in, but because the Lord our God is the one that goes ahead of us. The Lord our God is the one who goes with us, whether we have anyone or anything else in the world.

Let us be strong and courageous in the Lord, and may that lead us to fear the Lord, which is not being scared of God, but a deep, covenant-shaped posture of trust, loyalty, and obedience—especially at a moment of transition and uncertainty.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 31