1. Context
(BKC) Moses was preaching the Law to Israel to impress God’s Word on their hearts. His goal was to get the people to renew the covenant made at Sinai, that is, to make a fresh commitment to the Lord.
Before they entered the Promised Land, Moses announced before Israel the transition of leadership to Joshua.
2. Content
(BKC) At the time of Moses’ death his “eyes were not weak nor his strength gone” (34:7). Yet because of his age (120 years) he lacked the strength to lead the nation in war. He had also been forbidden by the LORD to enter Canaan because of an earlier act of unbelief (Num. 20:1–13). However, God’s program for the nation did not depend on any one human leader. It depended only on God’s power to fulfill His own covenantal promises
v.3a As for the LORD your God, he is about to cross over before you
v. 3b As for Joshua, he is about to cross before you
3. Repeated phrases
To Israel, Moses said, "6 Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!”"
To Joshua, Moses said, "v.7 ...“Be strong and courageous v.8The LORD is indeed going before you—he will be with you; he will not fail you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged!” "
Be strong (BDB) be firm = courageous, confident
Be courageous (BDB) be bold
fear/Afraid (same word)
fail (BDB)=let drop, the hand
Summary: Moses used almost identical terms to give His commands twice (to Israel and Joshua) in which the words strong/courageous have very close meaning, fear/afraid/tremble/discouraged are almost the same, and finally fail/abandon are the same.
Possibly, both Israel and Joshua were terrified to enter the Promised Land without Moses. Moses assured them that God would go with them and before them. Therefore, be strong/courageous, be firm, and bold. No need to be afraid/tremble. God will not let drop His hand or abandon us.
Reflection: How do I face terrifying situation? Is the presence of God enough for me to be firm and bold? Since it is a command that means I need to do it with my own determination to obey God. This is the part I need to do.
4. How did Moses do a transition in leadership?
- He prepared them what to do with the Law v.5 The LORD will deliver them over to you, and you will do to them according to the whole commandment I have given you.
- He stated clearly what God had told him and asked the people/new leader to continue. No one will be in dispute at what to do. v.3
- The new leader was not picked by Moses, but by God. v.3b As for Joshua, he is about to cross before you just as the LORD has said. As a matter of fact, the new leader had already been introduced to both Israel and Moses previously. (BKC) After the charge to the people (vv. 1–6) Moses commissioned Joshua as the Lord had told him (3:28). Moses had previously reminded the people of God’s decision to replace him with Joshua (1:38)
- Finally, he reminded them of what God has done to them previously and encouraged them to be strong and courageous. v.6, 8.
Reflection: Two things were important to Moses: do the people know how to follow God? do the new leader have what it take to be successful? How do I do in training the next generation?
II. Questions
1)
Who was the speaker and the audience? V.1-6 Moses
to all Israel, v.7-8 Moses to Joshua (in the presence of all Israel)
2)
Where were they? About to cross the Jordan River
to the Promised Land
3)
What are the repeated phrases in v.6, 7, 8?
4)
Why these phrases were repeated so many times?
What was implied about the audience?
Be strong (BDB) be firm = courageous, confident
Be
courageous (BDB)=be bold
5)
What kind of image in
your mind for a courageous and bold move? Is there anything in your life now
that you need to be more like that?
6)
What did Israel and Joshua afraid of v.1-2?
Enter the Promise Land without Moses.
7)
What were the 3 encouragements that Moses gave
to Israel when they were afraid of entering the Promise Land without him in
v.3-4, 6?
8) The Lord your God himself will
cross over ahead of you v.3
a. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said v.3
b.
The LORD will destroy these nations v.3 just as
the strength He had previously shown v.4
c.
he will never leave you nor forsake you. V.6
9)
What was repeated in these 3 encouragements? The
LORD’s presence, appointment, strength, abiding
10)
When Israel was afraid to go without him, Moses encouraged
them about the LORD. Why? What did Moses try to correct them about? Having the LORD is better than having M; His
previous success was due to the LORD, not himself.
11)
Do you have anyone that you rely on too much
that you reward them the credits belong to God?
12)
In v.7-8, when M spoke to J before Israel, what
did M want the Israel to be aware of about the land? J was the person who would enable them to
inherit the Promise God had made. (must divide=will
give as a possession)
13)
Why did M choose to speak about this in front of
Israel? Why was that important for J? Not only J was clear about that, but all
Israel. The transition of leadership involves the establishment of creditability
of the new leaders (Ultimate credit was God’s).
14)
Why did M care about whether J has the
creditability or not? He wanted to make sure that the mission from God will
continue without him.
15)
In what area you want the mission of God carries
on? Or in what area you want to carry on the mission from some older leaders?
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