Moses Encourages and Commissions Joshua

Moses spoke to all Israel near the end of his life. He told them he was now one hundred and twenty years old and would not cross the Jordan, because the Lord had said he would not go over. But Israel would not be left alone. The Lord their God would go ahead of them, and Joshua would go ahead of them too.

Moses reminded Israel that the Lord had already dealt with powerful kings such as Sihon and Og. So he told the people to be strong and courageous, not afraid, because the Lord would go with them. He would not fail them or forsake them.

Then Moses called Joshua in front of all Israel. He told him to be strong and courageous, because he would go with this people into the land the Lord had promised to their fathers. Joshua would help them receive their inheritance, and the Lord himself would go before him.

Later, the Lord told Moses that his death was near and commanded Moses and Joshua to present themselves at the Tent of Meeting so Joshua could be commissioned. They went there, and the Lord appeared in a pillar of cloud at the entrance to the tent.

There the Lord told Moses that after entering the land, Israel would turn to other gods and break his covenant. Many troubles would come, and a song would stand as a witness against them. Moses wrote the song that same day and taught it to the children of Israel.

The Lord also commissioned Joshua son of Nun. He told him to be strong and courageous, because he would bring the children of Israel into the land God had sworn to give them. The Lord said he would be with Joshua. What would help a new leader most in this moment: the crowd's approval, or the Lord's presence?