There are certain commands in scripture that we might overlook because they do not initially sound like commands.
- Be Courageous
- Be Strong
- Do Not Fear
At first, these seem like words of encouragement and not strict instructions given by Elohim. Yet, there are verses after verses, story after story, of Yah repeatedly expecting His people to be courageous rather than ruled by fear. In fact, one of the clearest examples of this being a command is when Yah charges Joshua to be courageous and then immediately asks him:
“Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yah your Elohim is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
This question reframes how we should understand biblical courage. Being courageous is not reserved for warriors, leaders, or people who naturally possess strong personalities. That doesn’t mean we will never experience fear; indeed, true courage is having the resolve to do the right thing in spite of fear. Biblical courage is the decision to trust Elohim and remain obedient even when there is something to fear.
Be Strong and Courageous
The foundation for Joshua's commission can be found within the Torah. After Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years, he knows it will be Joshua who brings the people to the Promise Land. Therefore, Moses tells Israel:
“Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for Yah your Elohim himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Moses then turns directly to Joshua, and reinforces the command specifically to him:
“Moses called to 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 which Yah has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it.” (Deuteronomy 31:7)
Finally, Yahweh, through Moses, tells Joshua once again to be strong and courageous.
“He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.” (Deuteronomy 31:23)
Notice the picture that is forming, Moses commands Israel to be courageous, Moses commands Joshua to be courageous, and then Yah Himself commands Joshua to be courageous. This is not simply motivational language. Courage is being presented as an expectation of Yah's people, especially those appointed to leadership.
Only Be Strong and Very Courageous
When the book of Joshua begins, Elohim repeats the command.
“Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:6)
Then, to reinforce the charge given, Yah repeats Himself and defines what true strength and courage are.
“Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the Torah which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)
Notice that Yah does not separate courage from obedience, He places them together. Be courageous and be careful to obey the Torah. Joshua's courage was not merely linked to fighting battles, it was ultimately connected to his willingness to remain faithful to what Elohim had commanded through Moses. Yah does not define Joshua's courage by his willingness to fight. He defines it first by his willingness to obey.
Fear can Become Rebellion
One of the greatest enemies of courage in scripture is the fear of other people. For it was indeed fear of the inhabitants of Canaan that caused Israel to wonder 40 years in the desert. The 12 spies reported how strong and mighty the people of the promised land were, to include the Nephilim who lived there as well. Yet Caleb, one of the spies, had his courage and trust placed in Yah.
“Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let’s go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!” (Numbers 13:30)
However, the people caved into fear and forgot all that Yahweh had told them and commanded them. They did not believe they could overcome fortified cities and giants and wished they had died in Egypt or the desert. Moses and Aaron tried to cull the peoples fear but it was in vain, so Caleb and Joshua took to the people and said:
“Only don’t rebel against Yahweh, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and Yahweh is with us. Don’t fear them.” (Numbers 14:9)
Alas, the people would not harken to the words of Moses, Aaron, Caleb, or Joshua. Even threating to stone them to death, Yah therefore judged their unbelief and rebellion, declaring that the generation which refused to trust Him would not enter the Promised Land. They would die in the wilderness. Notice, that taking the promise land was a commandment to the Israelites. It was not an option or a suggestion; it was a directive from the Most High. Joshua and Caleb didn't merely describe Israel's fear as an emotional weakness. They identified it as rebellion against Yah.
“The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
While we might not be called into battle by Yah, there are still real fears we have to contend with today.
- Fear rejection.
- Fear ridicule.
- Fear losing friends.
- Fear losing opportunities.
- Fear what people will think or say about us.
- Fear persecution.
And because of those fears, we can be tempted to compromise.
- We remain silent when we should speak.
- We abandon obedience when obedience becomes inconvenient.
- We choose popularity over faithfulness.
- We choose safety over truth.
This is why courage is so important. The command to be courageous is ultimately a command to trust in Elohim more than we trust our circumstances or the opinions of people around us. The Messiah reinforces this command when he tells his disciples not to fear other people, but to fear Yahweh.
“Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehinnom.” (Matthew 10:28)
Truly, Yahweh is the one we should fear. The one who gave the command, not the person or circumstance that tries to make us rebel out of fear.
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)
What Does Courage Look Like Today?
The command to be courageous wasn't given only to ancient warriors. It was given to all of Yah's children, to include us today. While most of us will hopefully never be placed in a situation where obedience means facing physical death, we should still prepare ourselves for the moments when faithfulness carries a real cost. Moments like when doing what is right is uncomfortable, when obedience costs us something like our job, when we don’t know what the outcome will be, when we are tempted to remain silent, or when fear whispers to us:
“Don't do it.”
In those moments, perhaps we should remember what Yahweh asked Joshua:
“Have I not commanded you?”
Yah did not command Joshua to never feel fear. He commanded him not to be ruled by it. He did not promise Joshua that the road ahead would be easy. He promised that He would be with him. And that is where our courage must ultimately come from. Not from our own strength. Not from the absence of danger. Not from the approval of other people. But from trusting Yahweh enough to obey Him.
- Be strong.
- Be courageous.
- Do not fear.
Yahweh our Elohim is with us wherever we go.
P.S.
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