John Calvin Commentary Joshua 1:6

"Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them." — Joshua 1:6 (ASV)

The exhortation, Be strong, and so forth, is added and indeed repeated, so that it may make a deeper impression. At the same time, the promise is introduced in different words, in which Joshua is assured of his divine call, so that he would have no hesitation in undertaking the office which had been divinely committed to him, nor begin to waver midway when obliged to contend with obstacles. It would not have been enough for him diligently to prepare himself at the beginning without being well prepared to persevere in the struggle.

Although it is characteristic of faith to inspire us to strenuous exertion, just as unbelief manifests itself by cowardice or a stopping of effort, still, we may infer from this passage that mere promises are not sufficiently powerful without the additional stimulus of exhortation. For if Joshua, who was always remarkable for eagerness, needed to be urged to the performance of duty, how much more necessary must it be that we, who struggle with so much sluggishness, should be spurred forward.

We may add that strength and constancy are required of Joshua not just once or by a single expression, but he is affirmed repeatedly and in various terms, because he was to be engaged in many and varied contests. He is told to have strong and invincible courage. Although these two epithets make it obvious that God was giving a command concerning a very serious matter, still, not content with this repetition, He immediately afterward repeats the sentence, and even amplifies it by the addition of the adverb very.

From this passage, therefore, let us learn that we can never be fit for carrying out difficult and arduous tasks unless we exert our utmost efforts. This is because our abilities are weak, Satan rudely assails us, and we are more inclined than anything to relax our efforts.

But, as many exert their strength to no avail in making mistaken or haphazard attempts, it is added, as a true source of fortitude, that Joshua should make it his constant study to observe the Law. By this we are taught that the only way we can become truly invincible is by striving to yield faithful obedience to God. Otherwise, it would be better to remain indolent and weak than to be rushed on by reckless audacity.

Moreover, God would not only have His servant be strong in keeping the Law, but commands him to contend courageously, so that he does not faint under the burden of his laborious office.

But since he might become entangled in doubt about how to extricate himself in perplexing matters, or about the course he should adopt, He refers him to the teaching of the Law. By following it as a guide, he will be sufficiently equipped for all things. He says, You will act prudently in all things, provided you make the Law your master; although the Hebrew word שכל means to act not only prudently but also successfully, because recklessness usually pays the penalty of failure.

However that may be, by submitting entirely to the teaching of the Law he is more surely inspired to hope for divine assistance. For it is of great importance, when our fears are aroused by impending dangers, to feel assured that we have God's approval in whatever we do, since we have no other goal than to obey His commands. Moreover, as it would not be enough to obey God in just any way, Joshua is exhorted to practice a modesty and sobriety that will keep him within the bounds of simple obedience.

Many, while having good intentions, sometimes imagine themselves to be wiser than they should be. Therefore, they either overlook many things through carelessness or mix their own counsels with the divine commands.

The general prohibition, therefore, contained in the Law, forbidding everyone to add to it or detract from it, God now specially enforces on Joshua. For if private individuals, in forming their plan of life, ought to submit themselves to God, how much more necessary must this be for those who rule among the people.

But if this great man needed this restraint of modesty so that he might not overstep his limits, how intolerable is the audacity if we, who fall so far short of him, arrogate to ourselves greater license? However, God especially prescribed the rule for His servant so that those who excel in honor might know that they are as much bound to obey it as the humblest of the people.