There is in the original of the word "courage" an element of obstinacy, as may be seen,

for instance, in Deut. 2: 30: "Made his heart obstinate." And the servant of God needs

this element of obstinacy in his spiritual make-up, so that he may not be easily turned

aside from the teaching of the Word of God. This can be seen very clearly in the

character and example of the apostle Paul, who combined the tenderness of a nursing

mother (I Thess. 2: 7) with an inflexible resolution (I Cor. 2: 1, 2; Acts 20: 24).

In Josh. 23: 6, the words "Be courageous" are the translation of another word in the

Hebrew, meaning "to bind tight". This idea may be seen in II Sam. 18: 9 where the

reference is to Absalom whose hair "caught" in an oak (Septuagint: "entwined"). It

appears again in Isa. 28: 22, where the idea is that of "tightening bands", and in

Isa. 22: 21, "girding with a girdle". It is used in opposition to "relax", a literal

rendering of Isa. 35: 3 being: "Tighten the relaxed hands, make them tense" (see

Parkhurst). Joshua, and all who would follow in his steps, need resolution and girding.

We must "gird up the loins of our mind" (I Pet. 1: 13); and have the "loins girt about with

truth" (Eph. 6: 14).

In spiritual conflict there is but one weapon--"the sword of the Spirit, which is the

Word of God" (Eph. 6: 17). Joshua's equipment resembles our own, in that he was

enjoined to utter faithfulness regarding the Word of God. We are at times tempted to

relax regarding some phase of the truth, in order to win an apparent victory, to retain a

fellow-servant's sympathy or fellowship, or to advance in some way the cause we have at

heart. This, however, must be resisted as of the Devil. No apparent success can ever

justify departure from what is written. I Tim. 2: 12 is an instance of a case where the

difficulties of service and the state of the times make loyal obedience sometimes appear a

definite hindrance. Nevertheless we all acknowledge, when in the presence of the Lord,

that no departure from His explicit commands can ever be blessed with "good success".

The "courage" of verse 7 was to be exhibited in "turning not from the law, to the right

hand or to the left" (Josh. 1: 7). This, we submit, is at the root of obedience and of

In Josh. 1: 7 and 8 the one word sakal is translated "prosper" and "have good

success". The root idea of the word is "to act wisely", "to be wise".  It occurs in

Gen. 3: 6,  and is variously translated by words indicating wisdom, prudence,

understanding and skill. True prosperity and good success are the outcome of wisdom,

and wisdom that leads to good success is found in adherence to the Word of God. The

failures that are recorded in the book of Joshua may all be traced to one source--

disobedience to the Word of God. This is a lesson that is not peculiar to one age or

dispensation; it is inherent in Gen. 3:, in Josh. 1:, in Ephesians and in the Revelation.

Let us take to heart the language of Josh. 1: 2-9. The Lord promised that He would

not fail Joshua, but that put no premium upon disobedience. The same Lord Who said,

"I will not fail thee nor forsake thee", also said:--