Be
strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Deuteronomy 31 [1.] Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. He said to them, “I am one hundred twenty years old today. I can no more go out and come in. Yahweh has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ Yahweh your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua will go over before you, as Yahweh has spoken. Yahweh will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land; whom he destroyed. Yahweh will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandment which I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31 [7.] 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 Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. Yahweh himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”
Meaning:
- The Call to Strength and Courage:
Active Courage: The opening exhortation, "Be strong and courageous!" goes beyond a mere emotional state; it calls for intentional and active courage. The Israelites are urged to cultivate inner strength and boldness in the face of challenges and uncertainties.
Overcoming Fear: The directive "Don't be afraid of them!" acknowledges the existence of fear but challenges the Israelites to overcome it. This call to courage is not rooted in denial of difficulties but in a profound trust in God's sovereignty and presence.
- The Assurance of God's Presence:
Yahweh Your God Himself is Who Goes with You: The assurance of God's personal presence is a central theme in this verse. The use of "Yahweh your God himself" emphasizes the intimate and direct involvement of the Almighty in the lives of His people.
Divine Accompaniment: The imagery of God going with the Israelites signifies divine accompaniment on their journey. It conveys the idea that God is not a distant observer but an active participant in their experiences, providing guidance, protection, and companionship.
- Unfailing Faithfulness:
He Will Not Fail You Nor Forsake You: The concluding promise reinforces the unwavering faithfulness of God. The assurance that God will neither fail nor forsake His people communicates a sense of enduring commitment and reliability.
A Covenantal Promise: The language used echoes the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The commitment to not fail or forsake is rooted in the covenant established with Israel, conveying a sense of divine loyalty that transcends temporal circumstances.
Practical Application:
Facing Life's Challenges: Deuteronomy 31:6 has practical implications for believers facing life's challenges. It encourages them to approach difficulties with inner strength, active courage, and a resolute trust in God's abiding presence.
Navigating Uncertainties: The verse serves as a compass for navigating uncertainties. In times of change, fear, or the unknown, believers can draw strength from the assurance that God goes with them, providing a stable foundation amid life's fluctuations.
Cross-References:
Hebrews 13:5-6: "He has said, 'I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.' So that with good courage we say, 'The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" This New Testament passage echoes the sentiment of God's unwavering presence and the resulting courage it inspires.
Joshua 1:9: "Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go." This parallel verse from the book of Joshua reinforces the call to courage and the assurance of God's presence.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 31:6 stands as a timeless beacon of encouragement, inspiring believers to be strong and courageous in the face of life's challenges. The verse's powerful combination of a call to action, the assurance of God's personal presence, and the promise of unfailing faithfulness makes it a source of enduring comfort and guidance.
envy - lawyer - liberty - overcome
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible