Joshua was encouraged to be “strong and courageous”. But what two villains before this were also “strong” and “courageous”? What can we learn from our enemies? Also, what is the significance of the number 120 in this passage and in Moses’ life?
Deuteronomy 31:2 And [Moses] said to them, “I am 120 years old today…
40 years – Prince in Egypt (Exodus 2:5-15)
40 years – Shepherd in the wilderness (Exodus 2:16-25)
40 years – God’ Servant as leader of Israel (135 chapters)
Exodus 3:3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”
הסנה (has’neh) = = 120
1 x 2 x 3 x 4 x 5 = 120
Deuteronomy 31:3 Adonai your God Himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as Adonai has spoken.
יהוה אלהיך הוא עבר לפניך הוא ישׁמיד את הגוים האלה מלפניך וירשׁתם יהושׁע הוא עבר לפניך כאשׁר דבר יהוה׃
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is Adonai your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses summoned 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 that Adonai has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.”
Deuteronomy 31:23 And Adonai commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.” [+ Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18]
חזק (chazak) = “strong” – PHARAOH – Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (Exodus 8:19) :: STRENGTH to LEAVE
אמץ (amatz) = “Courageous” – SICHON – Adonai made his heart obstinate(Deut. 2:30) :: COURAGE to ENTER