054A - Is there any symbolism or significance of Yahweh repeating 3 times, to Joshua, "Be Strong and Courageous"?

 


Joshua: A Single Military Commander. 

As a Leader, Things Stacked against Joshua:

Ø Moses has just died.

Ø Around 2 Million (20 Lacs) people are waiting for instructions from new leader.

Ø For 40 long years the great crowd of Hebrews were wandering

in the desert.

Ø For 40 years Moses had Joshua as his right hand man. Like an apprentice or assistant. Joshua now had none, but himself.

Ø The supposedly promised land by Yahweh with the passage of centuries has now been inhabited by the Canaanites and it has become, “Occupied land” so to say.

Ø Crossing the Jordan River is another problem.

Ø Among 2 Million Hebrews, only around 40,000 were foot soldiers.

Ø They were from a generation of slaves. They never had any exposure to fighting in battles and absolutely no military training whatsoever.

Ø Their swords and spears and bow and arrows would not pierce the impenetrable high walls of Jericho city.

Ø Their newly appointed leader, Joshua was old too, being 90 years old.

Ø The high and strong walls of Jericho were a challenge to be overcome.

As a Leader, the only thing that Joshua had with him was:

ü Almighty Yahweh was on his side.

This is all what Joshua needed to know and believe and have faith in. That the El Shaddai Yahweh was his Military Commander. He had to be convinced, convicted and compelled to have unwavering faith that Elohim was with him. Hence repeatedly as recorded in the book of Joshua, Yahweh keeps on reminding Joshua to be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

Let’s see the 3 Instances:

1.    “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.”Joshua 1:6

2.    “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest”. Joshua 1:7

3.    “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for Yahweh thy Elohim is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.Joshua 1:9

Repeated Reminder

So Yahweh says over and over again to His servant Joshua, “Don’t be afraid. Be strong. Be courageous.” Elohim was aware of the inherent human weakness in Joshua and was thus wanting to infuse Joshua with strength, the strength of Yah’s Spirit, the strength of Yah’s presence, the strength of Yah’s promises, the strength of Yah’s Word. Hence he kept on reminding him that, “Be strong. Be courageous. Don’t be frightened. Don’t be dismayed.”

Why did Yahweh feel it was necessary for Joshua to hear this message over and over again? 

Well, Elohim knew what lay ahead for Joshua and for the Children of Israel. Elohim knew that the task to which He had called Joshua was bigger than any human can handle. Elohim knew the task was not humanly possible. Also Joshua was totally new and fresh as a leader, though he was learning under the able guidance of Moses. 

There were dangerous enemies that Joshua would have to face and fight and to overcome in the Promised Land, and being the Almighty Creator, Elohim Yahweh also knew that Joshua, being human would be prone to be possibly discouraged, to become fearful in the face of those challenges. Hence Yahweh like a good commander was right there besides Joshua always communicating and always boosting his confidence.

Symbolism and Significance of Yahweh repeating 3 times to Joshua to be brave and courageous:

v Three Patriarchs before the flood: Abel, Enoch and Noah.

v Three Patriarchs after the flood: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

v Yeshua prayed 3 times before he was arrested.

v Yeshua died at the 3rd hour of the day.

v Yeshua was resurrected after 3 days.

v Three people saw the holy transfiguration of Yeshua: Peter, John & James.

v Elohim’s throne is believed to be located at the "third heaven".

v Three woes are mentioned by Angels in Revelation.

v Many times Yahweh repeats and reminds us about his holiness in a set of 3 words. Holy. Holy. Holy.

Number 3 is one of the most important numbers throughout the Bible; it is a number of harmony, of Elohim’s presence and of completeness. Hence this was a way of Elohim Yahweh telling Joshua, Be Strong and Courageous, as I AM there with you all the way.