Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Moses was tired. Like a 120-years-old kind of tired. He had been a faithful saint and sinner servant of the LORD his God. From his leading of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, to Mount Sinai and the giving of the covenant, through the 40-year wandering in the wilderness, right up to the edge of the Promised Land of Canaan and the river Jordan. Moses would not be the man to lead the people of God into the land flowing with milk and honey. That would be the job of another saint and sinner servant named Joshua. Moses must give way to Joshua. 

Perhaps you know already that Jesus’ Hebrew name is Joshua. Moses must give way to Jesus. The Law of God spoken through Moses serves to drive us to repentance and a sense of hopelessness in the face of our sin. Paul wrote, “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21). Moses can take you to the edge of the Promised Land, but he can’t get you to the other side of the Jordan. We need Joshua to do that for us. 

Jesus is our Joshua. He is true man, sharing the same flesh with Joshua, Moses, and you, yet was without sin. He took our sin upon Himself and died with it. His resurrection is the testimony of His saving work. Jesus is the perfect Joshua who carries us through the water of Holy Baptism and into the promised land of forgiveness and a life that has no end. 

Moses’ words of encouragement to the people are glorious. He spoke of what he knew to be true. God is faithful to His promise to deliver and save. Hear His Word and take it to heart: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of death and the devil for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As true as God’s own word is true, Not earth nor hell’s satanic crew Against us shall  prevail. Their might? A joke, a mere façade! God is with us and we with God–Our vict’ry cannot fail. (“O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe” LSB 666, st.3)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch