When God Gives You a Command, Take Charge

By Amanda Beres, August 22, 2026

• Amanda Beres is a writer and freelance editor based in Rhode Island. She has a Master's in Professional Writing and Communication and has worked with The Global Poetics Project and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

So God has me in the book of Joshua, and there is a lot to unpack. Within the first chapter, God commands Joshua three times to be bold and courageous, and this is after God outright sets Joshua as the leader of Israel, the successor to Moses. This story is wild right off the bat! And of course there’s the battle of Jericho (cue the Sunday school song  𝆕 Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho! 𝅘𝅥𝅮). Sing along if you know it! And that was one of many battles; there were at the very least thirty-one that Israel fought against the Canaanites. It’s also important to understand that the land of Canaan was the promised land God had prepared for the Israelites. But a few things had to happen before they could truly claim it, and a few things stood out to me about the book of Joshua! So let’s get into it! 

First and foremost, let’s set the scene. Moses has died right outside the land of Canaan, the promised land. The Israelites had conquered the land of Canaan on the eastern side of the Jordan River, and Israel was now planning to cross to the western side. So, Israel is now left without a leader, facing all the cities of the promised land. Cue God speaking to Joshua and raising him as Moses’ successor in literally the first three verses of the book! 

Joshua 1:2-3 (AMP) “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise [to take his place], cross over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. I have given you every place on which the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised to Moses”. 

This is wild to me! Moses was a highly respected leader. Even in the New Testament, thousands of years later, the Law of Moses is still taught and followed. And Joshua is chosen to follow this man as leader of the nation of Israel. No wonder God says three times from the beginning, “Have I not commanded you, be bold and courageous.”- Joshua 1:9. God also says this in Joshua 1:6-7. Throughout the first chapter of Joshua, we see God give Joshua a command, and then we see Joshua take command. However, there were specific instructions to follow as well. Being bold and courageous was just one.

Joshua 1:8 (AMP) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful”. 

In this verse, there are three commands. The first is: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth”. The second is: “... but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night...” And the third is: “... so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it…” And don't forget, as I said before, God commanded Joshua to be bold and courageous. But here’s the crazy part: Joshua actually did it!

 In Joshua 1:10 it says, “Then Joshua commanded the officers saying…”, and from verses 11 through 15, he commands the tribes of Israel. Then in verses 16 through 18, chapter 1 closes with this:

Joshua 1:16-18 “ They answered Joshua, saying, ‘All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things so will we obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. Any man who rebels against your command and does not obey everything that you command him, shall be out to death; only be strong and courageous.” 

Pay attention here. First, God gives Joshua a command and instructions to follow; Joshua then goes out and commands the tribes of Israel. Then the nation of Israel not only says they will follow his lead, but they also say they will defend his command by removing anyone who will not acknowledge it, and they encourage him to both grow closer to the Lord and be bold and courageous. It is wild to me that the very people Joshua was meant to lead asked him to be bold and courageous, the very same thing the Lord commanded. This is definitely God setting things up and setting things in motion! It’s just so exciting to watch unfold! And this is only chapter 1!  There is so much more in there besides the battle of Jericho!

Throughout the book of Joshua, multiple battles happen. Israel fights numerous battles under Joshua's command and wins every time! Well, except for two times: the battle of Ai and dealing with the Gibeonites. What we see here is that Israel disobeyed God (for more context, read Joshua 7 and Joshua 9). To make a long story short, Israel disobeys God, loses against Ai (but wins in the second battle), and makes a treaty with the Gibeonites, despite God explicitly saying not to make a treaty with anyone in the land of Canaan. Still, even with all of this, Joshua continued to study the Law of Moses, seek the Lord, and take command of the situation! Throughout the book of Joshua, he acts on the instructions from the Lord. 

And now here’s the rub. How often, as Christians, does God give us a command and we say “Cool!”, and then nothing? How many times has God commanded something but we fell back? Especially when things get difficult, or when things don’t seem like they will go the way we want?  I know that I have plenty of times. And while I do not speak for everyone, I know for me it was either out of fear, anger, or pride. But what else does Joshua chapter 1 reveal? Well, in Joshua 1:3 it says, “I (God) have given you every place on which the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised to Moses”. God reminds Joshua of His promise! And God does the same with us every day. After all, His mercies are new every morning! 

So what’s the point? Why talk about this? Because God has given us command and authority! He has given us power to declare and decree and see things change! However, we must walk in it. We must be bold and courageous. It is not always easy; it certainly wasn’t for Joshua, and definitely won’t be for us, and we absolutely will make mistakes. But God still chooses us! And that is amazing! So take time to sit with the Lord and ask where He wants you to conquer and possess the land. And don’t be surprised if it’s in an area of your own life. Now let’s get in that prayer closet and get to work!

Blessing,

Amanda