In line with the “How I read my Bible” post I did last week, this shows the error of how many are taught to read their Bibles. I am sure a lot of people have Joshua 1:9 memorized. Maybe even hung up somewhere in their house. It is inspiring after all. However, the context of what God was telling Joshua here isn’t just our limited understanding of what it means to be strong and courageous. He tells Joshua what it means to be strong and courageous. And just to make sure everyone understands that, He sandwiches that definition in-between Him saying “be strong and courageous” twice.
I think God knew that there would come a time when we were all taught to read His Word a verse at a time. Those verse numberings, and chapter numberings, He didn’t put in there. So He said things that would catch our eyes, our hearts. Things we would want to go back to and read over and over. And tied to those same things, either just before or just after, he adds little nuggets to remind us of what He wants from us. Like this section in Joshua or Leviticus 19:3.