The Fear Factor

The opening chapter of the book of Joshua is one of my favorite in the entire Bible. It is a chapter of hope and inspiration. Joshua must take over the leadership role from Moses. The greatest leader in the history of the Jewish people; the mediator who provided the 10 Commandments from God Himself; the human voice calling down the 10 plagues on the nation of Egypt; the leader at the parting of the Red Sea; and redeemer of the people out of the slavery in the land of the pyramids. How do you follow a leader like that? How do you fill the sandals of a legend? How do you take over after 40 years of Moses' impact?

God gently and yet firmly promises His hand of success to Joshua as the new leader stands firm on God's word. The first chapter records God's exhortation to Joshua to be strong and courageous three times in just four verses (1:6-9).

I especially like Joshua 1:9 because it implies two areas of struggle for Joshua. Both of which ring in my ears with the sounds of reality. This passage reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Notice the two factors that will attempt to rob the leader of strength and courage: the fear factor and the failure factor. This blog will explore the first factor....stay tuned for the failure factor in the days ahead.

The Fear Factor: do not be terrified. After 40 years of wandering, it is now time to enter the promised land and conquer the enemies that lie ahead. Joshua has been to the land (one of the original spies) and seen the giants up close and personal. After so many years of gathering manna it was now time to pick up weapons and claim the inheritance.

As I read this passage, the TV show, The Fear Factor, quickly came to mind. This reality show brought contestants together to face their fears head on. Each show was made up of three stunts. The first stunt was a physical stunt testing the fear of physical inadequacies (jumping from one building to another, holding on to a rope extended from a helicopter flying 50 feet above a lake). The second stunt was aimed more at the mental challenges of fear. Eating live bugs, or immersing one's entire body in disgusting or intimidating animals (in a tank with alligators, lying in a box filled with tarantulas). The last fear usually consisted of some extreme type of stunt seen in an action film involving heights, water and vehicles.

Scripture does not delineate Joshua's fears but I can think of at least three (just like the show) that would be good possibilities. First, the fear of human inability. Joshua was just a man following in the shadow of the great Moses. Did he have the talents needed to lead the people? Were his skills adequate to do the job? Second, the fear of doubt. Did Joshua really hear the call of God on his life? Maybe it was just some bad baloney (spoiled manna). Maybe someone younger should be taking charge. Were his ideas too old? Was his physical body able to keep up with the challenges ahead? Third, the fear of the plan. Will his plan really work? As the leader, he will have to make an incredible amount of decisions that will affect thousands if not millions of people. Was his plan strong enough to stand up against the enemies of the land?

The last part of Joshua 1:9 gives the assurance and solution to the Fear Factor. Joshua can be strong and courageous because of God's presence with the leader. “Do not be terrified....for the Lord your God will be with you...” Notice the little term for. Whenever I see it in the Bible I read it for the f(ollowing) o(bvious) r(eason). For is a term that prepares its readers to hear the reason for the previous declaration. Don't be afraid – why? For the following obvious reason – God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua was capable. His talents and skills were adequate. Why? Not because he possessed some superhuman power; not because he was smarter than the enemy; not because his armies were stronger than the giants of the land. Rather it was because God was going to be with him wherever he went.

Joshua's plan would be successful not because of his great strategic insight; not because of the projections and statistical analysis of a research team; not because superior planning (marching around a city seven times and then blowing trumpets is not included in the top ten military approaches). No, the plan will work because the Lord his God was going with him.

Joshua's call was real. Verse 9 begins. “Have I not commanded you?” This five word rhetorical question is so powerful.

“Have I” - God, the Creator/Sustainer/Sovereign History Maker/Almighty One

“not commanded” - no suggestion here; no guidelines; these are orders, God told him, He is requiring him to lead the people.

“you” - not Caleb, not your best friend, not the priest – you. The call is personal, individual – it is just you and ME. And I will be with you wherever you go.

These are great words for leaders who are following after God. I would encourage any leader to read this first chapter in Joshua. Note the heart of the leader; pay attention to the requirement of obedience to God's word; and draw strength and courage from God's promises.