Disobedience is Weakness

Throughout the book of Joshua immense strength is put on display for the world to behold. Nation after nation and city after city are destroyed as God leads His appointed servant to develop the promised land. Four times in chapter 1, God instructs Joshua to “be strong” (1:6, 7, 9, 18). It was this exhortation that Joshua knew where his power originated from. After Joshua experiences several victories under the might of God, he too encourages the assembly of people to “be strong” (10:25).

As the leader from God grew old, he once more instructed his fellow man to be strong. But what does it mean to be strong? Was he speaking in relation to the numerous armies he dismantled? Perhaps even the divine power granted to him? The text of Joshua 23 suggests that strength is the process for one to remain faithful to God’s Word; that the two, strength and obedience, are married.

Joshua told the people, “be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left” (23:6). The reader of the historical narrative learns that strength is derivative from obeying the Word of God. It takes diligence, meditation, and intention to follow what the Lord has commanded His people. So then the opposite remains true as well. When there is disobedience, there is weakness in the individual.

Paul noted how he “beats/wears down/disciplines” his body in order to keep it under control (1 Cor. 9:27). This imagery illustrates how seriously one needs to take their walk with God. Obedience does not come easy and the apostle recognized that. In order to keep himself “qualified,” he made sure to put his own being under total submission. This type of practice, making the body know it is not alpha, is common among those who remain faithful to the will of God. When we get weak and lazy, disobedience capitalizes on such an opportunity. Strength is required of anyone who wishes to live in harmony with the Almighty of the universe. Not physical strength, but rather godly solidity.