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Joshua Moses said to Joshua, â€Å"Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.† Exodus 17:9 This is the first passage of scripture where you find Joshua. There is a law called the law of first mention. The law of first mention is a principle that requires one to take a fraction of Scriptures where a principle, expression, or act is mentioned for the first time, in the Bible, and to study the first occurrence of this in order to get the fundamental inbuilt meaning of that principle, expression, or act. When this law is applied the simple meaning usually goes before the complex. Throughout the history of a term it may have grown in its meaning and undergone certain changes, yet the basic, original, fundamental thought is rarely lost. The fundamental concept more often than not controls the understanding of any idea expressed by a term in its present-day usage. Here Joshua is mentioned as a warrior and also a leader in battle. This view does not change throughout the Scriptures. It may add to this meaning, but it is never done away with. Joshua throughout the Bible remains a leader, and a warrior for the Most High God. How was Joshua such a great leader? He was dependant on, and faithful to God. He also took the commission given to him by Moses and God, and made it a lifestyle. What was this great commission? You can find it in Deuteronomy. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, â€Å"Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.† Deuteronomy 31:7 This commission given by Moses to Joshua was reaffirmed by the Lord. The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: â€Å"Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.† Deuteronomy 31:23 Now what did that mean to Joshua? Well, take the first part, â€Å"Be strong† (à §Ãƒ ¦Ãƒ ·). The Hebrew word there is châzaq. The definition is: To strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, and be resolute. 1 Now take the second part, â€Å"Courageous.† The Hebrew word here is âmats (à  Ãƒ ®Ãƒ µ). The definition is: To be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout... ...ccomplish through the Holy Spirit. The power did not die in the New Testament, it was transferred. It is not only given to the select anymore. It is given to the ones who have chosen to choose. No more is it given by some miracle from heaven. It is given to those who choose to take the call. To those who are willing. God will give it to those who live lives of trusting faithfulness. God is going to do a work. There is a battle taking place in the heavenlies. Are you ready? Are you willing? I say to now go into the world and be strong and courageous. The Lord is with you. Bibliography Drucker, Reuven. Inheriting the Land. Grand Rapids: Erdmans, 1983. Hawk, L. Daniel. Joshua. Berit Olam. Collegeville, Minnesota Hess, Richard. Joshua. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 19--. Woudstra, Marten H. Joshua. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Erdmans, 1981. Curtis, Adrian H. W. Joshua. Old Testament Guide. Sheffield: Sheffield. 19--. Drucker, Reuven. Yehoshua/ Joshua. Brooklyn Mesorah Publications, Ltd., 1982. Stern, David H. Complete Jewish Bible. Jewish New Testament Publications Inc. Clarksville, Maryland, USA. 1998.