Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
God charged Joshua to take up the work in connection with Moses by holding strictly to all the law given through Moses without turning aside in either direction. Strength and great courage were given him for that obedience, calling for resolute bravery and unswerving integrity in keeping the law. Faithful obedience, with the book of the law kept continually in mind day and night, was the path to prospering wherever he went and having good success, for God's promise to give the land, to be with him, and to make the conquest easy and successful was conditional on that obedience and removed his fear about his commission. The charge was repeated because he stood in peril from the strongest misleading influences against his principles, so those bearing large responsibilities must make God rather than man their Guide, seeking wisdom from Him daily and holding to His Word with the sword of the Spirit. Not turning to the right hand or to the left means staying firmly faithful to the truth amid opposition without going to extremes, and this appointment cannot be taken up by a man on his own message nor wrested to place modern leaders in the positions of Moses and Joshua.
Meaning and Promise
The appointment joined Joshua to Moses in the work by observing to do according to all the law commanded through Moses, turning not from it to the right hand or to the left, so that he would prosper whithersoever he went.
Strength and courage were given for the purpose of that observance, to keep all the law commanded through Moses without turning aside in either direction.
That keeping meant holding to the law without deviation and refusing to depart from it to either side.
The command therefore calls for resoluteness and bravery in obedience, and for strictest integrity in keeping the law without deviation.
Faithful obedience is the path to prospering whithersoever he goes and to having good success.
Keeping the book of the law continually spoken and pondered day and night is the way to that prosperity and good success wherever he goes.
God joined the promise to give Israel the land and to be with Joshua to this command, and His promise to make the conquest of Canaan easy and successful was conditional on faithful obedience to all the commandments given through Moses.
That assurance of His presence, guidance, support, and help removed Joshua's fears and anxiety about carrying out his commission to lead Israel.
Guidance for Responsible Service
The charge to be strong and very courageous in order to observe all the law without turning to the right hand or to the left was given because Joshua stood in danger of being brought under misleading influences. The strongest influences were to be brought to bear against his principles of righteousness, and the repetition of the charge over and over proves how real that peril was. Men carrying large responsibilities must therefore walk in the path God has marked out, with God as Guide and with a Counsellor whose wisdom is far above human wisdom. They are to use first the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and amid all their cares they have their God to guide them.
Victory comes from making God the guide rather than making man the guide. It is gained by asking daily for wisdom from the Source of all wisdom and by meditating upon the Word of God day and night, for strength and courage are given for observing to do all of God's law without turning aside, and this obedience brings prosperity whithersoever one goes. God gives every person his own work to do, and Bible religion joins active service with daily dependence on divine wisdom. The warning not to turn to the right hand or to the left means remaining firmly faithful amid opposition and refusing to depart from the truth. That keeping from going to extremes is God's own work of keeping His servant, not the product of human effort.
Such a Moses-Joshua appointment, to connect with Moses in the work by observing to do according to all the law which Moses commanded and prospering whithersoever he goes, comes from God Himself. Instruction is given by God to those He appoints, and it cannot be taken up by a man on his own message. The verse does not place one modern leader in the position of Moses and another modern man in the position of Joshua to carry the work forward united together, nor does Joshua 1:1-9 commission Seventh-day Adventists in that succession to proclaim the truth with power. To select and arrange these and other forceful Scriptures in that way, to read them aloud as proof, to denounce people and things by them, and to declare that those who refuse the message have rejected God and decided their destiny for eternity, is to wrest and misinterpret and misapply God's Word according to human ideas where it does not apply at all.