How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. (NRSV 1:6)
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (KJV 1:6)
Now that Joshua is the new leader of the Israelites, he needs to see the Wizard of Oz for some courage. But since there isn't a Wizard of Oz in Canaan, Joshua will have to make due with God. Food for thought: Is the Wizard of Oz a God figure?
Quote #2
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (NRSV 1:8-9)
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (KJV 1:8-9)
God tells Joshua to have courage. Well, actually he pretty much commands it. God knows how to get stuff done. We're on the fence, but it seems like there might be something sort of paradoxical (that's fancy for self-contradicting) about mustering courage under command.
Quote #3
They answered Joshua: "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your orders and disobeys your words, whatever you command, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous." (NRSV 1:16-18)
And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. (KJV 1:16-18)
The Israelites tell Joshua to have courage and that they will follow him as they did Moses. That's very kind of them considering Joshua's whole life now revolves around being brave and becoming Moses. It's also interesting that God keeps telling Joshua to have courage, which he relays to the Israelites, which they in turn tell him. That's one big circle of courage.