Every journey has a beginning and an end. This is the last week for this course and our emphasis is on Special Occasion Speeches which are categorized as Introduction, Presentation, Acceptance, Commemoration and many more, as will be seen throughout the week. Stephen gives an excellent explanation of what special occasions are, and he says, [they] “are the punctuation marks of day-to-day life, the high points that stand out above ordinary routine,” (Lucas, 353). Moses gave this type of speech to the people of Israel on the day that God chose Joshua to succeed him.
Moses knew that he was not only bidding farewell to the Israelites, but also commissioning Joshua to take charge. Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. He continues his speech focusing on Joshua alone. “Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said. And the Lord will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is Joshua’s day of promotion, and Moses is confirming to both him and the Israelites that God had a plan for his succession. Therefore, “Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Joshua is being promoted and we see these words of affirmation from Moses.
Moses knows full well the challenges that Joshua and the Israelites will face in the days ahead. He urges them all to be strong and courageous as they enter the Promised Land. Moses’ words take on a special meaning as he looks ahead to the great inheritance that God has waiting for the nation of Israel. What an important speech on this very special occasion!
As you reflect on the above devotional, please answer these questions.
- What thoughts come to your mind as we study this passage together and focus on the importance of the type of speech used for a special occasion?
- Why is it so important that one uses language with the appropriate thoughts and feelings for the occasion?
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