Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Sunday school class was very good this weekend. We started in the book of Joshua and reviewed the portion of Scripture above. During our discussion, a lady made mention that verse 9 is a great promise that should give us courage. I honestly tried to be quiet but I just couldn’t. So I broke my silence – something that happens too often I fear!
Is not the command “Be strong and of good courage” first in the passage? Is not the last phrase – “for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” a result of obedience to the command to be strong and courageous? Is not the context of the entire passage an exhortation to be courageous? I suggested that if Joshua did not obey, God would not be with him. That this verse actually contains a conditional promise. I also reminded some that this is somewhat similar to Jeremiah’s situation in the first chapter of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 1 :17
Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
Jeremiah was being warned – obey or be confounded (confused) in front of the enemy.
We chatted for a few minutes and one believer noticed that there was no “if” in Joshua 1:9, therefore it could not be conditional. I admitted that that was an argument for their position and was willing to consider it. A bit more chatting, but I became distracted by the passage again. I always assumed the verse said …. for the LORD thy God “WILL BLESS” thee whithersoever thou goest, – but it doesn’t strictly say that. Just that God would be with Joshua/Israel. I think that is possibly a different scenario.
Consider Joshua being afraid instead of being strong and courageous. God would not be with him. Not a comfortable situation!
I’m thinking the conditional/unconditional issue isn’t the central issue. God promised to be with Joshua, and the command was to be strong and courageous.
Live with it!
The choice is ours and He will be with us!
Considering the Bible 
It can get confusing when we look like we are answering different statements or questions so I’m pasting your above quote
Your quote
“I have read those verses also, yet I understand your thinking makes God out to be the cause of His creatures rebellion”
I have given scripture. I’m not going to use natural man’s reasoning.
Proverbs 16:4 says Jehovah made the wicked for the day of evil … It doesn’t say they made themselves
Romans 9 says He makes vessels of mercy and makes vessels of dishonor fitted out for destruction… it doesn’t say they made themselves
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Yes, God caused the Fall for His purpose, Glory and the benefit of the children of Promise. It was God’s decretive Will. Adam and Eve desired to eat the fruit
Revelation 4:11
Lord, You are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because You created all things, and through Your will they exist and were created.
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God caused sin? Seems confusing to cause something that is against His own nature.
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God wants to show forth His wrath and make His power known in order to demonstrate the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy and He has the right to do with His creation as He desires; to make one vessel of mercy and make one vessel of dishonor that is fitted out for destruction.
Romans 9:20-23
Romans 9:17
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very thing I raised you up, so that I might show forth My power in you, and so that My name might be publicized in all the earth.” Ex. 9:16
Proverbs 16:4
Jehovah has made all for His purpose, yea, even the wicked one for the day of evil things.
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I have read those verses also, yet I understand your thinking makes God out to be the cause of His creatures rebellion.
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I remember 8 people being saved from the flood. I understand the number 8 to mean “new beginnings” I remember reading The nation of Israel would have been as Sodom and Gomorrah if God wouldn’t have left a remnant. I just can’t fathom how salvation is conditional on man when God is doing the saving and is the only savior and all you can expect from man is failure. Salvation is by Grace. God told Joshua in my terms don’t focus on your flesh I’m with you I don’t see where God would have abandoned him because of any weakness in Joshua God always fulfills his desires. If God reacted to man, he would end up not saving anyone. Look at the history. God says all that we have has been given. God always fulfills his promises
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Why did God abandon Adam? If you feel He could not abandon Joshua, how is it that He abandoned Adam?
I dont want you thinking that I believe God abandons anyone, but that WE slip away, that in our relationship with God, it is a Father son relationship, and not an owner slave contractual agreement.
I suppose I am somewhat confused by some of your comments, and it is making me think.
Thanks for the comments and have a good day.
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God causes all things according to purpose and will for His glory and the benefit of His elect. I was thinking you were referring to “conditional security” in terms of salvation. God didn’t abandon Adam, He caused the fall for His glory through Jesus Christ and the benefit of His Children of Promise that He promises to save.
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God caused the fall?
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King James 3 literal translation by Jay P Green Sr. SGPbooks.com
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified or discouraged, for Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go.
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Thanks for the comment
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I just realized in Joshua 1:9
It says “Jehovah your God” in my understanding Joshua is a Child of God as in John 1:12-13 If Joshua wasn’t saved I would be shocked. “Conditional security” I doubt very much Joshua’s security was conditional on Joshua
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I didnt mean to imply Joshua wasnt a child of God. Oh my. Not at all. Just that the presence of God in his life might be more of conviction than of comfort.
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