Moses Introduces Joshua as His Successor

(Deuteronomy 31:1 - 31:8)
Moses continued to address his people, saying this to the whole nation of Israel, “I am now 120 years old and am no longer capable of leading you.  Jehovah has told me, ‘You will not cross the River Jordan!’  Jehovah will make the crossing before you.  He will destroy the nations ahead of you so that you can take possession of their lands. You will be led across the river by Joshua, as Jehovah has ordered.  Jehovah will treat them as he did the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, when he defeated them and conquered their countries.  Jehovah will deliver into your hands the native inhabitants and you must deal with them as I have instructed you.  Be strong and brave!  Do not fear or hold them in dread, for Jehovah your god accompanies you and he will never forsake or desert you.

“Moses summoned Joshua and before all the people of Israel, he exhorted him, “Be strong and brave, for you must lead this people into the land that Jehovah swore to their ancestors that he would give them.  You must see to it that they receive their inheritance.  It is Jehovah who will precede and accompany you.  He will not forsake or desert you, so do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Notes
1. Moses reiterates the assurances that Jehovah will be there for the Israelites when they enter the Promised Land and will do their fighting for them.  The Israelites are never enjoined to rely upon their own courage and prowess, just as they are never allowed to use their own judgment.

2. Moses, now a paltry 120 years old, admits that he is too old and decrepit to lead his people across the Jordan.  (He is not too old to make an interminable speech, however, and having himself heard by an audience numbering in the millions.)  Earlier, Jehovah asserts that Moses is being punished for his disobedience and that that is the reason why he is not permitted to step foot in the Promised Land, not that he is necessarily too old.  Remember that Abraham lived to be 175.  (Coincidentally, men in the Bible keep dying younger and younger as we move forward in time.)

3. Joshua, who is presented here rather casually, was one of the three Israelites from the Exodus who is still alive.  (The others are Caleb and the dying Moses)  Even if he was a youth at the time he accompanied Moses up the mountain in Sinai, he would be a fairly on in years when he succeeds Moses 40 years later.  Although Jehovah promises to defeat and destroy all the native peoples before the Israelites enter the Promised Land, Joshua will have to do a lot of fighting to secure it, enough to fill an entire book of the Bible.