Nougat 29

After the nougat was shared yesterday, one of my friends wrote ‘Chazak’ as a word of encouragement for me. Today’s Holy Nougat assures us that Chazak is both personal and collective.

[Then Moses] … commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Chazak! Be courageous! For you will bring Bnei-Yisrael into the land I swore to them—and I will be with you.”” ‭‭… [And Adonai said to Joshua,] “Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”” ‭‭‭ Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:23‬; Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ TLV‬‬

So almost immediately after encouraging the gathered community; Moses passed the mantle of leadership to Joshua. It is worth noting that Moses encouraged Joshua using Chazak when commissioning him. In verses 7-8, a similar command is given, but this is prior to his official commissioning. It may seem strange to see Moses publicly encouraging Joshua, as Joshua was a fearless warrior and a strong believer in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It suggests that there is more to Chazak than encouragement to overcome fear.

So let’s consider the role Joshua was assuming. He was about to lead a very contrary bunch through the final stretch over into the Land of Promise. He was a warrior, with limited to no training as the commander in chief. Now Joshua was being elevated from second in command to the equivalent of a President in one fell swoop. He would be making the final tactical decisions. He would be allotting the land portions to the people, it was on his shoulders that the welfare of the Children of Israel rested.

Although he and Caleb saw grapes in large clusters when spying on their new home (see Numbers 13), they were aware that there were mixed challenges to actually possessing the Land. There were others already living there. Removing them would not be an easy task. And many of the Children of Israel were afraid, based on the reports of the other 10 spies! Yes Joshua had military prowess, but he needed Chazak!

Because in the Hebrew context, Chazak is also referenced as a divine gift, the kind of Godly coverage that is as internal as it is a ‘mantle’. It is no wonder then that Adonai (YHWH) also gave Joshua the personal command and promise: Chazak! For, at the end of the command came the assurance of God’s continuous presence and support. Some commentaries suggest that Chazak became Joshua’s rallying cry when going into battle: ’Rak Chazak Amats’ ie – “be strong and courageous for Adonai is with you.” Personal, Public and Political!

It reminds me of the Mãori rallying cry, the ‘Haka’. When others heard the Haka, their blood ran cold. Those Māoris meant business! When Māoris hear the Haka, even today; it is a reminder that they are not alone. It’s a call to unite against a common enemy; as well as comfort to the desolate on whose behalf the cry is raised. Likewise, we can also hear Chazak as our rallying cry for whatever we face in this season: regardless of whether we are called to be an encourager, a foot soldier, second in command, commander in chief, or prayer warrior. And when we are desolate or desperate, may we hear God’s whisper, ’Rak Chazak Amats’.

From Adonai through Moses, Joshua and the prophets to us ’Rak Chazak Amats’ the Lord, our Lord is with us; be of good courage.

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May all we seek be found in Christ