Seventy prophesied, Joshua qualified.

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9

Joshua, a young assistant to Moses and the great-grandson of Sheerah, was a man who would not leave the tent of meeting. He was one of the two men who had no involvement in the worship of the golden calf. The only man, other than Caleb, who believed that they could possess the land of Canaan and drive out the Anakites. He was also jealous of other men prophesying. After all his achievements and troubles, the only thing God wanted to tell him was, ‘Be strong and courageous.’

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face,  as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp,  but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:11

Joshua was a man who sought the will of God and never left the tent of meeting. He used to have a good relationship with God, but when Moses wanted support in leadership, God told him to bring seventy known leaders and officials to the tent of meeting. Among those seventy leaders, two leaders who never thought of going to the tent of meeting were filled with the Spirit and prophesied. However, Joshua, who was in the tent of meeting all the time, was ignored.

Sometimes God prefers others over ourselves. We might be jealous of it, just like Joshua seemed to be. If you maintain courage and strength during those times, a time will surely come when those seventy will fail, and you will be qualified. Joshua was the only man qualified to replace Moses.

I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the spirit that is on you and put the spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.  Numbers 11:17

Moses selected those seventy leaders, and God put the same spirit that was on Moses onto them. After seeing the seventy leaders fail, Moses asked God Himself to select a man to succeed him. And God named Joshua as the chosen successor, revealing that the time he spent in the tent of meeting was not in vain. Moreover, God said that Joshua is a man “in whom is the Spirit.” So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.” – Numbers 27:18

All the time Joshua spent in the tent of meeting and all the times he opposed others and stood for God, the Spirit of God was working in him.

Joshua is known for his courage and strength because there were times when he stood for God alone. He faced many discouraging moments in his life, but God encouraged him again and again to maintain strength and courage. When he did so, the walls of Jericho crumbled, the Jordan River dried up, and the laws of nature were defied.

Joshua summarized his life by saying, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” The man who maintains strength and courage in all discouraging times will surely be kept in the Quiver of God.