there, too. Yet the real promised land lies west of the Jordan. There is a river to cross. God focuses on Joshua (the “you” in verses 3–4 is plural and refers to Israel, but the “you” in verses 5–9 is singular and refers to Joshua). Typically, God interweaves promises and exhortations. The promise “I will be with you” sounds routine but is not to be skipped over. It is the promise God made to Isaac (Genesis 26:3) and repeated to Moses when announcing his implausible commission (Exodus 3:12). It is