Beginning a War on a Promise and Command

Joshua begins his leadership and his campagin life just like every other man God selected throughout all of the Torah. God gave him a promise to trust and a command to keep. The war did not start because of politics, envy, or Joshua's oversized ego (the ego which God had to tell to be strong six times--three times in person, two times through the people, and once implied through a native harlot!) If it was up to the Ancient Israelites or Joshua, the Holy land might not be so contested in today's modern world.

God's commands to conquer are baffling to a modern mind entrenched with or against the war on terror. The modern day Islamic terrorist are labeled as militants with a destructive ideology(paraphrasing President Bush). Would the Israelites be labeled the same?*

Nevertheless, The first chapter does not deal with the justness of this war campaign, it simply assumes it. As Sara and I discussed priviately, you cannot miss the many times Joshua is told to be strong and very courageous. But not to simply be "mighty warrior king", God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous to keep the commands of the Torah, the Law. Why? Because that is the way he will be sucessful (otherwise translated wise, prudent, circumspect). So he must have it in his mouth (memorized, the only way to read the Old Testament unvoweled text**) and to meditate on (digest) it. Then he would be prosperous like the tree planted by the rivers of water.

Oh but the promise--the promise is better. The promise that stems all the way back to Abraham, the forefather and receipient of the gift Joshua is about to inherit. "I will be with You just as I was with Moses." Was this an unconditional promise? I would like my other theologically inclined friends chime in. Either way, it was the foundation for God's command, Joshua's courage and obedience, and the great Israelite invasion.

(*I will post on this further when we reach the battles described in Joshua)
(**Questions welcome, I will post a link to info on this topic eventually)