H Forbes Witherby

Some take it that the words of courageous answer recorded in verses 16 and 18, chapter 1, are those of Israel as a whole through their captains to their leader; that "and they" mean not merely the forty thousand of the two and a half tribes, but the whole people, who with these forty thousand replied to the words of Joshua. If such be the case, it is the great, the strong, answer of faith, the response of the nation stirred to go forth to the wars of the Lord. Israel was the army of God appointed for the destruction of Jericho, Israel came into Canaan to sweep its iniquitous inhabitants from the face of the land, and to do this work of judgment in the strength of Jehovah. Their faith responded to the exhortation of their God, and echoed back these grand words — "only be strong and of a good courage."