The verse in Joshua 1:5 declares, "As I was with Moses, I will be with you." This promise seems to imply that Joshua would enjoy a life parallel to that of Moses, who lived to be a full 120 years old. So, why then did Joshua only live to 110? What happened to those missing ten years?

Bamidbar Rabbah offers a compelling reason, rooted in the contrast between the actions of Moses and Joshua when faced with divine commands related to war.

Think about the moment when God tells Moses, "Take the vengeance of the children of Israel against the Midianites; then you will be gathered to your people" (Numbers 31:2). This is heavy news – a clear announcement of his impending death. But how does Moses react? He doesn't hesitate. He doesn't delay. The text emphasizes his alacrity: "Moses sent them" (Numbers 31:6). He puts the mission above his personal feelings, accepting God's decree and fulfilling his duty with unwavering commitment.

Now, consider Joshua. When he's tasked with waging war against the thirty-one kings, a different thought process seems to take hold. According to Bamidbar Rabbah, Joshua reasoned: "If I kill them immediately, I will die immediately, just as Moses our teacher did." He drew a direct link between completing the war and facing his own mortality. What did he do? He began to deliberately prolong the conflict. The Book of Joshua itself tells us, "For many years, Joshua waged war with all those kings" (Joshua 11:18).

The Holy One, blessed be He, noticed this subtle difference in attitude. And, according to this midrash, He said to Joshua: "Since this is what you did, I will deduct ten years from your years."

It's a powerful lesson about intention and obedience. Moses accepted God’s will, even when it meant facing his own death. Joshua, on the other hand, tried to manipulate events to extend his life.

This idea is beautifully summarized by a verse from Proverbs (19:21), quoted at the end of the passage: "Many are the thoughts in the heart of a man, but it is the counsel of the Lord that will stand." We might scheme and plan, but ultimately, God's will prevails.

Is this a literal explanation? Perhaps. But perhaps it's also a way for our sages to teach us something profound about faith, acceptance, and the importance of fulfilling our obligations, even when they are difficult or frightening. It challenges us to consider: Are we acting with alacrity and trust, like Moses, or are we trying to control the narrative, like Joshua? And what are the consequences of those choices?