Although totally unaccustomed to war, the Israelites had to engage in their first military action as a freed people. Someone was needed to lead the fighting force.
وَمَعَ أَنَّ ٱلْإِسْرَائِيلِيِّينَ لَمْ يَخُوضُوا حَرْبًا مِنْ قَبْلُ ،‏ حَانَ ٱلْوَقْتُ لِإِبْعَادِ هذَا ٱلْخَطَرِ وَٱلْقِيَامِ بِأَوَّلِ تَحَرُّكٍ عَسْكَرِيٍّ لَهُمْ كَشَعْبٍ حُرٍّ .‏