We are told in Joshua 24:31, ‘Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua and had known all the deeds of the Lord which he had done for Israel.’
From this statement made at the end of Joshua’s life, we know that he had a tremendous impact on the lives of God’s people. For Joshua to have had this influence says that his character must have been above reproach, and the people respected him as a servant and leader of God.
His leadership abilities didn’t come overnight. He went through a period of preparation just like other characters we find within the Scriptures, characters like Joseph, Moses, and even Jesus Himself, and if we can learn anything from this, it’s simply this: if we are going to be useful servants of God, we too must be willing to go through a period of preparation.
I believe that Joshua’s story begins way before he was even born. A careful reading of the Scriptures reveals that God had always had a plan, and this plan was revealed to Abraham. Remember that God made a promise to Abraham, and a part of that promise was the promise of land to His people, Genesis 12:1-3.
We see here that the promise was that Abraham would have a land, a seed which would become a great nation, which would be a blessing to all nations through him. Remember later that the Jewish race was constituted a nation when they received the law from God at Sinai, Exodus 19:6.
Sin, in effect, what started with God, was promised to Abraham, but it would be Joshua who would bring the land promise to completion and bring the people into that Promised Land.
Even as a boy, his life experiences were preparing him for the task that God had planned for him. We know he must have been born in Egypt, and he must have been a firstborn son, 1 Chronicles 7:27, and he was a servant of Moses from his youth, Numbers 11:28.
God was preparing him when he went to war with Amalek, Exodus 17:8-16, which incidentally is the first mention of Joshua in the Scriptures. You may remember that the Amalekites were making war against God’s people, and they hadn’t been a part of the promise made to Abraham. From Exodus 17:16, it seems that they weren’t just fighting the Israelites, but God as well.
Moses instructs Joshua to select the men needed to fight and he leads them into battle and so God displays His power to the people, Moses, Aaron, and Hur go up to the top of the hill and as long as Moses held up his hands the Israelites prevailed, so Aaron and Hur stood at his sides holding his hands up until the Israelite’s finally won the war, Exodus 17:12-13.
Joshua learned some important lessons that day. He learned that God was on Israel’s side, God won’t tolerate the rebellion of men against Himself, and finally and probably the biggest lesson he learned was that the power of victory always comes from God.
God was also preparing him when he went up the mountain with Moses, Exodus 24:13-18 / Exodus 24:32. Moses is instructed to return to the mountain whilst leaving behind the elders, Aaron and Hur, but Joshua went up with Moses, Exodus 24:13 / Exodus 32:17.
As we know whilst Moses and Joshua were up the mountain, the people below went ahead and built their golden calf. And once again, Joshua would have learned a few lessons during that time of his life.
He would have experienced the reality of God, he would have experienced the glory of God, and also, he would have learned another important lesson, and that is, the terribleness of sin.
God was also preparing him when he experienced the tabernacle, Exodus 33:9 / Exodus 33:11. We know that Moses had an intimate relationship with God; the Lord talked with Moses, even face to face, but once again Joshua is present during this time, where once again he experienced the glory of God and saw the leadership of God manifested.
God was also preparing him not to be jealous, Numbers 11:24-29. The people have been clamouring about not having meat to eat, and so God informs Moses as to what He’s going to do. Moses then goes to tell the people, and then God caused seventy of the elders to prophesy.
However, there were two men who were prophesying in camp, and when Moses learns of it, Joshua wanted them forbidden to prophesy, but Moses told Joshua not to be jealous for his sake.
Once again, he learns that God’s glory comes first and no man is to be elevated above his ministry, and he learns that everyone’s abilities come from God. Later, he will realise this himself.
God was also preparing him when he became a spy, Numbers 13:1-14:10. The people had been out of Egypt for about fourteen months, and it’s now time to enter the Promised Land, and so spies are sent in to check things out.
Ten come back and say the land can’t be taken, but only Joshua and Caleb say it can be taken. Sadly, the people agree with them and have come to the point where they even want to stone Joshua and Caleb to death.
It is during this time that Joshua’s name is changed; originally, it was Hoshea, meaning he saves, but now his name, Joshua, means Jehovah saves. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua.
For nearly forty years, the people will wander in the wilderness, but once again, Joshua had learned a lot of lessons. He learnt that even when the majority is against you, you must take a stand for God, and he learnt that God always keeps his promises.
God was also preparing him when he was ordained, Numbers 26:65 / Numbers 27:18-23. God selected Joshua as the next leader, and he was marked in the presence of the people as God’s choice. Just before Moses dies, Moses charges Joshua, Deuteronomy 31:2-8.
Moses tells him that he is not going to cross Jordan, but it is Joshua who will lead them across. A very important order is laid out, which is basically that God must go before, and then the people can go without fear.
And so, with all this preparation put in place by God for Joshua through his life experiences, he is finally ready to do what God needs him to do, Deuteronomy 34:9.
Notice that Joshua made the choice to follow God, which is the exact same choice people have to make today. Joshua is now ready to lead the people; they mourn greatly for Moses, Deuteronomy 34:7-8, but Joshua assumes command and will lead them.
Joshua was a man who lived much of his life in the shadow of the great Moses. Moses was such a towering personality that anyone who came immediately after him would seem small by comparison.
Incidentally, I must say that I find it rather strange that Hebrews 4:8 is the only chapter in the New Testament where we find the name of Joshua. I would have expected to find him mentioned in that great eleventh chapter of Hebrews where the ‘heroes of faith’ are enrolled. But he is only referred to by inference in Hebrews 11:30, whilst some other lesser-known people are mentioned by name, e.g., Jephthah, Barak, and Gideon.
However, in the life story of Moses, there is a sad chapter of personal failure, for which he paid very dearly, and it was because of this failure that he was not allowed to lead the people into the Promised Land.
He was allowed to see the land from the Eastern side of the Dead Sea, from the Hills of Moab, now in the State of Jordan. But not allowed to enter, or to lead the people into the land, Numbers 20:8-12. That had to be done by someone else and that someone was Joshua.
After looking out over the land towards which he had to lead the people, Moses died, and we read the touching words, ‘and he (God) buried him in the valley, in the Land of Moab; but no man knows the place of his burial to this day’, Deuteronomy 34:5-6.
But how much is generally known about Joshua? I think that the answer to that question would be, ‘very little!’ Summed up, it probably amounts to the following.
1. He was the servant of Moses. Numbers 11:28.
2. He was one of the only two spies who brought back a good report when sent to spy out the land, Numbers 14:6-10.
3. He led the people into Canaan, Joshua 1.
4. He won a great victory at Jericho and defeated some other cities, Joshua 6:1-27.
5. And, we might add to the list something that is usually forgotten, but which is surely significant.
When Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God, Joshua went with him, at least part of the way, Exodus 24:13. That was a great honour when you remember that Aaron who had been appointed spokesman for Moses when Moses went to speak with Pharaoh, was left below with the people, and God called for Joshua to accompany Moses.
The Bible Hub says the following.
‘Several passages within the Book of Joshua and other portions of the Old Testament suggest that Joshua, the son of Nun and Moses’ successor, Joshua 1:1, was the primary author for the majority of the text. Joshua 24:26 states: ‘And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God.’ This indicates that Joshua actively wrote and preserved authoritative records.
The first-person perspective regarding military campaigns, including the crossing of the Jordan, Joshua 3:1-17, and the covenant ceremony at Shechem, Joshua 24:1-27, is consistent with someone close to the events-likely Joshua himself.
The overall narrative tone and detailed descriptions of conquests, such as Jericho in Joshua 6:1-27, align with first-hand testimony, reinforcing the position that Joshua had a substantial role in composing and compiling these accounts.’
Bible To Life says the following.
‘Two dates for the book are ably defended by scholars. Some defend a date parallel with the 19th Dynasty of Egypt (1300s BC). The events, however, may be safely dated in the late 15th and early 14th century BC.
In 1 Kings 6:1, readers are told, ‘in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the Lord.’
This date for the beginning of the temple construction would be the spring of 966 B.C. Counting backward 480 years to the exodus from Egypt and then adding 40 years for the wilderness wandering, one arrives at the date of 1405/6 for entrance into the land. This also fits the 300 years later indicated by Jephthah, Judges 11:26.’
1. He was born in Egypt, a slave, towards the end of the Egyptian bondage and just about the time that Moses was making up his mind to renounce his position as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
Remember that at this time, the Hebrews were undergoing great suffering at the hands of the Egyptians. The favour they had been shown by the Hyksos rulers, that is, the kings of the fifteenth dynasty of Egypt, 1650–1550 BC, in the days of Joseph was long past.
The succeeding native Egyptian dynasty feared that the Israelites, who had multiplied greatly in numbers, might join forces with any invader who would come down from the North to the Nile Delta, ‘the Land of Goshen’, which Joseph’s Pharaoh had assigned to Jacob and his family, Exodus 1.
Slaving in the fields, building the store-cities of Pithom and Raamses and being beaten by the task-masters who were set over them, when Moses was born, the Israelites had no reason to love the Egyptians.
God actually told Moses, ‘I have seen the affliction of My People,’ Exodus 3:7. And yet, remarkably enough, when this baby was born, his parents gave him the name ‘Osea’, which means ‘salvation’. So, the parents of Joshua must have been very devout and faithful, and optimistic people.
2. It was in Egypt that the young man grew up, whilst Moses was undergoing his forty years of training and preparation, like a shepherd with the Midianites in the wilderness, Exodus 2:11-25.
This means that when Moses eventually returned to Egypt to demand that Pharaoh should let the people leave, he, Moses, was eighty years old, and Osea was forty years old, Exodus 4:18-31.
3. Osea, to use his first name, must have been a man of outstanding quality, because he became the personal servant and bodyguard of Moses, standing guard outside his tent, Exodus 33:11.
4. About two months after the exodus, Moses appointed him commander of the army when he won a great victory over the Amalekites, Numbers 27:18-23.
Moses later changed the young man’s name to ‘Jeoshua’ by adding a letter (Y) from the name of God, (YHVH), giving his name the meaning, ‘Jehovah is salvation’, Numbers 13:16.
About one thousand years later, in the days of the prophet Nehemiah, we find that the form of the name has become ‘Jeshua,’ Nehemiah 8:17. And the name we use today is ‘Joshua’ is the Greek form of that name. This, then, is the man who is introduced in Hebrews 4.
In Hebrews 4, the writer points out that, although Joshua led the people into the Promised Land, he did not succeed in giving the people rest. The word ‘rest’, in Greek, is ‘katapausis’ is the word he uses, which means ‘to settle down’, and it means that Joshua did not succeed in settling the people in the land, that is, he did not bring them to a settled, stable condition. In fact, the word used is the word used to describe colonising.
There is no doubt that Joshua was a tremendously effective leader and general. In the space of six years, he defeated six Canaanite tribes and thirty-one Canaanite kings and their cities.
But he did not give the people rest! Even after the land had been divided up among the various tribes of Israel, the conquest of the land fell far short of what God had prepared for them.
The reason for this was that they were persistently disobedient, and their enjoyment of rest depended on their obedience to God. Because the people were disobedient, God did not remove all their enemies. He allowed some of them to remain in the land to be thorns in their sides, Joshua 23:12-13.
The Book of Judges records the whole sad story of that period. The book, the seventh in the Old Testament, records seven periods of servitude, when one or other of the tribes had to suffer oppression because of their disobedience.
When Joshua died, there was no one of his calibre to take control. There followed years of lawlessness, and two times we are told that ‘each man did that which was right in his own eyes, Judges 16:6 / Judges 21:25. In a word, the history of Israel in the Promised Land is the story of an incomplete conquest and imperfect rest.
This is what the Hebrews writer claims in Hebrews. Hebrews 4:4 states that Joshua did not give them rest. In fact, this part of the letter is all about rest. The word occurs ten times in thirteen verses, and the assertion made by the writer of what Joshua of old failed to do, our Joshua succeeds in doing.
Let me remind you that Joshua is the Old Testament form of the name Jesus. Joseph was told, ‘You shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins,’ Matthew 1:21.
God had promised His people rest. The promise is in Deuteronomy 12:9, when you go over the Jordan and live in the land which the Lord your God gives you to inherit, and when he gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you live in safety.’
Joshua failed to give them rest. Of all those whom Moses led out of Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb entered the land. The others died in the wilderness because of disobedience, Deuteronomy 1:34-39 / Hebrews 4:6.
Now Moses is dead, God tells Joshua to take up where Moses left off, Joshua 1:1. Notice that Moses is described as a servant, Joshua 1:1.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This was, above all other designations, the title of Moses, Deuteronomy 34:5, and it was carried over into the New Dispensation by the author of Hebrews, Hebrews 3:5. The meaning of the term ‘servant’ is very close to that of ‘slave,’ but it was the accepted designation of the highest plenary officers of kings and rulers of the world. Christ himself was prophetically presented in Isaiah as the ‘Suffering Servant’ of God, and Jesus stated that the greatest in God’s kingdom would be the servant of all, Matthew 23:11.’
Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, Numbers 13:8 / 1 Chronicles 7:27. Joshua, whose name was originally Hoshea, Numbers 13:1-20, meaning he saves, but now his name, Joshua, means Jehovah saves. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua.
What Joshua had been prepared for, he must now do, Joshua 1:2 / Joshua 3:15. In many ways, Joshua is like an athlete who must train, but then it comes time for the game.
He has been training for the game, yet he is stricken with fear. The coach must take the fear and turn it into the courage to win. That’s basically what God does here with Joshua: He gives him words of encouragement to win.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The nation had mourned Moses’ death for 30 days, Deuteronomy 34:8. Now God instructed Joshua to prepare to enter the land. The death of any of His servants never frustrates or limits God, though this causes Him sorrow, Psalms 116:15.’
The land gift is assured, Joshua 1:3 / Genesis 13:17 / Genesis 15:18 / Exodus 23:30-31 / Deuteronomy 11:24, the extent is assured, the victory is assured, and his leadership is assured, Joshua 1:2-5.
The Hittites, Joshua 1:4, describe all the Canaanite tribes, 1 Kings 10:29 / 2 Kings 7:6 / Ezekiel 16:3. Note that some translations don’t have the words, ‘all the land of the Hivites’.
Boling, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The MAJORITY of the ancient manuscripts have the words, and there is no logical reason for rejecting them on the basis of their omission in the Septuagint (LXX) and the Vulgate. A check of the Septuagint (LXX) shows that of the eighteen verses in this chapter, only seven of them, namely, Joshua 1:3 / Joshua 1:9-10 / Joshua 1:12-14 / Joshua 1:16, escaped mutilation in the LXX.’
As God was with Moses, so God will be with Joshua and God will never leave him nor forsake him, Joshua 1:5.
Hess, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This text, Joshua 1:2-5, summarises the book. Joshua 1:2 describes the crossing of the Jordan as found in Joshua 1:1 to Joshua 5:12. Joshua 1:3 outlines the ’conquest’ of Joshua 5:13 to Joshua 12:24. Joshua 1:4 implies the distribution of the land in Joshua 13:1 to Joshua 22:34. The emphasis on all the days of Joshua’s life in Joshua 1:5 is found at the end of Joshua’s life in the final two chapters of the book. These verses also introduce the character of the LORD God of Israel. He is one of the main actors in the book. Here he reveals himself through his promises on behalf of Joshua and Israel.’
Joshua needs to be strong and courageous because he will lead God’s people to inherit the land God swore to their ancestors to give them, Joshua 1:6 / Joshua 1:9 / Joshua 1:18 / Deuteronomy 31:6. As far as God is concerned, Joshua will win and get the land because God said he would.
Notice the five commands which God told Joshua regarding God’s Word. He says to him, be careful to do according to all the law, Joshua 1:7, do not turn from it to the right or to the left, Joshua 1:7.
This book of the law shall always be on his lips, Joshua 1:8, he is to meditate on it day and night, Joshua 1:8 / Psalms 1:2 / Isaiah 59:21, and he is to be careful to do according to all that is written in it, Joshua 1:8 / Deuteronomy 5:32-33.
Interestingly, Joshua’s leadership is based on God’s word, and because it’s based on God’s Word, Joshua can be strong and courageous, Joshua 1:9 / Joshua 1:6 / Joshua 1:18. He doesn’t need to be afraid or be discouraged. Why? Simply because God is with him, Joshua 1:9 / Romans 8:31.
Joshua’s been encouraged by God and been charged up, so to speak; now he will charge up the others. We must remember that leadership doesn’t drive or force people; leadership is at the forefront, leading the way, Mark 10:43. Notice Joshua ordered the officers of the people to go through the camp, Joshua 1:10.
Unger, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This order by Joshua also reveals that Israel, at this time, was no longer a haphazard and disorganised mob like that which came out of Egypt. ‘It was a well-disciplined and united army ready to undertake the Lord’s battles.’
The officers are to tell all the people to get ready, Joshua 1:11. They tell them when they are going, where they are going and why they are going, Joshua 1:11. Notice that they are told that in three days from now they will cross the Jordan, Joshua 1:11.
Butler, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The Jordan River wanders about two hundred miles to cover the sixty-five-mile distance from the Lake of Galilee to the Dead Sea, dropping an additional six hundred feet below sea level as it goes.’
Joshua speaks to the two and a half tribes and reminds them of the commands of Moses, Joshua 1:12-13. Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had been promised the land on the other side of Jordan, Joshua 1:13 / Deuteronomy 3:8-19.
They had agreed to Moses’ condition, and so they must follow up on their agreement, Joshua 1:14-15. And just in case they forgot, Joshua reminds them that God will give them the land, but they must help their brothers first, and then they can return, Joshua 1:15.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Not all the warriors from the two and one-half tribes went with (not ‘before,’ Joshua 1:14) their brethren across the Jordan. Only 40,000 of the 110,000 did, Joshua 4:13 / Numbers 26:7 / Numbers 26:18 / Numbers 26:34. The remainder evidently stayed in Transjordan. We should understand ‘all’, Joshua 1:14, in this limited sense.’
Here we have the people’s response to Joshua’s charge, the people accept the challenge, they say they will do everything commanded and they will go wherever they are sent, Joshua 1:16.
The people promise to obey and said, they obeyed Moses, so they will obey Joshua, Joshua 1:17. Yes, their parents grumbled against Moses but hopefully, they will do better and learn from their parent’s disobedience.
The people pray for Joshua, and their desire is that God would be with Joshua just as He had been with Moses, Joshua 1:17. There is no greater compliment than to know that people are genuinely praying for you.
It’s interesting that they too give the terms and conditions, they say if anyone disobeys, then they will be put to death, Joshua 1:18. But Joshua needs to be a strong and courageous leader, Joshua 1:18 / Joshua 1:6 / Joshua 1:9.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The pledge of the two and one-half tribes that any rebel against the commandments of Joshua should be put to death was certainly, for a time at least, literally carried out, as witnessed by the stoning of Achan soon after their entry into Canaan, Joshua 7:25.’
It’s comforting to know that God understands our human weaknesses but our authority must be based on the word of God, because obedience brings blessings and one of those blessings is that God will never forsake us, Joshua 1:9 / Hebrews 13:5. We simply need to be strong and courageous, Joshua 1:18 / Joshua 1:6 / Joshua 1:9 / 1 Chronicles 28:20 / 1 Kings 8:57 / Deuteronomy 4:31 / 2 Timothy 1:7.