You can read this article in French here.
Have you ever wondered what your purpose is here on earth? From my experience, it is difficult to know and be certain of it.
Joshua from the tribe of Ephraim, on the other hand, knew exactly what his mission was, and he carried it with bravery and brilliance. In fact, his purpose was so clear that it got him a change of name from Hoshea to Joshua, the latter meaning Yahweh is salvation or simply put, Saviour.
The book of Joshua was even named after him, an honour Moses himself didn’t get.
So why does the Bible this time focuses on one character, the leader Joshua, rather than on the Israelites as a nation like with the 5 previous books?
Post contents
Let’s rewind a little
Moses
Moses brought the Israelites, the bearers of the promises made to Abraham by God, out of Egypt towards Canaan. They were going to receive the Canaanite territory as their promised inheritance and build the nation of Israel on it, in the ways of the Lord, and in commitment to their covenant relationship with Him.
Moses consecrated his whole life for the flourishing of Israel. He gave up his royal status in Egypt, left his family and overcame his stutter for their sake. He played the middle man, taking in insults from them while calming God’s wrath. He literally gave them his all.
But Moses died right at the borders of Canaan. So there was a need for another leader to bring the Israelites into the promised land. This is where Moses’ aid, the intrepid, faithful, and God-fearing Joshua, was chosen by God Himself to carry on this task: to snatch the land away from the Canaanites who inhabited it and to rightfully divide it among the tribes.
Joshua
Joshua first appeared in the scene in Exodus 17 when Moses appointed him as leader of the militia to fight against the Amalekites. Joshua was also present up the mountain with Moses while Moses was receiving the 10 commandments (Exodus 19:13) and he equally appears to have been a guard of the tabernacle, the place where Moses and God met (Exodus 33:11).
In Numbers 13, he was one of the 12 leaders of Israel sent to explore Canaan, from which only Caleb from the tribe of Judah and himself came back with a positive report. He was undoubtedly a man of action, and so was chosen by God to invade Canaan.
The Invasion
Before taking possession of the land of Canaan, the Israelites had to get into it by crossing the Jordan River, and just as it happened with Moses and the Red Sea, under Joshua’s leadership the river was split for God’s people to walk through.
In addition to his already well-loaded CV, Joshua was an incredible military general who skilfully orchestrated Canaan’s invasion. He was courageous, and methodical in his tactics (Joshua 10).
Sometimes they fought to take control which resulted in bloodsheds, at times with the Israelites as vanquished, principally because someone disobeyed God’s instructions, other times they made alliances, for He was reliable both to God and Israel, and was obedient in applying God’s commands despite faced with resistance both from the inhabitants of Canaan, and from fellow Israelites who would not always obey God.
As a just and trustworthy person, he always kept his side of the deals he made: with Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, and with the Gibeonites (Joshua 2, 6, and 9) for example. Therefore, while invading Canaan, he spared these people.
In the case of the city of Jericho, they peaceably won it over, by praising God.
The Partition
After decades of battles, Canaan finally became Israel’s territory and was ready for partition. Joshua allocated this land to nine and a half tribes, since the other two and a half already had their portion of the inheritance beyond the Jordan.
God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses was fulfilled at last. The land flowing with milk and honey was theirs.
Nevertheless, some Canaanite groupuscules remained on the land and became Israel’s slaves. Little did they know that these leftover Canaanites would cause them lots of troubles in the next book, Judges.
After a life full of battles, Joshua, just like Moses, at the end exalted the people of God to be faithful and obedient to the One who delivered them with an outstretched arm and not to forget the covenant their fathers signed up with Him.
The book of Joshua ends with a happily ever after, however, the next book, Judges, begins in total chaos.
Takeaway
1) Faith in God is greatly rewarded: Every Israelite who lived during the exodus from Egypt died in the wilderness, including Moses. None were found worthy of enjoying life in Canaan, except two guys: Joshua and Caleb. They trusted God blindly and focused on the marvelous deeds He had performed before their eyes, rather than gazing at their clouded surroundings.
Because of their faith in God, they both received their own portion of the land apart from what was allotted to their respective tribes (Joshua 14:6-12 and 19:49-51).
When you look up to God and not at your surroundings, you will have all reasons to be optimistic and courageous.
2) God fights your battles more than you think: All eyes are on Joshua in this book because of the way he carried out his purpose, but there was a lot which was done by the Lord Himself. Let’s see: Jericho was captured via praise and worship; and when Joshua failed at conquering the whole Canaanite territory, God promised to finish the work Himself (Joshua 13:1-6).
On the battlefield of life, it is easy to think we are alone, but we forget that there are things we do not worry about while battling for other stuff, simply because those things are handled by God.
3) Every day is a Passover: The first city the Israelites came across in Canaan was Jericho, which was promised a deadly fate. Forbidding this Rahab, a prostitute from Jericho decided to make a treaty with two Israelites who were sent to spy it. She catered for them, and they promise to keep her and her family unharmed. The signing of that treaty was marked by a scarlet cord tied at Rahab’s window.
While Jericho was being destroyed, because of that scarlet fabric, Rahab and her household were saved. That sounds so much like the Passover night in Egypt, four Bible books ago (Exodus 12). She experienced her Passover, and in the later chapters, she moved in with the Israelites and became the mother of Boaz and great grand-mum to David, the ancestor to Jesus.
In our daily lives, we experience various forms of Passover. Remember that ailment by which everyone fell, except you. You remember, right?
Don’t forget God’s got your back all the time.
4) You are blessed, not lazy: God said it over and over again to Joshua that He has already delivered Canaan into his hands (Joshua 10:8). Yet, Joshua had to lead Israel into fierce battles.
The blessings are yours. That is undeniable. But you are involved in teamwork with the Lord, and so you have to play your part. Be it praying, trusting, lending a hand, sending your CV…
That is that for the book of Joshua.
What strikes you in his story? Let me know in the comment section below.
Cheers!
