Joshua – “Strong And Courageous”
[By Kathleen Chatot]
Joshua, son of Nun, was from the tribe of Ephraim, son of Joseph. Interestingly Jacob blessed Ephraim, Joseph’s youngest son instead of Joseph’s oldest Manasseh. Peel backward to the struggle Rebekah had with the babies in her womb. The Lord told her, “the older will serve the younger.” We see throughout the history of the nation Israel, this has been true. During the days of the divided kingdom, [930-722 BCE] Ephraim’s descendants were the most powerful tribe in the north. A pithy side comment. His name was originally Hoshea, Num. 13:8, but was changed by Moses to Joshua, vs.16.
Moses considered Joshua sufficiently battle-tested, and it may be that he had served in Pharaoh’s army before Exodus. Foreigners were common in the army of Egypt. In Ex. 17:9-13, Moses had entrusted young Joshua to choose some men, go fight the Amalekites, and the Lord gave the victory to Joshua. Vs 14-16, God told Moses to write down the victory in a book as a memorial, to recite to Joshua. This relationship between Moses and Joshua continued to build, as Moses being a mentor, reiterating the works and ways of the Lord to Joshua.
Seems as though wherever Moses went, so did Joshua. When God called Moses up to the top of Mt. Sinai to meet with God. Joshua went, but from a distance he saw the consuming fire where God met with Moses. Ex. 24:13-18.
Ex. 32:15-20, Joshua was with Moses as they descended from Mt. Sinai. When Moses saw the Israelites committing horrible idolatry by dancing before the golden calf, he threw the tablets down that were written by the finger of God. Joshua saw the entire episode transpire.
In Num. 11:28, the text reads that Joshua had been an aide, attendant, servant of Moses since his youth. This suggests that Joshua had an ongoing, persistent, durative relationship with Moses.
In Num. 13:16, the Lord told Moses to send one man from each tribe to investigate the land of Canaan. Joshua being one of them. A trusted disciple of Moses to the duty of spying out the land. Num. 14:6-10, the twelve spies returned to after 40 days. 10 of the spies reported a horribly pessimistic, report of certain doom. Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection is gone from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them” (NASB). Joshua returned with a positive report. Strong and courageous.
Deut. 31:2-3, Moses tells all Israel that he not taking them into the promised land. “Joshua will be the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken” (NASB). He was told to be strong and courageous 3 times in this passage, [Deut, 31: 6, 7 and 23]. He was formally ordained in the presence of Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation. Deut. 34:9, Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid hands on him.
Joshua 1, the Lord initiates the action by charging Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan and to take possession of the promised land. The Lord repeats the same encouraging words to Joshua of, “Be strong and courageous”, 4 times in chapter 1. Vs. 6,7,9,18.
In Joshua 5:13-15, he was a man of strong faith and faithful to his calling when he was stopped by a captain of the Lord of Host, as he was nearing the Jericho area. Joshua fell facedown, told to take off his sandals for the place you are standing is holy. In 6:2-5, Joshua receives his commanding orders for the first conquest of a Canaanite city. Even though the daily encirclement with trumpets blowing may seem militarily stupid, and be subjected to ridicule, Joshua obeyed without question.
In 7:2-5, he cried to God in repentance, tearing his clothes for his nation after the Ai fiasco. When the lot fell on Achan (vs. 19), Joshua took a fatherly attitude toward Achan by calling him son. He could have lambasted him, yelled at him, and chewed him out because 36 men died on account of Achan’s deceit, but instead Joshua was considerate, told him to give glory to the God of Israel. Achan responded with a full confession.
In 10:10-14, Joshua asked for the help of the Lord to fight the kings who were determined to attack Gibeon because they made a treaty with Joshua. The Lord hurled large hailstones on their heads, more were killed by hailstones than by Israel with the sword. Joshua did not waste any time to attack the kings that day. He also prayed for the sun to stand still over Gibeon. So, the sun stood still [did not set], until Israel had complete victory. Two stunning miracles in one battle. Our Lord using the natural elements to defeat the 5 Kings of the Amorites.
Moses’ successor was Joshua; but, Joshua had no one who took his place. Joshua 24:14, announced to all the people of Israel, to fear God, serve Him only. Vs 15 is classic, “choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:….but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (NASB).
Num. 13:8, Hoshea is the son of Nun. In Vs 16, Moses changed his name to Joshua. Hoshea means, “salvation”; Joshua means, “The Lord saves”; The Greek word for Joshua is Jesus, thus making Joshua a type of Jesus. Hebrew [Yeshua]; Greek [Iesous] Jesus; English [Jesus].
Joshua 1:9 – “ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! and be not afraid or be not dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go” (NASB).
This has been my go to scripture to keep myself in check. The challenges of this life can be overwhelming. What does it mean to be strong and courageous? All one has to do is study the life of Joshua.