Who Was Joshua?
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
Key Facts
Term Name
Joshua
Role
Leader of Israel
Born
c. 1400 BC
Died
c. 1300 BC
Key Takeaways
- Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land with faith and obedience to God.
- God's commands to Joshua emphasized courage and strict adherence to divine law.
- Joshua's leadership model combines bold action with unwavering trust in God's promises.
Who Was Joshua in the Bible?
Joshua rose to prominence as the chosen successor to Moses, entrusted with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land of Canaan.
His leadership began when Moses renamed him 'Joshua' (Numbers 13:16), a name meaning 'Yahweh is salvation,' reflecting his role as a deliverer. Numbers 13:17 records his appointment as a spy to scout Canaan, showcasing his strategic acumen. After Moses' death, Deuteronomy 34:9 emphasizes that Joshua was 'filled with the spirit of wisdom,' establishing his authority as the new leader.
Joshua's primary mission was to conquer and divide Canaan among the tribes, a task requiring both military skill and unwavering faith in God's promises, setting the stage for his legendary leadership in the Book of Joshua.
Joshua's Leadership and Joshua 1:6-7
In Joshua 1:6-7, God directly commissions Joshua with a mission that defines his leadership ethos.
God commands Joshua, 'Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people, and you shall divide to them as an inheritance the land that I swore to their fathers to give them' (Joshua 1:6). This charge is immediately followed by an exhortation to 'be careful to do all the law that Moses my servant commanded you, turning neither to the right nor to the left' (Joshua 1:7). These verses frame Joshua’s leadership as both a call to decisive action and an unwavering commitment to divine instruction. The dual emphasis on courage and obedience underscores that effective leadership under God requires both boldness in execution and fidelity to His word.
Obedience to God’s commands is presented as nonnegotiable for success. By instructing Joshua to keep the law 'day and night' (Joshua 1:8), God ties the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan to their leader’s faithfulness. This establishes a foundational principle: leadership effectiveness in the biblical narrative is not measured by human strength alone but by alignment with divine purpose. The closing verses of this passage (Joshua 1:9) reinforce this dynamic, linking Joshua’s courage to God’s promise to be with him - a theme that will shape his military and spiritual strategies in the chapters ahead.
Joshua's Major Achievements
Joshua's leadership was defined by decisive military victories and meticulous land distribution, both guided by divine strategy.
His most notable battles include the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27), where the Israelites marched around the city's walls until they collapsed, and the ambush at Ai (Joshua 8:1-29), where he outmaneuvered the enemy by splitting his forces. These victories followed a setback at Ai caused by Achan’s disobedience (Joshua 7), underscoring the necessity of communal faithfulness. Joshua’s strategies combined trust in God’s power with tactical ingenuity, such as using the sun to extend daylight during the battle (Joshua 10:12-14).
After securing the land, Joshua oversaw its division among the tribes (Joshua 13-21), allocating territories through a combination of divine guidance and geographical boundaries. This process required both spiritual discernment - relying on God’s promises - and practical organization, ensuring each tribe received a fair share while maintaining unity under the covenant.
What We Can Learn From Joshua
Joshua's life offers a model for navigating modern challenges through faith-driven courage and Scripture-centered leadership.
His unwavering trust in God's promises (Joshua 1:6-7) teaches us that obedience to divine guidance, even in uncertainty, fosters resilience. When he commanded the Israelites to march around Jericho 'according to the word of the Lord' (Joshua 6:10), he demonstrated that faith requires action aligned with God's explicit instructions. Similarly, his admonition to 'be strong and courageous' (Joshua 1:9) echoes as a call to persevere through personal or communal trials by anchoring hope in divine presence. These principles challenge believers today to balance boldness in pursuing God's calling with humility in relying on His word rather than human strategies.
By examining Joshua's response to setbacks - like the failure at Ai due to Achan's disobedience (Joshua 7:10-26) - we learn that trust in God demands collective accountability and repentance. His leadership underscores that faith is not passive but requires vigilance in upholding covenantal standards. In a world of competing priorities, Joshua's example shows us to prioritize God's commands over cultural pressures, as he refused to deviate from the law (Joshua 1:7).
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Joshua 1:6-7
God commissions Joshua to lead Israel and emphasizes obedience to His law.
Joshua 6:1-27
The miraculous fall of Jericho through faith-driven action.
Joshua 10:12-14
Joshua's prayer halts the sun during battle, demonstrating divine intervention.
Related Concepts
Moses (Figures)
Joshua's predecessor and mentor, whose leadership set the foundation for Joshua's mission.
Canaan (Places)
The land God promised to Israel, central to Joshua's conquest and distribution.
Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The binding agreement between God and Israel, upheld through Joshua's leadership.