Joshua: The Courageous Successor
In the annals of biblical history, few figures stand as prominently as Moses, the lawgiver and deliverer of Israel. Yet, immediately following him, God raised up a leader whose faith, courage, and unwavering obedience would prove instrumental in fulfilling the divine promise of the Promised Land. This man was Joshua, whose life serves as a profound testament to God's faithfulness and the power of a spirit led by divine command. From humble beginnings as Moses' servant to becoming the mighty commander of Israel's armies, Joshua’s journey exemplifies the qualities necessary for courageous success in God's service.
The Early Years of Preparation
Joshua, originally named Oshea, meaning "salvation," was renamed Yehoshua, or Joshua, meaning "the LORD is salvation" or "the LORD saves," by Moses (Numbers 13:16). His earliest appearance in scripture reveals his proximity to Moses and his readiness for battle. When Amalek attacked Israel at Rephidim, Moses commanded Joshua to lead the fight:
And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
This early military experience foreshadowed his future role. Joshua also served Moses closely, accompanying him up Mount Sinai when the law was given (Exodus 24:13). He was a constant fixture in the tabernacle, a man deeply committed to the presence of God:
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.
Perhaps the most significant early demonstration of Joshua's character came during the spy mission into Canaan. Sent with eleven other tribal leaders, Joshua and Caleb alone brought back a positive report, urging the Israelites to trust God and take the land, despite the formidable giants. Their faith stood in stark contrast to the fear and unbelief of the other ten spies, who brought back an evil report that caused the people to murmur against God:
And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.
This courageous stand for truth and faith spared Joshua and Caleb from the divine judgment that condemned the rest of that generation to forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
The Divine Commissioning
As Moses' life drew to a close, God explicitly chose Joshua to succeed him, recognizing his spirit and wisdom:
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
Moses then publicly commissioned Joshua, encouraging him to be strong and of good courage, knowing that the Lord would be with him (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). But it was God's personal charge to Joshua that truly set the tone for his leadership:
Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
This divine promise was contingent upon Joshua's adherence to God's Word:
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Here, God emphasizes courage, strength, and, crucially, diligent obedience to and meditation upon the Law. This charge became the bedrock of Joshua's successful leadership.
Leadership in Action: Conquering Canaan
Joshua's leadership was immediately tested. The first great challenge was crossing the Jordan River, which was at flood stage. God miraculously parted the waters, just as He had done at the Red Sea, affirming Joshua's divine appointment before all Israel (Joshua 3:7, Joshua 3:14-17). This act instilled confidence in the people and fear in their enemies.
The campaign for Canaan was marked by a series of strategic victories, each demonstrating Joshua's obedience and God's power:
- Jericho: Perhaps the most famous victory, the fall of Jericho was not through military might but through absolute obedience to God's unconventional instructions. Joshua led the people in a march around the city for seven days, culminating in the walls falling flat at the sound of trumpets and a great shout (Joshua 6).
- Ai: After the initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7), Joshua humbled himself before God, dealt with the sin, and then, following God's renewed instructions, achieved a decisive victory (Joshua 8). This episode highlighted the importance of corporate holiness and immediate repentance.
- Southern and Northern Campaigns: Joshua led swift and comprehensive campaigns against the combined forces of southern and northern kings, demonstrating tactical prowess and unwavering faith in God's promise to deliver the land. Key battles included the long day when the sun stood still (Joshua 10) and the rout of the northern confederacy at the Waters of Merom (Joshua 11).
Through it all, Joshua remained committed to the utter destruction of the idolatrous Canaanites, as commanded by God, to prevent Israel from falling into their abominations. His leadership ensured that every promise God made concerning the land was fulfilled:
And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
Legacy and Farewell
After the conquest, Joshua meticulously oversaw the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, ensuring each received their inheritance as God had decreed (Joshua 13-21). As he neared the end of his life, Joshua gathered the leaders and then all Israel for a powerful farewell address at Shechem (Joshua 23, Joshua 24). He recounted God's faithfulness from Abraham to their present day, challenging the people to renew their covenant with the Lord. His most famous exhortation rings through the ages:
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua's life ended at 110 years old, having faithfully served God and led Israel to possess their promised inheritance. He died having seen God's promises fulfilled and having left a legacy of courage, obedience, and unwavering devotion.
Lessons for the Believer Today
Joshua's life offers invaluable lessons for every believer:
Joshua, the courageous successor, was a man chosen by God, prepared by service, and empowered by the Spirit. His journey from an eager servant to a mighty general demonstrates that true success, in God's eyes, is found in faithful obedience, unwavering courage, and complete reliance upon the Lord of Hosts. His legacy continues to inspire generations to be strong and of good courage, knowing that the Lord God is with them.