Bio – Joshua

1355-1245 BC (chabad.org) or around 1500 BC (amazingbibletimeline); 13th century BC (Wikipedia)

Joshua had big boots to fill, as he was the successor to Moses—the hero who had led the Israelites out of Egypt. But God knew that Joshua had the ability to be a wise leader and a faithful servant. Joshua had shown his faith in God when sent to spy on the Promised Land. Most of the other spies had returned waxing lyrical of the riches of the land, but saying that it was too strongly guarded to be taken. Joshua had insisted that God was with them and that they should do as he had told them. He had faith that God could defeat the Canaanites and give them the land that he had promised them.

Moses took Joshua under his wing and mentored him for many years in preparation for what was to come. Following the death of Moses, Joshua assumed command of the Israelites. His mission to lead his people into the Promised Land was beset with difficulties from the start. First he had to cross the raging River Jordan, and then he had to take a city which was protected by seeming unassailable walls. God helped him with each of these tasks: first, at the River Jordan, the waters parted, as they had for Moses at the Red Sea, so that the Israelites could cross; then later God told Joshua how to bring down the walls of Jericho.

As a leader, Joshua faced many battles. In one battle, the Israelite forces were winning, but night was approaching. Joshua asked God to stop the sun and moon in the sky so that the battle might be completed, and God answered his prayers.

He did make a mistake in not seeking God’s guidance before making a treaty with the deceitful Gibeonites, but although God was not happy with him, he was pleased that Joshua honored his pledge to protect them.

Joshua was instrumental in taking the much of the land of Canaan for the Israelites. Under his leadership, the Israelites subdued their enemies, and settled the land, which he divided among the twelve tribes of Israel.

Joshua chose to obey and serve God with his whole heart, from his early years (he was born in Egypt prior to the Exodus) until the moment of his death. He showed boldness and courage and cool leadership—and an unswerving devotion to God. His name means “God saves” and it is a name that he shares with Jesus, for “Jesus” is a Greek form of the name.

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