Characters
Known As
Israelite Warrior for God & Victor of Jericho
Where in the Bible?
The Books of Numbers and Joshua
Did You Know
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.
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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Bible Verses About Joshua
Numbers 14:8-9
“If the Lord delights in 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, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.’”
Joshua 1:5
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 10:13-14
So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:25
Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
Joshua 23:14
“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.”
Joshua 24:15
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
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Gideon
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