Joshua in the Bible is a picture of faith, and what following God with our whole hearts can do that so many of us could learn from. From the moment he arrives on the scene during the exodus to his death, this man faithfully followed wherever God led him, and held firmly to His promises.
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The Story Of Joshua In The Bible
The story of Joshua in the Bible is one of faith, strength, and leadership. His life and years of leadership as he guided the Israelites into the promised land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness is a picture of what following God wholeheartedly looks like. But to really understand this Biblical figure we need to go deeper into the story.
Who Is Joshua In The Bible?
Joshua in the Bible is a well-known name in the Old Testament, we first meet him when Moses leads the people of Israel out of Egypt. He’s introduced to us as Joshua son of Nun, of the Tribe of Ephraim. Through the coming chapters, we get to know him and Caleb, as they help Moses lead the people. But as we get to the book of Joshua Moses has passed away and Joshua has now taken over the leadership role.
What Does Joshua In The Bible Mean?
The name Joshua in the Bible comes from the Hebrew name “Yehoshua,” meaning “God is deliverance.”
Character Of Joshua In The Bible
There is so much we can learn from Joshua in the Bible so let’s dive into the characteristics of Joshus for a minute.
Faithful
Of of the top words we could use to describe the characteristics of Joshua in the Bible is faith. He was a man of faith who shines through the Old Testament as a pillar. He is faithful in every step of the journey to follow God wholeheartedly.
Strength
Joshua in the Bible is a picture of strength from the moment He enters the scene as Moses’s assistant. God is His strength is more than just a catchphrase when it comes to this Biblical figure.
Wisdom
Another characteristic of Joshua in the Bible is wisdom, he leads in war and in peace with wisdom that could only come from God. He’s seen what God can do and has an intimate relationship with him from years of following God and trusting in His promises.
Leadership
Another characteristic of Joshua that comes to mind is leadership. Joshua in the Bible is a huge example of what Godly leadership looks like. Joshua led the people for many years, first under Moses as a military leader and then after Moses’s death.
Trust
Joshua in the Bible trusted God with his whole heart, he’d seen God’s hand at work to save and protect the people of Israel over and over again. His relationship with God created a firm foundation so that when the battles arose he could firmly keep his trust planted in God.
Courage
One of the biggest characteristics of Joshua is courage, this is a man who knows just who his God is and what He can do. There is no room for doubt, or fear because Joshua’s God is bigger than any battle we could face.
Joshua Bible Study
Want to go deeper into the life of Joshua? Pick up a copy of our Joshua Bible Study!
What Did Joshua Do?
In one way or another Joshua in the Bible led the people of Israel to follow God, whether that be through battles as their military leader, or as the leader of all Israel. Joshua lived a life of service to his people, constantly guiding and pointing them back to God. The Bible tells us of Joshua’s many victories and his skilled leadership as the Israelites finally entered the promised land.
Facts About Joshua In The Bible
Now that we know more about Joshua in the Bible let’s take a broader look at the life of this biblical figure:
- According to the Bible Joshua was born in Egypt before the exodus.
- Joshua was born a slave but became a conqueror.
- Joshua in the Bible was the assistant of Moses.
- Joshua in the Bible was one of the twelve spies Moses sent out.
- Joshua was a warrior.
- Joshua was a skilled military leader leading the army of Israel to victory.
- Joshua in the Bible was a man of God.
- Joshua in the Bible led the nation of Israel at 85 after Moses’s death into the promised land.
- Joshua led the nation of Israel for 25 years.
- Joshua in the Bible died at 110 years old.
What Does It Mean To Follow God?
To follow God means to completely surrender to Him, to abandon all else, and to pursue Jesus Christ with our whole heart. He has to become everything to us, to truly follow God we can’t follow anything else. It’s all or nothing, and much like Joshua we have to be able to say “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Following God isn’t always easy, sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s scary, and sometimes we lose friends or family- but in the end, the only thing that matters is that we follow God with our whole heart. We are apprentices, and He is our master and every day we must learn to be more like Him. Following God isn’t a once-and-done thing, it’s the journey of a lifetime. You’ll mess up, we all do. But we must never stop striving to be like Christ.
What Are The Benefits Of Following God?
The benefits of following God are great, but let’s take a look at just a few of them:
- When we follow God, our sins are forgiven and wiped away.
- When we surrender our life to Christ he plucks us from the disaster we’ve made of our lives and makes us a new creation.
- When we follow God, He satisfies our desires with good things.
- When we follow God, He doesn’t treat us the way we deserve but as beloved children.
- God has compassion on us when we follow Him.
- When we follow God, we find fulfillment as a piece deep in our soul discovers our calling.
Following God brings us mercy, and fulfilment and makes us a new person. The Bible says that our old selves have passed away and we are a new creation. You are made new when you follow God.
Learning About Following God From Joshua In The Bible
The Israelites have been wandering in the desert for 40 years, Moses along with everyone who was an adult at the time of the Exodus (except Joshua and Caleb) has died and now in Joshua 2, we find Joshua in the Bible stepping into Moses’s shoes. It’s time for the people of Israel to enter the promised land, so Joshua sends two spies to look over the land but especially Jericho. It’s not all that different from Moses’s entrance plan – except for one key detail. The Bible says that Joshua sent them secretly into the land. He didn’t take a poll, didn’t wait to see what the popular opinion was, he didn’t even give everyone a chance to have an opinion, Joshua in the Bible just tells them to go.
The last time they sent a group, and the people became afraid because following God into the promised land wasn’t going to be as easy as they hoped. So this time Joshua is sending only two spies, and he’s not telling everyone. He’s learned from Moses’ mistake and this time he’s keeping it close to his vest. This isn’t a pleasure trip anymore, Joshua in the Bible is preparing for war and he’s going on the offensive.
I think it’s intriguing that the Bible is so clear on the fact that Joshua in the Bible sent these two men out secretly like the writer of this book is trying to get us to see the significance of this action. Joshua is not the timid type, he’s no stranger to leadership or making decisions. He was ready and willing to follow God the last time they were preparing to enter the promised land. The truth is that Joshua was in charge, in the last chapter it was just saying that if anyone disobeyed his orders they would be put to death so he didn’t need to send these spies out secretly but he chose to.
Perhaps it’s because when the seeds of God’s purpose have been sown into your life, and are just beginning to sprout that they needed to be guarded. Scorching heat or heavy rains will destroy what is starting to grow so it must be shielded and protected while the roots grow deep. Not everyone needs to know what’s going on, or what we are planning. They don’t need to see the little beginnings as we begin to flesh out where God has called us to. The easiest way to kill something is in its infancy when it needs to be protected and guarded. So often we allow people into positions they don’t belong in. Instead of drawing close to the Lord and letting Him water what He’s already planted in our hearts.
We need to be a little more careful about who we allow in our corners. The ones allowed to see behind the curtain and witness the little beginnings. We don’t want to mistake their voices for His. Sometimes our friends are good to us, but they aren’t good for us, and they end up hindering everything that God is trying to do.
The Life Of Joshua In The Bible Teaches Us How To Follow God Wholeheartedly
There are times when we must follow God, and fight the battles we face silently. Facing them alone in the dead of night with only the Lord by our side. Those moments when we must prepare quietly for the birth of something new before it is ready to face the world. The truth is you don’t need their input or their approval. There is only one voice you need to listen to. And when you have so many voices talking to you, telling you what to do and what they think the Lord will do, it can be hard to discern His voice amongst the noise.
Often it is the unexpected opposition, that brings you to your knees. You expect it from the enemy but when it is in your own camp, from your own friends, from your family it can crumble everything that has been taking form. Perhaps this is why Joshua sent them secretly. Maybe he knew if he sent them openly and the people heard a report that they didn’t like they would refuse to follow God to the promised land like their parents had. So he sends spies ahead secretly, to go look over the land and report back to him.
It’s funny how the people closest to us, the ones who know us the best can be the same ones who scoff at what God is doing in our lives. “You can’t do that you’re too young,” “You can’t do that you are too old,” “Why would He call you to this place?” “You have no experience”. Like flames, these words eat away at everything that you’ve been building turning them to ashes in our hands until we begin to believe these words. But my friend I’m here to tell you that those very reasons why God can’t use you, are the reasons God will use you.
In verse 23 the spies return to Joshua and deliver their report which perfectly illustrates why we must be careful about who is in our corner. They say, “The Lord has given us this whole land” They could have come back and told him he was crazy, that it was going to be too hard, that it meant fighting, that there were walls that had to come down but they don’t, instead they reaffirm what the Lord has already promised. Right now they may not be able to see what exactly God is doing. They can’t see how He is going to provide. But they know He is going to.
Make sure the people whom you allow to walk with you in the silent battles are the ones who will hold your arms up when they grow weary. That will reaffirm God’s promises when you are exhausted and begin to doubt. That will follow God with you even when everyone else is running the other way. Know that they are the ones that will declare what the Lord has already spoken even if it doesn’t make sense when you are too tired to do so.
We need people like this in our lives who will fight with us and for us and encourage us when we begin to falter. Yes, you are going to have to fight this battle, yes there are giants you are going to have to slay but the Lord has given you this land. Your God has gotten you this far, don’t stop now. He has seen you through the last 40 years, keep following God and clinging to His promises.
This place you don’t think you’ll conquer, this marriage you think is to far gone, this relationship you think is broken beyond repair, this journey may not be easy, and you may feel like you have been wandering in the wilderness for so long, but this land has already been given to you by the God who opens doors no one can open and shuts doors that no one can shut and He will not fail you or abandon you (Joshua 1:5). Keep following God, and leave the rest in His capable hands.
How Do You Follow God?
Joshua in the Bible teaches us so much about what it looks like, and how important Following God is. But what exactly can we do to follow God?
- Pray, and cultivate prayer in your everyday life. This is the best way to make sure you are following God’s plan for your life.
- Read your Bible, the Bible is God’s word and to follow God we need to know His voice.
- Follow the commands He puts on your heart.
- Seek a godly community that will help you follow God when you become weiry.
Bible Verses About Following God
Here are some of our favorite Bible verses about following God:
Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:33
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
Deuteronomy 13:4
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. Ephesians 5:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. Psalm 128:1
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Psalm 37:23
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
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