Joshua: Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the
tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He
is called Jehoshua in
(Numbers 13:16) (A.V.), and Jesus in
(Acts 7:45)
(Hebrews 4:8) (R.V., Joshua). He was born in Egypt, and was probably of
the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally associated. He shared in
all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of commander of the
host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites
in Rephidim
(Exodus 17:8-16) He became Moses' minister or servant, and
accompanied him part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to
receive the two tables
(Exodus 32:17) He was also one of the twelve who
were sent on by Moses to explore the land of Canaan
(Numbers 13:16,17) and
only he and Caleb gave an encouraging report. Under the direction of
God, Moses, before his death, invested Joshua in a public and solemn
manner with authority over the people as his successor
(Deuteronomy 31:23) The
people were encamped at Shittim when he assumed the command
(Joshua 1:1)
and crossing the Jordan, they encamped at Gilgal, where, having
circumcised the people, he kept the Passover, and was visited by the
Captain of the Lord's host, who spoke to him encouraging words
(Joshua 1:1-9) Now began the wars of conquest which Joshua carried on
for many years, the record of which is in the book which bears his
name. Six nations and thirty-one kings were conquered by him
(Joshua 11:18-23; 12:24) Having thus subdued the Canaanites, Joshua divided
the land among the tribes, Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim being
assigned to himself as his own inheritance.
His work being done, he died, at the age of one hundred and ten years,
twenty-five years after having crossed the Jordan. He was buried in
his own city of Timnath-serah
(Joshua 24:1)ff and "the light of
Israel for the time faded away." Joshua has been regarded as a type of
Christ
(Hebrews 4:8) in the following particulars:
1. In the name common to both;
2. Joshua brings the people into the possession of the Promised
Land, as Jesus brings his people to the heavenly Canaan; and
3. as Joshua succeeded Moses, so the Gospel succeeds the Law. The
character of Joshua is thus well sketched by Edersheim:, "Born a
slave in Egypt, he must have been about forty years old at the
time of the Exodus. Attached to the person of Moses, he led
Israel in the first decisive battle against Amalek
(Exodus 17:9,13)
while Moses in the prayer of faith held up to heaven the
God-given 'rod.' It was no doubt on that occasion that his name
was changed from Oshea, 'help,' to Jehoshua, 'Jehovah is help'
(Numbers 13:16) And this name is the key to his life and work. Alike
in bringing the people into Canaan, in his wars, and in the
distribution of the land among the tribes, from the miraculous
crossing of Jordan and taking of Jericho to his last address, he
was the embodiment of his new name, 'Jehovah is help.' To this
outward calling his character also corresponded. It is marked by
singleness of purpose, directness, and decision. He sets an
object before him, and unswervingly follows it" (Bible Hist.,
iii. 103)
