The Book of Joshua.

Born a slave during the final years of the Egyptian captivity, Joshua became a great soldier and statesman of the Jews. He was born to the son of Nun in the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 13:8) and called originally Oshea which means "help". Later, Moses changed his name to Joshua (Numbers 13:16), meaning "savior". Joshua in the Hebrew is the same as Jesus in the Greek (Hebrews 4:8). Joshua is first mentioned as a victorious commander of the Jews against the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:13).

Joshua began his career in the shadow of Moses (Numbers 11:28; cf. Exodus 24:13, Joshua 1:1). He accompanied Moses to the edge of Mt Sinai (Exodus 24:13), waited for 40 days for his return and was placed by Moses in charge of the Tabernacle of meeting (Exodus 33:7-11). As a result of his training, Moses chose Joshua as one of the 12 spies but it was 40 years before Joshua took command. This was when Moses died (Deuteronomy 31:14-16).

The Lord spoke directly to Joshua (Joshua 1:1-9) as he took command at 85 years of age. Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan dryshod (Joshua 3). Having erected a memorial, Joshua took Jericho, the walls of which fell outwards at the sound of a trumpet blast. With sin in the camp he was defeated at Ai but went on to conquer the land of Canaan although he did not take every city (Joshua 11:23; 13:1). He was deceived by the Gibeonites (Joshua 9), but was eventually able to divide the land (Joshua 14-21). Having encouraged Israel to trust in the Lord, Joshua died at the age of 110 (Joshua 24:29) and was buried at Timnath-serah.

a) Joshua was humble enough to recognize that he did not have the natural talent of Moses.

b) He was not too important for God to use, thus God could promote him (Joshua 3:7; 4:14).

c) He was a person of strong faith and faithful in his calling.

d) Joshua was quick to worship his commander (Joshua 5:13-15).

e) He received orders as to how to capture the enemy's stronghold (Joshua 6:2-5).

f) Joshua obeyed God emphatically, even though the conquest of Jericho looked ridiculous (Joshua 6).

g) He cried in repentance for the nation at Ai (Joshua 7:6-9).

h) At the foot of Mt Ebal he put worship before further conquest (Joshua 8:30-35).

i) At Gibeon, God assisted Joshua with a hailstorm (Joshua 10:10-14).

j) He concentrated his life on the word of God (Joshua 1:8-18).

k) Joshua displayed sound military leadership by taking Ai and Bethel, as this cut the land of Canaan in two, allowing him to campaign separately against kings to the south and north.

l) He used sound judgment in dividing up the land between the tribes.

a) Humbleness is a prerequisite to good leadership (1 Timothy 3:6; Titus 1:6).

b) In order to lead you must be willing to learn (1 Peter 5:5).

c) God will promote in His good time (1 Peter 5:6).

d) Faithfulness in small things are necessary before you can be trusted with great power (Matthew 25:21,23).

e) Knowledge of God's Word and its application to problems of life ensure success (Psalm 119:9).

f) Sin in the life is disastrous for a victorious Christian life (1 John 1:6,7).

g) Sin must be dealt with in a very positive manner if success is to be obtained (1 John 1:9).

h) Even mature believers can be deceived (Gibeonites) (Matthew 24:24).

i) God provides in the problems of life (Psalm 23:1; James 1:5).

j) The mature Christian should use his common sense and sound judgment in leadership (Proverbs 24:5,6).