JOSHUA

 

MEANING:  Jehovah is salvation or God's Help.

ALTERNATIVES: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Jeshua, Jesus

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES:

Joshua was a

1. slave - Joshua 24:15;

2. soldier - Joshua 5:13-15;

3. servant - Numbers 11:28; Josh. 1:1;

4. spy - Numbers 13:1-16;

5. saviour;

6. stateman, and

7. Saint for the following reasons:

He was filled with the Spirit of God (Deut. 34:9).

He enjoyed the presence of God (Josh. 1:5; 6:27).

He was indwelt by the word of God (Josh. 1:8).

He was ever obedient to the will of God (Num. 32:12; Josh. 5:14).

STORY IN BRIEF:

His first name was "OSHEA" or "HOSHEA" meaning " HELP" . Joshua was the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. Born during the weary years of bondage his nation suffered in Egypt under Pharaoh, Joshua knew something of the lash of the whip, the almost impossible task in the brick-fields, and the deep sigh of liberty. Joshua had also witnessed the moral and social degradation of his countrymen brought about by the terrible idolatries of that time.

Joshua was pre-eminent as a military leader who knew how to plan campaigns, discipline his forces, use spies, but above all, pray and trust in God. Joshua was first of all a good soldier of the Lord and His his host. 

Joshua, along with eleven others, was chosen to search the land of Canaan. It was at this time that Moses changed his servant’s name to JOSHUA. The changed name indicated the desire of Moses to lift the thoughts of the people Godward, and to lead them from reliance upon leaders to God’s help. Along with Caleb, Joshua brought back a faithful report of the land, which the people rejected. 

Moses brought the people to the border of the land - Shittim, but Joshua finally led them in. Once the division of the land was completed, he went on with the setting up the Tabernacle, the appointing of the cities of refuge, the arrangement of the Levitical order and service, with the same precision and thoroughness that characterized his other work as Israel’s Premier and leader. Joshua died at 110 years of age.

FURTHER READINGS:

Joshua 1,5,6,24 Numbers 11,13,32