What can we learn from Joshua?

Spiritual success comes from the Word, meditated on and put into practice day and night (Josh 1:8). Great leaders are shaped as servants: Joshua served Moses for years before leading Israel (Exod 33:11; Num 11:28). Hidden sin affects the whole community: it must be confessed and removed (Josh 7:11-12, 19-20). Each generation has to make its own choice to serve God, starting with its own household (Josh 24:15; Judg 2:10).

Exodus and conquest of Canaan · around 1400 BC

Joshua in the Bible

The conqueror of the promised land. Name meaning: “The LORD saves”; first called Hoshea, he is renamed by Moses (Num 13:16). In Greek, his name is the same as that of Jesus (Heb 4:8)

The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, Joshua is first Moses’ young assistant, then one of only two faithful spies. As Moses’ successor, he leads the people across the Jordan, takes Jericho, directs the conquest of Canaan, and divides the land among the tribes. His final challenge still rings out today: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh 24:15).

Main books: Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua

Key moments

He defeats Amalek at Rephidim Exodus 17:13
Moses renames him Joshua Numbers 13:16
With Caleb, he urges the people not to be afraid Numbers 14:9
Moses lays his hands on him Numbers 27:23
“Be strong and of a good courage” Joshua 1:9
The Jordan stops before the ark Joshua 3:17
The walls of Jericho fall down Joshua 6:20
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” Joshua 24:15

Strengths

Courage
Faithfulness
Devotion to the Word
Leadership
Servant’s heart

Weaknesses

Joshua makes the covenant with the Gibeonites based on appearances, without consulting the LORD (Josh 9:14-15). After the defeat at Ai, he is so discouraged that he wishes they had never crossed the Jordan (Josh 7:7). As a young man, he shows a jealous zeal for Moses’ authority, which Moses has to correct (Num 11:28-29).

Lessons for today

Spiritual success comes from the Word, meditated on and put into practice day and night (Josh 1:8).
Great leaders are shaped as servants: Joshua served Moses for years before leading Israel (Exod 33:11; Num 11:28).
Hidden sin affects the whole community: it must be confessed and removed (Josh 7:11-12, 19-20).
Each generation has to make its own choice to serve God, starting with its own household (Josh 24:15; Judg 2:10).

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

People around Joshua

Moses — Mentor and predecessor
Caleb — Fellow spy, faithful like him
Eleazar — Priest with whom he divides the land
Rahab — Woman of Jericho who hid his spies
Achan — Israelite whose theft caused the defeat at Ai

Stories with Joshua

Quiz: how well do you know Joshua?

Which city saw its walls fall down after seven days of marching around it?

Which other spy, along with Joshua, was the only one to encourage the people to enter Canaan?

What famous declaration did Joshua make at the end of his life?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.