Sermon Transcript
Reader's Version
Joshua – Promised RestSermon by Gene SimcoReader’s Version
Imagine setting out on a journey so difficult that success seems impossible without the right guide. Whether scaling a treacherous mountain or facing life's toughest challenges, the key is always trusting the one who knows the way. This reminds me of a story about a man on safari who boasted that he had cut the tail off a man-eating lion with nothing but his pocketknife. When asked why he hadn’t cut off the lion’s head, he sheepishly admitted, “Well, someone else had already done that.” The humor in this tale highlights a deeper truth—true victory does not come from our own strength, but from trusting in the one who has already conquered.
In our last section, we explored Deuteronomy, the second giving of the Law by Moses. We saw Moses' final words, his warnings, and his commissioning of Joshua before his death. Now, as we turn the page to Joshua, we see that his leadership is not just about military conquest but about fulfilling God’s promises. Joshua leads Israel into the Promised Land, demonstrating how obedience brings victory. But more than that, Joshua’s story points beyond himself. His name in Hebrew, Yehoshua, and in Greek, Iēsous, is the same as Jesus. Just as Joshua led Israel into their rest in Canaan, Jesus leads His people into the ultimate rest of salvation.
Deuteronomy concluded with Moses' death, the closing of an era. Now, Joshua begins with a new call from God—a call to faith, courage, and action. This book is a powerful testimony that God fights for His people, clearing the way for them to walk in His promises. Through Joshua, we see a foreshadowing of Christ, the greater deliverer who secures for us not just a temporary land, but an eternal inheritance.
Since the earliest manuscripts of Scripture did not have chapter numbers or verse divisions, it’s best to examine the book through natural movements in the story rather than artificial breaks. In Joshua, we can see the narrative unfold in four major movements. Chapters 1–5 cover Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, marking the transition from wilderness wandering to divine fulfillment. Chapters 6–12 narrate the conquest of the land, revealing both God’s power and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. Chapters 13–21 focus on the division of the land, as the tribes receive their allotted inheritance. Finally, in chapters 22–24, we witness a covenant renewal and Joshua’s farewell address, urging Israel to remain faithful to the Lord.
Joshua’s story begins with a divine commissioning that echoes God’s faithfulness and expectation of obedience. In Joshua 1, the Lord speaks directly to Joshua, commanding him to be strong and courageous. But what is often overlooked is that this courage is directly tied to obedience.
Joshua 1:6-8 states: "Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."
These verses make it clear that success is not simply about military might or boldness—it is about unwavering faithfulness to God’s Word. Many people remember “Be strong and courageous” as a popular phrase, but few recall the conditions attached to it. The charge to Joshua is more than just a call to bravery—it is a call to constant meditation on the Word of God and complete obedience. God does not promise victory through strength alone, but through unwavering devotion to His commands. The same theme we saw in Deuteronomy is carried forward: obedience to God’s Word brings life and success.
Joshua 2 introduces one of the most unexpected characters in the biblical narrative—Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho who hides the Israelite spies and, through her faith, becomes part of Jesus’ genealogy.
The story unfolds as Joshua secretly sends two spies into Jericho. Joshua 2:1 records: "Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, 'Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.' So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night."
Jericho was a fortified city, and news of foreign spies would have spread quickly. When the king of Jericho heard about them, he sent orders to Rahab, demanding that she bring out the men. But instead of betraying them, Rahab hid them under bundles of flax on her roof and misled the king’s men by saying they had already left.
Joshua 2:8-11 gives insight into Rahab’s faith: "Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. 'I know the Lord has given you this land,' she told them. 'We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.'"
Rahab’s faith is remarkable—despite living in a pagan city, she recognized the power and sovereignty of Israel’s God. She pleaded for mercy, and the spies made a covenant with her. Joshua 2:18-19 records their instructions: "When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault."
The scarlet rope serves as a striking symbol, calling to mind the blood of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12. Just as the Israelites were spared when they marked their doors with the blood, Rahab and her family were saved through this sign. This moment foreshadows the redemption found in Jesus, who also came to save the unlikely and the undeserving. Rahab, a foreigner and a prostitute, becomes part of God’s plan, later appearing in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), highlighting God’s grace and the inclusion of the Gentiles into His covenant people.
In Joshua 3–4, Israel finally crosses the Jordan River into the Promised Land in a moment reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea. Joshua 3:15-17 describes the miracle: "It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away… and the riverbed was dry! Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by."
Just as Moses had led Israel through the Red Sea, Joshua now leads them through the Jordan. This is a clear sign that God is with Joshua as He was with Moses. It is also a powerful picture of salvation—crossing from the wilderness into the land of promise.
In Joshua 5, after the crossing, a new generation is circumcised, renewing the covenant. This was necessary because the previous generation had failed to circumcise their sons during their wilderness wandering. Joshua 5:9 says: "Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.'" This event marks a spiritual renewal before the conquest begins.
It is also in Joshua 5 that the manna ceases. Joshua 5:12 states: "No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on, the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan." For 40 years, God had provided supernaturally, but now they were to live off the land He had given them.
Then, just before the battle of Jericho, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure—one who is greater than any earthly commander. Joshua 5:13-15 describes the encounter: "When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, 'Are you friend or foe?' 'Neither one,' he replied. 'I am the commander of the Lord’s army.' At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. 'I am at your command,' Joshua said. 'What do you want your servant to do?' The commander of the Lord’s army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did as he was told."
This is no ordinary angel—this is a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The language mirrors Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3:5, where he was also commanded to remove his sandals. Unlike angels who refuse worship (Revelation 22:8-9), this figure accepts Joshua’s reverence, further confirming His divine nature.
At the beginning of Joshua’s journey, we see three key themes emerge. First, obedience is necessary for success—Joshua is told to meditate on God’s law and not turn from it. Second, faith is rewarded—Rahab, a Gentile and outsider, is saved because she trusts in the Lord. Third, God’s presence ensures victory—Joshua encounters the divine Commander, a reminder that the battle belongs to the Lord. These lessons set the stage for the conquest of the Promised Land, showing that victory is found not in human strength, but in trust and obedience to God.
The conquest of Jericho stands as one of the most remarkable displays of God's power and the necessity of obedience. Joshua 6 recounts the unusual strategy given by God. Instead of engaging in immediate combat, the Israelites were instructed to march around the city silently for six days, with priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing rams' horns.
Joshua 6:10 records the command: “Do not shout; do not even talk,” Joshua commanded. “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!”
This silence must have built both anticipation and faith. The enemy within Jericho would have been confused and unnerved by an army marching but not attacking. Then, on the seventh day, after circling the city seven times, they gave a mighty shout, and the walls of Jericho collapsed by the power of God alone.
Joshua 6:20 describes the moment: "When the people heard the sound of the rams' horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it."
The destruction of Jericho was total—nothing was to be taken for personal gain, as the city was devoted to the Lord. But one exception was made. Rahab and her family, who had sheltered the spies and placed her faith in Israel’s God, were saved. This event not only demonstrates God’s power but also His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.
A fascinating prophetic curse follows this victory. Joshua 6:26 states: “At that time Joshua invoked this curse: ‘May the curse of the Lord fall on anyone who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn son, he will lay its foundation. At the cost of his youngest son, he will set up its gates.’”
This curse was fulfilled centuries later in 1 Kings 16:34, during the reign of the wicked king Ahab. A man named Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, and just as Joshua had prophesied, his sons perished as a consequence: “It was during his reign that Hiel, a man from Bethel, rebuilt Jericho. When he laid its foundations, it cost him the life of his oldest son, Abiram. And when he completed it and set up its gates, it cost him the life of his youngest son, Segub. This all happened according to the message from the Lord concerning Jericho spoken by Joshua son of Nun.”
This serves as a powerful reminder that God’s word always comes to pass, and disobedience carries consequences—even generations later.
Immediately after the triumph at Jericho, we see the devastating impact of disobedience. In Joshua 7, Israel suffered an unexpected defeat at Ai. The reason? A single man, Achan, had taken forbidden plunder from Jericho, hiding it in his tent.
Joshua 7:1 explains: "But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites."
This disobedience led to Israel’s humiliating defeat. When Joshua sought the Lord, God revealed the hidden sin, and Achan was judged. Joshua 7:25-26 recounts the punishment: “Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.’ And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day.”
This moment reinforces the necessity of obeying God fully. Partial obedience or secret sin affects not only the individual but the entire community. However, after Achan’s sin was removed, Israel was able to conquer Ai successfully. Joshua 8 describes a strategic ambush, leading to the city’s complete destruction.
Following this victory, Joshua took the time to renew the covenant. He built an altar on Mount Ebal, just as commanded in Deuteronomy, and copied the law onto stone tablets.
Joshua 8:34-35 states: “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.”
This public reading of the law reinforced the importance of faithfulness and reminded the people of both God’s promises and His warnings.
However, Israel soon made a critical mistake. In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites deceived them into making a treaty. God had commanded Israel not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land, but the Gibeonites tricked them by pretending to be from a distant country.
Joshua 9:14-15 reveals the key failure: “So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.”
Had they sought the Lord’s guidance, they would have avoided this deception. Instead, they were bound by their oath and could not destroy the Gibeonites, who became servants—woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites. This incident highlights the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in every decision.
Joshua 10-12 showcases some of the greatest victories of the conquest, including one of the most debated miracles in Scripture—the day the sun stood still.
Joshua 10:12-14 describes this extraordinary event: "On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, ‘Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies."
Verse 14 emphasizes the uniqueness of this event: "There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!"
While scholars debate how exactly this happened—whether it was a supernatural slowing of time, an extended period of light, or a poetic description of victory—the key takeaway is that God demonstrated absolute control over creation. The battle belonged to the Lord, and He ensured Israel’s success.
The remaining chapters in this section detail Israel’s continued victories. Joshua 11:23 summarizes: "So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war."
This fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob underscores His faithfulness. But it also serves as a reminder that God’s victories are not won by human strength alone.
Jericho fell without a single weapon. Ai was conquered only after sin was removed. The sun stood still because of divine intervention. In each case, the lesson is the same: when Israel relied on God, they triumphed. When they acted independently or disobeyed, they suffered.
These chapters provide a powerful picture of spiritual warfare. Just as Israel faced enemies in the Promised Land, believers today face battles—not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Victory comes not through human effort, but through faith, obedience, and reliance on God.
We also see a foreshadowing of Christ in the inheritance of Caleb. In Joshua 14:9-12, Caleb reminds Joshua of Moses’ promise: “So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’” Caleb, now 85 years old, boldly claims his inheritance, trusting in God’s promise despite the giants that still inhabit the land. His unwavering faith mirrors that of believers who, through Christ, inherit the kingdom of God, standing firm in His promises regardless of obstacles.
The division of the land in Joshua 15-19 may seem tedious, but it holds profound theological significance. Each tribe receiving its allotted portion reflects God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham. However, the fulfillment is only partial, pointing forward to Jesus, who grants an eternal inheritance to His people. Ephesians 1:11 says, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”
The Levites' portion, detailed in Joshua 21, also prefigures Christ. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites received no land inheritance, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself. Joshua 21:45 states, “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” This foreshadows believers in Christ, whose ultimate inheritance is not earthly but spiritual—eternal communion with God. 1 Peter 2:9 affirms this: “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” Just as the Levites served God uniquely, so too are Christians called to serve and dwell in His presence forever.
In the final chapters, Joshua 22-24, the covenant renewal at Shechem echoes Moses' farewell address. Joshua 24:15 contains the famous declaration: “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” This moment calls Israel to faithfulness, reminding them of God’s past deliverance. However, as history reveals, Israel would struggle to keep this covenant, pointing to the need for a better mediator—Jesus. Hebrews 8:6 states, “But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.”
Ultimately, Joshua’s leadership provides a strong yet incomplete picture of Christ. While Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, Hebrews 4:8-9 clarifies that he did not provide the ultimate rest: “Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.”
Jesus is the greater Joshua—the true leader who brings His people into eternal rest, not merely a temporary homeland. Joshua’s victories were significant, but they were only shadows of Christ’s ultimate triumph over sin and death, leading His people into the everlasting kingdom of God.
Rahab’s story is one of redemption and inclusion. In Joshua 2:12-13, Rahab pleads, “Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.” This moment of faith would not only spare her life but also place her in the lineage of the Messiah. In Matthew’s genealogy, it is written, “Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of King David.” Rahab, a Gentile and an outsider, was not only rescued from destruction but was brought into the family of Israel, ultimately becoming part of the lineage of Jesus. Her inclusion foreshadows the grace of God that extends to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. Her faith and redemption prefigure the salvation offered through Christ, who brings all nations into His family, even those who might seem beyond redemption.
Joshua himself is a type of Christ. In Joshua 1:5, the Lord declares, “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail or abandon you.” This promise of God’s presence and faithfulness parallels what is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. The book of Hebrews reveals that Joshua’s leadership in bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land was only a temporary rest, pointing to a greater reality. Hebrews 4:8-10 states, “Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is still a special rest waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.” Joshua led the Israelites into a physical rest, but this was only a shadow of the eternal rest found in Jesus. The very name Joshua, which is the same as Jesus in Greek, signifies salvation. Just as Joshua led Israel into the temporary land of promise, Jesus leads His people into the eternal Promised Land—the kingdom of God.
The victories recorded in Joshua teach us that triumph comes through obedience and faith in God. Every battle, every division of land, and every covenant renewal foreshadows the work of Christ. He is the greater Joshua, leading His people into the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. His victory is final, His rest is complete, and His leadership is eternal. Joshua shows us that God’s promises are unwavering, His guidance is perfect, and His faithfulness never fails. It is a story of human weakness met by divine strength, battles fought and won through trust in God, and victories granted through obedience. Jesus embodies every aspect of this narrative. As the ultimate Joshua, He secures our place in the eternal Promised Land. As we follow Him, we experience His presence, His power, and His peace. And if we choose to trust Him and obey His Word, we will find our true rest in His victory.
One of the most famous lines from the book of Joshua is “Be strong and courageous.” But what does that actually look like as a Christian? Many assume that courage is the absence of fear, but Scripture gives a more nuanced understanding. Before we can grasp true courage, we first need to address fear, which is often considered its opposite. You may have heard a saying similar to this: “Fear is faith in the enemy.” That sounds profound, but it’s not entirely true. In fact, when examined biblically, it's actually wrong.
The Bible tells us that “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), and “The wise fear the Lord” (Proverbs 14:16). It even commands, “Fear the Lord and the king” (Proverbs 24:21). Fear is not always negative; in many cases, it is necessary and good. Culturally, we like to believe that being fearless is synonymous with having great faith, but the Bible teaches that the proper kind of fear—the fear of the Lord—is actually the foundation of wisdom and spiritual insight. A healthy reverence and awe of God is what leads to obedience, humility, and ultimately, true courage.
Despite what some claim, the phrase “Fear not” does not appear 365 times in the Bible. This is a popular but inaccurate statement repeated by those who haven’t thoroughly examined the text. If someone regularly reads Scripture, this claim should sound strange, because the Bible talks about fear—both good and bad—far more often than it commands us to be fearless. While there are many instances where God tells His people “Do not be afraid” or “Be courageous,” it only happens around 81 times, not 365. In contrast, the word fear appears in the Bible approximately 511 times, and many of those references command a healthy fear of the Lord rather than the absence of fear altogether.
Even in the New Testament, the concept of fear remains crucial. Philippians 2:12 states, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” In Greek, the words used here literally mean fear and terror. This is not an outdated Old Testament idea; it is a New Testament command that emphasizes a deep reverence for God. Jesus Himself gives both sides of the coin in Luke 12:4-5 when He says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the one to fear.” This is a clear statement reinforcing the necessity of fearing God.
So, fear and faith are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they are two sides of the same coin. A person who fears the Lord deeply will trust Him completely. The fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, obedience, and reverence, which in turn produce faith and courage. Biblical courage isn’t recklessness or the absence of fear—it’s choosing to trust God and obey Him even when fear is present. True faith recognizes that fearing the Lord is the only fear that leads to life.
The call to be strong and courageous is often misunderstood as a call to self-sufficiency, a rallying cry for personal strength, or even an elimination of fear altogether. But if we keep reading, we see that courage and strength are not about self-reliance—they are about obedience and trust in God's power. Strength and courage in Joshua’s story are not rooted in human confidence but in knowing that the Lord is the one who fights for His people, provides for them, and leads them into His promises.
Joshua 4:21–24 gives us a powerful reminder of this. After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua tells the Israelites, “In the future, your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
The stones were set up as a testimony, a visible reminder of God’s power and faithfulness. The purpose of these miracles wasn’t simply for Israel’s benefit—it was so that all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful and so that Israel would fear the Lord forever. Here, fear is not a contradiction to courage. Rather, the fear of the Lord is a proper response to witnessing His power, an awe-filled recognition of His majesty and authority. True courage is found in fearing God rather than fearing man or circumstances.
Joshua 24:13–14 reinforces this truth. “I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.”
Israel did not win their land through their own strength. God gave it to them. He provided for them in ways they could never have accomplished on their own. And yet, even after receiving these blessings, they are warned to fear the Lord and to serve Him wholeheartedly. The call to courage is directly tied to their reliance on God and their obedience to Him. If they turned to idols or relied on themselves, they would be rejecting the very foundation of their strength.
This challenges how we often perceive strength and courage. The world tells us that to be strong means to be independent, self-reliant, and fearless. But biblical strength comes from dependence on God. It is not about the absence of fear, but the presence of faith. It is knowing that our courage is not rooted in our own ability but in the One who goes before us, parts the waters, brings down walls, and provides what we could never accomplish on our own.
Joshua's story reminds us that real strength is found in trusting God’s power, not in our own efforts. To be strong and courageous is not a call to self-sufficiency, but to full reliance on God.
Strength, as seen in the story of Joshua, is not merely physical or strategic—it is deeply tied to obedience and dependence on God. For all of Joshua’s strength and leadership, he could not bring the people into the fullness of God’s promised rest. Last week, we focused on obedience, and now we see the continuation of that theme. Hebrews 4:6 tells us, “So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.” This highlights the link between obedience and rest. The passage continues, “So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.’ Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”
This account in Joshua teaches us something critical: our own strength and power are insufficient to bring us into God’s promises. While obedience is required, we ultimately need a Savior. It is not by human effort or military conquest that Israel received the land; it was by God’s power alone. The walls of Jericho did not fall by might or strategy, but through obedience to an unusual command. Time and time again, Israel's victories were determined by their trust in God rather than their own ability. This foreshadows Jesus and presents us with our absolute need for Him.
We see this pattern in other parts of Scripture as well. Like Joshua, Moses was instructed by God to simply speak to the rock, yet he struck it instead, attempting to take some measure of control or credit for the miracle. But the power did not come from Moses—it came from God. Moses’ failure to obey fully resulted in his exclusion from the Promised Land, demonstrating that only God can provide true salvation.
If there were ever a person who might have been tempted to rely on their own strength and accomplishments, it was Paul. He wrote nearly half of the New Testament, possessed a brilliant mind, and had a background of high education, something equivalent to multiple doctorates today. He had been a Pharisee, a strict follower of the Law, zealous beyond measure. Yet Paul, when reflecting on all of his accomplishments, dismissed them as utterly worthless. In Philippians 3:8, he declares, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as σκύβαλα (skúbala), so that I could gain Christ.” The Greek word σκύβαλα (skúbala) is a particularly strong term—it doesn’t just mean garbage but something more akin to filth or dung. Paul is making it clear that no worldly status, education, or personal strength has any value compared to knowing Christ.
Paul reinforces this in 2 Corinthians 12, where he describes his fool’s boast. Faced with false teachers who boasted about their credentials, Paul flips the argument on its head. Instead of listing accomplishments, he boasts in his weaknesses, showing that God’s power is made perfect in human frailty. He writes in 2 Corinthians 12:5-10, “That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
God’s power works best in weakness. His strength is most evident when human strength is absent so that His glory is revealed. We are often tempted to be the hero of our own stories, but this is a cultural mindset, not a biblical one. We live in a time when self-reliance is celebrated, and people are encouraged to take pride in their accomplishments, their strength, and their achievements. But biblically, pride is always a sin. Some modern translations might use the phrase pride and joy in a positive sense, but this is what could be called an innocent idiom—it does not reflect the biblical understanding of pride.
The Greek language makes an important distinction here. The word καύχησις (kaúchēsis) means boasting or rejoicing in someone else’s success. This kind of boasting is sometimes acceptable, such as when Paul speaks of boasting in the Lord or taking joy in the faithfulness of others. However, the words ἀλαζονεία (alazoneía) and ὑπερήφανος (hyperḗphanos) carry strong negative connotations, always associated with arrogance and self-exaltation. These words describe the kind of pride that Scripture consistently condemns. Proverbs warns repeatedly that “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). James 4:6 tells us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
From Deuteronomy to Joshua, we see that God works through those who are humble and obedient. Jesus reinforces this in His teachings, showing that humility is the pathway to true greatness. He echoes a principle found in Proverbs 25:6-7, which advises, “Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.” Jesus applies this directly in Luke 14:10-11, “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Strength in God’s kingdom looks nothing like the world’s idea of strength. The strong are those who recognize their dependence on the Lord. The greatest leaders are those who serve humbly. The truly courageous are those who fear the Lord rather than man. Joshua, as a leader, was strong and courageous—not because of his personal power, but because he relied completely on God’s power. Paul, though highly educated and accomplished, counted all things as worthless compared to Christ. And Jesus Himself, the most powerful being in existence, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross for our salvation.
Victory comes not through self-reliance but through surrender to God’s will. If we want to be strong and courageous in a biblical sense, we must recognize that true strength is found in trusting and obeying the Lord. Those who humble themselves before Him will be lifted up, while those who exalt themselves will ultimately fall. Our strength comes from Christ, who invites us to rely fully on Him, resting in His power rather than our own.
The account of Joshua teaches us a crucial lesson—on our own strength, we cannot achieve the promises of God. It was never about our power but His. The Israelites' failure to enter God’s rest due to their disobedience reminds us that striving in our own effort only leads to exhaustion and failure. Like Moses, who was merely instructed to speak to the rock but instead struck it and took credit for the miracle, humanity often tries to rely on its own strength rather than submitting to God’s power. But God will not share His glory.
Paul, again, a man who could have easily boasted in his accomplishments, understood this deeply. Though he had the credentials, the knowledge, and the authority, he counted it all as loss for the sake of Christ. He embraced the truth that his strength was not in himself but in the power of Christ. That is what true courage and strength look like for a believer—not self-sufficiency, but complete dependence on God. This is true faith.
What does this mean for us? It means that true power is found in humility and obedience. Pride is always a sin, and whenever we attempt to take credit for what belongs to God, we rob Him of the glory that is rightfully His. But when we submit ourselves to trusting Him—trusting His strength rather than our own—we position ourselves to be used mightily for His Kingdom.
The challenge is this: Are we striking the rock in our own strength, or are we speaking as God commanded? Are we relying on human wisdom, or are we allowing His power to work through us? True faith is found in trusting that the Lord is at work. When we are weak, then we are strong, because it is God’s strength working through us, which is far greater than anything we could muster on our own.
The Israelites’ journey, Paul’s humility, and the call of Jesus all point to the same truth—God exalts those who humble themselves before Him. Joshua learned that victory did not come from his leadership, but from the Lord’s power. Paul learned that his effectiveness did not come from his knowledge or abilities, but from God’s grace in his weakness. Strength and courage for the believer are found in submission to God’s will. We must choose humility over pride, obedience over self-sufficiency, and only then will we walk in the power of Christ, who works through us for His glory.
Are we embracing humility so that God can work through us? Paul had every reason to boast, yet he acknowledged his weakness so that God’s power could be displayed. Are we willing to admit our need for Him? When we experience difficulties, do we see them as obstacles, or as opportunities for God’s grace to work within us? True courage is not about pretending we have no fear—it is about trusting in the One who is greater than our fears.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and true courage comes from placing our trust in Him rather than in ourselves. Are we seeking His wisdom and direction, or are we running ahead with our own plans out of fear? God’s power is revealed in those who fully rely on Him. Let us be a people who trust in the Lord completely, walking not in our own strength, but in His.
Obedience brings rest. The book of Hebrews tells us that the Israelites failed to enter God's rest because they disobeyed. Are we missing the peace of God because we’re trying to do things our own way? Sometimes the hardest thing is simply to trust God and obey Him rather than taking control. The question is, are you tired? Are you weary from trying to do everything on your own, producing only temporary results at best? How many of us are worn out from striving? This is why Jesus tells us, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Jesus was speaking to people burdened by religious legalism, those striving to earn their salvation through works. But the same principle applies today. Are we trying to handle everything on our own, or are we truly trusting in God? Do we genuinely have faith, or are we masking our fear by working ourselves to exhaustion? If we look at Jesus' life, we see that He often stepped away to pray and rest. He wasn’t always surrounded by people—He withdrew to quiet places to seek the Father. In Mark 1, we see this at the beginning of His ministry, and again in Mark 6:30, when He sends out the disciples. When they return, He instructs them to rest. Luke 5:16 further confirms this pattern, as it tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.
Are we taking time to rest, to trust in God, and to reflect on Him? The Sabbath was instituted as a day of rest, not just for physical renewal, but as a symbol of reliance on God. Israel could not enter the Promised Land by their own strength. In the same way, we cannot accomplish God's will by our own power. Are we striving in our own strength, or are we trusting in His? When trials come, do we try to handle them ourselves, or do we humbly seek God, recognizing that He alone is our source of strength?
Joshua is only a shadow of Jesus. Joshua led Israel to victory in the land, but Jesus brings the ultimate victory, not through force, but through sacrifice. Philippians 2 teaches us this. Before Paul calls his own credentials garbage and before instructing believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, he presents the Carmen Christi, an early hymn describing Christ’s humility. It tells us that Jesus, though He was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped—the Greek word harpagmon conveys the idea of seizing or exploiting something for personal advantage. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, becoming fully human, and humbling Himself to the point of death—even death on a cross. Because of this, God has highly exalted Him, and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This goes against everything our culture teaches. The world glorifies power, self-sufficiency, and personal ambition. But Jesus shows us that true strength is found in surrender. He is the hero of the story, not us.
So be encouraged. Maybe you feel weak, maybe life has knocked you down, or maybe you’re struggling with fear, uncertainty, or failure. But when you are weak, He is strong. You don’t have to have everything figured out, and that’s okay. Some of us struggle with stepping back and letting someone else take control, but this is a crucial exercise in faith. A huge part of trusting God is recognizing that He is at work and learning to rely on Him rather than our own efforts. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, we are created anew in Christ for good works. But we must first surrender.
You don’t have to fix everything. God doesn’t ask you to be powerful—He asks you to be faithful. His grace is sufficient, and His power is perfected in your weakness. When you trust in His strength instead of your own, He will carry you through. When you walk with Him in humility and obedience, He will fight your battles. When you choose to rely on Him alone, He will lead you into His promises.
Be strong and courageous—not because you have strength, but because He does.
©️ Copyright 2025 Gene Simco Most Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scriptures in brackets reflect the original Biblical languages.
Imagine setting out on a journey so difficult that success seems impossible without the right guide. Whether scaling a treacherous mountain or facing life's toughest challenges, the key is always trusting the one who knows the way. This reminds me of a story about a man on safari who boasted that he had cut the tail off a man-eating lion with nothing but his pocketknife. When asked why he hadn’t cut off the lion’s head, he sheepishly admitted, “Well, someone else had already done that.” The humor in this tale highlights a deeper truth—true victory does not come from our own strength, but from trusting in the one who has already conquered.
In our last section, we explored Deuteronomy, the second giving of the Law by Moses. We saw Moses' final words, his warnings, and his commissioning of Joshua before his death. Now, as we turn the page to Joshua, we see that his leadership is not just about military conquest but about fulfilling God’s promises. Joshua leads Israel into the Promised Land, demonstrating how obedience brings victory. But more than that, Joshua’s story points beyond himself. His name in Hebrew, Yehoshua, and in Greek, Iēsous, is the same as Jesus. Just as Joshua led Israel into their rest in Canaan, Jesus leads His people into the ultimate rest of salvation.
Deuteronomy concluded with Moses' death, the closing of an era. Now, Joshua begins with a new call from God—a call to faith, courage, and action. This book is a powerful testimony that God fights for His people, clearing the way for them to walk in His promises. Through Joshua, we see a foreshadowing of Christ, the greater deliverer who secures for us not just a temporary land, but an eternal inheritance.
Since the earliest manuscripts of Scripture did not have chapter numbers or verse divisions, it’s best to examine the book through natural movements in the story rather than artificial breaks. In Joshua, we can see the narrative unfold in four major movements. Chapters 1–5 cover Israel’s entry into the Promised Land, marking the transition from wilderness wandering to divine fulfillment. Chapters 6–12 narrate the conquest of the land, revealing both God’s power and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. Chapters 13–21 focus on the division of the land, as the tribes receive their allotted inheritance. Finally, in chapters 22–24, we witness a covenant renewal and Joshua’s farewell address, urging Israel to remain faithful to the Lord.
Joshua’s story begins with a divine commissioning that echoes God’s faithfulness and expectation of obedience. In Joshua 1, the Lord speaks directly to Joshua, commanding him to be strong and courageous. But what is often overlooked is that this courage is directly tied to obedience.
Joshua 1:6-8 states: "Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."
These verses make it clear that success is not simply about military might or boldness—it is about unwavering faithfulness to God’s Word. Many people remember “Be strong and courageous” as a popular phrase, but few recall the conditions attached to it. The charge to Joshua is more than just a call to bravery—it is a call to constant meditation on the Word of God and complete obedience. God does not promise victory through strength alone, but through unwavering devotion to His commands. The same theme we saw in Deuteronomy is carried forward: obedience to God’s Word brings life and success.
Joshua 2 introduces one of the most unexpected characters in the biblical narrative—Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho who hides the Israelite spies and, through her faith, becomes part of Jesus’ genealogy.
The story unfolds as Joshua secretly sends two spies into Jericho. Joshua 2:1 records: "Then Joshua secretly sent out two spies from the Israelite camp at Acacia Grove. He instructed them, 'Scout out the land on the other side of the Jordan River, especially around Jericho.' So the two men set out and came to the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there that night."
Jericho was a fortified city, and news of foreign spies would have spread quickly. When the king of Jericho heard about them, he sent orders to Rahab, demanding that she bring out the men. But instead of betraying them, Rahab hid them under bundles of flax on her roof and misled the king’s men by saying they had already left.
Joshua 2:8-11 gives insight into Rahab’s faith: "Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them. 'I know the Lord has given you this land,' she told them. 'We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the Lord made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed. No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.'"
Rahab’s faith is remarkable—despite living in a pagan city, she recognized the power and sovereignty of Israel’s God. She pleaded for mercy, and the spies made a covenant with her. Joshua 2:18-19 records their instructions: "When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house. If they go out into the street and are killed, it will not be our fault."
The scarlet rope serves as a striking symbol, calling to mind the blood of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12. Just as the Israelites were spared when they marked their doors with the blood, Rahab and her family were saved through this sign. This moment foreshadows the redemption found in Jesus, who also came to save the unlikely and the undeserving. Rahab, a foreigner and a prostitute, becomes part of God’s plan, later appearing in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), highlighting God’s grace and the inclusion of the Gentiles into His covenant people.
In Joshua 3–4, Israel finally crosses the Jordan River into the Promised Land in a moment reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea. Joshua 3:15-17 describes the miracle: "It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away… and the riverbed was dry! Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by."
Just as Moses had led Israel through the Red Sea, Joshua now leads them through the Jordan. This is a clear sign that God is with Joshua as He was with Moses. It is also a powerful picture of salvation—crossing from the wilderness into the land of promise.
In Joshua 5, after the crossing, a new generation is circumcised, renewing the covenant. This was necessary because the previous generation had failed to circumcise their sons during their wilderness wandering. Joshua 5:9 says: "Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.'" This event marks a spiritual renewal before the conquest begins.
It is also in Joshua 5 that the manna ceases. Joshua 5:12 states: "No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again. So from that time on, the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan." For 40 years, God had provided supernaturally, but now they were to live off the land He had given them.
Then, just before the battle of Jericho, Joshua encounters a mysterious figure—one who is greater than any earthly commander. Joshua 5:13-15 describes the encounter: "When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, 'Are you friend or foe?' 'Neither one,' he replied. 'I am the commander of the Lord’s army.' At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. 'I am at your command,' Joshua said. 'What do you want your servant to do?' The commander of the Lord’s army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did as he was told."
This is no ordinary angel—this is a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. The language mirrors Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3:5, where he was also commanded to remove his sandals. Unlike angels who refuse worship (Revelation 22:8-9), this figure accepts Joshua’s reverence, further confirming His divine nature.
At the beginning of Joshua’s journey, we see three key themes emerge. First, obedience is necessary for success—Joshua is told to meditate on God’s law and not turn from it. Second, faith is rewarded—Rahab, a Gentile and outsider, is saved because she trusts in the Lord. Third, God’s presence ensures victory—Joshua encounters the divine Commander, a reminder that the battle belongs to the Lord. These lessons set the stage for the conquest of the Promised Land, showing that victory is found not in human strength, but in trust and obedience to God.
The conquest of Jericho stands as one of the most remarkable displays of God's power and the necessity of obedience. Joshua 6 recounts the unusual strategy given by God. Instead of engaging in immediate combat, the Israelites were instructed to march around the city silently for six days, with priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing rams' horns.
Joshua 6:10 records the command: “Do not shout; do not even talk,” Joshua commanded. “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!”
This silence must have built both anticipation and faith. The enemy within Jericho would have been confused and unnerved by an army marching but not attacking. Then, on the seventh day, after circling the city seven times, they gave a mighty shout, and the walls of Jericho collapsed by the power of God alone.
Joshua 6:20 describes the moment: "When the people heard the sound of the rams' horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it."
The destruction of Jericho was total—nothing was to be taken for personal gain, as the city was devoted to the Lord. But one exception was made. Rahab and her family, who had sheltered the spies and placed her faith in Israel’s God, were saved. This event not only demonstrates God’s power but also His faithfulness to those who trust in Him.
A fascinating prophetic curse follows this victory. Joshua 6:26 states: “At that time Joshua invoked this curse: ‘May the curse of the Lord fall on anyone who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn son, he will lay its foundation. At the cost of his youngest son, he will set up its gates.’”
This curse was fulfilled centuries later in 1 Kings 16:34, during the reign of the wicked king Ahab. A man named Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, and just as Joshua had prophesied, his sons perished as a consequence: “It was during his reign that Hiel, a man from Bethel, rebuilt Jericho. When he laid its foundations, it cost him the life of his oldest son, Abiram. And when he completed it and set up its gates, it cost him the life of his youngest son, Segub. This all happened according to the message from the Lord concerning Jericho spoken by Joshua son of Nun.”
This serves as a powerful reminder that God’s word always comes to pass, and disobedience carries consequences—even generations later.
Immediately after the triumph at Jericho, we see the devastating impact of disobedience. In Joshua 7, Israel suffered an unexpected defeat at Ai. The reason? A single man, Achan, had taken forbidden plunder from Jericho, hiding it in his tent.
Joshua 7:1 explains: "But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites."
This disobedience led to Israel’s humiliating defeat. When Joshua sought the Lord, God revealed the hidden sin, and Achan was judged. Joshua 7:25-26 recounts the punishment: “Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.’ And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day.”
This moment reinforces the necessity of obeying God fully. Partial obedience or secret sin affects not only the individual but the entire community. However, after Achan’s sin was removed, Israel was able to conquer Ai successfully. Joshua 8 describes a strategic ambush, leading to the city’s complete destruction.
Following this victory, Joshua took the time to renew the covenant. He built an altar on Mount Ebal, just as commanded in Deuteronomy, and copied the law onto stone tablets.
Joshua 8:34-35 states: “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction. Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.”
This public reading of the law reinforced the importance of faithfulness and reminded the people of both God’s promises and His warnings.
However, Israel soon made a critical mistake. In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites deceived them into making a treaty. God had commanded Israel not to make covenants with the inhabitants of the land, but the Gibeonites tricked them by pretending to be from a distant country.
Joshua 9:14-15 reveals the key failure: “So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.”
Had they sought the Lord’s guidance, they would have avoided this deception. Instead, they were bound by their oath and could not destroy the Gibeonites, who became servants—woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites. This incident highlights the importance of seeking God’s wisdom in every decision.
Joshua 10-12 showcases some of the greatest victories of the conquest, including one of the most debated miracles in Scripture—the day the sun stood still.
Joshua 10:12-14 describes this extraordinary event: "On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, ‘Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still, and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies."
Verse 14 emphasizes the uniqueness of this event: "There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!"
While scholars debate how exactly this happened—whether it was a supernatural slowing of time, an extended period of light, or a poetic description of victory—the key takeaway is that God demonstrated absolute control over creation. The battle belonged to the Lord, and He ensured Israel’s success.
The remaining chapters in this section detail Israel’s continued victories. Joshua 11:23 summarizes: "So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war."
This fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob underscores His faithfulness. But it also serves as a reminder that God’s victories are not won by human strength alone.
Jericho fell without a single weapon. Ai was conquered only after sin was removed. The sun stood still because of divine intervention. In each case, the lesson is the same: when Israel relied on God, they triumphed. When they acted independently or disobeyed, they suffered.
These chapters provide a powerful picture of spiritual warfare. Just as Israel faced enemies in the Promised Land, believers today face battles—not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Victory comes not through human effort, but through faith, obedience, and reliance on God.
We also see a foreshadowing of Christ in the inheritance of Caleb. In Joshua 14:9-12, Caleb reminds Joshua of Moses’ promise: “So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’” Caleb, now 85 years old, boldly claims his inheritance, trusting in God’s promise despite the giants that still inhabit the land. His unwavering faith mirrors that of believers who, through Christ, inherit the kingdom of God, standing firm in His promises regardless of obstacles.
The division of the land in Joshua 15-19 may seem tedious, but it holds profound theological significance. Each tribe receiving its allotted portion reflects God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham. However, the fulfillment is only partial, pointing forward to Jesus, who grants an eternal inheritance to His people. Ephesians 1:11 says, “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”
The Levites' portion, detailed in Joshua 21, also prefigures Christ. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites received no land inheritance, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself. Joshua 21:45 states, “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” This foreshadows believers in Christ, whose ultimate inheritance is not earthly but spiritual—eternal communion with God. 1 Peter 2:9 affirms this: “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” Just as the Levites served God uniquely, so too are Christians called to serve and dwell in His presence forever.
In the final chapters, Joshua 22-24, the covenant renewal at Shechem echoes Moses' farewell address. Joshua 24:15 contains the famous declaration: “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” This moment calls Israel to faithfulness, reminding them of God’s past deliverance. However, as history reveals, Israel would struggle to keep this covenant, pointing to the need for a better mediator—Jesus. Hebrews 8:6 states, “But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.”
Ultimately, Joshua’s leadership provides a strong yet incomplete picture of Christ. While Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, Hebrews 4:8-9 clarifies that he did not provide the ultimate rest: “Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.”
Jesus is the greater Joshua—the true leader who brings His people into eternal rest, not merely a temporary homeland. Joshua’s victories were significant, but they were only shadows of Christ’s ultimate triumph over sin and death, leading His people into the everlasting kingdom of God.
Rahab’s story is one of redemption and inclusion. In Joshua 2:12-13, Rahab pleads, “Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.” This moment of faith would not only spare her life but also place her in the lineage of the Messiah. In Matthew’s genealogy, it is written, “Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of King David.” Rahab, a Gentile and an outsider, was not only rescued from destruction but was brought into the family of Israel, ultimately becoming part of the lineage of Jesus. Her inclusion foreshadows the grace of God that extends to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. Her faith and redemption prefigure the salvation offered through Christ, who brings all nations into His family, even those who might seem beyond redemption.
Joshua himself is a type of Christ. In Joshua 1:5, the Lord declares, “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail or abandon you.” This promise of God’s presence and faithfulness parallels what is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. The book of Hebrews reveals that Joshua’s leadership in bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land was only a temporary rest, pointing to a greater reality. Hebrews 4:8-10 states, “Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is still a special rest waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.” Joshua led the Israelites into a physical rest, but this was only a shadow of the eternal rest found in Jesus. The very name Joshua, which is the same as Jesus in Greek, signifies salvation. Just as Joshua led Israel into the temporary land of promise, Jesus leads His people into the eternal Promised Land—the kingdom of God.
The victories recorded in Joshua teach us that triumph comes through obedience and faith in God. Every battle, every division of land, and every covenant renewal foreshadows the work of Christ. He is the greater Joshua, leading His people into the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. His victory is final, His rest is complete, and His leadership is eternal. Joshua shows us that God’s promises are unwavering, His guidance is perfect, and His faithfulness never fails. It is a story of human weakness met by divine strength, battles fought and won through trust in God, and victories granted through obedience. Jesus embodies every aspect of this narrative. As the ultimate Joshua, He secures our place in the eternal Promised Land. As we follow Him, we experience His presence, His power, and His peace. And if we choose to trust Him and obey His Word, we will find our true rest in His victory.
One of the most famous lines from the book of Joshua is “Be strong and courageous.” But what does that actually look like as a Christian? Many assume that courage is the absence of fear, but Scripture gives a more nuanced understanding. Before we can grasp true courage, we first need to address fear, which is often considered its opposite. You may have heard a saying similar to this: “Fear is faith in the enemy.” That sounds profound, but it’s not entirely true. In fact, when examined biblically, it's actually wrong.
The Bible tells us that “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), and “The wise fear the Lord” (Proverbs 14:16). It even commands, “Fear the Lord and the king” (Proverbs 24:21). Fear is not always negative; in many cases, it is necessary and good. Culturally, we like to believe that being fearless is synonymous with having great faith, but the Bible teaches that the proper kind of fear—the fear of the Lord—is actually the foundation of wisdom and spiritual insight. A healthy reverence and awe of God is what leads to obedience, humility, and ultimately, true courage.
Despite what some claim, the phrase “Fear not” does not appear 365 times in the Bible. This is a popular but inaccurate statement repeated by those who haven’t thoroughly examined the text. If someone regularly reads Scripture, this claim should sound strange, because the Bible talks about fear—both good and bad—far more often than it commands us to be fearless. While there are many instances where God tells His people “Do not be afraid” or “Be courageous,” it only happens around 81 times, not 365. In contrast, the word fear appears in the Bible approximately 511 times, and many of those references command a healthy fear of the Lord rather than the absence of fear altogether.
Even in the New Testament, the concept of fear remains crucial. Philippians 2:12 states, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” In Greek, the words used here literally mean fear and terror. This is not an outdated Old Testament idea; it is a New Testament command that emphasizes a deep reverence for God. Jesus Himself gives both sides of the coin in Luke 12:4-5 when He says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, He’s the one to fear.” This is a clear statement reinforcing the necessity of fearing God.
So, fear and faith are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they are two sides of the same coin. A person who fears the Lord deeply will trust Him completely. The fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, obedience, and reverence, which in turn produce faith and courage. Biblical courage isn’t recklessness or the absence of fear—it’s choosing to trust God and obey Him even when fear is present. True faith recognizes that fearing the Lord is the only fear that leads to life.
The call to be strong and courageous is often misunderstood as a call to self-sufficiency, a rallying cry for personal strength, or even an elimination of fear altogether. But if we keep reading, we see that courage and strength are not about self-reliance—they are about obedience and trust in God's power. Strength and courage in Joshua’s story are not rooted in human confidence but in knowing that the Lord is the one who fights for His people, provides for them, and leads them into His promises.
Joshua 4:21–24 gives us a powerful reminder of this. After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua tells the Israelites, “In the future, your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”
The stones were set up as a testimony, a visible reminder of God’s power and faithfulness. The purpose of these miracles wasn’t simply for Israel’s benefit—it was so that all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful and so that Israel would fear the Lord forever. Here, fear is not a contradiction to courage. Rather, the fear of the Lord is a proper response to witnessing His power, an awe-filled recognition of His majesty and authority. True courage is found in fearing God rather than fearing man or circumstances.
Joshua 24:13–14 reinforces this truth. “I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone.”
Israel did not win their land through their own strength. God gave it to them. He provided for them in ways they could never have accomplished on their own. And yet, even after receiving these blessings, they are warned to fear the Lord and to serve Him wholeheartedly. The call to courage is directly tied to their reliance on God and their obedience to Him. If they turned to idols or relied on themselves, they would be rejecting the very foundation of their strength.
This challenges how we often perceive strength and courage. The world tells us that to be strong means to be independent, self-reliant, and fearless. But biblical strength comes from dependence on God. It is not about the absence of fear, but the presence of faith. It is knowing that our courage is not rooted in our own ability but in the One who goes before us, parts the waters, brings down walls, and provides what we could never accomplish on our own.
Joshua's story reminds us that real strength is found in trusting God’s power, not in our own efforts. To be strong and courageous is not a call to self-sufficiency, but to full reliance on God.
Strength, as seen in the story of Joshua, is not merely physical or strategic—it is deeply tied to obedience and dependence on God. For all of Joshua’s strength and leadership, he could not bring the people into the fullness of God’s promised rest. Last week, we focused on obedience, and now we see the continuation of that theme. Hebrews 4:6 tells us, “So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.” This highlights the link between obedience and rest. The passage continues, “So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.’ Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”
This account in Joshua teaches us something critical: our own strength and power are insufficient to bring us into God’s promises. While obedience is required, we ultimately need a Savior. It is not by human effort or military conquest that Israel received the land; it was by God’s power alone. The walls of Jericho did not fall by might or strategy, but through obedience to an unusual command. Time and time again, Israel's victories were determined by their trust in God rather than their own ability. This foreshadows Jesus and presents us with our absolute need for Him.
We see this pattern in other parts of Scripture as well. Like Joshua, Moses was instructed by God to simply speak to the rock, yet he struck it instead, attempting to take some measure of control or credit for the miracle. But the power did not come from Moses—it came from God. Moses’ failure to obey fully resulted in his exclusion from the Promised Land, demonstrating that only God can provide true salvation.
If there were ever a person who might have been tempted to rely on their own strength and accomplishments, it was Paul. He wrote nearly half of the New Testament, possessed a brilliant mind, and had a background of high education, something equivalent to multiple doctorates today. He had been a Pharisee, a strict follower of the Law, zealous beyond measure. Yet Paul, when reflecting on all of his accomplishments, dismissed them as utterly worthless. In Philippians 3:8, he declares, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as σκύβαλα (skúbala), so that I could gain Christ.” The Greek word σκύβαλα (skúbala) is a particularly strong term—it doesn’t just mean garbage but something more akin to filth or dung. Paul is making it clear that no worldly status, education, or personal strength has any value compared to knowing Christ.
Paul reinforces this in 2 Corinthians 12, where he describes his fool’s boast. Faced with false teachers who boasted about their credentials, Paul flips the argument on its head. Instead of listing accomplishments, he boasts in his weaknesses, showing that God’s power is made perfect in human frailty. He writes in 2 Corinthians 12:5-10, “That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
God’s power works best in weakness. His strength is most evident when human strength is absent so that His glory is revealed. We are often tempted to be the hero of our own stories, but this is a cultural mindset, not a biblical one. We live in a time when self-reliance is celebrated, and people are encouraged to take pride in their accomplishments, their strength, and their achievements. But biblically, pride is always a sin. Some modern translations might use the phrase pride and joy in a positive sense, but this is what could be called an innocent idiom—it does not reflect the biblical understanding of pride.
The Greek language makes an important distinction here. The word καύχησις (kaúchēsis) means boasting or rejoicing in someone else’s success. This kind of boasting is sometimes acceptable, such as when Paul speaks of boasting in the Lord or taking joy in the faithfulness of others. However, the words ἀλαζονεία (alazoneía) and ὑπερήφανος (hyperḗphanos) carry strong negative connotations, always associated with arrogance and self-exaltation. These words describe the kind of pride that Scripture consistently condemns. Proverbs warns repeatedly that “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). James 4:6 tells us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
From Deuteronomy to Joshua, we see that God works through those who are humble and obedient. Jesus reinforces this in His teachings, showing that humility is the pathway to true greatness. He echoes a principle found in Proverbs 25:6-7, which advises, “Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.” Jesus applies this directly in Luke 14:10-11, “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Strength in God’s kingdom looks nothing like the world’s idea of strength. The strong are those who recognize their dependence on the Lord. The greatest leaders are those who serve humbly. The truly courageous are those who fear the Lord rather than man. Joshua, as a leader, was strong and courageous—not because of his personal power, but because he relied completely on God’s power. Paul, though highly educated and accomplished, counted all things as worthless compared to Christ. And Jesus Himself, the most powerful being in existence, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross for our salvation.
Victory comes not through self-reliance but through surrender to God’s will. If we want to be strong and courageous in a biblical sense, we must recognize that true strength is found in trusting and obeying the Lord. Those who humble themselves before Him will be lifted up, while those who exalt themselves will ultimately fall. Our strength comes from Christ, who invites us to rely fully on Him, resting in His power rather than our own.
The account of Joshua teaches us a crucial lesson—on our own strength, we cannot achieve the promises of God. It was never about our power but His. The Israelites' failure to enter God’s rest due to their disobedience reminds us that striving in our own effort only leads to exhaustion and failure. Like Moses, who was merely instructed to speak to the rock but instead struck it and took credit for the miracle, humanity often tries to rely on its own strength rather than submitting to God’s power. But God will not share His glory.
Paul, again, a man who could have easily boasted in his accomplishments, understood this deeply. Though he had the credentials, the knowledge, and the authority, he counted it all as loss for the sake of Christ. He embraced the truth that his strength was not in himself but in the power of Christ. That is what true courage and strength look like for a believer—not self-sufficiency, but complete dependence on God. This is true faith.
What does this mean for us? It means that true power is found in humility and obedience. Pride is always a sin, and whenever we attempt to take credit for what belongs to God, we rob Him of the glory that is rightfully His. But when we submit ourselves to trusting Him—trusting His strength rather than our own—we position ourselves to be used mightily for His Kingdom.
The challenge is this: Are we striking the rock in our own strength, or are we speaking as God commanded? Are we relying on human wisdom, or are we allowing His power to work through us? True faith is found in trusting that the Lord is at work. When we are weak, then we are strong, because it is God’s strength working through us, which is far greater than anything we could muster on our own.
The Israelites’ journey, Paul’s humility, and the call of Jesus all point to the same truth—God exalts those who humble themselves before Him. Joshua learned that victory did not come from his leadership, but from the Lord’s power. Paul learned that his effectiveness did not come from his knowledge or abilities, but from God’s grace in his weakness. Strength and courage for the believer are found in submission to God’s will. We must choose humility over pride, obedience over self-sufficiency, and only then will we walk in the power of Christ, who works through us for His glory.
Are we embracing humility so that God can work through us? Paul had every reason to boast, yet he acknowledged his weakness so that God’s power could be displayed. Are we willing to admit our need for Him? When we experience difficulties, do we see them as obstacles, or as opportunities for God’s grace to work within us? True courage is not about pretending we have no fear—it is about trusting in the One who is greater than our fears.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and true courage comes from placing our trust in Him rather than in ourselves. Are we seeking His wisdom and direction, or are we running ahead with our own plans out of fear? God’s power is revealed in those who fully rely on Him. Let us be a people who trust in the Lord completely, walking not in our own strength, but in His.
Obedience brings rest. The book of Hebrews tells us that the Israelites failed to enter God's rest because they disobeyed. Are we missing the peace of God because we’re trying to do things our own way? Sometimes the hardest thing is simply to trust God and obey Him rather than taking control. The question is, are you tired? Are you weary from trying to do everything on your own, producing only temporary results at best? How many of us are worn out from striving? This is why Jesus tells us, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Jesus was speaking to people burdened by religious legalism, those striving to earn their salvation through works. But the same principle applies today. Are we trying to handle everything on our own, or are we truly trusting in God? Do we genuinely have faith, or are we masking our fear by working ourselves to exhaustion? If we look at Jesus' life, we see that He often stepped away to pray and rest. He wasn’t always surrounded by people—He withdrew to quiet places to seek the Father. In Mark 1, we see this at the beginning of His ministry, and again in Mark 6:30, when He sends out the disciples. When they return, He instructs them to rest. Luke 5:16 further confirms this pattern, as it tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.
Are we taking time to rest, to trust in God, and to reflect on Him? The Sabbath was instituted as a day of rest, not just for physical renewal, but as a symbol of reliance on God. Israel could not enter the Promised Land by their own strength. In the same way, we cannot accomplish God's will by our own power. Are we striving in our own strength, or are we trusting in His? When trials come, do we try to handle them ourselves, or do we humbly seek God, recognizing that He alone is our source of strength?
Joshua is only a shadow of Jesus. Joshua led Israel to victory in the land, but Jesus brings the ultimate victory, not through force, but through sacrifice. Philippians 2 teaches us this. Before Paul calls his own credentials garbage and before instructing believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, he presents the Carmen Christi, an early hymn describing Christ’s humility. It tells us that Jesus, though He was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped—the Greek word harpagmon conveys the idea of seizing or exploiting something for personal advantage. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, becoming fully human, and humbling Himself to the point of death—even death on a cross. Because of this, God has highly exalted Him, and at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This goes against everything our culture teaches. The world glorifies power, self-sufficiency, and personal ambition. But Jesus shows us that true strength is found in surrender. He is the hero of the story, not us.
So be encouraged. Maybe you feel weak, maybe life has knocked you down, or maybe you’re struggling with fear, uncertainty, or failure. But when you are weak, He is strong. You don’t have to have everything figured out, and that’s okay. Some of us struggle with stepping back and letting someone else take control, but this is a crucial exercise in faith. A huge part of trusting God is recognizing that He is at work and learning to rely on Him rather than our own efforts. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, we are created anew in Christ for good works. But we must first surrender.
You don’t have to fix everything. God doesn’t ask you to be powerful—He asks you to be faithful. His grace is sufficient, and His power is perfected in your weakness. When you trust in His strength instead of your own, He will carry you through. When you walk with Him in humility and obedience, He will fight your battles. When you choose to rely on Him alone, He will lead you into His promises.
Be strong and courageous—not because you have strength, but because He does.
©️ Copyright 2025 Gene Simco Most Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scriptures in brackets reflect the original Biblical languages.