Ancient Words: Walk to Emmaus, A Walk with Joshua
Moses handed the leadership of Israel over to Joshua as this vast desert tribe approached the land of Canaan. Be “strong and courageous” were words repeated by the Lord as Joshua was encouraged in his role as commander in chief of Israel. Joshua would not disappoint! Born in Egypt in the land of Goshen, young Joshua was mentored by Moses as he (Moses) fought with God’s power to defeat the stronghold of one nation, Egypt. Joshua, yeh-ho-shoo’-ah in Hebrew meaning Jehovah saved, is closest in meaning to the name “Jesus” (Savior) written in Hebrew as Jehoshua. And conquer, Joshua did! Most of the Canaan’s nations were defeated under the strength and courage of Joshua. It was Joshua and Caleb who were the only two of 12 spies sent by Moses who were not afraid to enter Canaan. As a result, Joshua and Caleb would be the only two adults who left Egypt (with approx. 2 million) who would enter the land of “milk and honey”.
Under Joshua, the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground like Moses and the Red Sea. Under Joshua, flint knives were made and the fighting men circumcised themselves at Gilgal during the Passover. Under Joshua, the manna from heaven stopped and the produce of the land began to feed the nation. Under Joshua, the walls of Jericho fell and Israel secured its entry into the promised land. Under Joshua, the sun stopped for about a day during the battle against the Amorites: Jos 10:12-14 On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!
Under Joshua, kings of the earth were defeated as Canaan was made ready for the nation born out of slavery: Jos 12:7-24 Here is a list of the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan…the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai (near Bethel), one; the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; the king of Shimron Meron, one; the king of Akshaph, one; the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; the king of Dor (in Naphoth Dor), one; the king of Goyim in Gilgal, one; the king of Tirzah, one; thirty-one kings in all.
…..Rev 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected].