JESUS CHRIST and HOLY SPIRIT in Joshua
Hebrew Names of GOD in Joshua
EL
JEHOVAH
JESUS CHRIST in Joshua
Christ is revealed in the Book of Joshua in three ways: by direct revelation, by types, and by illuminating aspects of His nature.
In 5:13–15, the triune God appeared to Joshua as the “Commander of the army of the LORD.” By His appearance, Joshua was made aware that God Himself was in charge.
Joshua himself was a type of Christ. His name, which means “Yahweh Is Salvation,” is a Hebrew equivalent to the Greek “Jesus.” Joshua led the Israelites into the possession of their promised inheritance, just as Christ leads us into possession of eternal life.
The scarlet cord in Rahab’s window (2:18, 21) illustrates Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross. The blood-red cloth hanging in the window saved Rahab and her household from death. So, too, Christ shed His blood and hung on the Cross to save us from death.
One of the aspects of Christ’s nature revealed in Joshua is that of fulfilled promise. God, in His grace and faithfulness, had sustained and preserved His people by bringing them out of the wilderness and into the Land of Promise. He will do the same for us through Christ, who is The Promise.
HOLY SPIRIT in Joshua
consistent stream of the Holy Spirit’s work flows through the Book of Joshua. His presence initially surfaces in 1:5, where God, knowing the overwhelming task of leading the nation Israel, provided Joshua with the promise of His Ever-present Spirit.
The work of the Holy Spirit was the same then as it is now: He draws people into a saving relationship with God and accomplishes the purposes of the Father. His objective in Joshua, as in all the Old Testament, was the salvation of Israel; for it was through this nation that God chose to save the world (Is. 63:7–9).
Several characteristics of the way in which the Spirit works can be seen in Joshua.
The Holy Spirit’s work is continual. “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (1:5). The Holy Spirit is committed to accomplishing the task, no matter how long it takes. His continued presence is necessary for the success of God’s plan in the lives of men. The Holy Spirit’s work is mutual. “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (1:7). It has been said, “Without Him, we cannot; without us, He will not.” Cooperation with the Holy Spirit is essential to victory.
He empowers us to fulfill our calling and complete the task at hand. The Holy Spirit’s work is supernatural. The fall of Jericho was wrought by the miraculous destruction of its walls (6:20). Victory was attained at Gibeon when the Spirit stayed the sun (10:12, 13). No true work of God, whether deliverance from bondage or possession of blessing, is accomplished without the Spirit’s help.