It is generally accepted that Joshua was written by Joshua himself except for certain passages concerning his death which were probably added later…Why? Well first there is no verse in the Book like we often see in the Bible where the author just comes out and identifies himself and so we are left to deduce…do some sleuthing…and what we find are first hand passages including words like, “We,” and “Us,” as well as military details given (very detailed…to the point that it’s most likely the work of the general himself as they are penned…).

The Book spans a period of time of about 25 years, beginning soon after the death of Moses and really is the bridge between the Pentateuch and the rest of the OT. The Book of Joshua is appropriate as a name for this book because Joshua is the leader that will take the nation into the conquest of Canaan which we know as the Promised Land! Why appropriate? Because Joshua is the Hebrew name that translates into Aramaic as “Jesus” and of course means “Yahweh saves!” Just as Joshua brought God’s people into the realization of God’s plan for them so too Jesus brings each one of us into the fullness of God’s plan for us!

The central act of redemption in the New Testament is the work of Jesus on the cross. The central act of redemption in the Old Testament is the deliverance of Israel from Egypt all the way to…the Promised Land! So this Old Testament book is historical for sure but God speaks through this and throughout much of history to show us, to give us an example of our deliverance from the degrading bondage of sin! During this time Israel experienced supernatural provision and unmistakable miracles such as the supply of manna, water from rocks, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, just to name a few.

This is also the time in which they received the Mosaic Law…the implication is divine revelation…and check this awesomeness out…they are in Egypt in complete bondage, slavery and then God sends a prophet to bring them out…someone who brings truth. Then they are led out into the wilderness where they wander and they wander and they wander and they wander…miracles every day though…so much so that they almost become bored with them…and the law is firmly established…the holiness of God revealed in the 10 Commandments…then Jesus, Joshua in the Hebrew comes forth and breaks them in man…takes them into the Promised Land! See the pattern?

Egypt is a type of the world and the children of Israel coming out, being led out by Moses, is a picture of folks getting saved…even has baptism in there as Moses parts the Red Sea. But then what? Wandering man. Miracles all around all the time. God’s provision, a knowledge of sin and of the law but still…wandering. Why? Here’s the deal and the pattern…Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life…and life abundant!!!”

Folks be getting saved all over and yet wandering, fruitless and frustrated, why? Well it’s different for different folks. Some it’s hurts of the past. Some it’s victim mentality. Others it’s anger, lust, pride, greed…whatever. Something holds folks in a pattern of circles until…Jesus! It’s Luke 24:29, “I will send you the PROMISE of the Father and He will give you power!!” The promised land is not a type of heaven, it’s a type, a picture of the abundant life available to us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Joshua leads them in man…through the River Jordan, right? A second baptism, this time with the Holy Spirit…not a second salvation but man when you just get past the junk and get into what God has for you…As one gets closer and closer and closer to Jesus, He breaks you free…until you become…something else. Something powerful and eternally different. Filled with the grace and the knowledge of God…I see this pattern all the time man…

But notice, and we’ll see this…there are still battles in the promised land! That’s how we know it ain’t heaven…cause the battles are over when we get there! But the lead now is not the law, it’s not the grumblings of a frustrated nation or heart…its Joshua! Jesus!!!

We don’t know exactly when Joshua was written but it must have been sometime after the actual events because we see the phrase, “to this day” quite a few times which leads us to believe that the book was written afterwards at some point however we have clues that the book is a first-hand account and even written by Joshua himself. The majority of the book that is…

Joshua Chapter 1 Verse 1

• Notice, I love this, I am down with Joshua being the writer of this book , why? Because the first thing he does is offer praise to Moses. He begins by saying, almost in a tone of missing him, “After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord…” He pays wonderful compliment to his fallen commander…that is the mark of a leader…
• And he says that the Lord spoke to him and identifies himself as the son of Nun which is an interesting story…the short version…we know that the lineage of Nun is within the lineage of Ephraim however what happens in Numbers 13:16 is intriguing…you see Joshua was not his birth name…it was Hoshea according to Numbers 13 but Moses renamed him. Hoshea meaning “salvation,” Joshua meaning “He is salvation.”
• So many ways we can answer the question “why” but here’s my take away…Moses and Joshua had a very close relationship…to the point that Moses saw something different in him and I believe we see this in verse 1 because verse 1 goes on to say that he was Moses’ assistant…
• Now, the word “assistant” is the Hebrew “sharath” which actually means servant or minister and so the thought, the idea, the truth presented to us in the scripture is that Joshua was the servant of Moses…but, on his own accord. Not out of obligation but out of love, trust, honor and respect…what a special relationship, closer even than a son…and notice that word for servant, it also means minister, it also means assistant, even slave…and these are precisely the right words even today for ministers because these are what we are…assistants, servants…even slaves.
• Jesus said in Mark 10:44, “Whoever wants to be first, whoever wants to lead…must be slave of all…” and check this Joshua out…the servant out of love for Moses and now watch where God places him…

Joshua Chapter 1 Verse 2

• Joshua had served Moses faithfully…his personal waiter, his personal assistant and now God has elevated him to the position of servant to the nation! Why? Because he was faithful in the little things, now the Lord has entrusted into his hands greater things!
• Its Matthew 25:21. Jesus said, “Well done good and faithful servant…good and faithful assistant…good and faithful minister; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” You want joy at work? Joy in your marriage? Joy as a son or daughter? Joy as a minister? Have you embraced the cross? Have you become the slave? It’s odd I know but that is the narrow path! It’s a biblical truth and all biblical truths are true in each and every part and portion of life man!! You see folks God lifts one up and puts down another Psalm 75 says and the way those things are orchestrated is revealed to us here in Joshua 1…If you want to lead, are you first yearning (not willing – are you down right eager) to minister?
• A while back, while we were still in the middle school this gentleman came to the fellowship for a few Sunday services. I can’t remember his name but he was somewhat of a celebrity…he spoke for some sort of cause and showed me this book of his that was basically pictures of him with leaders, celebrities, presidents, athletes…and he asked me if he could address the church…come up on stage and lead…
• Immediately my answer, no. He was totally surprised. How could I skip this opportunity to have such a big name, such a powerful orator, such a noble cause, how could I refuse…I gracefully told him…”the leaders here serve.” I never saw him again. But that is the same even today, even for folks that have been attending here for years…if you are not assisting and serving and ministering in the small things then God has revealed, you are not yet ready for the more center things…I don’t want to say larger things because picking up a speck of trash is just as precious in the sight of the King as leading a Bible study…
• Leadership is not something you do, it’s a condition of the heart man…
• But notice Joshua, he was Moses’ slave man…by choice, faithful and humble and so when the need arose for a leader of the entire nation, Joshua was the easy pick…of course he would lead well. Of course he would serve well. Of course he could be trusted with God’s people…he’s clearly proven it! And man it is the same today…folks want to lead Bible studies, folks want to lead worship, well…are they a slave? I’d rather wait. Rather than having the 10 best singers in the church lead worship, I’d rather wait to see who is assisting…rather than have celebrity orators; I’d rather wait to see who is ministering…
• This is not the path to rocket growth by the way…folks coming from all over because oh she is such a good singer or oh he is such a good Bible expositor…but when folks do come…they get exactly who God has raised up…they get the real deal…not polished, not exceptional in terms of skill or celebrity status but exceptional in terms of humility, meekness, love, service, and ultimately intimacy with the Lead here which is Jesus because the closer you and I are to Him…the more it will be said of us…”assistant, servant, humble slave…”
• And so God exalts the humble…He exalts Joshua and says, “You will lead My people.”

Joshua Chapter 1 Verses 3 – 9

• What an excellent conversation with God, right? Notice, in verse 2, God says, “I am giving,” and then in verse 3, “I have given.” The vision and the charge that God gives to Joshua is magnificent and at the same time, no doubt, terrifying…yet notice the promise of God…where I am leading you to, I have already given you…you just have to take it. So amazing! And what was given? EVERY PLACE!
• WHAT what!!!! Man this is so impactful!! Not just a bit of land although a huge piece of the earth is specifically called out but God says every place! So often we stop short of what God has already given us! It appears that even Joshua did! We should not though! Charge forward man…go after God’s greatest plan for you, why not? Fear…mostly.
• No doubt Joshua was afraid…three times we just read “Be strong.” That is not a recommendation by the way, that is God’s commandment! Be strong. And then God gives him a little medicine on how to overcome fear…stay close to Me. Stick to My ways God says and in doing so no matter if you turn this way or that, we turn together!!!!