The name “Joshua” means “the LORD is salvation” and comes from the Hebrew verb “I save” or “I deliver.” The name “Jesus” (Yeshua in Hebrew; יֵשׁוּעַ) is actually a transliteration of Hebrew (Yeshua) to Greek (Iaysous; Ιησους) to English (Jesus). Yeshua was a common name for Hebrew men, and even in the New Testament (NT) we see that there were other men named Jesus.
As one of people who had been delivered out of Egypt and survived the wilderness wandering, the Israelite leader Joshua understood what it meant to be delivered by God.
The Main Theme of the Book of Joshua
A good tagline for the Book of Joshua is “living out a courageous faith” (Joshua 1:6). Following the Exodus from Egypt, the Hebrews needed to trust God to grant them victory over the Canaanites who were inhabiting the promised land of Israel (Genesis 15).
This brief summary of Joshua describes three main sections of the book and highlights its thematic elements. This topic does not address Old Testament (OT) warfare and the moral questions raised by it.
Main Divisions of Joshua: Conquering the Land
Joshua 1-12 is the first major section of the book and narrates the conquest of the land of Israel over a 5-7-year period. Joshua led the people across the Jordan River into central Canaan, then conquered the land from south to north.
Joshua 11:23 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.
One of the main themes of Joshua 1-12 is that God is a warrior, and the victories of the Hebrews in Canaan are actually God’s victories, not Israel’s. The LORD is Israel’s deliverer, just as Joshua’s name showcases.
Dividing up the Land
Joshua 13-22 narrates how the promised land was divided among the people of Israel and how God granted them rest after centuries of slavery, wandering, and war.
Joshua 21:44-45 And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. 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.
God fulfilled all of his promises to the people of Israel that were originally given to Abraham (Genesis 12-15).
The Call to Courageous Faith
Joshua 23-24 narrates Joshua’s final instructions to God’s people.
Joshua 24:15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua’s final words remind us that we have a choice: will we serve God or not? Trust him or not? Obey him or not?
God encourages us throughout the Book of Joshua to have a courageous faith that always chooses him and trusts him.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How does the picture of God as a warrior in Joshua affect the way you think about God? Explain.
- What are some spiritual victories God has given you in life?
- How is heaven like the promised land in Joshua? Explain.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
