The Book of Joshua is about a great leader, a man named Joshua. He was originally introduced as one of the spies who went in to look at the Promised Land. He, along with Caleb, were the ones that were confident they could go in and defeat the people of the land. They had faith. If you remember right however, the rest of the spies and people were scared and showed no faith. As a result, God sent them all back into the wilderness for 40 years. So, now they’re back and ready to enter the land again. Moses had finished his final encouragement and passed away at the end of Deuteronomy. Joshua has been chosen to be Moses’ successor. He had distinguished himself as a man of faith and courage, committed to obeying and serving God. This Book of Joshua records his leadership of the people as they finished their march and conquered the Promised Land.

Today, we’re going to look at Jesus (1400 years before He was born) being the second and greater Joshua:

1. Both men are named Joshua. Jesus’ name in Hebrew is “Yeshua” which translated to English is Joshua.
2. Both are about saving. The name “Joshua” means “Yahweh saves.”
3. Both men are about the fulfillment of a historical promise. God gives and His people inherit.
4. Both men led to a Promised Land. One led to the promised land of Israel, the other leads us the promised land of Heaven.
5. Both defeated enemies. One from the enemies of the land, the other from sin and death.
6. Both bring victory. Joshua brought victory when the horns blew and the shouts came at Jericho Joshua 5:13-6:27. Jesus will bring final victory when the trumpets blow and the shouts come when He returns. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

What does this have to do with us? The Book of Joshua points us to Jesus, the real hero of God’s Word and our life. It’s a story of God’s promised faithfulness of the past, present and future. The God we serve has been working on His story for thousands of years. Like Joshua and Caleb, we need to be the ones with faith. Faith through whatever comes our way. There are no surprises to God. May we each claim Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”