Above all, I want to be spiritually smart, don’t you? If I knew how to think and respond to every situation, I could avoid a lot of grief. I could also be useful to God, and wouldn’t that be the sweet spot to live in?
How to be spiritually smart is the subject of much of the New Testament, but for visual learners like me, the Old Testament sheds plenty of light on the topic in the examples it gives. In fact, how people and God interact in the Old Testament forms “the testimonies of the Lord.” Look at this verse: …The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psa. 19:7)
So, to make ourselves wise, we are going to look at the Bible character Joshua over the next several days. He is a major character of the Old Testament, showing up in the books of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and of course, the book named after him, Joshua. There are 201 references to him in the Bible. There must be something about him God would want us to know and emulate.
One great thing Joshua had going for him was that he was a disciple of Moses. In fact, he was Moses’ servant and personal attendant. So Joshua was often in the presence of God when Moses was in the presence of God. After Moses died, Joshua became the national leader—only unlike Moses, Joshua was also a warrior.
The truth is, Joshua is a type of Christ. Below are some comparisons to show that. In the days to come, we will learn a lot about having a great relationship with God and maintaining a perspective that will help us become spiritually victorious, all from looking at Joshua’s testimony.
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Joshua |
Jesus |
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Joshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus |
Jesus is the Greek name for Joshua |
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Joshua was the captain and commander of Israel (Josh. 1:1-2) |
Jesus is our captain and commander. (Heb. 2:10; Josh. 5:14; Rev. 19:11-14) |
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Joshua brings the people into the possession of their earthly inheritance (Josh. 1:3-5) |
Jesus brings the church into possession of their heavenly inheritance. (Col. 3:23-24; Heb. 9:15) |
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Joshua succeeded Moses (the giver of the law).( John 1:17, Acts 13:39) |
The Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ succeeds the law. (Rom 82-3; Rom 7:4; Rom 10:4-15) |
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Joshua saved Rehab’s’ house that had a red cord hung out of the window. |
Jesus Christ saves all sinners that express faith in his blood. |
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Joshua oversees the circumcision of all the children of Israel. (Josh. 5:2-7) |
All saints are spiritually circumcised by Christ. (Col. 2:11-12) |
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Joshua saved Israel from the powers of Canaan |
Jesus saves us from the power of sin and hell |
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Joshua was given a special name “Joshua” by Moses (Num. 13:16) |
Jesus Christ was given his name from God. (Phil 2:9) |
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Joshua was commissioned by God. (Num. 1:1) |
Jesus was commissioned by God. (John 3:16) |
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Joshua sends out spies (forerunners) that are gladly received by a harlot (Josh. 2:1) |
Jesus sends his forerunners whom the publicans and harlots gladly received (Matt. 21:28-32) |
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Joshua would be a savior for Rahab and the rest of her house and a judge for the rest of Jericho. (Josh. 2) |
Jesus Christ is a savior for those who trust him and a judge for those who reject him. |
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