The history of Joshua is familiar to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The Bible records that Joshua was a great hero and leader of Israel during the establishment of that people in the 'promised land'. He was appointed leader by Moses, who was told by God that he could not enter the promised land but would die on Mount Nebo.
In the Bible, this leader of the tribe of Ephraim is first found as Hosea. Moses renamed the son of Nun before he and eleven other tribal leaders were commissioned spy out the land of Canaan. Moses wanted to know more about the land the Lord had promised to give to Abraham's descendants.
Moses ordered the twelve to go into the hill country and find out how numerous and strong the inhabitants were. Moses also wanted to know whether the towns had walls or were unfortified. He asked the men to see if the land was fertile, with trees and crops, or barren desert, and he directed them to bring back some of the fruit of the land.
After forty days, the twelve returned, bringing grapes, figs, and pomegranates with them. They described a land flowing with milk and honey - in other words, very rich - but inhabited by strong men (even some giants) living in walled towns. Although Caleb of the tribe of Judah and Hoshea believed the Lord would enable Israel to gain possession of the land, the rest of the spies and the community were too afraid to go.
Because the people refused to proceed by faith, God decreed that they would wander in the desert until all the adult men had died. God sustained His people in the desert for forty years, giving them manna to eat and water from the rocks to drink, but only Caleb and Hoshea lived to cross the Jordan and dwell in the promised land. The people's murmuring and complaining exasperated Moses, who disobeyed God at Meribah and thereby also lost the right to go across the Jordan.
This exclusion of Moses opened the way for Joshua. The Bible tells us that after Moses laid hands on him and prayed, the younger man was filled with wisdom and received God's promise that he would succeed in all his battles. After Moses left the people to climb Mount Nebo and look across into the land he could not enter, God gave Joshua three days to get ready to cross the Jordan River.
The people followed the Ark of the covenant across the river, which 'stood up' so they could cross on dry land. This feat, similar to Moses leading them across the Red Sea, made the people revere their new leader, and they were faithful to the Lord throughout his life.
The history of Joshua continues with the battle of Jericho and goes on to tell of the conquest of thirty-one kingdoms. He lived to the age of eighty-five as a strong and vigorous man, teaching the people that obedience to God would ensure peace and prosperity in the new land.
In the Bible, this leader of the tribe of Ephraim is first found as Hosea. Moses renamed the son of Nun before he and eleven other tribal leaders were commissioned spy out the land of Canaan. Moses wanted to know more about the land the Lord had promised to give to Abraham's descendants.
Moses ordered the twelve to go into the hill country and find out how numerous and strong the inhabitants were. Moses also wanted to know whether the towns had walls or were unfortified. He asked the men to see if the land was fertile, with trees and crops, or barren desert, and he directed them to bring back some of the fruit of the land.
After forty days, the twelve returned, bringing grapes, figs, and pomegranates with them. They described a land flowing with milk and honey - in other words, very rich - but inhabited by strong men (even some giants) living in walled towns. Although Caleb of the tribe of Judah and Hoshea believed the Lord would enable Israel to gain possession of the land, the rest of the spies and the community were too afraid to go.
Because the people refused to proceed by faith, God decreed that they would wander in the desert until all the adult men had died. God sustained His people in the desert for forty years, giving them manna to eat and water from the rocks to drink, but only Caleb and Hoshea lived to cross the Jordan and dwell in the promised land. The people's murmuring and complaining exasperated Moses, who disobeyed God at Meribah and thereby also lost the right to go across the Jordan.
This exclusion of Moses opened the way for Joshua. The Bible tells us that after Moses laid hands on him and prayed, the younger man was filled with wisdom and received God's promise that he would succeed in all his battles. After Moses left the people to climb Mount Nebo and look across into the land he could not enter, God gave Joshua three days to get ready to cross the Jordan River.
The people followed the Ark of the covenant across the river, which 'stood up' so they could cross on dry land. This feat, similar to Moses leading them across the Red Sea, made the people revere their new leader, and they were faithful to the Lord throughout his life.
The history of Joshua continues with the battle of Jericho and goes on to tell of the conquest of thirty-one kingdoms. He lived to the age of eighty-five as a strong and vigorous man, teaching the people that obedience to God would ensure peace and prosperity in the new land.
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