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.
Originally he was called Hoshea, the son of Nun, and was a leader in the tribe of Ephraim. Moses gave him his more familiar (to history) name and sent him with eleven other tribal leaders across the Jordan River to spy out the land.
The men were directed to go through the Negev and into the hills. They were to find out what the land and the people living there were like. Moses wanted to know if there were many people, whether they seemed strong or weak, whether their towns were fortified, and whether the land was fertile or poor, desert or shaded by trees.
The twelve men were gone forty days, coming back laden with grapes, figs, and pomegranates - evidence of a land 'flowing with milk and honey'. They had found strong and prosperous towns with high walls and many inhabitants, some of them giants. Hoshea and Caleb from the tribe of Judah were convinced that the Lord would subdue even those people before His followers, but the other ten men and the rest of the community were terrified by what they faced.
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.
Because Moses could not lead them, the people accepted Joshua as their leader and their representative before God. The Bible says he was filled with the spirit of wisdom, that God promised him that he would never be defeated during his lifetime, and that God promised that He would always be with him. He was given three days to get the people ready; he sent two men to spy across the Jordan, especially the city of Jericho.
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 is a favorite Bible story, showing how God goes ahead of His people to win the victory. The story teaches that obedience to God is the best policy. Under this man's leadership, the nation of Israel occupied their new home and the land had peace while he lived.
Originally he was called Hoshea, the son of Nun, and was a leader in the tribe of Ephraim. Moses gave him his more familiar (to history) name and sent him with eleven other tribal leaders across the Jordan River to spy out the land.
The men were directed to go through the Negev and into the hills. They were to find out what the land and the people living there were like. Moses wanted to know if there were many people, whether they seemed strong or weak, whether their towns were fortified, and whether the land was fertile or poor, desert or shaded by trees.
The twelve men were gone forty days, coming back laden with grapes, figs, and pomegranates - evidence of a land 'flowing with milk and honey'. They had found strong and prosperous towns with high walls and many inhabitants, some of them giants. Hoshea and Caleb from the tribe of Judah were convinced that the Lord would subdue even those people before His followers, but the other ten men and the rest of the community were terrified by what they faced.
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.
Because Moses could not lead them, the people accepted Joshua as their leader and their representative before God. The Bible says he was filled with the spirit of wisdom, that God promised him that he would never be defeated during his lifetime, and that God promised that He would always be with him. He was given three days to get the people ready; he sent two men to spy across the Jordan, especially the city of Jericho.
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 is a favorite Bible story, showing how God goes ahead of His people to win the victory. The story teaches that obedience to God is the best policy. Under this man's leadership, the nation of Israel occupied their new home and the land had peace while he lived.
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