Don Smith :: Jos-Est; The Historical Books

The Historical Books

Joshua — Esther

A Collection of Portraits of Christ

The materials in this section have been collected not only to show the golden thread of the Promise Doctrine throughout the Historical Books, but also hopefully to provide helpful commentary on key passages of the Bible, as well as to encourage pastors to preach Christ to their people.

Portraits of Christ
“Joshua”

Joshua Foreshadowed the Life of Jesus

1. As Joshua’s name means “God is salvation,” so Jesus is God come to save His people.
   • Joshua’s name was changed from “Oshua” meaning salvation to “Jeho-shea” meaning God saves. (Numbers 13:16)
   • Joseph named his firstborn son, “Jesus” meaning saves. (Matthew 1:24)
2. As Joshua was born under the Law, so Jesus was born under the Law.
   • “Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.” (Exodus 24:13)
   • “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
3. As Joshua was tempted for forty days on Mount Sinai, so Jesus was tempted forty days.
   • “So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. [He left Joshua to wait for him.] And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (Exodus 24:18)
   • “Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil.” (Luke 4:1-2)
4. As Joshua was God’s anointed successor to Moses, so Jesus was the “Anointed One.”
   • “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)
   • “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)
5. As Joshua was a mighty warrior, so Jesus is our mighty Warrior.
   • “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” (Joshua 1:5)
   • “And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2)
6. As Joshua fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham of entering “Rest-Land,” so Jesus is our Rest-Land
   • For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
   • For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Hebrews 4:8-10)
   • “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
7. As Joshua learned obedience to Moses, so Jesus learned obedience to the Father.
   • “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)
   • “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)
8. As Joshua was to be obeyed by Israel, so Jesus is to be obeyed by us.
   • So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you.” (Joshua 1:16-17)
   • “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)
9. As Moses promised Joshua God would never fail, so Jesus made this same promise to us.
   • “Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.’” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
   • “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
10. As Joshua divided the inheritance of Rest-Land, so Jesus will divide His inheritance with us.
    • “These are the names of the men who shall divide the land among you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Numbers 34:17-18)
    • “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
11. As the Angel of the Lord (Pre-incarnate Christ) went before Joshua, so Jesus goes before us.
    • “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” (Exodus 23:20-22; Joshua 5:13-15)
    • Jesus said, “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Matthew 26:32)