A profile of Joshua, Son of Nun

Biblical Background

Name: Joshua’s name comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua which means Yahweh is salvation or Yaweh Saves. Interestingly enough Numbers 13 :16 indicates that Joshua’s name was actually Hoshea, before Moses changed it.

Appearance in the Biblical Narrative:

Joshua first appears in the Biblical Text in Exodus 17, When Israel faces the Amalaketes. Joshua led the battle in the Valley as Moses held his hands up with the help of Aaron and Hur. After this battle, Joshua becomes Moses’ Aide.

Yet, imagine if we had to create a profile of this Biblical character. What do we glean from the biblical text to create a profile of Joshua Son of Nun.

Joshua is Loyal and Faithful

There are only a few mentions of Joshua, before he begins leading the people of Israel, but we see some Key characteristics shine through. Joshua traveled up and down Mt. Siani with Moses in Exodus. In Exodus 33:11, Joshua would join Moses in the tent of Meeting, even when Moses left the tent for the camp Joshua remained. Numbers 11 tells us that Joshua was an aide to moses from the time that He was a youth onward.

What we see from the Early life of Joshua is that He was a loyal and faithful person. Not only did Joshua stay by Moses’ side for years on end, but He was obident in almost everything that Moses asked. The Hebrew word for this Characteristic is Hesed, Bible project translates this as Loyal love. My old testament professor used to say, Hesed is the measure of a person’s stick with it ness.

But why was Joshua able to be this loyal and faithful. I think the Key is Joshua’s relationship with Yaweh. Even when Moses would leave the tent, Joshua would stay.

What can we take away from this is our relationship with Yahweh rubs off on our character. In other words, you are who you surround yourself with. If you have noticed something negative in your personality or attittude take a look at who you surround yourself with.

What this means is we want to be more like Jesus, we have to spend more time with Him. That is the what the entire concept of discipleship was built around. Students would literally follow the Rabbis around. They were so close that they would often be called their teachers shadow.

What would need to change in our lives to follow Jesus more closely?

If we did how much could our lives change?

Joshua is Courageous.

I think one of the clearest characteristics of that is quite clear, is Joshua’s courage. If we think about Joshua’s life is his courage.

Think about Joshua’s life, He is someone who grew up in the in Exodus, migrating with the people of Israel as they wandered through the Dessert. He was with Moses when He witnessed the Golden Calf incident. After the End of Moses Leadership, He was called to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. He faced countless enemies, armies, and challenges as a leader. Lets take a closer look this transition in Joshua’s life. Deut 31:14-23

Deuteronomy 31:14–23 NIV

The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.” So Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods. “Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” So Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites. The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

For the rest of his life we see Joshua face countless armies, challenges, and fears. But what made Joshua so courageous. God’s presence with him.

Its an objective fac that God is with Joshua in the most dangerous situations.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but fortitude in the presence of fear.

Thus, Joshua was able to be courages not because He wasnt afraid, but He knew that He had God with him.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of something greater.

When we look at the character of Joshua, We know that Joshua was faithful, loyal and Courageous.

Yet, action is evidence of belief, so if we know and believe these things, it must change something for us.

Joshua encourages us to be faithful and loyal, but we know Joshua’s faithfulness and loyalty was only a bi-product of his relationship with God. So How can we prioritze that relationship this week.

Joshua also encourages us to have courage. Not to not be afriad, but to believe and behave like there is a presence of something greater!

Love you Church have a great week!