Joshua
Category: Leadership courage & obedience in conquest
Could avoid: Shrink back after Moses’ death.
“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River.” (Joshua 1:2)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 31:7–8; Acts 7:45.
Chose: Took up God’s charge to lead the people.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.” (Joshua 1:9)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5–6.
Endured: Repeated battles, the burden of leadership.
“So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses.” (Joshua 11:23)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 23:3; Hebrews 4:8.
Why: Trusted God’s presence and promise.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 41:10.
Result: Israel conquered the land and enjoyed rest.
“So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors.” (Joshua 21:43)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 9:8; Hebrews 4:9–10.
Rahab
Category: Faith and courage from outsider to covenant insider
Could avoid: Remain loyal to Jericho.
“The king of Jericho was told, ‘Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight.’” (Joshua 2:2)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 23:27; John 12:25.
Chose: Hid the spies and confessed faith in Israel’s God.
“I know that the LORD has given you this land… the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:9, 11)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25.
Endured: Risk of execution, leaving her old life behind.
“She had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax.” (Joshua 2:6)
Cross-Refs: Esther 4:16; Matthew 16:25.
Why: Trusted God above her own people’s gods.
“We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea.” (Joshua 2:10)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 135:10–12; Romans 10:17.
Result: She and her family saved, became part of Israel and the Messiah’s line.
“But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family.” (Joshua 6:25)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31.
Israel at Jericho
Category: Obedience to unusual command & collective endurance
Could avoid: Resist God’s strange battle plan.
“March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.” (Joshua 6:3)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 5:10–14; 1 Corinthians 1:27.
Chose: Obeyed silently and faithfully.
“So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once.” (Joshua 6:11)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 11:30; Isaiah 55:8–9.
Endured: Waiting seven days under enemy mockery.
“On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times.” (Joshua 6:15)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 37:7; Habakkuk 2:3.
Why: Trusted victory to God, not military strength.
“Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!” (Joshua 6:16)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 14:14; Zechariah 4:6.
Result: Jericho fell by God’s power.
“When the trumpets sounded… the wall collapsed.” (Joshua 6:20)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 11:30; Psalm 44:3.
Caleb
Category: Perseverance of faith over a lifetime
Could avoid: Settle quietly after years of wandering.
“Here I am today, eighty-five years old!” (Joshua 14:10)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36.
Chose: Asked for the hardest territory with giants.
“Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day.” (Joshua 14:12)
Cross-Refs: Joshua 15:13–14; Hebrews 6:12.
Endured: Forty-five years of waiting since spying out the land.
“…ever since the time the LORD said this to Moses… while Israel moved about in the wilderness.” (Joshua 14:10)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 13:30; Hebrews 10:36.
Why: Wholehearted trust in God’s strength.
“The LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:12)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37.
Result: Inherited Hebron as his inheritance.
“Then Hebron has belonged to Caleb… ever since, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.” (Joshua 14:14)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 37:9; Isaiah 40:31.
Joshua’s Final Charge
Category: Lifelong faithfulness & covenant challenge
Could avoid: Retire quietly in old age.
“Now then, throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD.” (Joshua 24:23)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 30:17–20; 1 John 5:21.
Chose: Challenged Israel to serve God alone.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
Cross-Refs: 1 Kings 8:61; Matthew 6:24.
Endured: Continued responsibility until his last days.
“After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.” (Joshua 24:29)
Cross-Refs: Judges 2:7; Hebrews 11:32.
Why: Desired Israel’s loyalty to the covenant.
“Fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness.” (Joshua 24:14)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 10:12; Matthew 22:37.
Result: Israel served the LORD throughout Joshua’s lifetime.
“Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua.” (Joshua 24:31)
Cross-Refs: Judges 2:7; Psalm 78:5–7.