You may know that Joshua was one of the original 12 spies sent into the land of Canaan shortly after the Israelites left Egypt. He was also a captain of Israel's armies. Along with Caleb, he was in the minority of those who encouraged the people to put their faith in God's help to inherit the land, and because of this he and Caleb were the only ones of their generation to enter the promised land. So Joshua was qualified as a leader of his people, not only as a close associate of Moses, or as a military leader, but also as a man with strong faith in God.

     At one point, after exhorting Israel to choose which gods they will serve, he announces "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." -Joshua 24:15

     One wonders if this was a result of God's advice to Joshua at the beginning:

 

     "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:7-9

 

     That was written over 3,400 years ago, but the book of Joshua is more than just ancient history. It is a book that highlights faith and obedience to God. It also points forward to God's Kingdom and the world being rid of wickedness. Gibeon, the scene of battle in both Joshua's and David's time, is connected by Isaiah with God rising up in the last days:

 

     "The LORD will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim, he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon- to do his work, his strange work, and perform his task, his alien task." -Isaiah 28:21

 

     The apostle Paul also argues that the conquest and settlement of the land of Canaan are tied up with something far greater:

 

     "Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God..." -Hebrews 4:1, 8, 9

 

     Speaking of God's promises, the book of Joshua reads:

 

     "Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." -Joshua 21:45

 

     Likewise with God's promises about his coming Kingdom- they will all come true.