Joshua’s primary figure gives it its title. Joshua means “Yahweh saves,”1 an appropriate name for the man who led Israel, under God’s command, to a victorious conquest of the Promised Land.
His story, however, isn’t simply a heroic tale of military might. It’s a carefully crafted narrative designed to demonstrate Yahweh’s faithfulness to his covenant promises. The book of Joshua doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of warfare, yet it consistently emphasizes that Israel’s victories are not due to their own strength or skill, but solely to Yahweh’s divine intervention.
He is the one who parts the Jordan River, commands the sun to stand still, and brings down the walls of Jericho. Through Joshua, Yahweh reaffirms his commitment to Abraham’s descendants, fulfilling the promises of land and blessing that were first made centuries earlier. The book serves as a powerful reminder that obedience to God’s commands is the key to experiencing his saving power and receiving the inheritance he has promised.
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