Joshua and Jesus: Spiritual Leaders, Deliverers, and Conquerors

After 40 years spent wandering in the wilderness, Moses died on Mount Nebo.  He passed his leadership role onto a man named Joshua, who would lead the people to claim the land of Canaan.  In many ways, Joshua’s life points to Jesus.  Today, we’ll look at the connections between Joshua and Jesus as we continue exploring the ways the Old and New Testaments form one culminating story.

I invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you apply the Old Testament to your everyday life.

Joshua and Jesus

Let’s begin with a quick summary of Joshua’s life.  Then, we’ll look at the specific connections to Christ.

Joshua’s Story

Joshua entered Scripture as a trusted companion, assisting Moses as he led the people in the wilderness (Exodus 24:13; Numbers 11:28).  During his time in this role, he observed the miracles of God and grew under Moses’ leadership.

Later, Joshua was one of the 12 spies sent to scout the Promised Land.  Along with Caleb, he brought back a favorable report, encouraging Israel to take the land.

After Moses’ death, Joshua became the leader of God’s people.  He led them across the Jordan River into Canaan.

As the people conquered the land, Joshua led them in battle.  He also reinforced God’s covenant and was a role model in leadership and faith.

Let’s now look at the connections between Joshua and Jesus.

Connecting Joshua and Jesus

Joshua and Jesus share the same name.

In Hebrew, Joshua’s name is Yeshua, meaning, “The Lord Saves.”

In Greek, Yeshua is translated into Jesus.

It’s hard to miss this connection.  Joshua is seen as a “type of Christ,” someone who foreshadows Jesus’ coming.

Joshua and Jesus both led their followers into rest.

Moses’ life showed that the Law was not sufficient for leading people into the rest of God.  Just as Moses never entered the Promised Land, following the rules will not lead us into a restful relationship with the Lord.  We need a mediator who can acquire this rest on our behalf.

Joshua completed the mission of leading the people into the Promised Land, where they found rest from their enemies and their wandering.

Hebrews 4 reminds us that just as Joshua gave the Israelites rest, Jesus’ followers have eternal rest in him.  Those who follow Jesus know that their sins are forgiven.  They don’t need to strive to earn God’s peace and rest.  Jesus earned it for them.  This is the eternal rest we find in Christ.

Joshua and Jesus both led their followers into the fulfilled promise.

Joshua led the people across the Jordan River and into the land God had promised.

Jesus leads his followers from death to eternal life.  He defines eternal life as “knowing him” (John 17:3).  When we know Jesus by receiving him as the Lord of our lives, we step into the fulfilled promise of peace with God.

Joshua and Jesus both conquered their enemies.

Joshua conquered the Canaanite kings and claimed their land.  By following Joshua, God’s people experienced peace and provision.

Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan.  By following Jesus, we overcome sin, death, and the works of Satan.  Those who are in Christ have his spiritual authority for standing against the spiritual forces of evil.

Joshua conquered physical enemies.  Jesus conquered spiritual enemies.

Joshua and Jesus honored the Lord’s covenants.

As the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, Joshua spoke to them, saying, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, NIV).

Joshua was renewing the covenant with God, reminding the people not to serve the Canaanite gods.

When Jesus came, he established a New Covenant between God and humankind: an everlasting Covenant for all who would call on his name for salvation.

Under the New Covenant, God writes his law on human hearts.  The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us.  Jesus paid the price for our sins, and we have eternal life through his shed blood.

Joshua and Jesus led their followers to victory.

Joshua led the people to partial victory.  They settled in the land, but the story was imperfect.  They failed to drive out all the inhabitants, and they ultimately failed to fully keep God’s covenant, leading to discipline through exile.

Under Christ, our victory is complete.  He defeated sin and death once and for all.  All who call on his name are saved and delivered.

Read here for six intriguing connections between Joshua and Jesus. #Biblestudy #OldTestament Share on X

Final Reflections

Joshua and Jesus are connected through their leadership, covenant-focus, and conquering power.  Joshua’s leadership was imperfect.  Jesus’ leadership was perfect.  He ushered in greater deliverance, victory, and rest for his people.

This leaves us with a personal question:  Have you surrendered every area of your life to Jesus’ leadership?  What are you holding back from him today?

If these connections between Joshua and Jesus blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and library of free eBooks below.  May you experience the love of Christ as you seek his face.

Calling All Parents and Grandparents!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God.  Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision.  They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love.  You can find all three books here or read more below.

Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom.  Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world.  I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven!  You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord.  Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion.  I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven.  Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20.  It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing.  This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start.  Bekah and I will help you right here.

Find Our Family Devotionals Here

Find all three books right here.  They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial!  These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them.  Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.

Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life.  Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here.  (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

A Free Devotional to Help You Apply the Old Testament to Your Life Today

Do you want to learn how to read the Old Testament and apply it to the struggles you face in your everyday life?  In 30 devotions, my free devotional eBook, Timeless, will help you grow in God’s Word while applying it to your life.  You’ll also learn how the entire Bible points to Jesus as we unpack fascinating symbolism linking the Old Testament to Christ.  Download it for free with promo code JESUS here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free.  I invite you to explore the collection right here!