JESUS IN THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
Jesus shines through the book of Joshua not as a distant shadow but as a living promise, a holy presence guiding His people into the land of rest.
When Joshua stands near Jericho and lifts his eyes, he sees a Man with a drawn sword, the “Commander of the army of the Lord” (Joshua 5:13–15). Joshua falls at His feet, removing his sandals on holy ground—an encounter far too exalted for a mere angel. It is Christ before Bethlehem, the Captain of salvation, the One who goes before His people, not only commanding the battle but winning it.
In Joshua, we see Jesus as our greater Joshua, for even the names tell the story: Joshua—Yehoshua, “The Lord saves”—is the Old Testament sound of the name Jesus (Matthew 1:21).
Joshua led the people into the promised land; Jesus leads us into the greater inheritance, “an eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Joshua broke down walls with trumpets and faith; Jesus breaks down the walls of sin and shame with the power of His cross.
Joshua gave Israel rest from their enemies; Jesus gives the rest that no enemy can steal, the rest of forgiveness, freedom, and life in His Spirit (Matthew 11:28–29).
We also see Christ in Rahab’s scarlet cord—a simple thread stretched from a window, yet deeper than any strategy or sword (Joshua 2:18–21). That scarlet line points to the blood of Jesus, the Lamb who shields all who trust in Him.
The day of judgment came to Jericho, but the house marked with the crimson sign stood untouched; so it is with every heart washed in the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19).
And Jesus appears again in the distribution of the land, for Joshua divides an earthly inheritance, but Christ grants “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled” (1 Peter 1:4).
He is the One who fights for us, stands with us, saves us, shelters us, and leads us into everlasting rest.
In every conquest, every promise, every victory, and every mercy within the book of Joshua, the whisper grows clear: the Lord Himself goes before you—Jesus, our Captain, our Savior, our eternal Joshua.
BDD
