Jehovah-Savior

Joshua, a picture of Jesus

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34; Joshua 1 - 2

Abbreviated Reading: Joshua 2

I'm excited to be starting the book of Joshua today. This is a book full of encouragement to be strong and courageous. Not because we are able, but because if God is for us, who can be against us!

As we start Joshua, here are a few things to keep in mind:

As we’ve seen through the Old Testament so far, all scripture points to Jesus. The Old Testament points to Him and the New Testament reveals Him. Joshua was Israel’s courageous captain and as such, is a picture of our Great Captain Jesus (Heb 2:10, 11).

Joshua, whose name means Jehovah-Savior, came after Moses. Moses symbolized the law. The law could not lead the people to victory or bring the peace of The Promised Land. What a picture of our Salvation! Try as we may, we need Jesus to lead us into victory and conquer our flesh (Heb 7:19; Rom 6:14; Rom 8:2-4).

In today’s reading we find Israel camped by the mighty Jordan River and facing the great walled city of Jericho. Despite these obstacles, God promised to fight the battle for them. He called them to step into the torrents of water in faith.

Israel followed Joshua and as a result they crossed the Jordan, their enemies were defeated, they witnessed God’s mighty hand for them, and they entered The Promise Land. We are following one greater than Joshua – Jehovah-Savior Himself, Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate conqueror who defeated both sin and death on the cross (Col 2:15; 2 Tim 1:10; 1 Co. 15:4, 55). He forgives our sins (1 John 1:9); He’s canceled our debt (Col 2:14); and ushers us into New Life (2 Cor 5:17).

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15:57