Lessons from Joshua: A Study of Leadership and Faith

Understanding Joshua's Journey

Today, we will explore the life of Joshua. A few weeks ago, we studied Nehemiah, another great man of God. Joshua stands alongside him as a remarkable figure. He embodies the qualities of a warrior: intelligence, decency, strength, and bravery. There is much we can learn from his life and leadership.

Joshua: The Apprentice

We first meet Joshua as Moses’ apprentice. He served faithfully as Moses’ assistant. Joshua did not seek his own ministry or try to make a name for himself. He was not the “look at me” type. Instead, he stood by Moses during some of the most challenging years of leadership. Moses led the Israelites, a group known for their complaints and rebellions. They were, frankly, a rabble.

Eventually, leadership passed from Moses to Joshua. He became a judge of Israel and led the nation with distinction. Scripture records him as one of Israel’s great leaders. He was an accomplished military commander who achieved remarkable victories. Joshua also led the Israelites into the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promises to His people.

The Call to Leadership

It is interesting to note that although God promised the land to the Jews, He still required a strong leader to make it happen. That leader was Joshua. The Bible does not tell us about his height, social status, or appearance. Instead, it focuses on his heart, actions, and character — the kind of man he was.

In Joshua 1:1, we see the beginning of his leadership: “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide…” This is his appointment. God Himself commissions Joshua and desires for him to succeed.

Many of us have started new jobs and thought, “I have no idea how I am going to make a success of this. This is sink or swim.” But that was not Joshua’s experience. God provided him with clear, specific instructions for success.

God’s Instructions for Success

In Joshua 1:7–8, God speaks directly to him: “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.”

God is unmistakably clear: Know the Word. Speak it. Meditate on it. Obey it completely. Do not drift to the right or to the left. Do not improvise your own version. Do it God’s way — and you will be successful. And Joshua was successful. Whether he was leading armies into battle or resolving disputes among the people, he succeeded because he followed God wholeheartedly.

Key Episodes in Joshua’s Life

Joshua never deviated from the Lord’s word. Because of his unwavering obedience, the Lord blessed everything he put his hand to. Let us examine a couple of key episodes in Joshua’s life — major moments that reveal the kind of man he truly was.

Turn with me to Joshua 5:13–15. At this point, Israel has crossed into the land of Canaan. Hostile tribes surround them — enemies sworn to destroy them. Reports have already come back that the inhabitants are large, strong, and capable warriors, and fear has begun to spread through the camp.

Then something extraordinary happens: Jesus appears. I will explain how that is possible in a moment. Verse 13 states: “Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’” The man replies, “Neither… but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Joshua immediately falls face down in reverence and asks, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander answers, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua obeys.

The Encounter with the Commander

Picture the scene: Joshua approaches a warrior with a drawn sword — and Joshua himself is armed. This could have gone either way. But notice something unusual: Joshua does not fall to the ground immediately. In Scripture, when people encounter angels, they often collapse in fear. That does not happen here.

Why? Because this is not an angel. This is what theologians call a Christophany — an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. Joshua falls in worship, and significantly, the commander does not correct him. In Revelation, when John falls before an angel, the angel immediately says, “Do not do that! I am a created being — worship God.” But here, the commander accepts Joshua’s worship and even declares the ground holy — the same language God used at the burning bush with Moses. This is the Son of God standing before Joshua.

To reinforce this, look at John 18:4–6. Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. A detachment of Roman soldiers — fully armed — comes to arrest Him. Jesus steps forward and asks, “Whom do you seek?” They answer, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replies, “I am he.” And at those words alone, Scripture says, “they drew back and fell to the ground.” Just like Joshua’s encounter — the presence of Jesus overwhelms them. Yet, despite being knocked flat by a single word, those same soldiers later arrest Him, torture Him, and crucify Him. What short memories they had.

The Battle Plan for Jericho

Now, back to Joshua. In Joshua 6:2, the commander — now clearly identified as the Lord — gives Joshua his instructions. The scene is set: the children of Israel are commanded to enter Canaan and conduct God’s judgment on the inhabitants.

The Israelites were fully prepared for battle. Forty thousand armed men stood ready to storm Jericho. They were equipped, trained, and eager to fight. But then Jesus — the Commander of the Lord’s army — gives Joshua a plan that no military strategist would ever devise.

The Lord says to Joshua: “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse, and the army will go straight in.”

The Bible does not tell us what went through Joshua’s mind — but you can imagine the moment. Forty thousand soldiers ready for war… and Joshua has to stand before them and say, “The battle’s off. We are going for a walk.” Yet God’s instructions were unmistakably clear. If we refer back to what God told Joshua at the very beginning — “Be strong and courageous… do not turn from My word to the right or to the left” — we see exactly what this moment required: courage. Not the courage to swing a sword, but the courage to obey God when His plan made no sense.

Obedience Over Strategy

Joshua had no wiggle room. If he wanted victory, he had to follow God’s command precisely. So Joshua relays the plan. For the next week, Israel marches around Jericho — unconventional tactics, minimal military engagement, and no opportunity for human pride. As Schofield notes, “Spiritual victories are won by means and upon principles utterly foolish and inadequate in the view of human wisdom.”

And that is the point. When you face a battle in your own life — and it is a battle you have faced before — the world will offer advice. Friends, family, and professionals may all have opinions, and some may be helpful. But the One who will certainly be right is the Lord. Whatever your battle, He has a tactic.

Imagine if the greatest struggle you are facing right now could be won simply by reading your Bible for twenty minutes a day and praying for ten. It sounds ridiculous — absolute nonsense to the world — but spiritually, it is true. God’s ways often look foolish until they work.

The Miraculous Victory

Israel did not take Jericho with swords. They marched, they shouted, and the priests blew their trumpets — and on the seventh day, the walls collapsed. Every stone fell. The city was completely exposed. Israel entered and conducted God’s judgment, sparing only Rahab and her family. It was a miracle. No one could take credit for it. The soldiers did not scale the walls. They did not batter the gates. They simply obeyed — and God acted.

Joshua’s role was faithfulness. When God tells you to do something, do it, and He will work it for good. This entire episode — including the Christophany, the appearance of Jesus as the Commander of the Lord’s army — gives us profound insight into Joshua’s heart. He was a man who listened, obeyed, and refused to deviate from God’s word. Because of that, the Lord was able to use him mightily.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Joshua’s life teaches us invaluable lessons about leadership, faith, and obedience. His unwavering commitment to God’s word and his willingness to follow divine instructions, even when they seemed illogical, led to miraculous victories. As we reflect on Joshua’s journey, let us strive to embody the same qualities of faithfulness and courage in our own lives.

Amen

Personal Prayer

In Part 2, the study of Joshua's life and leadership continues.