Joshua's Commission and Promise of God's Presence

Joshua, whose name means "Jehovah is his help" or "Jehovah the Savior," and also "a savior" or "a deliverer," was the son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim ^{[2, 5, 8]}. He succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel, a role for which he had been prepared through various experiences and divine appointments ^{[5, 12]}. His commission involved leading the Israelites into the land God had promised them, a task that required strength, courage, and the assurance of God's presence ^{[4, 10]}.

Joshua's early life and service prepared him for this significant leadership role. He was likely of a similar age to Caleb and participated in the events of the Exodus ^[5]. He first appears in the biblical narrative leading the Israelite forces against the Amalekites at Rephidim, demonstrating his military leadership capabilities (Exodus 17:8-16) ^{[5, 8]}. Following this, he became Moses' minister or servant, accompanying him and remaining close to the tabernacle (Exodus 33:11) ^{[5, 13]}. This close association with Moses provided him with a solid background for his future responsibilities ^[13].

The divine commission of Joshua is recorded in Deuteronomy and the opening of the Book of Joshua. Moses was instructed to "commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see" (Deuteronomy 3:28) ^[1]. Later, God directly commissioned Joshua, saying, "Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you" (Deuteronomy 31:23) ^[4]. This commission was not merely a transfer of authority but a divine mandate for a specific mission: to lead the Israelites into the promised land ^{[10, 11]}.

Moses publicly transferred authority to Joshua by laying hands on him, an act symbolizing the transfer of leadership from the elder statesman to his assistant ^[13]. As a result, Joshua "was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as Yahweh commanded Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:9) ^[6]. This act underscored Joshua's divine appointment and equipped him with the necessary wisdom for the tasks ahead ^{[6, 13]}.

The Book of Joshua, which chronicles the history of the Israelites from Moses' death to Joshua's own, details the fulfillment of this commission ^[3]. It is structured into three main parts: the conquest of the land (chapters 1-12), the allotment of the land to the tribes (chapters 13-22), and Joshua's farewell addresses and death (chapters 23-24) ^[3]. The initial chapters emphasize God's direct communication with Joshua, reinforcing his call to begin the work ^{[11, 12]}.

A central theme of Joshua's commission is the promise of God's unfailing presence. This promise, "I will be with you," was a direct repetition of assurances given to Moses (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, 23) ^{[4, 10]}. This divine presence was not merely a comforting thought but a guarantee of victory and success in the daunting task of conquering Canaan ^[11]. The Lord assured Joshua that "So shall Yahweh do to all the kingdoms where you go over" (Deuteronomy 3:21) ^[7]. This promise of divine support was crucial for Joshua, who was taking on the immense responsibility of leading a nation into war and settlement ^[11].

The significance of God's presence is highlighted in the narrative. For instance, after the solemnities of circumcision and the Passover, Joshua experienced a vision where God made himself known to him, reinforcing the idea that divine grace is revealed when one is diligent in duty and holy ordinances ^[14]. This vision, occurring when Joshua's difficulties were increasing, provided proportional encouragement ^[14].

Joshua's name itself, being a variant of "Jesus," carries messianic undertones, signifying "Saviour" ^{[8, 15]}. This connection is noted in the New Testament, where Joshua is referred to as Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8 ^[5]. Matthew Henry observes that both Joshua, who settled Israel in Canaan, and the high priest Joshua after the captivity, were figures of the coming "chief captain and chief priest," Jesus ^[15]. The concept of "Messiah" in the Old Testament refers to one who is "anointed," a term applied to priests, prophets, and kings, all of whom were consecrated to their offices ^[9]. The ultimate Messiah, Jesus, embodies all three offices ^[9].

The commission of Joshua and the promise of God's presence served as foundational elements for the success of the Israelite conquest and settlement. Joshua's leadership was not based on his own strength but on the divine mandate and the assurance that God would be with him every step of the way ^{[4, 10]}. This divine backing was essential for him to fulfill his mission of bringing the children of Israel into the land God had sworn to them ^[4].

Sources

Deuteronomy “But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.” -- Deuteronomy 3:28”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Joshua — a savior; a deliverer”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joshua, The Book of — Contains a history of the Israelites from the death of Moses to that of Joshua. It consists of three parts: (1.) The history of the conquest of the land (1-12). (2.) The allotment of the land to the different tribes, with the appointment of cities of refuge, the provision for the Levites (13-22), and the dismissal of the eastern tribes to their homes. This section has been compared to the Domesday Book of the Norman conquest. (3.) The farewell addresses of Joshua, with an account of his death (23, 24). This book stands first in the second of the”
Deuteronomy “He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.” -- Deuteronomy 31:23”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Joshua — Jehovah is his help, or Jehovah the Saviour. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, the successor of Moses as the leader of Israel. He is called Jehoshua in Num. 13:16 (A.V.), and Jesus in Acts 7:45 and Heb. 4:8 (R.V., Joshua). He was born in Egypt, and was probably of the age of Caleb, with whom he is generally associated. He shared in all the events of the Exodus, and held the place of commander of the host of the Israelites at their great battle against the Amalekites in Rephidim (Ex. 17:8-16). He became Moses' minister or servant, and accompanied him p”
Deuteronomy “Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as Yahweh commanded Moses. -- Deuteronomy 34:9”
Deuteronomy “I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings. So shall Yahweh do to all the kingdoms where you go over. -- Deuteronomy 3:21”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Joshua — (saviour, or whose help is Jehovah). His name appears in the various forms of [760]HosheaH[761]Oshea, [762]Oshea, [763]Jehoshua, [764]Jeshua and [765]Jesus. + The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:27) (B.C. 1530-1420.) He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. (Exodus 17:9) Soon afterward he was one of the twelve chiefs who were sent, (Numbers 13:17) to explore the land o”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Messiah — (Heb. mashiah), in all the thirty-nine instances of its occurring in the Old Testament, is rendered by the LXX. "Christos." It means anointed. Thus priests (Ex. 28:41; 40:15; Num. 3:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16; 16:3; 2 Sam. 12:7) were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices. The great Messiah is anointed "above his fellows" (Ps. 45:7); i.e., he embraces in himself all the three offices. The Greek form "Messias" is only twice used in the New Testament, in John 1:41 and 4:25 (R.V., "Messiah"), and in the Old ”
Joshua (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Joshua 1:2: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan--Joshua's mission was that of a military leader. This passage records his call to begin the work, and the address contains a literal repetition of the promise made to Moses (Deu 11:24-25; Deu 31:6-8, Deu 31:23).”
Joshua (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Joshua 1 (introduction): Moses being dead, God commissions Joshua to bring the people into the promised land, Jos 1:1, Jos 1:2. The extent of the land to be possessed, Jos 1:3, Jos 1:4. Joshua is assured of victory over all his enemies, and is exhorted to courage and activity, Jos 1:5, Jos 1:6; and to be careful to act, in all things, according to the law of Moses, in which he us to meditate day and night, Jos 1:7, Jos 1:8. He is again exhorted to courage, with the promise of continued support, Jos 1:9. Joshua commands the officers to prepare the people for their passage over Jo”
Joshua (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Joshua 1 (introduction): THE LORD APPOINTS JOSHUA TO SUCCEED MOSES. (Jos. 1:1-18) Now after the death of Moses--Joshua, having been already appointed and designated leader of Israel (Num 27:18-23), in all probability assumed the reins of government immediately "after the death of Moses." the servant of the Lord--This was the official title of Moses as invested with a special mission to make known the will of God; and it conferred great honor and authority. the Lord spake unto Joshua--probably during the period of public mourning, and either by a direct revelat”
Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 27:18: 27:18-19 Joshua had a solid background for the role (cp. Exod 17:8-16). He had been Moses’ assistant for a long time (Num 11:28; cp. Exod 33:11). He was also one of the faithful spies (Num 13–14) who knew the people of Israel well. Joshua possessed the Spirit and recognized the special presence of God in his life (cp. 11:25-29). His relationship with God also gave him wisdom for the tasks ahead (e.g., Deut 34:9). • lay your hands on him: This act symbolized the transfer of authority from an elder statesman to his assistant (cp. Num 8:10-14). Moses did this publi”
Joshua (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Joshua 5:13: We have hitherto found God often speaking to Joshua, but we read not till now of any appearance of God's glory to him; now that his difficulties increased his encouragements were increased in proportion. Observe, I. The time when he was favoured with this vision. It was immediately after he had performed the great solemnities of circumcision and the passover; then God made himself known to him. Note, We may then expect the discoveries of the divine grace when we are found in the way of our duty and are diligent and sincere in our attendance on holy ordinances. II.”
Zechariah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Zechariah 3:1: There was a Joshua that was a principal agent in the first settling of Israel in Canaan; here is another of the same name very active in their second settlement there after the captivity; Jesus is the same name, and it signifies Saviour; and they were both figures of him that was to come, our chief captain and our chief priest. The angel that talked with Zechariah showed him Joshua the high priest; it is probable that the prophet saw him frequently, that he spoke to him, and that there was a great intimacy between them; but, in his common views, he only saw how ”

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