Reflecting on Joshua’s Example

Consider Joshua’s courage and commitment to God’s plan. Not often do we read of a person who followed God’s orders so well. Joshua seemed to have an incredibly healthy fear of the Lord, which extended to his faith and bravery.

Joshua’s Witness to God’s Power

Joshua was able to bear witness to God’s power through multiple military campaigns. As the nation of Israel marched across the countryside, he experienced God’s mighty hand. City after city, Israel’s army took back what was rightfully their homeland. Take a look at Joshua 11:16-23.

16 So Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb and all the land of Goshen and the lowland and the Arabah and the hill country of Israel and its lowland 17 from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. And he captured all their kings and struck them and put them to death. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19 There was not a city that made peace with the people of Israel except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. They took them all in battle. 20 For it was the LORD’S doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the LORD commanded Moses. 21 And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain. 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.

Joshua 11:16-23 (ESV)

Experiencing God’s Grace and Mercy

If you’re a Believer in Christ, you have experienced God’s grace and mercy, poured out through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Though we do not deserve it, we are forgiven and accepted into God’s family. This considered, how do you feel when you read verse 20?

“For it was the LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy…”

Joshua 11:20, ESV

There doesn’t seem to be much grace and mercy for the foreigners who have taken up residence in the Promised Land!

Grace and Mercy in the Story of Joshua

Now, on the flip side, there’s a multitude of grace and mercy within this story. As we read over the account of Joshua as a whole, God’s feelings toward His people, Israel, are filled with grace and mercy. So much so, that God would be willing to wage war against every nation who had moved into their homeland.

Regardless of Israel’s disobedience, complaining, and worship of false gods, the nation was forgiven and it was time to go home.

“And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands.”

Joshua 21:44, ESV

Our Connection to Israel’s Story

Much like the nation of Israel, we have disobeyed, complained, and worshiped false gods. Through an amazing plan of salvation considering the Jew first, then the Gentile, our Lord has forgiven us and made us a part of His chosen people.

One day, He’ll also take us home, to a land far better than “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Though we deserve God’s judgment and wrath, we’re blessed with His grace and mercy.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2:8, ESV

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

1. When does fearing God connect with grace and mercy?
2. How do you reconcile God’s judgment with His mercy?
3. In what ways can we reflect Joshua’s faith and bravery in our lives today?