Main Reading: Joshua 1–5
Theme: Courage, Obedience, Covenant Renewal, and Stepping Into God’s Promises
Messianic Focus: Yeshua (Jesus) as the Greater Joshua Who Brings Us Into the True Promised Land

🌿 Overview

The book of Joshua opens with a dramatic shift:
Moses is gone.
Joshua now leads Israel.

His name, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ — Yehoshua, means “The LORD saves.”
This is the same name as Yeshua (Jesus) in Hebrew.

Joshua 1–5 covers:

• God’s commissioning of Joshua
• The spies and Rahab
• Crossing the Jordan
• Setting up memorial stones
• Renewing the covenant through circumcision
• Celebrating Passover in the land
• Encountering the Commander of the LORD’s armies

This is a portion filled with courage, miracles, faith, and fresh beginnings.

🌿 Key Scriptures

🌿 Supporting Readings

• Prophets/Writings: Psalm 27; Isaiah 43:1–7
• Messianic Writings: Hebrews 4; Matthew 1:21; Revelation 19:11–16

🌿 Hebrew Notes (Integrated)

1. Yehoshua — יְהוֹשֻׁעַ — “The LORD saves”

Same root and meaning as Yeshua.

2. Chazak v’Ematz — חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ — “Be strong and courageous”

Joshua is told this three times in chapter 1.

3. Aravah — עֲרָבָה — “Jordan river plain”

Important geographical setting for Israel’s entrance.

4. Zikkaron — זִכָּרוֹן — “Memorial / remembrance”

Twelve stones remind future generations of God’s faithfulness.

5. Tzava Adonai — צְבָא יְהוָה — “Army of the LORD”

A title associated with divine warrior imagery.

🌿 Messianic Connection

Joshua’s leadership is a powerful prophetic picture of Messiah:

1. Same Name, Same Mission

Yehoshua → Yeshua
“YHWH saves.”
Joshua brings Israel into the land; Messiah brings us into the kingdom.

2. Joshua brings victory over the enemies of God

Yeshua defeats sin, death, and Satan — the deeper enemies.

3. Crossing the Jordan symbolizes spiritual rebirth

A transition from wandering to promise,
from death to life —
fulfilled in Messiah (Romans 6).

4. Rahab prefigures Gentile redemption

A Canaanite woman becomes part of Israel
— and part of Messiah’s lineage (Matthew 1:5).

5. Covenant renewal anticipates the New Covenant

Israel renews circumcision;
Messiah renews the heart (Deut. 30:6; Romans 2:29).

6. Commander of the LORD’s army

Many see this as a pre-incarnate appearance of Messiah —
the divine warrior who leads God’s people.

7. Passover celebrated in the land

Messiah is the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings us into promise.

🌿 Moral and Spiritual Application

1. Be strong and courageous.

Courage is a command — because God goes with you.

2. Hold tightly to God’s Word.

Joshua is told:

“Meditate on it day and night.”

Victory flows from obedience.

3. Take bold steps of faith.

The priests step into the water before God parts the Jordan.
Faith is obedience in motion.

4. Remember God’s faithfulness.

Build your own “memorial stones” — reminders of what God has done.

5. Renew covenant in your heart.

Circumcision of the flesh → circumcision of the heart in Messiah.

6. God already stands in the future.

The Commander of the LORD’s army was waiting in the land before Israel arrived.

7. You enter promise as part of a people.

Israel enters the land together — not alone.

🕎 7-Day Devotional

🌿 Discussion Questions

1. Why does God repeat “Be strong and courageous” so many times to Joshua?
2. What can Rahab teach us about faith, redemption, and identity?
3. What do the memorial stones represent in your life?
4. How do you personally “renew covenant” with God?
5. Why is the appearance of the Commander of the LORD’s army so significant?

🌿 Prayer Focus

Pray for courage to step into everything God is calling you to.
Thank God for past victories and ask Him to renew your heart.
Invite Messiah to lead you as the true Commander and Shepherd of your life.

🌿 Memory Verse

Joshua 1:9 —
“Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”