Module 8

Journey with Joshua

BOC School of Leadership (International Version)
Boi Manuel
“18
So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on
him; …Moses did just as the LORD commanded him; and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and
before all the congregation. 23 Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD had
spoken through Moses.” Numbers 27:18-23

“9
Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the
sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. l.” Deuteronomy 34:9

JJ

Graph 1 is about Journey with Joshua (JJ) Graph 1 Moses’ God’s

appointed relationship with
Joshua as his mentee. There is no classroom instruction neither a training program designed for
Joshua. It’s actually one step at a time as the Lord reveals his plan to plan to Moses.

Their close and growing association became a solid ground and platform for Joshua to observe
Moses' leadership style. They were together during their preparation on their way out of Egypt
until Moses died.

Joshua was able to learn great things from Moses that enabled him to lead and inspire not only
the Israelite army but the whole nation. His extraordinary leadership made Israel follow and
obey the Lord’s ordinances. His leadership created a powerful nation that fears and obeys God.
There was peace in the land throughout his leadership because nobody dared to challenge him.

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Journey with Joshua (JJ) 2

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JJ Graph 2 is about Moses and Joshua’s 40-day spiritual bond. One of the most extraordinary
moment they shared happened in Mount Sinai when Moses went up to receive God’s
instructions in Exodus 24:13-16. This is a biblical account.
13
So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of
God. 14 But to the elders he said, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And
behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach
them.” 15 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the
mountain. 16 The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for
six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud.”
Exodus 24:13-16
Moses did not choose Aaron, Hur and neither any of the Elders of Israel when he went up to
the mountain of God.
Exodus 24:18 is an interesting mysterious picture where they were together for forty days.
We need to establish our position here whether Joshua is literally present when the Lord is
instructing Moses about a long list of spiritual laws and ordinances. God gave these laws
pertaining to their conduct as a nation and how will they relate to God and with one another.
Here is the passage about Moses staying at the top of Mount Sinai for forty days
“18
Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses
was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” Exodus 24:18
Should we assume that Moses was without food or water during this time?
If this is our view on this biblical narrative, then we can paint a picture that Joshua stayed far
from him and the Lord feeding Moses in 40 days. This position will also translate that Joshua is
just by himself waiting for Moses. Taking this point of reference will create a picture of Joshua
at the top of the mountain enduring isolation and loneliness because he is far from Moses.
The bible did not also mention how they ate and drink for forty days.
So, another picture we can portray will be Joshua preparing Moses’ physical food. We can
recreate a scenario where they are together only during meal times and may be even at night
when they were sleeping.
This is a very critical dimension in Moses and Joshua’s bond. It’s a supernatural mountain top
experience. But there are gaps and unknowns in this 40-day narrative.
However, while they were at the top of the mountain this is happening at the camp of the
Israelites.
JJ Graph 2 is a heartbreaking account of God revealing His plans for Israel through Moses and
the people blatantly acting against His will. The Israelites have recreated what they have seen in
Egypt. They want to adopt the Egyptians’ form of worship. Here is our biblical plot.
“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the
people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go
before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do
not know what has become of him.” 2 Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which
are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to
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 me.” 3 Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and
brought them to Aaron. 4 He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving
tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who
brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5 Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar
before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to
the LORD.” 6 So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought
peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
Exodus 32:1-18

This rebellious acts of the Israelites broke the heart of God. This is God’s message to Moses at
Mount Sinai
“7
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought
up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have quickly turned aside
from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf,
and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, This is your god, O Israel, who
brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9 The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this
people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 Now then let Me alone, that My
anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a
great nation.” Exodus 32:7-10
This is a picture of Moses receiving a specific message from God. But the mystical part
remains… Where is Joshua when God is telling these problems to Moses? This is a very
powerful account where God’s anger was revealed and Moses pleading to God for mercy.
“15
Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the
testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on
one side and the other. 16 The tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s
writing engraved on the tablets. 17 Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as
they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a sound of war in the camp.” 18 But he said,
“It is not the sound of the cry of triumph, Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat; But the
sound of singing I hear.” Exodus 32:1-18

We know the rest of the story.

The Lord gave His judgment.
These are the two sides of Israel’s rebellious story. There is a great event happening at Mount
Sinai which is glorious and heavenly. A simultaneous gathering is also taking place among the
Israelites at the foot of the mountain. They took their fate into their hands by worshipping their
manmade image of a golden calf.
Joshua has always been close and familiar with Moses’ up and down struggles with the
Israelites. He would probably empathize with Moses' deep frustration and anger.
These are the colorful years of preparation for Joshua to be spiritually equipped as well as
emotionally and physically ready to take the leadership baton from Moses and lead a stubborn
nation.
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Moses constantly interceded for the Israelites.
He made a humble plea to the Lord not to destroy His people.
He desperately cried and was heartbroken by the sinful acts and blunders of his fellow
Hebrews.
The Lord always forgives but the consequences are always there.
This is another case where the Israelites were severely judged but His grace was also present.

The Death of Moses

Moses started his ministry when he was eighty years old. He died when he was one hundred
and twenty years old. So he was with Joshua for 40 years. These are difficult but also
meaningful years for Joshua to learn from Moses.

“Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah,
which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as
Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah
as far as the western sea, 3 and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city
of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore
to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you
see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of
the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD... 9 Now
Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands
on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded
Moses”. Deuteronomy 34:1-5, 9-12

Moses has exemplified an outstanding life committed to God despite the many frustrating and
heartbreaking account he had with his own people. Nevertheless, he was able to prepare
Joshua to take the lead role.
God’s Charge to Joshua

“… arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to
them, to the sons of Israel. Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people
possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and
very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant
commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have
success wherever you go. Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed,
for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 3:1-9

God’s first heavenly charge to Joshua is to cross Jordan accompanied by very specific personal
admonition for Joshua to be strong and courageous.

Then Joshua rose early in the morning; …he said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for
tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
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 “14
So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests
carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and when those who carried the
ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the
edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), 16 the
waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great
distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing
down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people
crossed opposite Jericho. 17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of
the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed
on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.” Joshua 3:14-17

Keeping God’s laws and ordinances create a prominent as well as a symbolic role for the priests
to take. They have a crucial function under Joshua’s leadership. God gave these laws and
ordinances to Moses. It is now Joshua’s turn to ensure that these laws are strictly followed
under the guidance and supervision of the priest.

The crossing of the Jordan River is a very clear picture of Joshua taking the primary leadership
but the symbolic presence of God is manifested with the priest carrying the Ark of the
Covenant.

“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and
command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the
middle of the Jordan… and when all the people had finished crossing, the ark of
the LORD and the priests crossed before the people. The sons of Reuben and the sons of
Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over in battle array before the sons of Israel,
just as Moses had spoken to them; 13 about 40,000 equipped for war, crossed for battle
before the LORD to the desert plains of Jericho.

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 Journey with Joshua (JJ) 3

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On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered
him, just as they had revered Moses all the days of his life. Joshua 4:1-24

Contextualizing this biblical account to our current ministry situation would give us an idea of
an officer-led movement. Our officers will be our Joshua in this movement with the
underpinning back-up role of pastors or volunteers working hand in hand in pursuing God’s
plan for the PNP and for our country. The Ark of Covenant is the Bible or the word of God that
we carry wherever we go.

However, God’s message to Joshua still resonates powerfully to our PCG officers for them to be
strong and courageous and follow God’s instruction as long as they live and lead.
Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua. This is a beautiful, powerful and inspiring
leadership model that Joshua exemplified in his career as Moses' successor. Leadership that
inspires people to seek and follow God’s mandate is the key to live a peaceful and blessed life.
This is Joshua’s legacy.
The best way to highlight Joshua’s leadership in this leadership training is for us to reflect on
his final message that highlights his spiritual journey with them. JJ Graph 2 highlights the five
episodes in Israel’s history where he mentioned before leaving this world.
This is reflected in Joshua chapter 24.
“Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of
Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers; and they presented
themselves before God. 2 Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of
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 Israel, ‘From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the
father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 3 Then I took
your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan,
and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. 4 To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau,
and to Esau I gave Mount Seir to possess it; but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt.
Joshua 24:1-6
Remembering and recollecting the Lord’s calling to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the heart of
Jewish, Islam, and Christian faith and tradition. Joshua started his last message to the elders
narrating where they have come from.

Historical accounts give us the right context as well deeper and wider perspective as we move
forward. Joshua is giving this insight and providing a fresher outlook to his audience who are
with him since the beginning.
 The plague in Egypt

“5 Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt by what I did in its midst; and
afterward I brought you out. 6 I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the
sea; and Egypt pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 But
when they cried out to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and
brought the sea upon them and covered them; and your own eyes saw what I did in
Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness for a long time.” Joshua 24:1-6

Joshua summarizes Moses and Aaron’s plight in Egypt. Reliving the 430 years of the Israelites
and redemption through Moses and Aaron’s leadership. Some of their elders have gone
through God’s judgment for their unbelief. Several of them died when they were overpowered
by fear and unbelief. Retelling and reviewing their history as a nation to a new generation of
elders is a powerful reflection of God’s faithfulness and favor to His people.
Joshua also mentioned their difficult plight on their way out of Egypt where they lived in the
wilderness for 40 years. This historical account provides a supernatural revelation of God’s
presence to His people.

 Conquering Jericho
“11
You crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho; and the citizens of Jericho fought against
you, and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the
Girgashite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. Thus I gave them into your hand.” Joshua 24:11

Their mission after crossing Jordan is to conquer Jericho. Joshua’s detailed conquest for Jericho
marks an extraordinary battle plan where he initially sent to spies. One of the most unusual
parts of this conquest is the contribution of a stranger who is also a harlot named Rahab. This is
her testimony.

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 “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us,
and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 For we have
heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of
Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan,
to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 When we heard it, our hearts melted
and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your
God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, please swear
to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with
my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13 and spare my father and my
mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver
our lives from death.” 14 So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell
this business of ours; and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we
will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Joshua 2:8-14
“23
Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over
and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to
them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands;
moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.” Joshua 2:23-24

Rahab’s testimony especially the information she gave to the two spies played a very significant
role for Joshua to develop a battle plan to conquer Jericho.
The role of a pagan prostitute who suddenly turned her back and her pagan beliefs to embrace
the God is Israel is an amazing development in this whole story. She and her entire household
were saved because she has chosen to believe in God. Indeed, the Lord doesn’t look at our
current standing in life but in our hearts. In God’s sovereign and divine plan, He can use
ordinary people or anyone to accomplish His purpose.

“Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one
came in. 2 The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its
king and the valiant warriors. 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war
circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4 Also seven priests shall carry
seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall
march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets…
…
The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD; only Rahab
the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the
messengers whom we sent...They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and
woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword…
So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.” Joshua 6:1-27

Joshua’s 40,000 men equipped for war have to wait before attacking Jericho. The priest and the
people of Israel also played a very important role. This is a very powerful picture.
1. The people shouted.
2. The priests blew the trumpets
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 3. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great
shout
4. The wall fell down flat
5. Joshua’s army took the city
6. They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old,
and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.
7. They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it.
8. Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury
of the house of the LORD.

Joshua did not rush to defeat Jericho. He patiently waited for God’s instruction. The Lord’s hand
is clearly leading Joshua and the participation of the priests, warriors and the rest of the people
became so evident under Joshua’s leadership.

 Conquering Ai

After conquering Jericho their next battle will be Ai. It’s not as formidable as Jericho but Joshua
have experienced a humble experience as he executes his plan. His exemplary leadership is
highly respected by his people. But time and again, there are people within his camp who have
seen every miracle from the Lord but still chooses to disobey God’s specific instructions. One of
them is Achan.
“2
Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and
said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 They
returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up; only about two or
three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they
are few.” 4 So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they
fled from the men of Ai. 5 The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and
pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent,
so the hearts of the people melted and became as water.” Joshua 7:2-5
“
So Joshua arose early in the morning and brought Israel near by tribes and Achan, son
of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was taken. 19 Then Joshua
said to Achan, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give
praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.” 20 So
Achan answered Joshua and said, “Truly, I have sinned against the LORD, the God of
Israel, and this is what I did: 21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from
Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then
I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my
tent with the silver underneath it.”
…
Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the
mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent
and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor…. all
Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned

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 them with stones. 26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day,
and the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place
has been called the valley of Achor to this day. Joshua 7:16-22

Ai struck down thirty-six of Joshua’s men because of Achan’s sinful act. One man’s sin resulted
to the 36 death of Israelites that day. When they thought that their great victory in Jericho will
enable them to conquer Ai one man crushed their hope because one man had chosen to
disobey the Lord’s edict. So their courage melted.

But the Lord restored them with this message after they submitted to God’s will to punish
Achan.

“Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to
Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his
land. You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take
only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves.” Joshua 8:1-2

God gave this precise battle plan to Joshua.

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So Joshua rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose 30,000 men,
valiant warriors, and sent them out at night. 4 He commanded them, saying, “See, you
are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you
be ready. 5 Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they
come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them. 6 They will come out after us
until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us
as at the first.’ So we will flee before them. 7 And you shall rise from your ambush and take
possession of the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. 8 Then it will be
when you have seized the city, that you shall set the city on fire. You shall do it according to
the word of the LORD. See, I have commanded you.” 9 So Joshua sent them away, and they
went to the place of ambush and remained between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai;
but Joshua spent that night among the people.
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Now Joshua rose early in the morning and mustered the people, and he went up with the
elders of Israel before the people to Ai. 11 Then all the people of war who were with him
went up and drew near and arrived in front of the city, and camped on the north side of Ai.
Now there was a valley between him and Ai. 12 And he took about 5,000 men and set them
in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. 13 So they stationed the
people, all the army that was on the north side of the city, and its rear guard on the west
side of the city, and Joshua spent that night in the midst of the valley. 14 It came about when
the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose up early and went out to
meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the desert plain.
But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. 15 Joshua and
all Israel pretended to be beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. 16 And
all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and they pursued
Joshua and were drawn away from the city. 17 So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had
not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel.
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18
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for
I will give it into your hand.” So Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand
toward the city. 19 The men in ambush rose quickly from their place, and when he had
stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it, and they quickly set
the city on fire. 20 When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the
city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people
who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. 21 When Joshua and
all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that the smoke of the
city ascended, they turned back and slew the men of Ai. 22 The others came out from the
city to encounter them, so that they were trapped in the midst of Israel, some on this side
and some on that side; and they slew them until no one was left of those who survived or
escaped. 23 But they took alive the king of Ai and brought him to Joshua.
24
Now when Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the field in the wilderness
where they pursued them, and all of them were fallen by the edge of the sword until they
were destroyed, then all Israel returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword. 25 All
who fell that day, both men and women, were 12,000—all the people of Ai. 26 For
Joshua did not withdraw his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he
had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. 27 Israel took only the cattle and the spoil of
that city as plunder for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which He had
commanded Joshua. 28 So Joshua burned Ai and made it a heap forever, a desolation until
this day. 29 He hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening; and at sunset Joshua gave
command and they took his body down from the tree and threw it at the entrance of the city
gate, and raised over it a great heap of stones that stands to this day.
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Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal. Joshua 8:1-2

Ai was totally wiped out when Joshua perfectly executed God’s battle plan for them. Twelve
thousand (12,000) men and women were killed and the city was burned to the ground.
Joshua’s war strategy to create diversionary tactics, trapped the men of Ai, and ambush
them is a complex war concept. But the Lord led them to win this war under Joshua’s
command.

Their conquest with Ai started with the disgraceful death of 36 Israel’s soldiers, but under
God’s guidance, Joshua was able to crush his enemy. The Lord taught them a lesson to
abide by His law and nothing is hidden from Him.

Achan’s tragic death has a powerful message for all the Israelites that God will not allow
them to win any wars even with just one among the thousands of them will disobey God.
The simple yet profound message is repentance. We cannot hide or fool God.
Conquering Ai is also a story of God blessing and releasing creativity. In our modern
language, it is outside the box thinking. Joshua elevated conventional warfare into different
fronts. He involved all his soldiers to play an important part. But the most critical aspect of
this plan is timing. Let us review Joshua’s outside the box battle strategy.

1. Joshua rose early in the morning and mustered the people

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 2. He went up with the elders of Israel before the people to Ai. Then all the people of
war who were with him went up and drew near and arrived in front of the city.
3. They camped on the north side of Ai.
4. He took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the
west side of the city.
5. They stationed the people, all the army that was on the north side of the city
6. The rear guard on the west side of the city
7. Joshua spent that night in the midst of the valley.
8. The king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose up early and went
out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the
desert plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind
the city.
9. Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them, and fled by the way of
the wilderness.
10. And all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue them, and
they pursued Joshua and were drawn away from the city. So not a man was left in
Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded
and pursued Israel.
11. Joshua stretch out the javelin that is in his hand toward Ai
12. The men in ambush rose quickly from their place, and when he had stretched out
his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it, and they quickly set the
city on fire.

Joshua and the Gibeonites

“9 Now it came about when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill
country and in the lowland and on all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the
Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, heard
of it, 2 that they gathered themselves together with one accord to fight with Joshua and
with Israel.” Joshua 9:1-2

The Gibeonites created a scheme in order to survive because they heard what Joshua had done
to Jericho and to Ai. The Gibeonites are dark-skinned people. They acted craftily and set out as
envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn
and mended, and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on
themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. It was an
excellent believable convincing plot that Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant
with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them. The
Gibeonites scheme saved their lives but it is not without consequence, Joshua made them that
day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, to
this day, in the place which He would choose.
It was actually an act of surrender for the Gibeonites to submit themselves and serve their
people. God allowed this thing to happen as an act of His grace because the people of Gibeon
acknowledge and fear the God of Israel.

Joshua and the elders of Israel honored their oath the Gibeonites with this peace treaty.
13
Conquering the Amorites beyond the Jordan
“8
Then I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan, and
they fought with you; and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their
land when I destroyed them before you.” Joshua 24:8

He called for the elders of Israel, their heads and their judges and their officers in Shechem.
After retelling their victory in Jericho, Joshua in his dying moment still has this vivid
remembrance on how they were able to defeat the Amorites. The big room at Shechem where
all the Israelites dignitaries are gathered attentively listens to Joshua as he narrates their
victory.

These are the five Amorites kings who planned to destroy Gibeon because they made an
alliance with Joshua.

1. Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem

2. Hoham king of Hebron
3. Piram king of Jarmuth
4. Japhia king of Lachish
5. Debir king of Eglon

The leaders of Gibeon made an especial appeal for help to Joshua.

” 7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the
valiant warriors. 8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into
your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them
suddenly by marching all night from Gilgal. 10 And the LORD confounded them before
Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the
way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As
they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-
horon, the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they
died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel
killed with the sword. Joshua 10:7-11

The five kings did not expect Joshua to help Gibeon. This is another battle where God
powerfully displayed His awesome reign by throwing large stones from heaven.

Joshua’s initial unusual relationship with Gibeon started with a cunning scheme from their
leaders. Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai.
All its men were mighty but they know that will not survive Joshua’s army. Therefore, the
people of Gibeon are indeed wiser than the rest by creating a scheme and forge a peace treaty
with Joshua. This is an extraordinary relationship that eventually lead them to fight the 5 kings
of the Amorites.

This war is so vast and fierce that God has to extend His power and help Joshua.

14
 12
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites
before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon,
And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of
Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for
about a whole day. 14 There was no day like that before it or after it, when
the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel. 15 Then Joshua
and all Israel with him returned to the camp to Gilgal. Joshua 10:12-14

Joshua’s prayer to God was for the sun and moon to stand still literally reveal God’s hand
empowering Joshua and his entire army to win the war. It was a day like no other.
“…
Now these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and assign men by it to
guard them… It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying
them with a very great slaughter, until they were destroyed, and the
survivors who remained of them had entered the fortified cities, 21 that all the people
returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. Then Joshua said, “Open the
mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.” When they
brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the
chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks
of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks. Joshua then said to
them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will
do to all your enemies with whom you fight.” So afterward Joshua struck them and put
them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. Joshua captured Makkedah on that
day, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword; he utterly destroyed it and
every person who was in it. He left no survivor. Thus he did to the king of Makkedah just
as he had done to the king of Jericho. Joshua 10:16-28

This is another battle where the Lord miraculously favored Joshua. But this time, Joshua is not
only commanding the Israelite army but also the warriors of Gibeon. It is an amazing victory
that made the Gibeonites a recipient of God’s mercy.

“Even though God had not desired of Israel to make a covenant with the Gibeonites, He held Israel
responsible to be faithful to it. Under Joshua, the Gibeonites were made servants to the Levites, assisting
them with work for the altar (Joshua 9:27). Four hundred years later, God was angry with King Saul
and his sons for having killed Gibeonites, in violation of the promise that Israel had given to them at the
time of Joshua (2 Samuel 21:1).

What happened subsequently to the descendants of the dark-skinned Gibeonites or Hivites? The Bible
Story by Basil Wolverton, volume 4,1964, writes on page 62: “Today, the descendants of those ancient
dark-skinned Hivites are called Falashas–meaning migrants–because they journeyed out of Palestine to
Ethiopia to escape captivity when Israel was driven out of Palestine centuries later.”

It is interesting to learn more about this remarkable journey, and what is known today of the Gibeonites.
We are told the Gibeonites or Falashas went to Ethiopia. There was also a small Jewish religious group

15
 known as Beta Israel or Falasha, in the northwest of Ethiopia.” ( https://www.eternalgod.org/q-a-
2870/)

 Joshua’s Conquest of Southern Palestine

“29
1. Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah, and
fought against Libnah. 30 The LORD gave it also with its king into the hands of
Israe..l
31
2. And Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish, and they
camped by it and fought against it. 32 The LORD gave Lachish into the hands of
Israel
33
3. Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish, and Joshua defeated him
and his people until he had left him no survivor.
34
4. And Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Lachish to Eglon, and they
camped by it and fought against it. 35 They captured it on that day and struck it
with the edge of the sword…
36
5. Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron, and they
fought against it. 37 They captured it and struck it and its king and all its cities
and all the persons who were in it with the edge of the sword…
38
6. Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against
it. 39 He captured it and its king and all its cities, and they struck them with the
edge of the sword...
40
Thus Joshua struck all the land, the hill country and the Negev and the lowland and
the slopes and all their kings. He left no survivor, but he utterly destroyed all who
breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. 41 Joshua struck them
from Kadesh-barnea even as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen even as far as
Gibeon. 42 Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the LORD,
the God of Israel, fought for Israel. 43 So Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the
camp at Gilgal. Joshua 10:29-43

After defeating the five kings in Makkedah Joshua and his army wiped out the six kings from
Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Joshua and his entire army mightily
conquered these places with the Lord’s help. Joshua and his army conquered kings and
kingdoms
Joshua made Gilgal as his resting place or a place of refuge for his army. Every warrior needs a
place to revitalize himself. It is the place where Joshua renewed Israel’s circumcision covenant.
They remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. Then the LORD said to Joshua,
“Today I have rolled away from the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the name of that place is
called Gilgal to this day. While the sons of Israel camped at Gilgal they observed the Passover
on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month.

As God’s warrior in this movement fighting a raging battle for souls in the PCG, all of us need a
place of refuge. We need to create or identify a place of solitude where we can cry and pour
out to God.

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 Joshua Defeated Hazor

“10
Then Joshua turned back at that time, and captured Hazor and struck its king with the
sword; for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms. 11 They struck every person
who was in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was no one left
who breathed. And he burned Hazor with fire. 12 Joshua captured all the cities of these kings,
and all their kings, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed
them; just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded” Joshua 11:10-12

Jobab king of Madon, king of Shimron, king of Achshaph, kings who were of the north in the hill
country, and in the Arabah—south of Chinneroth.
4
They came out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is
on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots. 5 So all of these kings having
agreed to meet, came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight against
Israel. Joshua 11:4-5

When Joshua’s enemies thought that they can defeat the Israel army with their overwhelming
number, God assured them with this message, “Do not be afraid because of them, for
tomorrow at this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel; you shall hamstring their
horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
7
So Joshua and all the people of war with him came upon them suddenly by the waters
of Merom, and attacked them. 8 The LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, so that
they defeated them, and pursued them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim and
the valley of Mizpeh to the east; and they struck them until no survivor was left to
them. 9 Joshua did to them as the LORD had told him; he hamstrung their horses and
burned their chariots with fire. Joshua 11:7-9

This is another extraordinary battle where the Lord intervened for Israel. Their enemies
relentlessly ignore that they are not only fighting Joshua and his army.
18
Joshua waged war a long time with all these kings. 19 There was not a city which made
peace with the sons of Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon; they took them all in
battle. 20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, to meet Israel in battle in order
that he might utterly destroy them, that they might receive no mercy, but that he might
destroy them, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 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 divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest
from war. Joshua 11:18-23

 God sending the hornets and drive out the Amorites

17
 “12
Then I sent the hornet before you and it drove out the two kings of the Amorites from
before you, but not by your sword or your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not
labored, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them; you are eating of
vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” Joshua 24:12-13

This is the last recollection that Joshua shared to the leaders of Israel in Shechem. This is the
only record in the bible where Joshua mentioned about God sending the hornets or wild bees
to drive out the Amorite kings.

Different bible translations have differing views or interpretation of this account. While most of
the translators agree with the literal hornets or bees attacking the Amorites some translators
have these views and opinions.

“I sent them to panic (Good News Translation), flies with venomous tongue (Wycliffe), I Sent
terror before you (New Century Version & New Living Translation), I Threw them to panic (Good
News Translation with Apocrypha).” https://www.biblestudytools.com/joshua/24-12-compare.html

Whether it is the literal hornets or giant bees attacking the Amorites or any form of terror or
panic, Joshua’s narrative points to God’s supernatural intervention.

This is the only battle where Joshua and his warriors did not do anything. Most of the battles
that were written involve in a bloody confrontation. Yet, this story powerfully reminds us that
the battle is the Lords.

 Joshua’s Last will and Testament: “We Will Serve the LORD”
14
“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the
gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 If it is
disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will
serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods
of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve
the LORD.”
…19
Then Joshua said to the people, “You will not be able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy
God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgression or your sins. 20 If you forsake
the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after
He has done good to you.”
…
“You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to
serve Him.Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline
your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel… 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people
that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. Joshua 24:14-28

Joshua’s Death and Burial

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 29
It came about after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD,
died, being one hundred and ten years old. 30 And they buried him in the territory of his
inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of
Mount Gaash. 31 Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the
elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had
done for Israel. Joshua 24:29-31

Joshua’s Farewell Address

“I am old, advanced in years. 3 And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done
to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has been fighting
for you. 4 See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance
for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the
Great Sea toward the setting of the sun. 5 The LORD your God, He will thrust them out
from before you and drive them from before you; and you will possess their land, just as
the LORD your God promised you.
6
Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses,
so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, 7 so that you will
not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the
name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to
them. 8 But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day. 9 For
the LORD has driven out great and strong nations from before you; and as for you, no
man has stood before you to this day.
10
One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for
you, just as He promised you. 11 So take diligent heed to yourselves to love
the LORD your God. 12 For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these
which remain among you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them
and they with you, 13 know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue
to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and a trap to you,
and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land
which the LORD your God has given you. 14 “Now behold, today I am going the way of all
the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all
the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been
fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. 15 It shall come about that just as all the
good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you,
so the LORD will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this
good land which the LORD your God has given you.
16
When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you,
and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will
burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has
given you.”

Summary
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Joshua’s extraordinary life started in Egypt. He was born during the year of captivity. He was
raised and educated in a foreign land. He has seen and experienced to live and struggle for their
survival during those difficult eras. We can allude that Joshua was 30 years old when they left
Egypt.

Moses had chosen him to lead the first battle when they face the Amalekites in Rephidim. So
we can say that he was 30 years old when he had his first experience as a warrior and
commander. He was with Moses for 40 days in Mount Sinai. He was part of the selected few to
survey the land of Canaan. He was close to Moses until he died. Those were the precious years
where the Lord has been preparing Joshua for leadership.

We can now say that he was 70 years old when he finally assumed the leadership position from
Moses. He is a fully mature and experienced man when he accepted to lead Israel. He has seen
and experiences their plight from Egypt where the Lord’s miraculous presence guided them.
He served and led the Israelites for 70 years. He is able to inspire his people to also serve God.
This is with the help of the priests and the Levites. His alliance with the Gibeonites and
assigning them to serve the Levites is also a very good indicator that he is able to inspire the
Gibeonites to serve God through their servitude.

Joshua defeated kings and annihilated kingdoms.

He was an exemplary man of war and a man of God at the same time. This is a difficult contrast
that he excellently played under the Lord’s guidance and blessings.

The wars that he triumphed were extraordinary. It was only through the help of God that they
ended up as victors from their enemies.

They enjoyed peace and prosperity throughout his reign because God rules in their camp. Their
enemies were silenced.

This is Joshua’s legacy.

Study Guide

Journey with Joshua

BOC School of Leadership (International Version)
Boi Manuel

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 1. There is no classroom instruction neither a training program designed for Joshua. It’s
actually one step at a time as the Lord reveals his plan to plan to Moses. How can we
adapt and contextualize this training program in our approach and conduct of training
people?

2. Moses and Joshua’s 40-day spiritual bond in Mount Sinai is one of the most extraordinary
moment they shared in Exodus 24:13-16. How can we translate, promote, and elevate this
kind of spiritual bond in our churches among our fellow leaders/workers?

3. The crossing of the Jordan River is a very clear picture of Joshua taking the primary
leadership role. How will you compare this biblical account to the Israelites crossing the Red
Sea when they were escaping from Egypt?

4. The symbolic presence of God is manifested with the Ark of the Covenant. This has become
a primary role of the priests and Levites. What does it mean for us to contextualize this
concept within our ministry where our officers taking the lead like Joshua and the pastors
carrying the ark of covenant or the Bible wherever they go?

5. How would you describe Joshua’s battle plan and strategy when he defeated Ai?

6. Describe the Gibeonites scheme when they were able to trick Joshua and form an alliance
with them?

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7. What lessons of faith can we derive when Joshua’s prayed for the sun and moon to stop
during their battle with the Amorites?

8. What does it mean for us to trust the Lord and raise police and military officers who can
inspire and lead us like Joshua?

9. Joshua’s recognition of God’s reign and rule was complimented greatly by the priests and
Levites. How can we take this priestly and Levitical role to our current ministry context?

10. Joshua is a great leader who started strong and finish his race of faith very well. What is our
working definition of starting strong and finishing well in this ministry?

22