1). Read Matthew 1:21. What is the meaning of the name "Jesus"?

Joshua, like Moses, Aaron, Joseph, Abraham and a number of others we have looked at is a type of Jesus. The names Joshua and Jesus are actually the same name in Hebrew. Both have the same meaning – "He will save". Biblical characters – especially in the Old Testament – were often given names related to their character or function.

2). Read Joshua 1:2. What was the role God had given to Joshua? Explain how Jesus has the same role in the New Covenant.

3). Read Hebrews 4:1-11. What is the difference between the rest, or salvation, that Joshua brought and the salvation that Jesus brought?

What does the author use here as evidence that the Israelites entrance in to the promised land was not the final rest? (vs. 8)

4). Read Joshua 1:5. What similarity between Jesus and Joshua is shown in this verse? What difference?

5). Joshua took on some of the roles that Moses had previously performed. These we have already compared to the role of Jesus in the New Covenant. Consider the following and the comparison to Christ:

a). God was with Joshua as he had been with Moses (face to face)

b). Joshua would "go in and come out, meeting with God for the people"

6). Another role Joshua was given was to lead an army against the enemies of Jehovah. Consider Revelation 19:11-19. Who is the "Rider on the White Horse" Why might the way in which Joshua fulfilled this duty have caused some of the misinterpretation of how the Messiah the Jews waited for would one day fulfill this duty?

7). Joshua and Jesus also share an interesting trait in that both "replaced" the law in a sense. Explain this connection. (Consider: Joshua took over leadership of Israel from Moses. Jesus established a covenant of grace through His death).

8). Lineage – The book of Joshua includes one of the most interesting of all inclusions in Jesus line of descent. Read Joshua 2:1-14. Matthew 1:5 shows her place in the Messiah’s line.

a). What do some other New Testament writers say about Rahab in James 2:25 and Hebrews 11:31?

b). What might have been some of God’s reasons for having Rahab be part of the Messiah’s lineage? (and for stressing that fact in the writings of the New Testament)

It is interesting to note that Joshua is one of the few Bible characters for whom there is no recorded blemish in his character. Obviously, we know Joshua was a man and, therefore, sinned (Rom 3:23). However, surely this omission speaks volumes about his character.