How Old Testament Narratives Like Joshua Show God’s True Character to Christians

Key Takeaways

• Old Testament narratives like Joshua show God's unchanging character of faithfulness, justice, and mercy that remains consistent with His New Testament portrayal.
• Joshua's conquest story shows God as both a righteous judge and a merciful savior, challenging simplified views of the "angry Old Testament God" versus the "loving New Testament God."
• Understanding how God fulfilled His promises to Israel in Joshua helps Christians trust His promises today, especially when facing seemingly impossible challenges.
• Jesus himself taught that all the Old Testament Scriptures point to him, making books like Joshua essential for understanding Christ's mission.
• In her Worldsmith World blog, author Betty Johansen explores these themes and more.

God's Character Revealed: Why Joshua Matters for Christians

Many Christians struggle with the Old Testament, particularly books like Joshua that contain stories of conquest and judgment. These narratives can seem disconnected from the loving God revealed in Jesus Christ. But what if these ancient stories actually reveal crucial aspects of God's character that help us understand Him more fully?

The book of Joshua, which chronicles Israel's entry into the Promised Land, provides a unique window into God's nature. Rather than an outdated text with little relevance, Joshua shows God's faithfulness, justice, and mercy in ways that deeply inform Christian theology and practice. When we read Joshua, we discover the same God who would later send His Son to redeem humanity.

As Betty Johansen at Wordsmith World has noted in her studies on biblical narratives, the Old Testament makes up an important source of information about God's true character.

Understanding the Old Testament's Purpose for Believers

1. The Bible Jesus Used and Quoted

When Jesus wanted to explain who He was and what He came to do, He turned repeatedly to the Old Testament. The books of Moses, the prophets, and the writings (including historical narratives like Joshua) were His authoritative Scriptures. Jesus didn't see these texts as outdated or superseded—He saw them as pointing directly to Himself.

In Luke 24:27, after His resurrection, Jesus explained to disciples on the Emmaus road how everything written about Him in "Moses and all the Prophets" helped them understand His mission. This would have included Joshua, which continues the story Moses began and shows God fulfilling His promises to Abraham's descendants.

2. Foundation for New Testament Teaching

The New Testament authors built their theology on the foundation of Old Testament revelation. They didn't create new concepts of God but showed how Jesus fulfilled what was already revealed. Paul, Peter, John, and other apostolic writers constantly referenced Old Testament narratives to explain Christ's significance.

For example, the book of Hebrews repeatedly uses Old Testament examples to explain Christ's superiority, drawing continuity between God's past actions and His ultimate work in Jesus. Understanding books like Joshua provides essential context for grasping New Testament teaching about conquest, rest, inheritance, and covenant faithfulness.

3. Source of the Gospel Christians Preach

Surprisingly to some, the gospel message itself is rooted in the Old Testament. Paul states in Galatians 3:8 that "the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham." The Old Testament narratives like Joshua announce the same "good news" of God's redemptive reign that Christians now enjoy in its fulfilled form.

In Joshua, we see God delivering on His promise to give His people an inheritance—a physical land flowing with milk and honey. This points forward to the spiritual inheritance Christians receive in Christ, who gives us abundant life and an eternal home.

4. God's Unchanging Nature Across Both Testaments

One of the most persistent misconceptions about the Bible is that the God of the Old Testament differs from the God revealed in the New Testament. Some characterize the former as harsh and wrathful, while the latter is loving and merciful. The book of Joshua powerfully challenges this false dichotomy.

In Joshua, we see the same blend of justice and mercy that characterizes God throughout Scripture. Yes, there are scenes of judgment as the Canaanites face consequences for generations of moral corruption. But there are also beautiful moments of grace, such as God's preservation of Rahab and her family. This mirrors how Jesus speaks more about hell and judgment than anyone else in the New Testament (Matthew 10:28, 25:41-46), while also offering boundless mercy to repentant sinners.

Seeing God's Character Through Joshua

1. The Faithful Promise-Keeper

The entire book of Joshua stands as a record of God's faithfulness to His promises. Hundreds of years earlier, God had promised Abraham that his descendants would possess the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:18-21). Despite centuries of waiting, slavery in Egypt, and forty years of wilderness wandering due to disobedience, God never abandoned His covenant promise.

Joshua 21:45 summarizes this theme perfectly: "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." This reveals a God who keeps His word across generations, no matter how impossible the circumstances might seem. Christians can take great comfort in this aspect of God's character, knowing that His promises in Christ are equally secure.

2. The Righteous Judge

Joshua's conquest narratives reveal God as a righteous judge who holds nations accountable for their moral corruption. Contrary to popular misconceptions, the Canaanites weren't innocent victims but practitioners of deeply depraved religious rituals including child sacrifice. God had given them centuries to repent (Genesis 15:16 notes that the "sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure").

This judicial aspect of God's character reminds Christians that God takes sin seriously. He is not only loving but also holy and just. The same righteous judgment we see in Joshua finds its ultimate expression at the cross, where Jesus bears the judgment our sins deserve.

3. The Merciful Savior (Rahab's Story)

Amid scenes of judgment, Joshua contains one of the Bible's most powerful stories of divine mercy: Rahab the prostitute. Despite being a Canaanite and living a sinful lifestyle, Rahab recognized the true God and placed her faith in Him: "The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (Joshua 2:11). As a result, she and her family were spared when Jericho fell.

Rahab's story demonstrates that God's salvation has always been available to anyone who believes, regardless of ethnicity or moral background. This same inclusive grace is amplified in Christ, who welcomes all who come to Him in faith.

Remarkably, Rahab is later included in Jesus's genealogy (Matthew 1:5), showing that God's redemptive purposes extended through this Canaanite woman to the Messiah Himself. This connection between Joshua and the gospels reveals the consistency in God's character and plan across both testaments.

4. The Divine Warrior with Purpose

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua encounters the "commander of the Lord's army" before the battle of Jericho. When Joshua asks if he is for Israel or their enemies, the commander replies, "Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." This reveals that God doesn't simply take sides in human conflicts; rather, He pursues His own righteous purposes that transcend human divisions.

This scene reminds Christians that God is not our tribal deity to be enlisted for our agendas. Rather, He calls us to align ourselves with His kingdom purposes. Jesus demonstrates this same divine warrior aspect when He confronts spiritual powers and promises to return as conquering King (Revelation 19:11-16).

5. The Generous Land-Giver

Throughout Joshua, God provides an abundant inheritance for His people. He doesn't just give them bare subsistence but "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Joshua 5:6). The detailed descriptions of tribal allotments in Joshua 13-21 emphasize God's careful provision for each tribe's needs.

This generosity foreshadows the lavish spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, who came that we "may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Christians inherit not just forgiveness but adoption as children, the indwelling Spirit, and eternal life.

Jesus as the Greater Joshua

1. Name Connection: Joshua/Yeshua/Jesus

"Joshua" (Hebrew: Yehoshua or Yeshua) and "Jesus" (Greek: Iesous) are actually the same name in different languages, both meaning "Yahweh saves" or "the Lord is salvation." This linguistic connection points to a deeper theological relationship between these two leaders.

Just as Joshua was commissioned to succeed Moses and complete the mission Moses couldn't finish, Jesus fulfills what the law of Moses could only point toward. While Joshua delivered physical salvation by bringing Israel into the promised land, Jesus brings eternal salvation and leads His people into God's eternal rest.

2. Leading God's People to Promised Rest

Joshua's primary mission was to lead Israel into the land God had promised, giving them rest from their wilderness wandering and from their enemies. In Joshua 1:13, Joshua reminds the people that the Lord was giving them "rest" and the land. Later, Joshua 21:44 confirms that "The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors."

This theme of rest connects directly to Jesus's ministry. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him for rest. The book of Hebrews explicitly makes this connection, arguing that while Joshua gave Israel a temporary, physical rest, he could not provide the ultimate spiritual rest that comes through Christ: "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day" (Hebrews 4:8-9). Jesus offers a greater, eternal rest that Joshua's conquests only foreshadowed.

3. Victorious Over Enemies

Throughout the book of Joshua, we see God giving victory to His people over seemingly insurmountable enemies. From the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls to the defeat of multiple Canaanite kings, Joshua's narrative is one of divinely-empowered triumph over opposition.

These victories point to Christ's ultimate victory over humanity's greatest enemies: sin, death, and Satan. As Joshua conquered the Canaanites to secure Israel's inheritance, Jesus conquered death through His resurrection to secure our eternal inheritance. The military language of Joshua finds spiritual fulfillment in Christ's triumph over evil powers: "Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15).

4. Fulfilling What Joshua Could Not

Despite his successes, Joshua's mission remained incomplete. He couldn't conquer all the land (Joshua 13:1-7), couldn't prevent Israel's later unfaithfulness, and couldn't provide eternal salvation. The book ends with a renewal of covenant that the people would ultimately break (Joshua 24).

These limitations point to the need for a greater Joshua—Jesus Christ. Where Joshua partially succeeded but ultimately fell short, Jesus perfectly fulfills God's promises. He establishes an unshakable kingdom, writes His law on His people's hearts through the Holy Spirit, and secures eternal salvation for all who trust in Him.

Practical Applications for Christian Life

1. Trusting God's Promises Despite Obstacles

When Israel stood at the edge of the Promised Land, they faced fortified cities, powerful armies, and intimidating giants. These obstacles had paralyzed the previous generation with fear, but Joshua led the people to trust God's promises despite the challenges.

This teaches Christians to view the obstacles in our faith journey through the lens of God's faithfulness. Whether facing persecution, temptation, or personal struggles, we can remember that the same God who brought Israel into Canaan is working to fulfill His promises in our lives. As Joshua declared before his death, "Not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled" (Joshua 23:14).

Practical steps for applying this include:

• Identify specific promises God has given in Scripture that address your current challenges
• Keep a journal of God's faithfulness in your life to strengthen your faith during difficult times
• Practice thanksgiving for God's provision even before seeing the fulfillment

2. Understanding Holy War in Biblical Context

The conquest narratives in Joshua raise difficult questions about violence and God's character. Rather than avoiding these texts, Christians can use them as opportunities to develop a more nuanced understanding of God's justice and the progression of redemptive history.

The conquest of Canaan was a unique, time-limited event in salvation history, not a model for Christian conduct today. God was acting as sovereign judge over deeply corrupt societies while preserving the lineage that would bring forth the Messiah. The final revelation of God in Christ calls Christians not to physical warfare but to spiritual warfare, loving our enemies and spreading the gospel of peace.

This understanding helps Christians:

• Address difficult questions about God's character with theological depth
• Recognize the development of God's revelation across Scripture
• Articulate why Christians follow Jesus's ethic of love rather than pursuing holy war

3. Seeing God's Mercy Amidst Judgment

Even in the midst of judgment, the book of Joshua reveals God's mercy. Rahab and her family are saved because of faith. The Gibeonites, though they deceived Israel, are spared because of the covenant made with them (Joshua 9). These examples show that God's judgment is always tempered with opportunities for mercy.

This pattern reaches its climax in Jesus Christ, where God's judgment against sin falls on His own Son so that mercy can be extended to believers. At the cross, we see both God's holy justice and His compassionate mercy operating simultaneously—the same character revealed in Joshua but now fully expressed.

Christians can apply this by:

• Holding together both God's justice and mercy in our theology and witness
• Recognizing that God's judgment always leaves room for repentance
• Finding hope in God's mercy when facing the consequences of our own sins

4. Recognizing Christ in Old Testament Narratives

Jesus taught that all the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39). Learning to see Christ in Old Testament narratives like Joshua enriches our understanding of Jesus's person and work. The connections between Joshua and Jesus aren't arbitrary but reveal God's consistent character and the unity of His redemptive plan.

This practice helps Christians:

• Read the Old Testament with Christ in mind, as Jesus and the apostles did
• Appreciate the rich theological depth of Scripture's unified story
• Find fresh insights about Christ's work from unexpected biblical sources

From Joshua to Jesus: The Consistent Character of God

The narrative of Joshua reveals the same God we meet in Jesus Christ—faithful to His promises, just in His judgments, merciful to those who trust Him, and working purposefully through history to accomplish salvation.

Rather than seeing the Old and New Testaments as presenting different deities, Christians can recognize the consistency in God's character across Scripture. The God who fought for Israel, kept His covenant promises, and showed mercy to a Canaanite prostitute is the same God who became incarnate in Jesus Christ, died for our sins, and rose victorious over death.

The story of Joshua enriches our understanding of the gospel. It shows us that Jesus's work isn't a divine afterthought but the culmination of God's long-planned redemptive purpose. By studying how God revealed Himself in Joshua, we gain fresh insights into who Jesus is and what He accomplished for us.

When we read the full testimony of Scripture, including books like Joshua, we discover a God whose character is more complex and beautiful than simplified caricatures suggest. We meet a God who is simultaneously holy and merciful, just and forgiving, transcendent and intimately involved in human history. This is the God revealed most fully in Jesus Christ, whose character has remained consistent from Genesis to Revelation.

Wordsmith World continues to provide valuable resources that help Christians understand these rich connections between Old Testament narratives and the fullness of God's revelation in Christ.