Daily Devotions
What If I Told You the Hero of the Book of Joshua Is NOT Joshua?
Reading for March 13th: Joshua 9-11
And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you."
Joshua 10:8
Who is the hero of the book of Joshua?
You might think it is Joshua. The book is named after him after all. But the hero is definitely NOT Joshua.
It's JEHOVAH!
Of course, God is the hero of every book of the Bible, but perhaps more so than any other, God is the hero of this book:
- Joshua's name occurs 168 times in the book, while God's personal name, Jehovah (Yahweh), is found 388 times, over 2.5 times more frequently than Joshua's.
- God calls on Israel to defeat mighty Jericho by walking around its walls. (Not exactly a military strategy that would lend itself to boasting.)
- When Israel faced Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, and the confederation of four kings who fought with him, God sent large stones from heaven to rain down on them, so that more died from the hailstones than by the sword (10:11).
- When God reviews his faithful deeds for Israel in the last chapter of the book, the first person "I" is used by God 18 times (over the space of 12 verses).
- Even Joshua's name (Jehovah saves) directs attention to God!
- Joshua is not some expert general. He's not the master architect of a military campaign. He's merely one who is faithful to obey God's Word (1:7; 24:29). It is the LORD who gives Israel victory (3:10; 24:11).
The LORD God does not share glory with anyone. He alone deserving praise for any good purpose accomplished in this world.
Think about the things God is doing through you. The temptation is for you to take credit (especially if it is something impressive), but you must resist that.
The next time you feel good about something you've done or someone praises you for accomplishing something, give glory to God!
Father, forgive us for vainly thinking that we have done anything without you. Forgive us for accepting the applause of men. You alone deserve the glory and honor for any good thing we do!
