Spiritual Types and Symbols

through the Life of Joshua    

1. Propitiation and reconciliation in Jesus

  1 John 2:2; 4:10; 2 Cor 5:18-19

            2. Baptism in water                    Rom 6:3-6; Col 2:12

Joshua's former Egyptian life was buried in the Red Sea. The new direction to the Promised Land with God was about to begin. In the same way, a believer in Jesus buries his old man through baptism to death.  

Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. (Exodus 14:28)

               3. The Holy Spirit                        John 16:13-14; Acts 2:38; Rom 8:9-16

Joshua saw how God's cloud and fire led His people. They are symbolic examples of the Spirit who dwells in the believer. The follower of Jesus is born of the Spirit, who is now his/her Helper. He leads, guides and gives power to live according to God's word. The Spirit glorifies Jesus and teaches His word.

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. (Exod 13:21)
You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. (Neh 9:20)

    4. The spiritual Food and Drink                 John 6:47-58;  1 Cor 10:16; 11:23-25

     5. Wrestling against adversaries                                     Luke 22:31-32; Eph 6:12; 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Cor 2:11

Joshua learned to struggle. He gathered Israel's first group of fighting men. Joshua saw that the enemy was overpowering and impossible to defeat without God. Amalek is a type of our spiritual adversary. Everyone born of the Spirit has to wrestle against powers and rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua: "Choose some men and go out and fight with Amalek." (Exod. 17:8-9)

This principle learned by Joshua applies to a situation of defeat: Even if I lose a single battle and fall before the enemy, God wins the whole war. Thanks to the redeeming blood of Jesus, I can get up and continue the fight towards the final victory!

Regarding the spiritual struggle of a follower of Jesus, there are four exemplary events associated with Joshua's victory: 

Our adversary the Devil seeks to discourage, depress, accuse, tempt and deceive us; and to speak falsely against us. The four Bible truths mentioned above provide us with a solid foundation to resist and survive in Christ when the enemy attacks.

When Jesus returns, the Devil will receive his final judgment. Before that, the Church will face various levels of troubles from the outside: lawlessness, tribulation, distress, mocking, persecution, violence and peril. God's word encourages us to see that even in all these things we are walking in triumph (victory) in Christ:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom 8:37)

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Cor 2:14)

Angels, principalities, powers or any other created thing shall not be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

       6. The internal fighting               Gal 5:17; Rom 7:14-15; James 1:14  

As Moses' servant Joshua saw internal rebellions among the people. Joshua noticed how the old way of life came to the minds of the impatient Israelites: the people sometimes longed for the fat dinner table of Egypt instead of manna, and sought comfort from the golden idol. This reminds us of the flesh and the sin that our dead old man left as an inheritance to our being. The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The inner fighting of a Christian is because these two are opposed to each other.

The people contended with Moses, and said: "Give us water, that we may drink." Moses said to them: "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?" And the people complained against Moses, and said: "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt." (Exod 17:  2-3).

A human person is the trinity of spirit, mind and body. The position of the flesh in this whole can be described with diagrams:

As Jesus said to his disciples in Matt 26:41, "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (in Greek asthenēs = weak, sick, powerless). Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, the only position of the flesh is to be put to death (on the cross) by the Spirit. (Rom 8:7,13; Gal 5:16,24; Eph 4:30-32; 5:18)

For what the law of Moses could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom 8:3-4)

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:5)

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). Now if we died with Christ (carrying our cross), we believe that we shall also live with Him (walking in the Spirit; Rom 6:8).

       7. The glory of the Lord              Heb 1:3; Col 1:27; 2 Cor 3:18

Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. (Exod 40:34)

8. The church of Christ

                     Eph 1:22-23; 2:21-22   

Joosua and his family had an opportunity to participate in the construction of the tabernacle (the sanctuary of the Lord).

And Moses spoke to all the congregation of Israel: "From what you have, take an offering to the Lord." All the men and women whose heart moved them to bring anything, and whose spirit was willing, brought a freewill offering to the Lord for the work of the tabernacle of meeting. (Exod 35:4-5,29)

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (Exod 25:8)

So the Israelites voluntarily sacrificed what they had received from God. Some of them gave material sacrifices, others their immaterial talents for God. The men of the tribe of Levi gave themselves to priestly work in the tabernacle and to take care of its furniture as servants of the High Priest. (Num 8:14-19)

The construction of God's sanctuary under the leadership of Moses, is a beautiful type of the building of Christ's church. The church formed by believers is a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church." (Matt 16:18)  And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant. But Christ is faithful as a Son over God's house. And we are His house. (Hebr 3:6)

In Christ the whole building grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Eph 2:21-22)

When you come together, every one of you brings something: you bring a song, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Cor 14:26)

        9. The house of God                                       1 Pet 2:5; Heb 3:4-6

Moses built the sanctuary and its furniture for the Lord. In everything, he followed the building instructions given by the Lord.

According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it. (Exod 25:9)

The furnishings of the Tabernacle refer in many ways to the assembling of any local church:                                                              a) the mercy seat of pure gold → the presence of the Lord (Matt        18:20; Rom 3:25)                                                                                 b) seven oil lamps → the work and gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:11;           Acts 9:31)                                                                                                c) the table of the showbread  → God's Word as spiritual food            (Acts 2:42)                                                                                                                          d) the altar of incense  → thanks, praise and prayer ( Hebr 13:                 15-16; Acts 2:46-47; Ps 141:2)

Jesus himself and his apostles taught and showed by example how the church should live and be built together. The early believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship (gathering daily together with one accord, mutual care and love), to the breaking of bread in their homes, to prayers and praising God. (Acts 2:42-47)

        10. The holy priesthood                                            1 Pet 2:5,9;  Rom 15:16  

Strengthening in grace, faith and power is in Christ (2 Tim 2:1; 3:15; Eph 3:16; 6:10). Therefore nurturing the fellowship to Him is more important than any ministry. Staying in the presence of Jesus - like Mary of Bethany - listening to His words of grace and teaching, looking at the glory of His face is the good part (Luke 10:42; 2 Cor 4:6). His Spirit cares for our minds and renews our spirits. It is also a place to receive the Lord's guidance and power for our service tasks in the church. Our dependence on Jesus is choosing the cross, giving up our own or other people's plans, trusting in Jesus, and surrendering to His will. On the other hand, it releases us from unnecessary anxieties - which Martha carried in her heart (Luke 10:41) - and which the Lord did not intend for us. Thus we can keep peace and joy in the Lord in all situations. His overflowing grace, gift of faith and mighty power are sufficient for all the good works that He has prepared in advance for our ministry (Eph 2:10).

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)

          11.  The essence of faith                                                                          Heb 11:1;  Rom 4:18-22    

For more than two years, God had led his people in the wilderness. As a man carries and disciplines His son, God had carried and disciplined (trained) His people for their faith and will (Deut 1:31; 8:5). We have learned above how much God did to strengthen Israel's confidence in Himself. He tested and humbled them to find out what filled their hearts: whether there would be                                  a)  a desire to keep His commandments or                                                         b)  longing to return to Egypt. (Deut 8:2)

After that God decided to open a door through which His people could have entered in faith: He gave them the first opportunity to take possession of the Promised Land.

So they departed from Horeb (=Mount Sinai), and came to Kadesh Barnea. And Moses said to them: "You have come to the mountains of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken (has sworn) to you. Do not fear or be discouraged." (Deut 1:19-21)

Moses sent 12 spies from Kadesh Barnea to explore God's promised land (Num 13:3). Joshua represented the tribe of Ephraim in this team. When the spies returned from their expedition, it turned out that only two of them (Joshua and Caleb) had kept their trust in God. The Bible says that the majority of spies discouraged the people into unbelief and thinking of returning to Egypt (Deut 1:32; Num 14:11).

Joshua and Caleb's faith is an example for us. To bring about a similar faith, God is working in us as well. We can see that Joshua and Caleb's confidence in God included the following features: 

1. They clung to the promises of God's word and thought that            the One who made the promise is faithful. (Heb 10:23;                      Rom 4:21-22)

2. They had the will to enter through the door opened by God.           They trusted that God would equip them with the necessary           power to carry out His plan.                                                                   They said: "The Lord is with us! Let us go up boldly and take         possession, for we are well able to do it."  (Num 13:30; 14:9)

     Jesus said: "I am with you all the days . . . go therefore and             make disciples baptizing . . . and teaching. You will receive the       power . . ."  (Matt 28:19; Acts 1:8) 

3. They spoke according to their faith.                                                     "The land is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us,         then He will give it to us." (Num 14:7-8)

4. They carried the cross because of their faith.                                      But all the congregation said that they should be stoned with            stones. (Num 14:10)    

5. Egypt (this World) no longer controlled (ruled) their hearts.              They surrendered to dependence on God. And because of              their faith, they were allowed to take part in completing                    the possession of the Promised Land (Num 14:30).

Taking possession of The Promised Land - what it could be a type of?  We can see that it is like The Kingdom of God, which Jesus conquers from this world using His believers (Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 5:18-6:1; 1 Cor 15:24).

Our dear Christian reader, God has planned a place of service for You in His church. May Joshua's example encourage You to grow in Christ and find Your calling.  

        12. Ministries and gifts                 1 Cor 12:4-7; 14:26; 1 Pet 4:10-11; Eph 4:11-12

Above we have studied the Church of Christ collectively as God's dwelling place in the Spirit and as a holy priesthood. Now we are talking about an individual believer as a member of the earthly body of Christ. 

And the Lord said to Moses: "Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. And set him before all the congregation; and give him a charge (= commission him) in their sight. And you shall give some of your authority to him." (Num 27:18-20)

Then the Lord said to Joshua: "Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward the city, because I will give that city to you." So Joshua held out his spear... and they entered the city and captured it. (Josh 8:18-19)

This is how Moses (a type of Christ) appointed Joshua to his min-istry in the middle of the congregation. Joshua was equipped with all "the tools" that his mission required: the Spirit ( the power of God), authority (Christ's name and Word) and a spear (a special gift of the Spirit).

In the same way, the Spirit of Christ calls and puts us to serve the Lord and each other in the church.

Jesus gave a promise to His own: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me."  (Acts 1:8) 

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.   (1 Tim 4:14)

I became a minister according to the gift of grace of God given to me (Eph 3:7)

Jesus Himself is building His church (Matt 16:18). He has many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. (Rom 12:4)

In Christ the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part (Eph 4:16).

The Spirit of Jesus calls and appoints the elders in each new local church. Often the members of the eldership have some perma-nent ministry given by Christ:                                                                               the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,                                         the shepherds and the teachers (Eph 4:11), 

or they have a gift of grace closely related to it, e.g.  administrating (1 Cor 12:28; Rom 12:8), prophesying (Rom 12:6) or teaching (Rom 12:7).

The Bible tells about the ministry of the elders as follows:

Eph 4:12 says that Christ Himself gave these permanent ministries to the church for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, and for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph 4:12).

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another. If any-one ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 4:10-11)

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (1 Cor 12:4-5)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (1 Cor 14:1)