Joshua Typology

George Wesley Buchanan notes that ancient Jewish writings pay comparatively attention to Joshua. But, “For the church fathers, Joshua was very important - much more important than Moses. It was Joshua who led the army while Moses stood on the mountain and held up his hands. Joshua succeeded in leading the people into the promised land after Moses had failed. Joshua performed the effective circumcision and renewed the contract. Joshua was the type for which Jesus was the antitype. The old Joshua appointed the twelve who were to divide the inheritance, just as Jesus appointed th eapostles to announce the truth to the whole world; he began his government at the Jordan, just as Christ, after baptism in the Jordan, began his gospel. Origen said that with the death of Moses came the destruction of the law.”