Yahshua
As Moses gives his final instructions to Israel, he reminds them that he will not lead them into the land (Deuteronomy 31:1-3). Instead:
a. Yahweh your God will cross ahead of you
b. He will destroy those nations before you
b’. and you shall dispossess them
a’. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you.
The predicate in a/a’ is identical ( hu ‘over lefaneyka ). Only the subject is different - Yah in a and Joshua in a’. Since Yah is with Joshua, Yah is the one who leads Israel across the river when Joshua leads them. And, of course, there is a hint here of another Joshua who is more fully and literally Yahshua.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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