Why Joshua and not Moses

 


Why Joshua and not Moses  

Here’s the theological significance of why Joshua and not Moses lead the Jews into the Promised Land.

The Promised Land of the Old Testament represents Heaven. Moses was hand-picked by God to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land - along the way he received  the Ten Commandments which was the bedrock of Judaism. Therefore among all the prophets, Moses represents the Law of God. 

Yet Joshua, originally named Hoshea, son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim - was the one who finally led them across the river Jordan into the Promised Land.

 

Joshua or Yehoshua, means "the LORD saves" or "the LORD is salvation" and is the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus.  

Following just the laws of God will not get you into the Promised Land, therefore Moses wasn't the one to take the Israelites into the Promised Land; Joshua did because following Jesus will get you to Heaven.

Jesus said: "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved." [John 10:9]

and again

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." [John 14:6]

As St Augustine of Hippo said so eloquently, “The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New" (Novum in Vetere latet, et in Novo Vetus patet).”

But don’t feel too bad for Moses, he is in heaven - how do we know? Well he appeared with the Prophet Elijah at the Transfiguration of Jesus at Mt Tabor.

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