The Victorious Life of Jo

  • The Victorious Life of Joshua Part 2

     

    The first thing I want to do, is look at the names of all the twelve that were called to this mission of spying out the land, because I think that their names may reveal something about their mindset, and why it was that the majority only saw things that were too great to overcome.

     

    Num 13:4  And these [were] their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

     

    Reuben = “behold a son”

    1) the eldest son of Jacob by Leah

     

    Shammua = “renowned”

    1) son of Zaccur and the spy from the tribe of Reuben

     

    Zaccur or Zacchur = “mindful”

    1) father of Shammua, the Reubenite spy

     

    Num 13:5  Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

     

    Simeon or Shimeon = “heard”

    1) the 2nd son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon

     

    Shaphat = “judged” or “he hath judged”

    1) son of Hori and the prince of Simeon chosen to spy out the promised land

     

    Hori = “cave dweller”

    1) a Simeonite, father of Shaphat

     

    Num 13:6  Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.

     

    Judah = “praised”

    1) the son of Jacob by Leah

    2) the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob

     

    Caleb = “dog”

    1) the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favourably and urged its capture

     

    Jephunneh = “He will be facing”

    1) a Kenezite and father of Caleb the spy from the tribe of Judah

     

    Num 13:7  Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

     

    Issachar = “there is recompense”

    1) the 9th son of Jacob and the 5th by Leah his first wife and the progenitor of a tribe by his name

     

     Igal or Igeal = “He redeems”

    1) son of Joseph and a spy from the tribe of Issachar

     

    Joseph = “Jehovah has added”

    1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel

    2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies

     

    Num 13:8  Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.

     

    Ephraim = “double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful”

    1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh

     

    Hosea or Hoshea or Oshea = “salvation”

    1) family name of Joshua, the son of Nun

     

     Nun = “fish” or “posterity”

    1) father of Joshua the successor of Moses

     

    Joshua or Jehoshua = “Jehovah is salvation”

    1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan

     

    Num 13:9  Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

     

    Benjamin = “son of the right hand”

    1) Jacob’s and Rachel’s youngest son, Joseph’s full brother

     

    Palti or Phalti = “my deliverance”

    1) son of Raphu, the spy chosen from the tribe of Benjamin

     

    Raphu = “healed”

    1) father of Palti, the spy from the tribe of Benjamin

     

    Num 13:10  Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

     

    Zebulun = “exalted”

    1) the 10th of the sons of Jacob, 6th and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun

     

    Gaddiel = “God is my fortune”

    1) the spy from the tribe of Zebulun sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan

     

    Sodi = “acquaintance”

    1) father of Gaddiel, the spy selected from the tribe of Zebulun

  • The Victorious Life of Joshua Part 1

    I recently purchased one of those chronological bibles that puts the events of the bible in the order in which it occurred. I find it interesting that God has me in this part of the bible at this particular point in time because of the things He’s been showing me lately. (I will return to my study in Isaiah later)

    Jos 1:1  Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,

    The first thing I didn’t realize is that when Moses died, God was the one who buried him.

    Deu 34:5  So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
    Deu 34:6  And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre (burial place) unto this day.

    Additionally, Joshua’s name was changed by Moses.

    Hosea or Hoshea or Oshea = “salvation”
    1) family name of Joshua, the son of Nun

     Nun = “fish” or “posterity”
    1) father of Joshua the successor of Moses

    Joshua or Jehoshua = “Jehovah is salvation”
    1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan

    It seems it wasn’t so much of a change, but more of a refinement to the name. It became more defined, as opposed to being sort of a generalization. I also find it interesting that his father’s name means “fish” and “posterity,” and both words are synonymous here; ie: “fishers of men.” It’s almost as if having no fish, or no fishing to do, would leave one without “posterity.” It speaks of purpose.

    And, being that Joshua was one of the two spies of the twelve sent, that gave a good report; I wondered about the meaning of Caleb’s name, and did that speak to why he was not the one chosen as Moses’ successor. And yes, I think his name is at least one indicator. Despite the name of the tribe he comes from, his father’s name, and his especially, does not suit a leader for the Lord.

    Judah = “praised”
    1) the son of Jacob by Leah
    2) the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob

    Caleb = “dog”
    1) the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favourably and urged its capture

    Jephunneh = “He will be facing”
    1) a Kenezite and father of Caleb the spy from the tribe of Judah

    And mind you, Moses’ name did not have a specific spiritual meaning here, so I’m not saying that this is required. I just always find the meanings interesting, and I think it gives a bit of background on the person because of the fact that names have specific meanings, and that speaks to me of purpose also, or even direction.

    Moses = “drawn”
    1) the prophet and lawgiver, leader of the exodus

    Now, because Joshua’s story starts back in numbers, at least, this is the first place we start to see him; then I have to there and see exactly what was happening.