The Significance of the War Against the Canannites.  Of all the wars recorded in human history this was one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all.  None was ever fought for a more noble purpose and none has accomplished greater ends.  The fate of the world was in the balance.  Old civilizations on account of their wickedness, were to soon fall and this series of conflicts was to decide whether a new civilization with a pure and holy purpose to serve God could arise in their midst.  It was, therefore, a war (1) For purification.  The individual, the temple and the home must all be pure. (2) For civil liberty.  Israel was now, under God, to govern herself and thereby to give the world a pattern of government as God’s free nation. (3) For religious liberty.  Idolatry, vice and superstition were everywhere and the people must be free to worship the one true God and Creator of all. (4) For the whole world.  Israel was to be a blessing to all nations.  Out of her and out of this land was to come Christ, her son, who should save the nations.  The war was, therefore, for us as well as for them.

The Character and Work of Joshua.  The name Joshua in the Old Testament is equivalent to Jesus in the New (Heb. 4:8).  His character and work were well adapted to his age and he therefore made a deep impression upon this formative period of Israel’s history.  He was fully prepared for the work of the conquest by his association with Moses and by such events as the defeat of Amalek which he accomplished by divine help (Ex. 17:10-16).  With all he had been called of God and set apart for the work of subjugating the Canaanites.  As a soldier and commander, he ranks among the first of the world.  He is resourceful, brave, straightforward, fertile in strategy, and quick to strike (1:10-11; 2:1 etc.).  In the councils of peace he was wise and generous.  He displayed statesmanship of the highest order in mapping out the boundaries of the tribes and thus preparing the land for a permanent occupancy of the Hebrews.  In the matter of religion he was actuated by a spirit of implicit obedience to God’s authority.  He combined in his nature both courage and gentleness and exhibited in his dealings the disposition of both the lion and the lamb.  His dying charge is full of earnestness and devotion.  As a type of Christ he led the people to the “rest” of Canaan, though not to the rest of the gospel which “remaineth to the people of God.”  A void still remained and they still had to look forward.  He led them to victory over their enemies and became their advocate when they sinned and met defeat.