MBJ and MBD?
Contents:
1. Introduction.
2. The Books of Moses and the Book of Joshua.
3. MBD & MBJ Parallels.
4. Who was Joshua?
5. Parallels Between Joshua and Moses
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1. Introduction.
We were asked by our friend, Michael Greenwood, to write something on the transition between Moses and Joshua.
This is what we found. It may not be exactly what was asked for but it sets the background for it.
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2. The Books of Moses and the Book of Joshua.
The Hebrew Bible is called "Tanach."
"Tanach" is an acronym for:
(1) Torah i.e. the Five Books of Moses, also known as the Pentateuch.
The term "Torah" literally means "Law," or "Teaching." it is frequently used to refer to Jewish Religious Instruction in general.
(2) Neviim (Prophets).
(3) Ketuvim (the Writings) i.e., the Hagiographa.
As mentioned,
the Hebrew Bible is traditionally divided into three parts: The first part is the Torah i.e. The Pentateuch i.e. the First Five Books. These are ascribed to Moses. The five books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy is the last book of the "Torah.' written by Moses.
It is followed by the Book of Joshua. The Book of Joshua is the first book of the Prophets. The Book of Joshua was traditionally written by Joshua himself.
The Book of Joshua uses numerous expressions found in the Torah. Its style is reminiscent of that of the Book of Deuteronomy the last book of the Five Books of Moses.
This is consistent with it being a continuation of those works.
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3. MBD & MBJ Parallels
Moses and Joshua Paralleled by Messiah son of David (MBD) and Messiah son of Joseph (MBJ).
Joshua died at the age of 110 (Joshua 24:29). Joshua was from the Tribe of Ephraim the son of Joseph who also died at the age of 110.
Joshua parallels the future Messiah son of Joseph.
The MBJ will lead the Lost Ten Tribes (LTTS) in the End Times. He will initiate the reconciliation with Judah (Isaiah 11:12-13) led by the Messiah son of David (MBD).
One tradition says he will be descended from Joshua ben Nun, another from Jeroboam ben Nebat. Joshua was the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses and oversaw the conquest of the Land of Canaan.
Jeroboam led the Ten Tribes when they rebelled against the House of David and set up their own Kingdom of Israel. By MBJ initiating a reconciliation with Judah he will be rectifying the son of jeroboam. Jeroboam like Joshua was from the the Tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph.
The MBD will be concerned more with spiritual matters and the MBJ with worldly ones.
This parallels Moses and Joshua.
Moses was from the Tribe of Levi which was destined to become an important components of the Kingdom of Judah and closely associated with the House of David.
Jeremiah (NKJV) 33:
14 BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, THAT I WILL PERFORM THAT GOOD THING WHICH I HAVE PROMISED TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH:
15 IN THOSE DAYS AND AT THAT TIME
I WILL CAUSE TO GROW UP TO DAVID
A BRANCH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS;
HE SHALL EXECUTE JUDGMENT AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE EARTH.
16 IN THOSE DAYS JUDAH WILL BE SAVED,
AND JERUSALEM WILL DWELL SAFELY.
AND THIS IS THE NAME BY WHICH SHE WILL BE CALLED:
17 FOR THUS SAYS THE LORD: DAVID SHALL NEVER LACK A MAN TO SIT ON THE THRONE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL; 18 NOR SHALL THE PRIESTS, THE LEVITES, LACK A MAN TO OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS BEFORE ME, TO [D]KINDLE GRAIN OFFERINGS, AND TO SACRIFICE CONTINUALLY.
19 AND THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO JEREMIAH, SAYING, 20 THUS SAYS THE LORD: IF YOU CAN BREAK MY COVENANT WITH THE DAY AND MY COVENANT WITH THE NIGHT, SO THAT THERE WILL NOT BE DAY AND NIGHT IN THEIR SEASON, 21 THEN MY COVENANT MAY ALSO BE BROKEN WITH DAVID MY SERVANT, SO THAT HE SHALL NOT HAVE A SON TO REIGN ON HIS THRONE, AND WITH THE LEVITES, THE PRIESTS, MY MINISTERS. 22 AS THE HOST OF HEAVEN CANNOT BE NUMBERED, NOR THE SAND OF THE SEA MEASURED, SO WILL I MULTIPLY THE DESCENDANTS OF DAVID MY SERVANT AND THE LEVITES WHO MINISTER TO ME.
The MBD will like Moses in any ways and almost as great as he was. Moses was the greatest prophet who ever lived and there will never be a prophet as great as him.
Deuteronomy (NKJV) 34:
10 BUT SINCE THEN THERE HAS NOT ARISEN IN ISRAEL A PROPHET LIKE MOSES, WHOM THE LORD KNEW FACE TO FACE, 11 IN ALL THE SIGNS AND WONDERS WHICH THE LORD SENT HIM TO DO IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, BEFORE PHARAOH, BEFORE ALL HIS SERVANTS, AND IN ALL HIS LAND, 12 AND BY ALL THAT MIGHTY POWER AND ALL THE GREAT TERROR WHICH MOSES PERFORMED IN THE SIGHT OF ALL ISRAEL.
See:
Joshua-1: Leader
https://hebrewnations.com/articles/bible/joshua/joshua1.html
J1. Joshua, the First King of Israel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D182JxQ2CRI
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4. Who was Joshua?
Joshua is first mentioned in the Bible as the commander of Israelite forces being told by Moses to choose warriors and to war against Amalek the arch-enemy of Israel (Exodus 17:9). When Moses went up to Sinai to receive the Torah Joshua accompanied him and waited for him at the foots of the Mountain. After the sin of the Golden Calf Moses separated himself from the people and mostly stayed in the Tabernacle. From time to time however he would go out and speak to the Hebrews. Joshua on the other hand stayed in the Tabernacle all that time (Exodus 33:11).
Exodus (NKJV) 33:
11 SO THE LORD SPOKE TO MOSES FACE TO FACE, AS A MAN SPEAKS TO HIS FRIEND. AND HE WOULD RETURN TO THE CAMP, BUT HIS SERVANT JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, A YOUNG MAN, DID NOT DEPART FROM THE TABERNACLE.
Joshua is referred to as a "naar." This is translated as "servant" but literally it implies "youth, assistant, understudy."
The name of Joshua had been Hosea ("Hoshea") but Moses changed it to Yehoshua. Joshua was one of the 12 spies sent to spy out the Land of Canaan prior to its conquest.
Numbers 13:
16 THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE MEN WHOM MOSES SENT TO SPY OUT THE LAND. AND MOSES CALLED HOSHEA THE SON OF NUN, JOSHUA.
Twelve emissaries were sent to spy out the Land, one from each Tribe. Only Joshua the son of Nun from the Tribe of Ephraim and Caleb the son of Jephunneh from the Tribe of Judah returned with a positive report.
Here too we find prototypes for the Messiah son of Joseph and the Messiah son of David.
Moses was commanded to appoint Joshua as his successor.
Numbers (NKJV) 27:
18 AND THE LORD SAID TO MOSES: TAKE JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN WITH YOU, A MAN IN WHOM IS THE SPIRIT, AND LAY YOUR HAND ON HIM; 19 SET HIM BEFORE ELEAZAR THE PRIEST AND BEFORE ALL THE CONGREGATION, AND INAUGURATE[ HIM IN THEIR SIGHT. 20 AND YOU SHALL GIVE SOME OF YOUR AUTHORITY TO HIM, THAT ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL MAY BE OBEDIENT. 21 HE SHALL STAND BEFORE ELEAZAR THE PRIEST, WHO SHALL INQUIRE BEFORE THE LORD FOR HIM BY THE JUDGMENT OF THE URIM. AT HIS WORD THEY SHALL GO OUT, AND AT HIS WORD THEY SHALL COME IN, HE AND ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WITH HIM ALL THE CONGREGATION.
Joshua and Elazar son of Aharon and High Priest were commanded to take charge of the Division of the Land of Canaan when it will have been conquered and subdued (Numbers 34:17).
Moses urged Joshua to be strong and faithful for the sake of the people:
Deuteronomy (NKJV) 31:
7 THEN MOSES CALLED JOSHUA AND SAID TO HIM IN THE SIGHT OF ALL ISRAEL, BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, FOR YOU MUST GO WITH THIS PEOPLE TO THE LAND WHICH THE LORD HAS SWORN TO THEIR FATHERS TO GIVE THEM, AND YOU SHALL CAUSE THEM TO INHERIT IT. 8 AND THE LORD, HE IS THE ONE WHO GOES BEFORE YOU. HE WILL BE WITH YOU, HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU; DO NOT FEAR NOR BE DISMAYED.
Deuteronomy (NKJV) 34:
9 NOW JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN WAS FULL OF THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM, FOR MOSES HAD LAID HIS HANDS ON HIM; SO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HEEDED HIM, AND DID AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED MOSES.
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5. Parallels Between Joshua and Moses.
The Book of Joshua continues the account of Joshua.
Joshua led the Israelites from the east bank of the Jordan to the Jordan itself with the ark of the Covenant before them. As the feet of the Priests (Cohens) who carried the Ark touched the waters the River Jordan divided before them.
They then conquered the mighty fortressed city of Jericho whose walls were caused to collapse before them. In conquering Jericho they were assisted by Rahab, a lady of fortune, who together with her family joined the Israelites and later settled among them. The Hebrews then besieged the small city of Ai which they expected to be easy prey. They were pushed back with the loss of 36 warriors. This caused demoralization among the people and Joshua was much disheartened. Through the Urim on the breastplate of the High Priest it was divined that the defeat was due to Achan from the Tribe of Judah having taken forbidden loot from Jericho. Achan and his family were punished and the city of Ai captured..
The Hebrews defeated an alliance of five Amorite kings from Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. At Gibeon, Joshua asked the LORD to cause the sun and moon to stand still, so that he could finish the battle in daylight. Consequently, the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. The LORD fought for the Israelites in this battle, for he hurled huge hailstones from the sky which killed more Canaanites than those which the Israelites slaughtered. From then the Israelites continued to conquer the rest of Canaan, and to divide the Land between the Israelite Tribes.
Scripture mentions numerous parallels between Joshua and Moses.
(Source: From the Hebrew version of Wikipedia):
The Book of Joshua shows Joshua as the successor of Moses continuing in his path.
Joshua is a leader and guide just as Moses was. Joshua is concerned with the spiritual level of the people and with upholding their morale.
Joshua splits the Jordan River just as Moses split the sea.
(Brit-Am ed. Today the Jordan River is not much wider than a small stream but in the time of Joshua it was very wide like one of the great rivers of the world. This may be seen by the river course where in certain parts it cut through mountain ridges and surrounding river banks that once existed and still can be seen show a very wide expanse.)
The angel appeared to Joshua at the beginning of his calling (Joshua 5:13) just as God Appeared to Moses in the burning bush.
Joshua sends spies to investigate the Land just as Moses did.
Joshua fell on his face to implore salvation from God (Joshua 7:6) just as Moses did.
Joshua severely punishes the transgressors (Joshua 7:25) just as Moses did.
Joshua leads in conducting the ceremony of the Blessing and Curse at Mount Able and the Covenant between Israel and the Almighty. This parallels similar ceremonies conducted by Moses.
Joshua pointed with his staff towards the enemy at the Battle of Ai. This parallels Moses pointing with his staff in the War against Amalek.
Joshua strengthens the hearts of the leaders of the People going out to war (Joshua 1:25). This parallels Moses (Deuteronomy 31:7).
Joshua makes a Covenant between the People and God at Schechem (Joshua 24:25) parallel to what Moses did in the Plains of Moab by the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 31:7).
Under the leadership of Joshua the Israelites worshipped the Almighty just as they did in the time Moses (Joshua 24:31).
When Joshua died Scripture referred to him as the "Servant of the Almighty" (Joshua 24:29) which term was also applied to Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5).
Under Joshua God fought for Israel (Joshua 10:13) just as Moses had calmed the people by telling them that God would fight for them.
Joshua exceeds Moses in some ways, e.g.
Joshua 10:
12 THEN JOSHUA SPOKE TO THE LORD IN THE DAY WHEN THE LORD DELIVERED UP THE AMORITES BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND HE SAID IN THE SIGHT OF ISRAEL:
SUN, STAND STILL OVER GIBEON;
AND MOON, IN THE VALLEY OF AIJALON.
13 SO THE SUN STOOD STILL,
AND THE MOON STOPPED,
TILL THE PEOPLE HAD REVENGE
UPON THEIR ENEMIES.
IS THIS NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF JASHER? SO THE SUN STOOD STILL IN THE MIDST OF HEAVEN, AND DID NOT HASTEN TO GO DOWN FOR ABOUT A WHOLE DAY. 14 AND THERE HAS BEEN NO DAY LIKE THAT, BEFORE IT OR AFTER IT, THAT THE LOORD HEEDED THE VOICE OF A MAN; FOR THE LORD FOUGHT FOR ISRAEL.
We see that in many ways Joshua was not only the successor of Moses in the chronological sense but also in his actions.
The Messiah son of David shall come and shall be preceded by the Messiah son of Joseph.
They will parallel what was the case of Moses followed by Joshua but in this case the sequence will b e reversed. MBJ (who parallels Joshua) will come before MBD who parallels Moses.