“Joshua
Son of Nun
Was mighty in war.
He was the successor of Moses
In the prophetic office.
He became,
As his name implies,
A great savior of God’s elect.
He took vengeance
On the enemies
That rose against them.
Thus he might give Israel
Its inheritance.
How glorious he was
When he lifted his hands.
He brandished his sword
Against the cities.
Who before him,
Ever stood so firm?
He waged the wars of the Lord.
Was it not through him
That the sun stood still?
Did not one day
Become as long as two?
He called upon the Most High,
The Mighty One,
When enemies pressed him on every side.
The great Lord answered him
With hailstones of mighty power.
He overwhelmed that nation in battle.
On the slope
He destroyed his opponents.
Thus the nations might know his armament.
He was fighting
In the sight of the Lord.
He was a devoted follower of the Mighty One.”
Of course, there was a whole biblical book named after Joshua. Sirach lists him as a warrior and a prophet, who succeeded Moses. This son of Nun was a great savior of God’s people. He wiped out the enemies of Israel so that they might have their inheritance. He lifted up his hand as he swung his sword. Before him, no one had ever waged wars for the Lord like him. He stood firm and created miracles with the sun. He called upon the Most High God, the mighty one, when enemies were all around him. The Lord heard his cry so that his enemies were destroyed. Thus all the countries came to know about his fighting strength for the Lord, as a devoted follower of the Mighty one.