Joshua is a very clear type of Christ, and the two even share the same name. Under Joshua a new, more faithful generation conquered Canaan, a do-over compared with the wilderness generation that died in unbelief, and this conquest typifies the Christian's fight of sanctification after baptism. Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses (Joshua 11:15), just as Jesus came down from heaven not to do His own will but the will of the Father who sent Him (John 6:38). Jesus' first coming was itself a conquest, like the one in Canaan 1,400 years earlier, except that He overcame sin, Satan, and this world, and God was pleased with what He accomplished. Joshua led Israel across the Jordan as Moses had led them across the Red Sea, and the people recognized him as their new Moses. Joshua is nevertheless not a perfect type, because only Christ can be perfectly Christ. His foolish treaty with the Gibeonites, made without consulting God, shows his humanity. In this he also stands for human leaders in the church, who are faithful examples yet fallible, easily deceived by appearances, prone to decide before seeking God, and bound to live with the consequences of their errors. One mistake did not disqualify him, since his record of faithfulness outweighed it. Until Christ returns, no earthly leader will match Christ's character.

Joshua is an obvious type of Jesus Christ, and they even share the same name: Joshua is Yeshua. Joshua is the God-appointed, anointed leader of Israel, full of the spirit of wisdom, with God always at his side. He is strong and courageous, does not turn to the right or left, follows what is written in God's Word, fears nothing, does whatever God commands, and finishes what he starts (Deut. 34:9; Josh. 1:1-9; 11:15). Whenever Joshua appears, something is revealed about Christ, though the true Jesus Christ is a far greater Leader than Joshua ever was. Joshua made a few mistakes, and no servant of God except Jesus ever acted perfectly, so the type breaks down at points. Because Joshua leads the conquest, that conquest is a type of the Christian fight after conversion, in which spiritual Israel grows into its inheritance under Christ's leadership and overcomes enemies on the way to the Kingdom. At the Jordan crossing, God exalted Joshua so Israel would know he was God's chosen leader as Moses was, and putting Christ's name in place of Joshua's gives the antitype: we must accept and exalt Christ as Savior, God, and King. At Jericho, Christ is represented by Joshua and also by the ark carried before the people, and the trumpets announce the presence of the divine King. Following Him and obeying exactly brings victory, for He fights our battles.

Joshua is a type of Jesus Christ, beginning with his name, since Joshua is Jesus in Hebrew. At Jericho the One who became Jesus Christ appears as Commander of the Lord's army, in the role of God the Father, and Joshua stands in the role of the Christ figure. Joshua first confronts the armed Man as a general, demanding His allegiance, and then falls prostrate and worships, calling himself a servant and addressing Him as Adonai, "my Master." This is the same humility Jesus showed in making Himself a servant to serve all mankind. Joshua knew his place before God: an exalted servant with great responsibility, yet still a servant. Like Jesus, who gave Himself as Savior, Joshua puts his life on the line and does whatever it takes to bring the people into their promised inheritance. The fall of Jericho thus pictures Christ's return at the Feast of Trumpets. The Promised Land is a type of the Kingdom of God, and Jericho is the opening judgment that establishes God's people in their inheritance, as Armageddon does for the Millennium. Joshua leads Israel to that inheritance under the trumpet blasts, just as Christ comes at the seventh trumpet to give the saints their reward. Believers are likewise the rear guard who march in faith until "our Joshua" gives the command to shout.