Postać Jozuego w interpretacji Cezarego z Arles

The Patristic tradition read the Book of Joshua as a foreshadowing of the saving work of Jesus Christ. Joshua replaces Moses and in the order of grace, Jesus Savior replaces the ancient Law. Fathers conceived of the history of Israel as a unique sign announcing the Christian life. Similar elements can be found in Caesarius’ preaching. For the bishop of Provence, Joshua is the one who would lead God’s people into the Promised Land and he gave to them the true inheritance. The figure of Joshua is associated with Christ. For Caesarius the Israelites’ crossing of the Jordan River was a typological form of baptism. This is an announcement of the introduction of grace and the offering of supernatural goods by Christ, whose figure was the son of Nun. The new generation of Israelites, led by Joshua, is a prefiguration of the Church. It had replaced the once chosen nation (Synagogue). Caesarius was aware that he read the text of the Book of Joshua in the light of the Church’s faith and practice and the pastoral needs of his congregation. He was also sensitive to pastoral needs arising in his community. In his preaching, as in his practice, Caesarius strove for effective presentation of grounded biblical theology and the application of adequate pastoral principles.