Joshua (along with Caleb) spoke with confidence about how God would take them into the promised land and defeat the enemies. He had great confidence in God who would be with them.

Gideon's story shows how even those who experience great victories can stumble in their later years. Though he declined the invitation to be king, saying "the Lord shall rule over you," he requested gold from the spoils and made an ephod (idol) that "became a snare to Gideon and his household."

We first meet Joseph when he was born to Rachel as the 12th son of Jacob. Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb. So she conceived and bore a son and said, "God has taken away my reproach." She named him Joseph, saying, "May the Lord give me another son" (Genesis 30.22-24). A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth (Ecclesiastes 7.1).