Not for this [reason] was Joshua appointed leader by Moses in this war — [namely] that he surpassed all the Israelites in the skill of warring. For he seems to have been in no war hitherto, since this [war] is the first against [i.e. fought by] the Israelites, and in Egypt they were exercised not with wars, but with servile works. Nor was he greater in age, in strength, and in experience of affairs than all the others. For even Caleb himself seems to have surpassed him in these things — [Caleb] who, below (ch. 14, v. 11), sings out plainly with open pipes: “[I am] this day of 85 years, so strong as I was strong at that time when I was sent to spy out [the land].”
(col. 66)
The strength of that time perseveres in me even to-day, as much for warring as for marching.” But Joshua, after this war (Exodus ch. 33, v. 11), is called a boy [puer], or a youth; and in this book of Joshua, below (ch. 13, v. 1), he is signified [to be] already destitute of strength [aged]. Abulensis therefore gives the cause: that [Joshua], the servant of God, the minister of Moses, was the most vigorous of all the Hebrews. Josephus, at the cited place, [gives the cause] that, [as] a young man, he was warlike, very robust, noble for enduring labors, very apt for devising and for speaking, and one who knew how becomingly to reverence God and Moses — who, in piety toward God, had been made [his] Master [teacher]. But there is also another cause, greater and truer: that by God [Joshua] was now being designated successor to Moses, the principate was being decreed to him, and he had to perform the apprenticeship of warring and of governing, and to give a specimen of prudence, of fortitude, [and] of obedience. Then, that it might be signified to us — [we] going out of the Egypt of errors and crimes, and seeking the promised land of heavenly beatitude — who ought to be our leader against the spiritual Amalekites: namely, JESUS; as Origen observes (homily 1), who [as he is treated] by Rupert (book 3, ch. 20, On the Trinity) will be cited below.