Hidden Heroes: Nun, Joshua’s Daddy

by David Chadwick

Most people who have been Christians for any length of time have heard of David and Goliath. You’ve probably heard of Adam and Eve, too. How about Daniel? But what about the less common people? Have you ever heard of Nun? He’s today’s hidden hero. A lesser known figure who played a significant role in God’s story.

There are many hidden heroes in the Bible who are either overlooked or never even noticed. I love to find the lesser known figures and extrapolate the importance of their life in the story of God.

Nun was Joshua’s daddy. Found in 1 Chronicles 7:26-27, he was a man from the tribe of Ephraim.

We don’t know much about him, but we know a great deal about his son, Joshua. Joshua became Moses’s successor. He led the Israelites from the wilderness to conquer the Promised Land.

Joshua had a book of the Bible named after him and is most renowned for his declaration, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Perhaps this generational legacy began with Nun, Joshua’s daddy.

While everyone knows about Joshua, I believe his father was the true hero. Joshua most certainly did not become such a mighty man in a vacuum. Nun must have been a wonderful father. And then Nun’s father was named Elishama, who was probably also a God-fearing, wonderful man. Joshua’s entire lineage shows the power of a family line whose men pass on their faith and unwavering commitment to the Lord from generation to generation.

For those of you who are fathers, remember this: when you are raising your sons, you are probably raising your sons’ sons! You are raising the generations to come! Be a great, Godly, and good dad. Who knows? Your grandson may have a significant role in God’s story because of your faithfulness to your son.