Joshua

Joshua


What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader? This is a new generation who has just promised Joshua they would be faithful. I think they meant this will all their hearts . . . "We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses." Joshua 1:16.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author? From the very onset of this book, God is encouraging Joshua. "Be strong and very courageous . . . Studythis book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it." In Joshua 1:7-8 God is putting His faith in this man. At the end of the book, Joshua 23:1-24:14, you see Joshua as steadfast as ever repeating what he spoke to the Israelites from the beginning of their quest. He points out God’s faithfulness to them, "Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true."

The internal evidence that Joshua is the author is in Joshua 24:26. "Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions. As a reminder of their agreement . . ." Probably the best praise given concerning Joshua is recorded at the very end of chapter 24; "The people of Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him–those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel."

Main themes, repeated ideas, and main idea. Conquering and occupying Canaan is the main idea of this book. Reading the ingenious strategies God used for doing this is like watching the Narnia movies! In each of the city-states God orders the Israelites to conquer, there were particulars. God has reasons for everything He ordered them to do. Another main idea was setting the specific boundaries for each tribes allotted territory. Repeated many times are the words of God to Joshua to "be strong and courageous." Joshua reminded the people continually of the blessings of obedience to God and the repercussions of disobedience.

What is the primary reason this book was written? "Joshua records the transition of the Israelites, from a nation of desert nomads, to the conquest of their promised land. It shows how the lands were divided among Israel’s 12 tribes and reminds the nation that they owed their existence to God." SourceView. The land allotted for this nation was occupied by people whose pagan beliefs and lifestyle were abhorrent to God. While the Israelites were promised a homeland, the homeland needed purging from the despicable sins polluting the land.

What does this book show about the character and nature of God? God desires a holy nation, one that would receive His blessings in abundance. His generous nature is for all peoples who desired to align themselves with Him-- exemplified by the story of Rahab who sided with God and became part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. God’s holiness is expressed again at both the beginning and the end of the possession of Canaan. The blessings of obedience and the perils of disobedience are evident in this book as they were in the Pentateuch.

What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind? First, that God would deliver his people . . . "When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. ‘Are you friend or foe?’ "Neither one, I am the commander of the Lord’s army. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." Joshua 5:13-15. Jesus was there! The scarlet cord Rahab placed out the window was the sign of her deliverance just as Jesus’ blood is ours. Joshua, himself (his name being the same as Yeshua or Jesus), is a foreshadowing of the Savior to come.

Personal application: I have been searching my own heart regarding how faithful I would have been to God if I had been one of the Israelites in this time of history. It is tempting to think I would remain faithful, but I think this on the other side of God’s shed blood for me; on the other side where forgiveness of sins has been made by the Perfect Sacrifice and the promised Comforter, the very Spirit of Christ Himself is living inside me. Even within the New Covenant, I fail. These books of the Pentateuch, as well as the book of Joshua, are very telling. Telling not only the story of those long ago strugglers, but revealing my hapless devotion to God. This inspires me to think again of the final end of this Story and it’s impact on the world, and on me.

Point of Passion: Joshua instructs, instructs, instructs. God encourages, encourages, encourages. God meets man so that man can meet God and walk with Him again as Adam and Eve walked with Him im the Garden. Again, a call to intercession is very much like this. God using us to pray that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.