Joshua

Book of Joshua

First Impressions

- What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

The original readers (or hearers) of the book of Joshua were the Israelites who had been led by God through Joshua and were now living in the Promised Land.  Joshua 25:1 records, “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to follow the decrees and regulations of the LORD.”  Joshua 24:28-29 states, “Then Joshua sent all the people away to their homelands. After this, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD died at the age of 110.”  The original readers were the Israelites who had been led by God through Joshua and were now living in the Promised Land after the death of their leader, Joshua.

- What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

According to the introduction to the book of Joshua in the Sourceview Bible, the book of Joshua was written by Joshua about 1390 BC.  Joshua 1:1 states, “After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses assistant.”  The phrase, “The LORD told Joshua” or “the LORD said to Joshua” is repeated numerous times throughout the entire book of Joshua (see Joshua 3:7, 4:1, 5:2, etc).  Near the end of the book, Joshua 24:26 states, “Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions.”  It strongly appears that Joshua is indeed the author of the book of Joshua.

- What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the "main idea"?

God told Joshua to “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.  Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (see Joshua 1:6-9).  This passage summarizes some of the main themes contained within the book of Joshua.  For example, God blesses His people when they are obedient to Him.  God would give His servant, Joshua, a command.  Joshua would obey God and command his people accordingly.  The people would then obey Joshua and be blessed by God.  For example, Joshua and the Israelites obeyed God and God allowed all of them to cross over the Jordan River on dry ground (see Joshua 3:15-16).  Joshua and the Israelites obeyed God and God allowed them to conquer their enemies and occupy their land.  However, God also punishes disobedience.  For example, God punished Achan (and his family and the rest of the Israelites) for his sinful disobedience (see Joshua 7:1-26 for more details).  God blesses His people for being obedient to Him and punishes His people for being disobedient to Him. 

- What is the primary reason this book was written?

The primary reason the book of Joshua was written was to remind the Israelites of all that God had done for them and to remind them of their covenant with God (see Joshua’s speech in chapters 23 and 24).  Joshua wanted the Israelites to remember all the things that God had done for them to bring them into the Promised Land.  Joshua also wanted to remind them of their covenant with God and the terms of their covenant.  Simply stated, Joshua reminded the Israelites that God will continue to bless them if they remain obedient to Him.  However, Joshua also warned the Israelites that God will punish them if they rebel and become disobedient to Him.

Theme Tracing

- What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

The book of Joshua demonstrates that God is faithful and He keeps His covenants with His people.  This book shows that God blesses His people when they are obedient to Him.  God blessed the obedience of His people when He allowed them to conquer their enemies.  For example, God allowed His people to conquer Jericho when they were obedient to Him (see Joshua 6:1-27). God blessed His people when He allowed them to cross over the Jordan River on dry ground.  God also punished His people when they were disobedient.  For example, God punished Achan (and his family and the Israelites) for his (their) sin (see Joshua 7:1-26 for more details). These events and other signs, wonders, and miracles throughout the book of Joshua demonstrate that God is also all powerful!  For example, God honored Joshua’s prayer of “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon” (see Joshua 10:12) so that Joshua and the Israelites could defeat the Amorites.  God is holy and He desires purity.  In Joshua 3:5, Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.”  God is Provider.  Joshua 5:12 states, “No manna appeared on the day they first ate from the crops of the land, and it was never seen again.  So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan.”  God had provided manna for His people to eat.  Now, God is providing the crops of Canaan for His people to eat.  The book of Joshua teaches us that God desires His people to rely on Him rather than on themselves in order to experience true blessings in life. 

- What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

In the book of Joshua, God used Joshua to lead the Israelites into their Promised Land.  In the future, God will use His Son, Jesus, to lead His people into their inheritance.  According to Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts (page 63), “the scarlet cord, which provided safety for Rahab and her house (Josh. 2:17-21), portrays safety through the blood of Jesus (Heb. 9:19-22).”  God has a plan to redeem His people.  God had established a covenant with the Israelites. Joshua reminded them of the terms of their covenant with God. In the future, God will establish a new covenant with His people.

Application questions

- Personal Application

While studying the book of Joshua, I am reminded once again of God’s faithfulness.  I am reminded of God’s covenant with His people.  I am reminded that God blesses the obedience of His people.  I am reminded that God punishes the disobedience of His people as well.  I am also reminded that I am to rely on God rather than on myself to experience true success and blessings in life.  One of the ways in which Joshua encouraged the Israelites about their future was to remind them of what God had done for them in their past.  As a personal application for this book, I will write down what God has done for me in the past.  More specifically, I will write down how God had provided for me so that I was able to lead an outreach to South Korea, Togo, and China with the Go Asia DTS.  Additionally, I will write down how God had provided a way for me to travel throughout Asia (South Korea, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Japan) after outreach as well.  Observing how God has faithfully provided for me in the past will help me to believe that God will faithfully provide for me in the future as well. 

- Point of Passion

My passion is to know God and to make Him known – especially among teenagers and young adults.  While studying the book of Joshua, I am reminded yet again of God’s covenant with His people.  God is faithful and He will always be faithful.  God is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.  God says that He will bless the obedience of His people; therefore, that is what God will do.  God says that He will punish the disobedience of His people; therefore, that is what God will do.  God is faithful to who He is. God will uphold His side of the covenant.  I would like to remind believers – especially teenagers and young adults – of the covenant that they have with God. I would like to encourage them to be obedient to God so that they may receive His blessings rather than be disobedient and receive His punishment.  Further, I would like to encourage them to rely on God rather than on themselves in order to be truly blessed.