Joshua: Introduction (7)

Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 34.9

Reflect and discuss.
1.  Review each of the studiesin this introduction to the book of Joshua. Why is this an important book for Christians?

2.  How will you know when the message of Joshua is having God’s desired effect in your life? What will be the evidence indicating that you have learned what God wants you to learn from Joshua?

Think about it.
Our study of the book of Joshua will follow a five-part outline:

1.  Preparation 1-5: This section includes God’s commission to Joshua, Joshua’s instructions to the leaders of Israel, the sending of spies to Jericho, the crossing of the Jordan and the placing of memorial stones, and the circumcising of the second generation of males. The Preparation concludes with Joshua’s dramatic encounter with the Commander of the army of the LORDin chapter 5.

2.  Initial Victories and Setbacks 6-10.27: The purpose of this section is to show us how Joshua and the people of Israel learned to trust in God and not in their own best ideas. Following an overwhelming victory against the city of Jericho, a setback occurs before Ai is conquered, and then another setback comes when Israel’s leaders fail to recognize the ruse of the Gibeonites. The high point of this section is the renewal of God’s covenant that occurs in 9.30-35.

3.  Campaigns and Conquests 10.28-12: The writer summarizes the conquest of the land, showing how Joshua “and all Israel with him” (a refrain repeated for emphasis) overcame the people of the land, first in the south, the mountains, and the lowlands, then in the north. The section ends with a recap of the conquests of Moses and Joshua.

4.  Division of the Land 13-21: After a beginning reminder that the work was not quite finished, this section records the dividing of the land for the various tribes. The purpose is to outline the fulfillment of God’s promises, just as He had spoken through Abraham and Moses.

5.  Settlement 22-24: The concluding section sees the tribes beginning to settle in their appointed sections of the land and Joshua charging them not to become complacent but to finish their God-appointed task. The covenant between God and His people is renewed at Shechem just prior to Joshua’s death at the age of 110.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  The longest single section of Joshua is the first one, when God and Joshua are preparing the people for the conquest of the land. How should this counsel us about the importance of daily preparation for serving the Lord? Of what should that preparation consist?

2.  Early setbacks and failures serve as a portent for the book of Joshua as a whole. It will end with the work not quite finished, and with no one in place to lead the people into the next phase. What setbacks and failures can keep us from fulfilling our calling to lay hold on the promises of God? How can we overcome these?

3.  How can Christians encourage one another in the ongoing struggle to gain the promises of God?

“It is written, ‘Now Joshua, the son of Nun, was filled with the Spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him.’ Note the same ceremonial everywhere, both in the Old and the New Testament. In Moses’ day the Spirit was given by the imposition of hands; and Peter imparted the Spirit by the imposition of hands. Upon you also, who are to be baptized, the grace will come.” Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 AD)

Lord, You hold out Your precious and very great promises to me every day, and every day I…

Pray Psalm 105.1-12.
Commit your study of Joshua to the Lord. Tell Him what you hope to learn. Ask His help in teaching you and leading you deeper into His promises and love, and in equipping you for your daily walk and work.

Psalm 105.1-11 (Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the Lord Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry! 
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand. 

Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part. 
Him and His strength and presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak. 

You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand! 
He is our Lord, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth. 

He will His covenant faithfully guard – His oath, the promise of His Word. 
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Part 1 of our study of the book of Joshua, is available as a free PDF by clicking here.

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.