Joshua

1.       First Impressions

·         What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?

The original readers of Joshua would be the Israelites which have just entered into Canaan and have taken possession of the Land. They fought the battles and have seen the miraculous ways in which God has come through for them. These are the people who will be settling in the Promised Land and have decided to follow God (Joshua 24:21). They are now without a leader (Joshua 24:29) and are held responsible to be faithful to the covenant they have made with God (Joshua 24:20).

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

T he author of Joshua is not clearly known and it is a debated topic. Many people believe that Joshua did not write the book however others say that He did write all of it except for the last few verses about his death and he death of High priest Eleazar. There are many times in the book where God’s words to Joshua are recounted. In Joshua 24:26 it also says, “Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions…” On the following website there is an interesting article presenting both sides of the argument about who wrote Joshua: http://faculty.vassar.edu/jolott/old_courses/class%20of%2051/jericho/joshua.html.

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

The book is divided in to two parts, firstly the campaigns of the Israelites and the conquering of their enemies in central, southern and northern Canaan and secondly the distribution and division of the land between the twelve tribes. This is ended by Joshua’s speech and warning of the need for faithful observance of the Law.

The themes of Joshua include success, leadership, faith and guidance. We see in Joshua that God's idea of success not necessarily what the world's idea of what success is. Moreover, we have success when we have faith in God and when we have faith in God he guides us.

When it comes to leadership Joshua is a good example of a leader who is courageous, strong and confident. Joshua was willing to seek God's advice and to act on it immediately. We see this in the way that Joshua acts immediately after God tells him to do something (8:18 and 11:15).

In one sentence Joshua can be summed up as the story of God leading His people to take possession of the Promised Land as He provides for them and re-establishes His covenant with them.

·         What is the primary reason this book was written?

Joshua is written to record the events that occurred as they go into the Promised Land. It very clearly shows that the reason why the Israelites had such success is because God was with them. This is important information so that future generations do not look at their parents thinking it was because of them that they were able to conquer the land they did but instead that they will recognize God’s hand in it all. The information on the way the land was divided originally will also be very important since the land is to be returned to its owners every 50^th year. Joshua would want o have the information recorded as it happened to give the glory to God and to recognize that Israel chose to follow God.

2.       Theme Tracing

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

In Joshua we see that God makes covenants with men and He keeps his promises (Joshua 21:45). We again see that God is holy and where He is it is holy (Joshua 24:19 & 5:15). God is relational and He reveals his will to men God expects men to remain focused on whatever has been spoken.
In Joshua 24:20 it says, "If you abandon the Lord and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you." God has no tolerance for sin and will even destroy His people because of it. He is a jealous God and His ways are higher than our ways but he is always good despite my understanding.

God’s I have also been able to see how God empowers His people to do what they themselves would never be able to do. God is—and always has been—one hundred percent reliable.

God cares about our fears and feelings of insignificance and He stands with us through it. Throughout Joshua God encourages His people by telling them to be strong and courageous and several times He comforts Joshua and tells Him to not be afraid (Joshua 1:9,8:1&11:6)

·         What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

There are no direct messianic prophesies in Joshua. The name Joshua or Yeshua in Hebrew is the same as Jesus. As Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and charts call it, Joshua is a type of Christ. In a similar way to Jesus, he too leads the people in victory.  The scarlet cord which kept Rahab and her family safe (Joshua 2:17-21) signifies the blood of Jesus which keeps us safe (Heb 9:19-22). God’s redemptive plan can be seen in these things but also in the way that He wants to have this covenant with His people.

3.       Application questions

·         Personal application:  The combination of trusting god and obeying Him in all things to achieve victory is important in our lives and I am challenged to do this on a smaller scale in my life. I trust God for the big things but often it is the small things I think I can do by myself that I don’t always include God in. One of the most important lessons which I can learn from Joshua is the importance of preparation. Bekah touched on this in class and it really hit home. I am currently in a season of preparation in my life and I am often impatient thinking that the things I am doing are only for myself and are in turn a waste of my time. Reading Joshua and seeing how God prepared Him for most of his life to go and do that which He was called to, has really shown me the importance of fully taking in all you can in phases of preparation because you never know what you might need later. I really want to put in my best and take the time and effort to prepare for what God has for me, I don’t know what it is yet but I understand now the importance of having a firm foundation to stand on and a well to draw from when times get difficult.

·         Point of Passion:  The most important lesson which I can take from Joshua regarding education is one for the teachers. Recently I read this quote and it applies so well to that which I’ve learned regarding education in Joshua: “The individual who shapes the culture for Christ is not the one paralyzed by the challenge, but the one who courageously makes change happen knowing that “greater is He that’s within, than he that is in the world.” Teachers need to be leaders and there are so many lessons regarding leadership in Joshua. Firstly is the fact that you can achieve anything with the help of God.  Over and over again God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous” (1:9). It is important that teachers are courageous and trust in God to know what wisdom to impart to whom and when. In this process God can use teachers to change lives as they listen to Him and act on His instruction.