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PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

An Overview of the bible - Study 8 The Book of Joshua.

The book of Joshua details for us what has been anticipated for some time, the entry of the nation of Israel into the Land God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Joshua Ch 1:6). Israel’s leadership has changed from Moses to Joshua and chapter 1 highlights Joshua’s role as leader. This is where the book receives its name. Joshua receives the law given through Moses, he is to obey it, not to neglect any part of it, to make sure it is read in worship and to study it day and night. Be strong and courageous for I am with you (verses 6, 9 and 18) is God’s word to Joshua in taking the Land and leading the nation.

Chapters 2 tell of the spies sent to check out Jericho (a city in the Land) and Rahab the prostitute protecting them and later, her inclusion among Israel with her family. Chapters 3 and 4 tell of the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River on the border of the Promised Land and the setting of the memorial stones to remember this crossing. Chapter 5 tells of the circumcision of the nation followed by the celebration of the Passover. Also included is the manna from heaven ceasing to fall and the commander of the Lord’s army appearing to Joshua, telling him this is holy ground; that is; the Land is set apart for God’s people.

In these chapters you anticipate the experience of Israel leaving the desert behind and the excitement of a new future in the Land that God had promised. The crossing of the Jordan is the sign of this change, from the desert to the Promised Land. With the crossing of the Red Sea earlier and now the Jordan, these experiences will remind the nation of their freedom and their new life as God’s people.
Chapter 6 tells the detailed story of the eventual surrounding of and capture of Jericho in spectacular fashion with the walls falling down. The Lord has won the battle for his people.

The incident with Rahab and her joining the nation highlights how the Old Testament understands Israel’s relationship with the world. In the New Testament the emphasis is on going out into the world with the message of Jesus, in the Old Testament, particularly early on, the emphasis is on joining Israel. See Chapter 6:22-25 and also Chapter 9 with the Gibeonites.

From Chapter 6 where Jericho is taken to Chapter 12, the conquest of the land and its Kings are described. The nation is victorious in all its battles except for Ai (Ch 7) where sin in the camp of Israel prevented the initial victory. A family had taken possession of articles forbidden; (see Chapter 7:20-21). Once Achan who committed the sin is punished and killed with his family, Israel capture Ai. Because of this setback, Joshua reminds the people of their obligations to God with another reading of the Law and worshipping God. (Chapter 8:30-35).

Once the control of the Land is established, it is divided among the 8 1/2 tribes of Israel in Chapters 13 to 19. Chapter 20 describes cities or refuge, a place where people who kill someone accidentally can go for a fair trial. The Levites we recall, do not receive Land though they are apportioned cities throughout the Land in Ch 21. The offerings of the people are to supply the needs of the Levites.

In chapter 22 Joshua sends he 2 1/2 tribes that are to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan back to their Land but not before an altar is set up as a sign of their identity with Israel for all generations to come. This is important; even though the Land is divided among 11 tribes; the ONE Covenant, ONE people, like the ONE place of worship is central to their understanding of life as a nation under God.

Chapter’s 23 and 24 records Joshua’s farewell speech to the nation shortly before he dies. Joshua tells them of the remaining pockets of territory they have to conquer, he calls the nation to obedience to God (Ch 23:6-8), he reminds them that God has kept his promise to give the Land (Ch 23:14-16).

A review of the Old Testament from Genesis Chapter 12 is given in Ch 24:1-13 to remind them of their history. A second call to obedience is given in Ch 24 and the nation promises to obey the Lord. The book ends with Joshua’s death.
There is a vacuum though at the end of the book. Who is to succeed Joshua? How will they organise their life? Will they continue conquering the remaining pockets of territory not yet claimed? This young nation is far from settled, though they now have control of the Land God promised. These themes will be addressed in the book of Judges our next study of a survey of the bible.

PS One of the religious and political tensions in our world today is between Israel and the Palestinians and this has to do with the very Land that God gives Israel in the book of Joshua.

One of the challenging and difficult themes of the bible is to interpret the promise of the Land and the place it has for Israel today and in the new Covenant that Jesus brings. There are differing opinions about this in the church and we will consider this when we get to the New Testament.

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