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An Introduction to Joshua
Israel Inherits the Promised Land
Through the Bible in One Year
Xavier Reyna, Director
Ben Compere, Editor
Wayman Lim, Choir Director
Anthony Smith, Sergeant at Arms
February 12, 2017
“… the major purpose of the Book of Joshua is to describe
God’s giving of the promised land of Canaan to his people
Israel.”
D. M. Howard, Jr., “Joshua”
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Agenda
Agenda
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Canon
History
Joshua, the Man
Joshua & Moses
Purpose
Theme
•
•
•
•
•
•
Summary
Analysis
Exposition
Issues
Application
Test
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Introduction
An Introduction to a Book of the
Bible Provides Three Things:
1. Information: general information about
the book
2. Insights: to enhance a more detailed study
of the book
3. Incentive: whets your appetite to pursue
further study of the book
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Canon
Joshua: First of the Historical Books
The Petateuch - 5
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books - 12
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
I Samuel
II Samuel
I Kings
II Kings
I Chronicles
II Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Old Testament - 39 books
Wisdom Books - 5
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Song of Songs
Ecclesiastes
Major Prophets - 5
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Minor Prophets - 12
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Michah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
New Testament - 27 Books
Gospels - 4
General Epistles - 8
Matthew
Hebrews
Mark
James
Luke
I Peter
John
II Peter
I John
History - 1
II John
Acts
III John
Jude
Paul's Epistles -13
Romans
Apocalypse - 1
I Corinthians
Revelation
II Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Colossians
Philippians
Philemon
I Thessalonians
II Thessalonians
I Timothy
II Timothy
Titus
“The Bible is history, not of Israel but of the God of Israel and
Israel.”
David Pawson
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
History
Joshua Continues Where Deuteronomy Ended
Joshua
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
History
Joshua and Deuteronomy are Linked by
Moses’ Death and Joshua’s Leadership
Deuteronomy 34
Moses’ Death
Joshua’s Leadership
Joshua 1
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua, the Man
Joshua’s Name
• Joshua means “the Lord saves” or “the Lord
delivers”
• In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew
Bible) the name Joshua is rendered Iesous which is
the same Greek name we translate as Jesus
• Originally, named Hoshea, which means salvation
or deliverance (Num 13:8; Deut 32:44)
• Moses changed his name to Joshua (Num 13:16)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua, the Man
Joshua Experienced the Following Events
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Deliverance from Egypt
Giving of the law at Sinai
The spying mission into Canaan
Forty years of wilderness wanderings
Death of the “old generation”
Moses’ interactions with the Lord
Moses’ death
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua, the Man
Joshua’s Leadership Experience
• At Moses’ request led Israel in defeating the
Amalekites at Rephidim (Ex 17:8-14)
• Accompanied Moses to the foot of Mt. Sinai when
Moses received the law (Ex 24:13)
• Near tent of meeting when God met Moses face to
face (Ex 33:11)
• One of twelve men sent into Canaan to spy out the
land and one of two spies who recommended taking
the land (Num 13-14)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua, the Man
Joshua’s Leadership Experience…. 2
• One of two Israelites from the “old generation” who
will enter the promised land (Num 14:6-9,30)
• The Spirit of God dwells in him (Num 27:18-23)
• Appointed as successor to Moses by the Lord (Deut
31:3,7,14,23)
• Filled with the Spirit of wisdom (Deut 34:9)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua and Moses
Joshua: the New Moses
Joshua Carries on the Work of Moses
• Moses laid hands on him (Deut 34:9)
• The Lord’s promises to Moses pass to Joshua (Josh
1:3)
• As the Lord was with Moses he will be with Joshua
(Josh 1:5,9)
• The new generation of Israelites promised to obey
Joshua as they obeyed Moses (Josh 1:17)
• Sent out spies (Josh 2:1; cf. Num 13:1-6)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua, the Man
Joshua: the New Moses… 2
Joshua Carries on the Work of Moses
• Led a miraculous crossing over the Jordan River (Josh
Chs 3-4; cf. Ex 13:17-14:31)
• Told to “take off his sandals for he is standing on a
holy place” by a divine being (Josh 5:13; cf. Ex 3:5)
• Led a covenant renewal with Israel at Mt. Ebal and
Mt. Gerizim (Josh 8:30-25; cf. Deut 27-28)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Joshua, the Man
Joshua: the Book
“The book rightly bears his [Joshua’s]
name but in the end it must be realized
that the book is not about Joshua – it is
about God.”
Hill and Walton, “A Survey of the Old Testament”
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Purpose
Purpose of the Book of Joshua
The purpose of the Book of Joshua is to
show how the Lord kept his covenant
promise to give the land of Canaan to
the nation of Israel.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Purpose
The Promise and the Fulfillment
Promise
At that time the
Canaanites were in the
land. The LORD
appeared to Abram and
said, “To your offspring
I will give this land.”
.
Gen 12:6,7
Fulfillment
So the LORD gave Israel
all the land he had
sworn to give their
ancestors, and they
took possession of it
and settled there.
.
Josh 21:43
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Themes
The Major Theme of the Book of Joshua is
“Inheriting the Promised Land”
• The promise of a land was originally made to
–
–
–
–
–
Abraham (Gen 12:7; 13:14,15,17; 15:18-21;17:8; 22:17)
Isaac (Gen 26:3,4)
Jacob (Gen 28:4,13; 35:12)
Succeeding generations (Gen 15:13-21; 48:4; 50:24)
Exodus through Deuteronomy is saturated with the
references to the promised land (120 times in Deut)
“The comprehensive theme of the book may be summarized as this:
The Lord fulfills his promises to give the land of Canaan to his
covenant people as an inheritance.”
A. L. Harstad, “Joshua”
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Themes
The Major Theme of the Book of Joshua is
“Inheriting the Promised Land” 2
• The concept of the land of Canaan as God’s gift to
Israel appears over 50 times in Joshua
• The book of Joshua is structured around this topic (see
Analysis)
• Chapters 13-21 contain specific details of inheritances
• Joshua begins and ends with statements concerning
inheriting land
It is important to realize the inheriting the
– Joshua 1:1-6
land is a major part of the COVENANT the
– Joshua 24:1-33 Lord made with his people.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Summary
A Summary of the Book of Joshua:
Israel Inherits the Promised Land
The Lord commissions Joshua to lead Israel in
conquering the land promised to Abraham (Chapter 1).
Joshua leads Israel in preparing to enter (Chapters 25), conquering (Chapters 6-12) and distributing the
land to the 12 tribes (Chapters 13-22).
Joshua leads the people in a renewal of the covenant
just before his death (Chapters 23-24).
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Analysis
An Introduction to the Book of Joshua:
Israel Inherits the Promised Land
I. Commission of Joshua (Ch. 1)
II. Conquest of Canaan (Chs. 2-22)
III. Covenant Renewal of Israel (Chs. 23-24)
“… the idea is emphasized that it was Jehovah who fulfilled his
promise to the fathers in establishing Israel in the land of Canaan.”
William Hendriksen, “A Survey of the Bible”
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Analysis
An Introduction to the Book of Joshua:
Israel Inherits the Promised Land
I. Commission of Joshua (Ch. 1)
II. Conquest of Canaan (Chs. 2-22)
A. Preparing to Enter the Land (Chs. 2-5)
B. Conquering the Land (Chs. 6-12)
C. Distributing the Land (Chs. 13-22)
III. Covenant Renewal of Israel (Chs. 23-24)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Commission of Joshua
Chapter 1 (R:1:1-9)
Exposition
The Theme and Structure of the Book
are Given in Joshua’s Commission
“Now then, you and all these
people get ready to cross the
Jordan River” v.2
Chapters 2-5
Enter the Land
“No one will be able to stand
up against you…” v.5
Chapters 6-12
Conquer the Land
“…you will lead these people
to inherit the land I swore to
their forefathers” v.6
“Be careful to obey all the law
my servant Moses gave you…”
v.7
Chapters 13-22
Distribute the Land
Chapters 23,24
Covenant Renewal
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Conquest of Canaan
Preparing to Enter the Land
Chapter 2
Entering the Land
Rahab and the Spies of Jericho
• Only two spies sent out (not
12 as before)
• Rahab’s faith in God allows
her to escape judgment
• The scarlet cord in the
window is reminiscent of the
blood on the doors of the
Israelites during the
“Passover”
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Conquest of Canaan
Preparing to Enter the Land
Chapter 3 -4
Entering the Land
Israel’s Crossing the Jordan
Melted the Hearts of the Canaanite Kings
• Parallels the crossing of the Red Sea
(Ex 14)
• Confirms the Lord’s commitment
• Validates Joshua’s succession of Moses
• Established memorials
• These two water crossings bracket early
Israelite history
– Deliverance from Egypt
– Entrance into promised land
“Now when all the Amorite
kings west of the Jordan
and all the Canaanite
kings along the coast
heard how the LORD had
dried up the Jordan before
the Israelites until they
had crossed over, their
hearts melted in fear and
they no longer had the
courage to face the
Israelites.”
Joshua 5:1
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Conquest of Canaan
Preparing to Enter the Land
Chapter 5 (R:5:13-15)
Entering the Land
Final Preparations Show Israel
is Ready to Conquer the Land
• Passing the faith to the new generation: first time
since Egypt
– Circumcision (Josh 5:2-9)
• Male children born in the wilderness are circumcised
• Circumcision is a sign of the covenant
– Passover (Josh 5:10-11)
• Signs that Israel is ready to inherit the land
– Cessation of manna (Josh 5:12)
– Commander of the Lord’s army (Josh 5:13-15)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Conquest of Canaan
Conquering the Land
Chapter 6-12
Conquering the Land
Israel Conquered
the Land with Three Military Campaigns
3
Northern Campaign
Chapter 11
Hazor, Madon,
Shimron, Achshaph
1
Central Campaign
Chapters 6-8
Jericho, Ai
2
Southern Campaign
Chapter 9,10
Jerusalem, Hebron,
Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Conquest of Canaan
Distributing the Land R: 13:15-23
Chapter 13-22
Distributing the Land
Distributing the
Promised Land
• 46% of material in Joshua
• The most repetitious and
boring reading
• But, perhaps the most
important part of the book
• Validates that the Lord kept
his promises to Israel
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Conquest of Canaan
Distributing the Land
Chapter 13-22
Distributing the Land
Distributing the Special Cities as Part
of Fulfilling the Lord’s Promise
• Cities of Refuge (Joshua chapter 20)
– Commanded through Moses
– Protection from a blood avenger for those who
accidentally kill someone
• Levitical Cities (Joshua chapter 21)
– Commanded through Moses
– Tribe of Levi inherits, no land, but cities since they
perform the sacrificial rituals
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Covenant Renewal
Of Israel
Chapter 23,24
Covenant Renewal of Israel
Joshua Renews the Covenant with Israel
• Joshua’s Farewell to Leaders (Josh 23:1-16)
– Obey the Lord: remain in the land
– Disobey the Lord: perish from the land
• Joshua’s Covenant Renewal (Josh 24:1-27)
– Historical review of Israel (Josh 24:1-13)
– Joshua’s challenge to serve God (Josh 24:14-27)
• Joshua will serve God (Josh 24:14,15)
• The people will serve God (Josh 24:18-27)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Covenant Renewal
Of Israel
Chapter 23,24
Covenant Renewal of Israel
The Book of Joshua
Ends with Three Burials
• Joshua (Josh 24:29-31)
• Joseph (Josh 24:32)
– His bones carried from Egypt (Gen 50:24,25)
– Buried in Shechem in the land Jacob had purchased
– God gave Abraham the promise of land at Shechem
(Gen 12:6,7)
• Eleazar – son of Aaron (Josh 24:33)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Issues
The Complete Destruction of the
Canaanites Remains a Major Issue
• Israel practiced “kherem” in the conquering of
Canaan
• Kherem is the complete destruction of all living
beings in devotion to one’s God
• We see kherem in the conquering of Jericho (Josh
chapter 6) and later Ai (Josh chapters 7 and 8)
• Kherem was commanded by the Lord (Josh 10:40)
and by Moses (Josh 11:12)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Issues
How Do We Explain Kherem?
• Kherem was part of the Near Eastern culture
• Israel seemed to practice it only early wars of
conquest and consolidation
• It was considered an act of judgment on the
Canaanites for their sinful lifestyle
– Sexual abuse in religious practices
– Human sacrifice (especially of children)
– Resistance to the Lord (Josh 9:1-4; 10:1-5; 11:1-5)
• Rahab submitted to the Lord and was spared
(Josh 2:8-13)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Application
What Can We Learn from the Book of Joshua?
• Rahab’s faith in the Lord spared her from judgment (Josh
2:8-13; cf. Heb 11:31; Jas. 2:25)
• Achan was enticed by the attractiveness of sin
– Violation of the covenant ban (Josh 7:201,21)
– Received judgment (Josh 7:25)
– Affected the entire nation of Israel – defeated at Ai
• Joshua and the men of Israel were deceived into sin by the
Gibeonites (Chapter 9)
• Commitment to the Lord needs frequent renewal (Josh
1:16-18; 8:30-35; 24:21-27)
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
What one word best describes the
content of the book of Joshua?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Battle
Inheritance
Covenant
Land
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
What two words best describes the
content of the book of Joshua?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Levitical cities
Promised land
Covenant renewal
Moses’ law
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
What is the major theme
of the book of Joshua?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Destroying the sinful Canaanites
Obeying the law of Moses
Inheriting the promised land
Renewing the covenant
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
Why is Canaan described
as the promised land?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The Lord promised to destroy the Canaanites
The Lord promised Canaan to Israel’s ancestors
The Lord promised to be with Israel in Canaan
Israel promised to obey the Lord in Canaan
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
Joshua’s name means:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The Lord saves
The Lord remembers
The Lord conquers
The Lord is present
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
Joshua succeeded the
following leader of Israel:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Eleazar
Aaron
Moses
Caleb
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Test
Who is the main character in
the Book of Joshua?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Joshua
The nation of Israel
Moses
The Lord
None of the above
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:6