Joshua: [ josh- oo - uh ] noun --- from a Hebrew word meaning “God is salvation.” .
The primary author of this book is Joshua. Some scholars believe the high priests Eleazar or Phinehas may have supplemented some material in this book that tie to events after the conquest (15:13–19; 19:47; 24:29–33). The Book of Joshua was likely written between 1400 and 1370 B.C.
OVERVIEW:
The overview that Joshua gives in this book is abbreviated and selective details of many of the battles. In addition, manner in which the land was not only conquered, but how it was divided into tribal areas. Following the exodus from Egypt and the subsequent forty years of the wilderness wanderings, the newly-formed nation is now poised to enter the Promised Land, conquer the inhabitants, and occupy the territory.
There are twenty-four chapters within this book. They can be simply summarized in three sections. In Chapters 1-12, we see the people of Israel under the leadership of Joshua entering and conquering the Promised Land. In all, this conquest of the land took about seven years. It is important to note that the complete conquest had not been completed. Joshua reminded the people that the conquest was incomplete: “very much of the land remains to be possessed” (13:1). The next section would be from Chapters 13-22, where instructions are given for the distributing and layout of the land for each tribe of Israel. Finally, in Chapters 23-34, Joshua gives the people of farewell address almost twenty years later. Joshua closes his farewell with a popular and thought-provoking statement: “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15).
Throughout the book, Joshua recounts a story of contradictions. On one side, God gave the Promised Land that He had promised to the Hebrew nation. On the other side, the people failed to possess the land completely (13:1), allowing some Canaanite people to remain. While we see the faithfulness of God in His promise, the Israelites were not faithful to complete what they were commanded. This lack of full obedience allowed for a damaging influence on the nation of Israel over the coming years. Lastly, we find accounts of faithfulness. Rahab the harlot (Joshua 2:1–21), her great faith in the God of the Israelites gives her a place with those honored for their faith in Hebrews 11:31. Most importantly, by God’s grace she was in the Messianic line (Matthew 1:5). The battle of Jericho (6:1–27) is another story that we are familiar with, but echoes of faithfulness within the people ending with victory. Finally, we read about Caleb the warrior (14:6–14), who was faithful, though in the minority. He trusted God and His promises.
The book of Joshua serves as the connecting storyline to show God’s promises through the ages were being fulfilled before the people’s eyes. “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” (21:45).
SO WHAT?
God is the ultimate promise-keeper. As faithful and present as He was with Israel, so He is with us today. “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (1:9). God is faithful, trust in Him. Additionally, this book accounts for three burials: Joshua (24:29–30), the bones of Joseph (24:32), and Eleazar the high priest (24:33). These burials proclaim God’s character. All three men were associated with Israel’s days in captivity, now all three lay at rest in the land of promise, witnesses to God’s faithfulness. Finally, a key verse in the beginning of Joshua, is also woven throughout the scriptures. Joshua 1:8 states, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” The Old Testament is full of stories of how the people “forgot” God and His Word and suffered terrible consequences. For the Christian, the Word of God is our lifeblood. If we neglect it, ignore it, or not grow in our application of it, our lives will suffer accordingly. But if we take to heart the principle of verse 1:8, we will be complete and able to be of use in God’s kingdom (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and we will find that God’s eternal promises will be ours as well.
Next month, we will look at the Book of Judges – an account of various leaders who led over Israel from Joshua’s death until the reign of Samuel. In this book, we will encounter a repetitive cycle the people abandoning God, discipline from God through a foreign power, the people crying out for deliverance, and God raising up a deliverer for them. This to the Perfect Deliverer Jesus who comes to seek and save those who cry out for mercy.
