Joshua

What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

      There are a few clues in the text that give us an idea who the original readers were. We know that Rahab still lived with them, so the book couldn't have been written too long after the events. The phrase “to this day” appears a few times which again tells us that it couldn't have been written too long after the events in the book. The book was written to the Israelites who were settling in the land. They are addressed more than once about how to take their land.

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

      We believe the author was Joshua, but there is no conclusive evidence for that. It seems logical that Joshua would have been one of the few people who would have known all the details that the book talks about. All the conversations with God and all the directions that Moses would have given to Joshua before he died. The author knew all of these things, so it seems to me that Joshua would be a good assumption for the authorship. We know that Joshua was called by God in Josh 1:2. Joshua really lacked confidence at the beginning of his leadership. Josh 3:7-8 and 4:14 shows us this. He greatly feared the Lord. He made sure to keep his oath with the Gibeonites, because of his fear of the Lord in Josh 9:19. Joshua did all that the Lord had commanded him as Josh 11:15 says. He was wise in his leadership and knew war. His whole life he spent at war. (Josh13:1).

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

      The phrase I saw the most was “I have given” or ones very similar. At least 13 times throughout the book. The phrase “no king in Israel” shows up a few times as well. This distinguished them from other lands during the time of the judges. God was their king and He ruled them. There were many battles to conquer the land. The book talks a lot about boundaries as well. Half the book is about how the land should be divided. Obviously, God thought it important to lay that out and have record of it for the Israelites to have and now for us to have. It was the fulfillment of Abraham's covenant with God. It gave Israel their Promised Land and we see how they conquered it as well. An amazing part of Israel's story.

Summary: God makes good on His promise to Israel and gives them the Promised Land as their possession.

What is the primary reason this book is written?

      The primary reason this book was written was to remind Israel that God keeps His promises. He did it here and did it many times before and would continue to do it. The Israelites seemed to need this reminder a lot and this is a very important reminder for them. God showed how great things can go when a leader and a nation obey Him. I think they would have needed this reminder as well. The original readers would have been under a monarchy, but it was important for them to see how God blesses them when they worship Him and Him only.

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

      The character and nature of God is described well in Josh 10:14. We see that God answers prayer and He just finished doing an incredible miracle. He made the sun stand still so the Israelites could have victory over their enemy as God fought for them. God was very encouraging to Joshua as he started his leadership over Israel. He gave Him the encouragement he need to lead the people into victory over the current possessors of the Promised Land. God showed once again that He is in control of the nations. Of who stands and of who falls. The nations and even the length of a day are under His control.

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

      We see Joshua as a type of Christ. There are some similarities between him and Jesus. One being the have the same name, that means Yahweh and Salvation. Which actually is who Christ is. But what makes Joshua a type of Christ is that he is able to finish the fulfillment of the covenant when Moses was not able to because of sin. Moses represents the old covenant that couldn't bring salvation to people but only could cover up sin. Joshua, however represents the new covenant that is able to bring salvation. Joshua leads the people into the promised land and conquers it fulfilling the covenant. Joshua is the only thing I noticed that gives us a picture of God's redemptive plan for mankind.

Personal Application

      I think what challenged me the most was Joshua's determination to do everything as the Lord had said. He was bold in his leadership and never gave in when the people were afraid or when they held back. He challenged them to continue to take land even when it seemed impossible, because he knew that God was the one fighting. His determination and boldness in leadership really helped me see how I can improve in leadership or even just as a follower of Christ. He didn't give in and brought people back to truth. He knew who God was and guided them back on the right track. Though the tribes of Israel didn't always follow, Joshua did all he could do. He was steadfast in his faith.

Point of Passion

      I think what a city like New York City and maybe every other city in the world is this. “choose today whom you will serve.” It is clear that we cannot serve two masters. If we say we love Jesus than we must rid ourselves of what does not come from Him. How can we continue to live in sin just because our culture says that it's okay. How many in New York City, or even how many in the Bronx have lowered their morality standards because it was the easy thing to do. What is needed are people who will do the hard thing and stand strong when no one else will. To be scoffed at for the sake of living a pure and holy life. This is my challenge for the Christians living in the Bronx from Joshua.