01.06. Joshua

Joshua

Theme: Israel is now ready to take possession of Canaan, and fulfill their God-given commission to be a witness to the nations of His unity, and a guardian of His word and Law. In the historical books, beginning with Joshua, we shall see whether or not Israel fulfilled their commission. Joshua is the book of victory and possession. It gives us the spectacle of the once rebellious Israel transformed into a disciplined army of warriors, subduing nations, their superiors in numbers and power. The secret of their success is not hard to find - "the Lord fought for them."

Taking GOD’s faithfulness as our central thought, we may sum up the message of Joshua in the words of Joshua 21:45, "There failed not ought of anything which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."

Author: Joshua. The Talmud says that Joshua wrote all of the book except the last five verses. It was written during Rahab’s lifetime (Joshua 6:25).

Scope: From the death of Moses to the death of Joshua, covering a period of 24 years, from 1451 to 1427 B. C.

CONTENTS I. The Land Entered (Joshua 1:1-18, Joshua 2:1-24, Joshua 3:1-17, Joshua 4:1-24, Joshua 5:1-15).

II. The Land Subdued (Joshua 6:1-27, Joshua 7:1-26, Joshua 8:1-35, Joshua 9:1-27, Joshua 10:1-43, Joshua 11:1-23, Joshua 12:1-24).

III. The Land Divided (Joshua 13:1-33, Joshua 14:1-15, Joshua 15:1-63, Joshua 16:1-10, Joshua 17:1-18, Joshua 18:1-28, Joshua 19:1-51, Joshua 20:1-9, Joshua 21:1-45, Joshua 22:1-34).

IV. Joshua’s Farewell (Joshua 23:1-16, Joshua 24:1-33).

I. The Land Entered (Joshua 1:1-18, Joshua 2:1-24, Joshua 3:1-17, Joshua 4:1-24, Joshua 5:1-15) 1. Joshua’s charge and commission (Joshua 1:1-18).

2. Rahab and the spies (Joshua 2:1-24).

3. The Jordan crossed (Joshua 3:1-17).

4. Two memorials (Joshua 4:1-24).

5. The first Passover in Canaan (Joshua 5:1-15).

How much land were the Israelites to possess (Joshua 1:3)?

What spiritual truth does this illustrate Matthew 19:29)?

What was to be Joshua’s guide now (Joshua 1:8)?

Note that up to this time the Lord made known His will through visions, dreams and angelic appearances, but now it is through the written Word.

What are the two and a half-tribes reminded of (Joshua 1:13-15)?

What kind of woman was Rahab (Joshua 2:1)?

What saved her (Hebrews 11:31)? Did she do anything difficult to obtain salvation (Joshua 2:21)?

What did Joshua command as a memorial of the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua 4:3; Joshua 4:9)?

What was the effect of the report of Israel’s coming upon the Canaanites (Joshua 5:1)?

What did it fulfill (Deuteronomy 2:25)?

What change of diet did the Israelites undergo at this time (Joshua 5:11-12)? Who was the real leader of Israel’s hosts (Joshua 5:13-14)? Who was this (Revelation 19:11-16)?

II. The Land Subdued (Joshua 6:1-27, Joshua 7:1-26, Joshua 8:1-35, Joshua 9:1-27, Joshua 10:1-43, Joshua 11:1-23, Joshua 12:1-24) 1. The conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27).

2. Achan’s sin (Joshua 7:1-26).

3. Conquest of Ai (Joshua 8:1-35).

4. Dealings with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:1-27, Joshua 10:1-43).

5. Final conquest of the land (Joshua 11:1-23, Joshua 12:1-24).

What does the taking of Jericho teach concerning GOD’s ways of working (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)?

What warning was given Israel (Joshua 6:18)?

What curse was pronounced at that time (Joshua 6:26)?

Upon whom did it fall (1 Kings 16:34)? To what New Testament characters may we compare Achan (Acts 5:1-42)? Who were punished for the sin of one man (Joshua 7:1)? Is it sometimes out of order to pray (Joshua 7:10; cf. Exodus 14:15)?

What was at the bottom of Achan’s sin (1 Timothy 6:1-10)?

What was the symbol of Moses’ power (Exodus 10:13)? Of Joshua’s power (Joshua 8:18; Joshua 8:26)?

What command of Moses did Joshua fulfill at this time (Joshua 8:30-35, cf. Deuteronomy 27:1-26)?

What mistake did Joshua make in his dealings with Gibeon (Joshua 9:14)?

Why were the Gibeonites spared (Joshua 9:19)?

How were they punished (verses Joshua 9:23-27)?

Note the reference to the conclusion of Joshua’s campaign (Joshua 11:23).

How many kings did he conquer (Joshua 12:24)?

What was the secret of his success (Joshua 10:42)?

III. The Land Divided (Joshua 13:1-33, Joshua 14:1-15, Joshua 15:1-63, Joshua 16:1-10, Joshua 17:1-18, Joshua 18:1-28, Joshua 19:1-51, Joshua 20:1-9, Joshua 21:1-45, Joshua 22:1-34) Since the above heading sums up the contents of the entire section, a detailed outline will be unnecessary.

According to Joshua 13:1, what had Israel failed to do (Joshua 1:3)?

What warning did Israel fail to heed? (cf. Joshua 13:13; Joshua 15:63; Joshua 16:10, with Numbers 33:55 and Joshua 23:12-13).

IV. Joshua’s Farewell (Joshua 23:1-16, Joshua 24:1-33) What did Joshua enjoin upon the elders of Israel (Joshua 23:6)?

What did Joshua foresee (Joshua 23:13)?

What choice does he put before the people (Joshua 24:15)?

What obligation do the people take upon themselves (Joshua 24:16-18)? From what you know of Israel’s history, did they keep their promise? What did Joshua make with the people (verse Joshua 24:25)?