Commentary Notes - Joshua

A. THE ROOK OF JOSHUA

1. The book of Joshua records the history of the conquest of Canaan by Israel

2. Having led the people "out," God now leads them "in." Deut. 6:28

3. The kev Dhrase of the book is "the Lord fought for Israel," (10:14)

4. God is revealed as "a man of war," Ex. 15:3

5. The land of Canaan is a type of our inheritance in Christ,

Heb. 3:7-4:13, a place of conflict as well as a place of victory

6. Joshua is a type of Christ in that:

(1) His name (Je-hoshua) means Jehovah-Saviour

(2) He typifies Christ as the captain of our salvation, Heb. 2:10

(3) Christ, like Joshua, is our Advocate in defeat, Joshua 7:5-9; 1 John 2:1

(4) Christ, like Joshua, leads his people to victory, Rom. 8:37 (5) Christ, like Joshua, allots to his people their portion, Eph. 1:11; Col. 3:24

7. The book of Ephesians is the New Testament counterpart to the book of Joshua

B. THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK

1. "God looks upon sin with uncompromising intolerance"

2. "The worship of God cannot co-exist with idolatry"

3. "Holiness cannot co-exist with wickedness"

4. "God is perpetually at war with sin"

5. "If the sinner does not turn from his sin. God must destroythe sinner"

6. We obtain our inheritance in Christ by God through the "obedience of faith," Rom. 16:26; Heb. 4:1-11

(With due acknowledgement to Pulpit Commentary and G. Campbell Morgan--Living Messages of the Books of the Bible)

ENTRANCE INTO THE LAND, 1-5

A. JOSHUA'S COMMISSION, 1:1-9

1. Familiarize yourself with the geography of Palestine as demanded for a proper understanding of the book

2. What relationship did Joshua have to Moses, 1:1? He was the servant of Moses who, along with Caleb, believed God when they searched out the land, Num. 14:6-10

3. Of what is Joshua assured in

(1) 1:5? Of God's unfailing faithfulness

(2) 1:8? Of prosperity and success

(3) 1:9? Of having received a divine commission

(4) 1:9? Of God's presence in all places

4. Upon what, in general, was the fulfillment of God's promise to Joshua contingent, 1:5-9? Upon his knowledge of the word of God and his undeviating obedience thereto

B. CROSSING OF JORDAN, 1:10-5:15

1. Joshua does what in 1:10-18? He takes over the leadership of the children of Israel

2. To what does Joshua make reference in 1:12-15? To the request of the children of Gad, Reuben and half of the tribe of Manasseh to settle east of Jordan, Num. 32:1-19

3. What is to be noted from 1:14-15? Before the two and one half tribes could enjoy their inheritance, they had to help their brethren obtain theirs

4. Comment on the people's reply in 1:17: Their reply was not a good omen for Joshua in the light of the experience of Moses, Ex. 17 :l-4

5. Be prepared to relate the story of:

(1) Rahab and the spies, 2:1-24

(2) The crossing of Jordan, 3:1-17

6. Point out the lesson contained in 3:13-17: The power of faith and unquestioning obedience

7. To what purpose were the memorials in chapter 4 according to:

(1) 4:6-7? As a sign to future generations of Israelites who had not seen the power of God

(2) 4:24? To reveal the might of God to all people

(3) 4:24? To instill in the hearts of the people an abiding fear of God

8. Why did the older generation have to die in the wilderness, 5:6? Because of their failure to enter the land through unbelief, Num. 13:1-14:45; Heb. 3:7-19

9. What was the "reproach of Egypt,'' 5:9? The fact that they were a nation of slaves in Egvpt for four hundred years, Gen. 15:13

10. Account for the cessation of the manna in 5:11-12: There was no further need of a miraculous supply as they had the produce of the land

11. Suggest two reasons why the "captain of the Lord's host" appeared to Joshua, 5:15:

(1) To inform Joshua of the real leader

(2) To cause Joshua to depend upon God

CONQUEST OF THE LAND, 6-12

A. CENTRAL CAMPAIGN, 6:1-8:35

1. Be prepared to relate the storv of the conquest of Jericho, 6:1-27

2. For what reasons did God order such unorthodox military strategy, 6:1-21?

(1) To demonstrate God's power to man

(2) To discourage self-reliance and pride

(3) To bring all the glory to God

3. Observe 6:10 in conjunction with Luke 10:4. Now comment: There is a silence which plays an important part in the ways of the Spirit

4. How can the slaughter of the innocent Canaanite children, as in 6:21, be reconciled with the justice of God? Sin had become so ingrained in the nation, that the Canaanite children would have been no different from their parents. Hence

God had no alternative but to rid the country of sin by exterminating the entire population

5. How was Rahab rewarded in 6:22-25? She was saved alive with her household because of her faith, Heb. 11:31

6. Give the cause of Israel's defeat in 7:1-26? Achan's disobedience to Joshua's warning, 6:18

7. What may be learned from 7:10? That prayer is no substitute for the removal of sin, 2 Chr. 27:6

8.Specifically, what three things were involved in Achan's sin. 6:19; 7:11?

(1) He took the accursed thing

(2) The silver and gold was consecrated to God

(3) He made a false pretence by hiding the things in a manner as though they were his own

9. What principle underlies the victory in 8:1-29? That the removal of sin makes possible divine aid and intervention

B. SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN, 9:1-10:43

1. To what purpose did the Gibeonites deceive Joshua, 9:1-27? To procure their own safety by preventing their extermination

2. Quote that statement from 9:14 which shows Joshua's mistake: "And asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord"

3. What does 10:12-14 show concerning God? That God goes toany necessary extent to help his people

4. How are Israel's victories accounted for in 10:42? In that "the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel"

C. NORTHERN CAMPAIGN, 11:1-23

1. Why did God find it necessary to encourage Joshua in 11:6?

Because of the great multitude that was allied against him, 11:1-5

2. To what purpose did Joshua "hough their horses," 11:6-9? To make them unfit for war

3. How is the resistance to Joshua by the nations accounted for in 11:19-20? In that God hardened their hearts to assure their destruction

4. How is the possession of Israel described in 12:8? As a land of diverse topography (Deut. 11:10-12)

DIVISION OF THE LAND, 13-17

A. FIRST DIVISION, 13:1-17:18

1. What does 13:1 show? That the possession of the land proceeded too slowly

2. What is described in 13:2-6? All the land which still needed to be possessed

3. Note the inheritance of the Levites in:

(1) 13:14 - The sacrifices of God

(2) 13:33 - God himself

4. Comment on 14:6-14: Following the Lord "wholly" brings its reward

5. Account for the failure recorded in 15:63;

(1) Compromise and disobedience weakened their faith and fervency of spirit

(2) God no longer helped them as much as he did in the beginning, Judges 2:23

6. Why were the Canaanites put to tribute, 17:13? The Israelites considered themselves strong enough to keep them under control

B. SECOND DIVISION, 18:1-22:34

1. Another reason for Israel's failure to possess all the land was what, 18:2-3? Slackness

2. The provision in chapter 20 shows what concerning God? His compassion and justice

3. List the cities of refuge (type of Christ) in 20:7-8 and ascertain the meaning of these names:

(1) Kadesh - Holiness

(2) Shechem - Strength, shoulder

(3) Hebron - Communion

(4) Bezer - Sanctification

(5) Ramoth - Exaltation, heights

(6) Golan - Joy

4. What does 21:43-45 reveal? God's faithfulness

5. Why was the exhortation in 22:1-5 necessary? Because these tribes would be isolated from the others and therefore more prone to depart from God

JOSHUA'S FAREWELL, 23-24

A. JOSHUA'S LAST COUNSELS, 23:1-24:28

1. Against what is Israel warned in 23:1-16? Against forsaking God

2. Why did Joshua review the works of God, 24:1-15? To encourage Israel to continued trust in God

3. Note Joshua's classic statement in 24:15: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"

4. Of what are the people reminded in

(1) 24:19? Of God's holiness and jealousy

(2) 24:20? Of the consequences of forsaking him

B. DEATH OF JOSHUA, 24:29-33

1. Comment on 24:29: This is a remarkable testimony to God's faithfulness

2. How long did Israel serve God after the death of Joshua, 24:31? Only as long as there were personal witnesses of the works of God

3. Note the implication of 24:31: The influence of the new generation without personal experience with God will bring about a trend away from God