Joshua

Date Written: in the 1300’s B.C.

Author: Joshua, except for the ending which may have been written by the high priest Phinehas, an eyewitness to the events recounted there.

Setting: Canaan, also called the promised land, which occupied the same general geographical territory of modern day Israel.

Key People: Joshua, Rahab, Achan, Phinehas, Eleazar

Purpose: To give the history of Israel’s conquest of the promised land.

Key Verses: Be strong & very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law of My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 1:7

Go through the camp & tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in & take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ 1:11

Chapter Outline:

1-5:12 Entering the promised land

5:13-12 Conquering the promised land

13-24 Dividing the promised land

Importance of reading Joshua:

• What we read: Joshua showed his faith in God as he took up the challenge to lead the nation. The Israelites reaffirmed their commitment to God by obediently setting out across the Jordan River to possess the land. What we can learn: As we live the Christian life, we need to cross over from the old life to the new, put off our selfish desires & press on to possess all God has planned for us. Like Joshua & Israel, we need courageous faith to live the new life.
• What we read: The Israelites showed their faith by trusting God daily to save & guide them. By remembering how God fulfilled His promises in the past, they developed a strong confidence that He would be faithful in the present & future. What we can learn: Faith begins with believing God can be trusted. Trust begins when we look back at all He has done.
• What we read: God gave instructions to Israel for every aspect of their lives. His law guided their daily living & His specific marching orders gave them victory in battle. What we can learn: Guidance from God for daily living can be found in His Word. The Bible gives us the wisdom needed to meet the challenges of life.
• What we read: Joshua was an example of an excellent leader. He was confident in God’s strength, courageous in the face of opposition & willing to seek God’s advice. What we can learn: We must be ready to listen & move quickly when God instructs us. Once we have His instructions, we must be diligent in carrying them out. We must be led by God.
• What we read: God commanded His people to conquer the Canaanites 7 take all their land. Completing this mission would have fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham & brought judgment on the evil people living there. Unfortunately, Israel never finished the job. What we can learn: To obey part of what God tells us to do or even to obey most, almost all of what God tells us to do is really disobedience.

Things to think about as you read Joshua:

• Do you consult the Lord & His Word & then walk in obedience to what He says?
• Joshua was told to be strong & courageous. What do you think this means? Do you feel strong & courageous? If not, how could you?
• Have you decided whom you are going to follow? Have you counted the cost? What would cause you to compromise? Could you get away with compromise? What would it cost you? Would it be worth it?

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/ab3NSm_yAoM?si=Qw3dxfB-R_XNXZzh

Blessings,

Nichole Henson, Fullness of Joy Ministry