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How to Read Joshua
(Every time we begin a new book, I will post a short aide on How to Read that book that will hopefully help you get the most out of your reading)
Content: The partial conquest, distribution, and settlement of the promised land.
Author & Date: Traditionally held to be Joshua, but may be a later compiler. From the beginning of the conquest to the death of Joshua.
Emphases: The engagement of the holy war, as God through his people repeatedly defeats the idolatrous Canaanites; the gift of the land to God’s people, thus fulfilling his covenant promise to the patriarchs; Israel’s need for continuing covenant faithfulness to the one true God.
How to read Joshua: Joshua is the story of how the second generation of former slaves succeeded in invading and possessing Canaan, thus inheriting the Promised Land. The first section (1:1-5:12) focuses on the entrance to the land, including the crossing of the Jordan River, the circumcision, and the celebration of the Passover. The second section (5:13-12:24) tells the story of the partial conquest of the land, beginning with Jericho, and reveals that this is God’s war and success will depend on their obedience and loyalty to their covenant with Yahweh. The third section (13-21) is about the distribution of the land, setting out the administrative organization of God’s earthly kingdom. The last section (22-24) is concerned primarily with Israel’s continued loyalty to God and the renewing of the covenant.
Some of the main features to look for include:
1) There is a lot of war in this book, and it is not only so that God might give the land to the Israelites, but so the land might be rid of its idolatry, so that God’s people might reflect His likeness and follow His ways.
2) Notice as well that there many reminders in the book about God’s faithfulness – he is coming through on His promise of land that He first made to Abraham, and the people set up many memorials as reminders of God’s faithfulness.
3) Most importantly, this book is all about covenant loyalty to God, and how the success of the nation depends on whether or not the people are loyal to their God.
Memory Verse – Joshua 1:8 – “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. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Much of this material is drawn from “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart.
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