2005 Bible Reading

Joshua

This page is not a commentary, nor an outline. It is something to bear in mind in this kind of reading. These materials I learnt from two books by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart (How to Read the Bible for All Its worth; How to Read the Bible Book By Book). You could consult these books if you are interested.

(Pastor Raymond)

Readers of Joshua should note up front two things. First, the Book of Joshua is the first book within the section of the Hebrew Bible that is known as the Former Prophets (from Joshua to 2 Kings, minus Ruth), which immediately follow the 5 Books of Moses. As such Joshua ought to be read as a “prophetic” book, purposed to instruct Israel the divine perspective of history. Second, the Book of Joshua uses the same perspective as Deuteronomy to view history. What happened to Joshua almost was a copy of Moses. Joshua led the people across the River Jordan whilst Moses the Red Sea. Joshua received assurance from the commander of the Lord’s army whilst Moses met God in the burning bush. Joshua’s farewell address in chapter 23 almost mirrors Deuteronomy 7.

The Book of Joshua contains many conquests but two stand out as illustration of a proper perspective of history: the battle is the Lord’s and He will deliver obedient people. In the case of taking Jericho, the Israelites hardly fought but won. On the other hand, the initial defeat at Ai shows that covenant disloyalty can bring disaster. The covenant renewal ceremony recorded in chapter 8 immediately after the eventual taking of Ai underlines the importance of loyalty to a covenant people. Two individuals in the records of these two cities present contrasting and sobering reflection. The foreigner harlot Rahab in Jericho gained inheritance whilst Achan of the tribe of Judah lost it in the case of Ai.

The many conquests in this book are to enable the Israelites to inherit the land promised to Abraham in Genesis 12 and 15. The big chunk in the Book of Joshua (chapters 13-21), which are admittedly less stimulating reading, are about the distribution of the promised land, a proof that God delivers His promises. The order of the distribution highlights the significance of faithful following. Notice that after repeating the allotment of the two and half tribes, the first focus falls on Caleb of Judah (chapters 14-15). The end of this allotment is about Joshua’s (chapter 19). Thus the two faithful survivors from the previous generation bookend the allotment of the promised land this side of Jordon.

The conquests are not merely for the purpose of obtaining the land but are a war against the false gods. It is on those inherited land that the people of God ought to live faithfully to the covenant and through that they could bring blessings to the nations. Fidelity to Yahweh on the land given by Yahweh brings ‘rest’ and blessings. The final three chapters of the book emphasize the theme of faithfulness to God. As an encouragement for the readers to be faithful, God is shown to be faithful. Not only was the second generation now in the promised land, even the bones of Joseph now rest in the tribal land of Ephraim, Joseph’s son.