A LOOK AT THE BOOK

Ralph Porter

© 2002

AUTHOR

    Jewish tradition credits Joshua with authorship of the book.

    He is identified as the writer of certain parts of the book, such as 24:1-26.

    He was obviously an eyewitness to much of its content.

    Therefore, it seems likely that Joshua was its author.

    A few parts were apparently written after his death.

DATE

    The book begins at Moses' death in 1406 B.C.

    Events cover period of 25-30 years, ending with Joshua's death at 110 years old.

    Thus the dates covered in the book are from about 1406 to 1380 B.C.

BACKGROUND

    Israel completed 40 years of wandering in the wilderness due to unbelief and

        disobedience.

    They've been camped on the plains of Moab, preparing to enter Canaan and possess the

        land.

    God called Moses up to Mt. Nebo to die. The great leader is no longer present.

    God appointed a new leader whom Moses had prepared to lead them.

    Joshua is called to lead the people across the Jordan and into the land.

PURPOSE AND THEME

    As the first historical book, Joshua introduces the theme which continues through all of

        them.

    HISTORICALLY, Joshua reveals the events God uses to:

        Bring Israel into the land,

        Conquer the pagan Canaanites who were residing in the land, and

        Distribute the land to each tribe and family.

    DOCTRINALLY, Joshua reveals God's character and His relationship to His chosen

        people.

            His holiness

            His love

            His faithfulness

            His power and sovereignty

        Joshua reveals the character of God's covenant people.

            God's choice and love for them is not because of their merit.

            They are a rebellious and often a disobedient people.

            Israel must learn the importance of submission to God's authority and obedience to

                His Word.

        In summary, Joshua's message is that:

            God fulfilled His covenant to His people by establishing them in the land He

                promised them.

            His people fail Him by partial obedience to God's command to eliminate pagan

                Canaanites.

            Disobedience by God's covenant people always results in judgment.

            In spite of God's complete provision of all that His people need, they are

                unfaithful and He will have to correct them.

ORGANIZATION

    Joshua is organized around three major stages by which Israel takes possession of the

        land:

            I.    Entrance into the land     1-5       INVASION

            II.   Conquest of the land       6-12     SUBJECTION

            III.  Distribution of the land   13-24  DISTRIBUTION

GOD'S PEOPLE CONQUER THE PROMISED LAND                                     Ralph Porter

A LOOK AT THE BOOK

Ralph Porter

How would you like to be called on to fill the shoes of the greatest leader in the history of your country-someone who spoke face-to-face with God Himself?

AUTHOR

    Jewish tradition credits Joshua himself with authorship of the book.

    He is identified as the writer of certain parts of the book, such as 24:1-26.

    He was obviously an eyewitness to much of its content.

    Therefore, it seems likely that Joshua was its author.

    A few parts were apparently written after his death.

DATE

    The book begins at Moses' death in 1406 B.C.

    The events cover a period of 25-30 years, ending with Joshua's death at 110.

    Thus the dates covered in the book are from about 1406 to 1380 B.C. (25 years).

BACKGROUND

    Israel has just completed 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as God has

         disciplined them for their unbelief and disobedience.

    They have been camped on the plains of Moab, preparing to enter Canaan and

         possess the land God promised them.

    Just before their entrance to the land, God called Moses up to Mt. Nebo to die.

         The great leader is no longer present.

    Previous to Moses' death, God appointed a new leader whom Moses prepared to

         lead them.

    Now the time has arrived to move on. Joshua is to rise up and lead the people

         across the Jordan and into the land.

            Critical question: Will it work for him too?

    Under his leadership they will conquer, possess, and distribute the land.

    He directs the distribution of the land as each tribe and family is assigned their

         inheritance. They follow the rules God established in Numbers.

    The book concludes on a spiritual mountain top as Joshua moves into the

         presence of his Lord and the people continue on without him.

PURPOSE AND THEME

    As the first of the Old Testament historical books, Joshua introduces the theme

        which will continue through each of them.

    HISTORICALLY, each Old Testament historical book demonstrates the main

        historical events affecting God's people during that period.

              Joshua reveals the events God uses to:

                   bring Israel into the land

                   conquer the pagan Canaanites who were residing in the land

                   distribute the land to each tribe and family.

    DOCTRINALLY, each Old Testament historical book reveals God's character and

        His relationship to His chosen people.

         God's holiness is seen as He

              eradicates the pagan and perverted Canaanite people

              insists on the purity and holiness of the covenant people.

         God's love is demonstrated as He

              patiently draws His people to Himself

              corrects them when they fall

              forgives them for their unbelief and disobedience

         God's faithfulness is revealed as He

              fulfills His promises to His people

              brings them into the land

              blesses them there.

         God's power and sovereignty are demonstrated as He

              miraculously delivers the land into the hands of His people

              controls surrounding international events so they may achieve victory.

    Joshua describes the condition of God's covenant people during this time period.

         God's choice and love for them is not because of their merit.

         They are a rebellious and often a disobedient people.

              The book reveals their failure to obey completely God's instructions.

              Their failure to obey God by eliminating the Canaanites lays the foundation

                   for even greater rebellion in the future.

              The Canaanites will be an affliction to them and will influence them to be

                   unfaithful to their God.

         Israel must learn the importance of submission to God's authority and of

            obedience to His Word.

    In summary, Joshua's message is that:

         The God of Israel has fulfilled His covenant promise to His people by

              establishing them in the land which He promised them.

         In spite of God's faithfulness to them, His people fail Him by partial obedience

              to God's command to eliminate the pagan Canaanites.

         Disobedience by God's covenant people results in judgment.

    Repeated theme: In spite of God's complete provision of all that His people need,

         they are unfaithful to Him and He will have to correct them.

ORGANIZATION

    Joshua is organized around three major stages by means of which Israel takes

         possession of the land:

         I.       Entrance into the land        1-5          INVASION

         II.      Conquest of the land          6-12       SUBJECTION

         III.    Distribution of the land      13-24     DISTRIBUTION

ARGUMENT

INVASION OF THE LAND   1-5

    As Joshua begins, Moses, the mediator God used to communicate His covenant

         and to establish a covenant relationship with the people, had died.

    God wants to demonstrate that His relationship with His covenant people was not

         dependent on Moses.

    God establishes a new mediator and assures him of His presence with him.

    Under Joshua's leadership, God gives His people the land He promised them.

    PREPARING FOR BATTLE   1-2

        Joshua commissioned   1:1-9

                   God calls Joshua to lead His people.

              Death of Moses   1:1-2a

                   Joshua is informed of Moses' death.

              Command to conquer   1:2b-4

                   God commands Joshua to lead the people into the land to conquer it.

              Promise of God's presence   1:5

                   He promises His presence with him.

              Call to courage   1:6-9

                   He encourages him to bravely lead the people in accordance with His

                        Word.

                   God is the source of his power and abilities. Therefore, he must continually

                        recognize his dependence on God and obey Him.

                   Numerous times problems arise because he forgets to check with God.

        People prepared   1:10-18

            
                   Joshua immediately assumes command and prepares to enter Canaan.

                   His faith in God is demonstrated by his immediate obedience.

              Officers organized   1:10-11

                   He orders the officers to organize the camp for departure.

              Transjordanites reminded   1:12-15

                   He reminds the tribes who were planning to settle in Transjordan that they

                        must first go support their brethren.

              Obedience promised   1:16-18

                   Joshua's confidence of his divine appointment is contagious.

                   The people assure him of their support and encourage him to obey God's

                        voice and to tell them what God wants them to do.

        Land surveyed   2

                   Joshua sends two spies to look over the situation and to report back.

                    Why two? Is this a flashback to last time?

              Spies sent to Jericho   2:1-3

              Spies hidden by Rahab   2:4-21

                         Rahab, a prostitute, convinced that Yahweh is going to give Israel victory

                              over the people, helps the spies escape.

                   Protection   2:4-7

                   Profession   2:8-13   "Where have you been?"

                   Provision   2:14-16

                   Preservation   2:17-21

              Spies encouraged by results   2:22-24

                   They return to Joshua with the encouraging report that God has planted fear

                        in the hearts of the people of the land.

                   With this positive confirmation, the people are encouraged to go.

    CROSSING THE JORDAN   3-5:1

              God's supernatural power over the flooding Jordan is demonstrated as God

                   stops the water's flow and causes the people to cross over on dry land.

        Following the ark   3:1-6

        Cutting off the water   3:7-13

        Crossing on dry ground   3:14-17

        Remembering the event   4:1-9

              They build a memorial of twelve stones taken from the river.

                   So they won't forget what God has done for them!

        Restoring the flood   4:10-18

        Teaching their descendants   4:19-24

              The memorial is to be used for the education of their children.

              The children need to learn how God has dealt with His covenant people.

        Discouraging the enemy   5:1

              This clear demonstration of God's power causes additional fear among the

                   opposing nations.

    CIRCUMCISING GOD'S PEOPLE   5:2-12

              While Israel is camped at Gilgal, God commands the males to be circumcised.

              Circumcision was the sign that Israel was God's covenant people.

                   They had carried the sign previous to the discipline in the wilderness.

                   Now that generation has died.

              Before Israel can claim the land as God's covenant people, they must again be

                   identified with Him by the sign of the covenant, circumcision.

              Once this important step has been taken, they are ready to approach God by

                   means of the celebration of the Passover.

              Israel is about to experience another new beginning in their fellowship with

                   their God.

        The command   5:2-3

        The need   5:4-8

        The effect   5:9

        The celebration of Passover   5:10-12

    MEETING GOD'S COMMANDER   5:13-15

         Previous to the first battle in the land, God adds one more important revelation

              to Joshua's orientation program.

         Joshua meets the true commander of God's armies.

         Joshua recognizes immediately the importance of this Person and submits to

              His authority.

         The victory in the battle will not be the result of Joshua's feeble attempts.

         They will be victorious because the Commander of the army of the Lord is

              fighting for them.

         God will give them the victory.

DOMINATION OF THE LAND   6-12   CONQUEST

         After Joshua leads Israel into Canaan, the hardest task remains to be

              accomplished.

         They must take the land away from the Canaanites who live there.

         God will use Israel to destroy these perverted heathen peoples.

         Israel must trust God and obey His commands in order to do it.

    CONQUEST OF CENTRAL CANAAN   6-8

         As they begin this important task, they first conquer the central section of

              Canaan, thereby making cooperation of southern Canaan with northern

              Canaan impossible.

        Defeat of Jericho   6

                   The first objective in central Canaan is Jericho.

                   Israel's reputation had arrived in Jericho years before their arrival.

                   They were afraid of them.

                   While God's instructions for victory were unusual, the people trusted Him

                        and followed His orders.

                   God honored their faith and gave them victory over the city.

                   Rahab and her family were spared because of her faith in the God of Israel.

              Jericho's fear   6:1

              God's orders   6:2-5

              Israel's marches   6:6-19

              Jericho's destruction   6:20-27

        Sin of Achan   7

                   When Israel went up against the next town, Ai, Joshua failed to reconfirm

                        his plans with God.

                   Failure by one man to obey all God's orders ar Jericho resulted in their

                        defeat at Ai.

                   Joshua lamented the loss before Yahweh because His name was at stake.

                   God corrected Joshua, indicating that the problem was sin in the camp.

                   God's people will always suffer defeat when they allow sin in their midst.

                   God leads the people to Achan as the source of their problem.

                   He had stored up just a few of the spoils of the battle for himself.

                   The severe judgment of God, first on the people, then on Achan himself,

                        demonstrates that God demands total obedience. He will not be mocked

                        nor taken lightly.

              The offense   7:1

              The defeat   7:2-5

              The lament   7:6-9

              The accusation   7:10-13

              The designation   7:14-18

              The confession   7:19-23

              The judgment   7:24-26

        Destruction of Ai   8:1-29

                   After Israel stones Achan in obedience to God's command, they are directed

                        to go up against Ai for the second time.

                   This time God gives them the victory.

                   God was never defeated at Ai!

              The assurance   8:1-2

              The plan   8:3-8

              The trap   8:9-13

              The attack   8:14-17

              The surprise   8:18-20

              The defeat   8:21-29a

              The memorial   8:29b

        Reminder of the covenant   8:30-35

              After these victories in central Canaan, Joshua reminds them of the conditions

                   for blessing God has placed on them in the covenant.

              He reads the entire book of the law before all the people as Moses had

                   commanded them.

    CONQUEST OF SOUTHERN CANAAN   9-10

              As Israel prepares for their military encounter with the southern Canaanites,

                   the local peoples exhibit two contrasting responses:

        Deception by Gibeon   9

              Allied opposition to Israel   9:1-2

                   The pagan kings allied their forces to fight together against Israel.

              Deceitful submission to Israel   9:3-13

                   The Gibeonites, fearful that they will be destroyed by the people whom

                        God is apparently blessing and directing, recognize God's hand on them

                        and submit to them, using deception to convince Israel to become their

                        allies.

                   Joshua again fails to consult God!

                   While they are criticized for their deception, they are nevertheless

                        preserved.

                   In the future they will be identified with the people of God.

              Naive agreement by Israel   9:14-15

              Frustrating revelation to Israel   9:16-21

              Angry accusation by Israel   9:22-23

              Respectful confession to Israel   9:24-25

              Enslaving acceptance by Israel   9:26-27

        Defeat of southern confederation   10

                    When the southern cities heard what Gibeon had done, they formed an

                         alliance to attack Gibeon.

                    Gibeon called on Israel for help.

                    Thus Joshua's failure to consult God obligated Israel to fight for Gibeon.

                   Nevertheless, God helped them and used the weather (hail) and the sun to

                        give them victory.

                   Their kings and cities were destroyed.

                   Then God delivered the rest of the southern region into Joshua's hand.

              Southern alliance against Gibeon   10:1-8

              Nature's alliance against southern alliance   10:9-21

              Death of five kings   10:22-28

              Destruction of remaining cities   10:29-43

    CONQUEST OF NORTHERN CANAAN   11:1-15

         When the kings of the northern area of Canaan heard what Israel had done in the

              south, they formed a massive alliance to defeat Israel.

         Israel defeats the northern army and then returns to destroy their towns and

              plunder them.

         Joshua's obedience to God's command was absolute.

    SUMMARY OF CONQUEST   11:16-12:24

              The author summarizes the period of conquest, describing the territory and

                   kings defeated.

              God hardened the hearts of each city so they would fight until He destroyed

                   them all.

              Joshua was able to take control of the entire land God promised them.

        Territory conquered   11:16-23

        Kings defeated   12

              Under Moses east of Jordan   12:1-6

              Under Joshua west of Jordan   12:7-24

DISTRIBUTION OF THE COVENANT LAND   13-24

         Once Israel took control of the land, it had to be divided by tribe and family.

         Joshua was old and no longer able to lead the nation in its battles.

         God ordered Joshua to divide the land by its tribes and let each tribe be

              responsible for eliminating the Canaanites in their own area.

    TERRITORY ASSIGNED FOR PERMANENT INHERITANCE   13-21

        Command to divide land   13:1-7

        Division of eastern territory   13:8-32

                   The description of the division of the territory starts with the tribes which

                        settled on the eastern side of the Jordan.

              Description of territory   13:8-13

              Exclusion of Levites   13:14

              Territory of Reuben   13:15-23

              Territory of Gad   13:24-28

              Territory of Manasseh   13:29-31

              Summary   13:32-33

        Division of western territory   14-19

                   Then the division of the western side is described.

                   The Levites received no land inheritance because God Himself was their

                        inheritance.

                   They were to be supported by the tithes of the other tribes.

                   Throughout the description of the land division, the tribes failed to obey

                        God's instructions concerning the Canaanites completely.

                   They did not drive them out completely.

              Division of territory introduced   14:1-5

              Inheritance for Caleb   14:6-15

                   In stark contrast to that general disobedience was Caleb.

                   In spite of his age, he still trusted God to enable him to remove the enemy

                        from his inheritance.

              Allotment for Judah and Joseph   15-17

                        Judah and Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) received special attention in

                             the distribution of the land because of their critical importance in the

                             future of Israel in the north and in the south.

                        The other tribes are to fill in around them.

                   Judah   15

                   Joseph   16-17

                        Summary   16:1-4

                        Ephraim   16:5-10

                        Manasseh   17:1-13

                        Complaint and challenge   17:14-18

                             When the descendants of Joseph complain about their limited territory,

                                  Joshua challenges them to stretch out and drive out the surrounding

                                  Canaanites.

                             There will be plenty of room for them if they believe God and claim

                                  their entire territory.

              Allotment for remaining tribes   18-19:48

                   Surveying expedition commissioned   18:1-10

                   Distribution by lots   18:11-19:48

                        Benjamin   18:11-28

                        Simeon   19:1-9

                        Zebulun   19:10-16

                        Issachar   19:17-23

                        Asher   19:24-31

                        Naphtali   19:32-39

                        Dan   19:40-48

              Inheritance for Joshua   19:49-50

                   At the conclusion of the division of the land, Joshua received a city for his

                        inheritance.

                   He built up the town and settled in it.

              Conclusion   19:51

                   Thus the task of dividing the land was concluded.

        Cities of refuge established   20:1-9

              Having divided all the territories of Israel among the tribes, two special

                   provisions had to be made to obey God's requirements.

              First, cities of refuge were assigned for untried people who had killed

                   someone unintentionally, to protect them from the families of the deceased

                   who would be chasing them.

        Cities for Levites designated   21:1-42

                    Second, cities were to be set aside as a place of residence for the Levites.

                    Forty-eight cities were designated for this purpose.

              Commanded by God   21:1-3

              Casting of lots   21:4-8

              Cities of Aaron   21:9-19

              Cities of other Kohathites   21:10-26

              Cities of Gershonites   21:27-33

              Cities of Merarites   21:34-40

              Cities of Levites summarized   21:41-42

        Fulfillment of covenant land promise summarized 21:43-45

              Having completed the description of the distribution of the land, Joshua uses

                   the fact to draw attention again to God's faithfulness to His covenant.

              God gave them the land just as He promised.

              He fulfilled every promise He made.

    BORDER DISPUTE CONCERNING ALTAR   22

        Permission given for eastern tribes to return home   22:1-9

              Once the land has been conquered and divided among the tribes, the eastern

                   tribes could return to their homes.

              Joshua warned them of the importance of remaining obedient to God's Word,

                   though separated from their brethren.

        Accusation made for construction of the altar   22:10-20

              When the eastern tribes arrive back in their land, they built an altar as a

                   reminder to them and to their brethren that they too belong to Yahweh's

                   covenant people.

              They don't want future generations to forget.

              After they build the altar, their brethren become aware of it and fear they have

                   established a different center of worship.

              They prepare to go to war, lest God judge all Israel for their disobedience.

        Explanation given concerning altar as a witness   22:21-29

              The eastern tribes explain their purpose, that this altar serve as a witness to

                   their relationship to Jehovah.

        Explanation accepted with praise to God   22:30-34

              The people accept the explanation and praise God for preventing this tragedy.

    FINAL CHALLENGE BY JOSHUA   23-24:28

        Warning to be faithful to the covenant   23

              Previous to Joshua's death, he calls together the people to warn them of the

                   importance of faithfulness to the covenant.

              God has been faithful to them; they should likewise be faithful to Him.

        Reminder of God's faithfulness to the covenant   24:1-13

              He reminds them of God's dealings with them in the past.

                   God has always been faithful to His word.

              Joshua challenges them to serve Him faithfully also.

                Make a choice:

                    Get rid of all other gods.

                    Serve Yahweh alone.

              They respond with a promise to serve Yahweh alone.

              Joshua warns them of the seriousness of this promise and the consequences of

                   disobedience.

        Reconfirmation of relationship under the covenant   24:14-28

              They repeat their affirmation and confirm their allegiance to Yahweh with a

                   special act of renewal.

              Joshua sets up a stone as a witness to their promise before God.

              They had better not treat this commitment lightly or God will deal with them

                   severely.

    THREE BURIALS IN CANAAN   24:29-33

              The book concludes with a triple burial which points to the conclusion of an

                   age.

        Joshua   24:29-31

    
              Joshua has led the people into the land God promised them and directed the

                   distribution of the land to each tribe.

              He has brought the people to a renewed commitment to Yahweh.

              He has completed his ministry.

              Thus he is ready to move on into the presence of his Lord.

              The concluding testimony is that Israel served the Lord faithfully as long as

                   Joshua and his colleagues in the ministry lived.

              He had led and trained them well.

        Joseph   24:32

              In addition to Joshua's burial, the bones of Joseph, which he had faithfully

                   brought from Egypt, were also buried in the land.

        Eleazar   24:33

              As that generation died, so also Aaron's son, Eleazar, the priest who served

                   with Joshua during this critical generation died.

            An age has come to an end.

                   How will Israel respond to its renewed commitment?

                   What lies ahead, blessing or cursing?

                        Judges continues the story.

WHAT LESSONS SHOULD WE LEARN FROM THIS BOOK FOR OUR LIVES?