The Basics: A Brief Overview of Joshua
The Basics course is designed to help brothers and sisters in Christ who have a desire for a brief study over each of the books of the Bible. While being more than just a timeline, it is designed to give a person a more realistic overview of the entire Bible. As well as pointing out different highlights along the way. Imagine riding in a car and seeing exit signs for a town. Each sign gives a brief glimpse of what is inside, while if you wanted to thoroughly investigate the town you would have to take the exit. This series is a collected work of the books of the Bible while continuing to drive past each of the exits. I would encourage you to take any exit and allow the Lord God to direct your path to where He would guide.
The Bible is written into 66 different books. Each one unique on its own but designed to be with its other collected works.
Cautionary Note: This work is not to argue for the authenticity of the Bible nor is it to argue over the mechanics of how God used man to write His Words. This is designed as an overview for someone to review the book in passing. Nevertheless, we here at Mill House Ministries believe that the Bible is without error and was written by God, through His divine attributes, through man.
These overviews are sequenced in the below fashion. Each overview is designed to flow in unison.
1. Introduction
2. Who wrote it
3. When did they write it
4. Key topics
5. Key sections
6. Books that interact with each other
7. Analysis of the Book
As previously stated, if you find yourself drawn to one of these books, please take the time and see what God is wanting to show you in that book.
BASICS COURSE: Joshua
INTRODUCTION:
There is no better introduction for the book of Joshua than the following statement by Harold L. Willmington in his book Survey of the Old Testament, “It was April 1405 B.C. Two men stood quietly beside a flowing body of water. Both were deep in thought, as they remembered a former April, standing beside a different body of water some 800 miles and 40 years removed. So much had happened since that time. In fact, of their entire generation, they alone had survived. So far, so good. But what would happen now?” Page 171. This book was written to document the struggle and success of Israel claiming the land that God had promised them. Moses had passed away, and the 40 years of wondering the desert were now over. God had given the orders for Israel to march! Joshua 1:1-5 “1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.”
However, do not be fooled in thinking that this book is only a historical book, the book of Joshua holds the crowning lesson all Christians must understand in their walk with Jesus Christ. Ultimately, Joshua is a book of war, giving the historical account of the invasion of the Promise land and the tactical plans that all Christians need to understand in their spiritual walk. It is of no surprise that Joshua literally means “Jehovah is salvation” the same word in the New Testament is “Jesus.”
WHO WROTE IT:
The book of Joshua is penned with his name because he is given credit for writing a majority of the accounts described in the book up until his death. We know from Chapter 22:26, that Joshua is given credit “Therefore we said, ‘let us build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice.” Joshua was born a slave in Egypt, he was one of only two faithful spies sent into the Promised Land before the invasion and 40 years of wondering the desert. Joshua and Caleb were the only two who believed that they could defeat the squatters who had claimed the land. Joshua followed Moses where no one else would follow, he loved the Lord more than his own life and was willing to face adversaries that were physically far greater than himself. Joshua is a man of courage and a man of faith, his sole purpose was to deliver the land unto the people of Israel, and allow God to use him as the tool to provide such a heavenly gift. If you want to know more about his character, read Exodus 17:9-13, 17:10, 24:13, 33:11, Numbers 11:28, and Numbers chapter 13 through 14.
WHEN DID THEY WRITE IT:
There have been many speculations on when the final aspects of the book of Joshua were written. We can summarize that since a majority of the book was written by Joshua, it must have been written in his life. While the writings after his death are uncertain. John MacArthur reflects on the date, “An assistant whom Joshua groomed could have finished the book by attaching such comments as those concerning Joshua’s death (23:29-33). Some have even suggested that this section was written by the High-Priest Eleazar, or his son, Phinehas. Rahab was still living at the time Joshua 6:25 was penned. The book was completed before David’s reign 2 Samual 5:5-9. The most likely writing period is 1405–1385 B.C.”
KEY TOPICS:
Topics that a reader should expect to find when reading Joshua is, war, peace, Tribes of Israel, Nephilim, witchcraft, salvation, faith, Gentiles, Jews, and land.
KEY SECTIONS:
This book can be directed into three sections, chapters 1-12 is the invasion of the Promised Land, chapters 13-22 shows the land is divided, and finally chapters 23-24 Joshua is delivering his last message to the people of Israel.
BOOKS THAT INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER:
This book interacts historically with much of the Old Testament books. If you are wanting to know how a tribe or a family received some specific part of land, chances are Joshua has the answer. The book connects with the New Testament primarily with the works of Paul. There is a direct correlation between Paul saying “work out your salvation daily” and the symbolism found in Joshua. The book of Joshua does rely on the first five books of the Bible, primarily establishing why the events of Joshua are happening.
ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK:
I must admit when I first read this book years ago, I had totally missed the heavenly practicality of the book of Joshua. My experience was similar to William P. Nicholson, who is recorded in They Found the Secret, by V. Raymond Edman saying, “I knew some Christians who were living a victorious, joyous, soul-winning life. How I envied them! I am sure if I had only made known to them the fluctuating, failing find of life I was living, they would have led me into the open secret; but I was ashamed to make my experience known.” Pg 130. Thankfully, a man much older and wiser than I pointed out the amazing lessons in Joshua for believers today. If you are a born again Christian and struggling with sin, Joshua is the book for you. If you are a born again believer and are looking for the intimacy with Christ that others have, look no further than Joshua and the subtle lessons that directly apply to the Christian. “It was not an attainment, but an obtainment. Christ was God’s unspeakable gift to the world. The Holy Spirit was Christ’s gift to His church. I had been trying to do what the Holy Spirit alone could, and would, do for me. But I must receive Him by faith, on the ground of grace, and He would sanctify my heart, and apply the Blood, thus cleansing me from all sin and making the victory purchased by Christ on Calvary experiential. As I walked in the light as He was in the light, He would maintain the life of holiness and victory in my life day by day.” Pg 131. The book of Joshua had such a meaningful impact in my own life, that I can confidently and without shame say that I rely on Jesus Christ for every breath and am totally dependent on Him. He not only died for my sins, He is now living for my sake, daily guiding and tearing down the walls of sin in my own life. The book of Joshua reflects the reality that we are in need of Jesus Christ as our salvation, but also daily guiding us and being with us. This is a terrifying thought to think that we might live radically for Jesus Christ, I believe God knew the fear we might have in trusting Him to live in the present for Him. That is why He clearly states over and over to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming
JL