In Crete are some great palaces, built by the Minoans; the people are preparing for what will be known as the Trojan War. Tyre and Sidon are flourishing cities. The Elamites are at their very zenith in what we now know as Iran. The code of Hammurabi is known, and in many ways it’s enabling the Assyrians to expand their great world empire.
The Egyptians are constantly building; the famous King Tut may very well be at the zenith of his power. In Africa the Ethiopian dynasty is just beginning. In India you might see the very first signs of an Indian literature emerging. The potter’s wheel, the calendar and brush writing are found in China. It is 2,500 years before Vasco da Gama or Magellan or Columbus. It is in the time of Joshua, the son of Nun.
As you get out of your time machine you will be standing on the edge of what historians and geographers like to call the Fertile Crescent. And there the continuing drama of Hebrew history is being played out. (This is Your Land Paul E. Toms pp. 5)
We are going to be spending the next several weeks studying the book of Joshua, which is a written record of how that drama was played out. As we embark on this trip back in time you will discover that there are great practical lessons that can be learned from the past, lessons that can help us be successful in the present.
This will be, I hope, a journey that we will not soon forget. Our journey will not be made in an actual time machine, but it will be made through the pages of God’s word. These pages will transport us back to the early 15, late 14 century B.C. – a span of almost 3500 years.
Today our journey begins by way of introduction as we look at Joshua: the book and the man.
Joshua: The Book
There are four things about “the book” I want us to look at.
(1) Its Authorship and Date
(2) Its Historical setting
(3) Its Themes
(4) Its Purpose
v Authorship and Date
We place authorship and date together because these two issues are intricately connected to one another. What you believe about authorship impacts the date of its writing. The author of the book is no where identified in the Bible so there is much debate about whether or not Joshua, the main character actually wrote it. However, there are several clues that can be found that help us come to a decision about who wrote it.
Irving L. Jensen gives a good summary of these clues. He says,
Concerning some aspects of the book’s authorship there can be substantial assurance and agreement.
Clue #1 – The author was an eyewitness of much of the historical account.
The minute details and vivid descriptions of such events as the crossing of the Jordan, the capture of Jericho, and Joshua’s farewell message point to on-the-spot observation and participation. Also, like the “we” sections of Acts, there are a few instances of autobiographical reporting, using the personal pronouns (5:1; 5:6; 15:4).
Clue #2 – The book was written very early, not long after the events themselves had transpired.
This is indicated by the frequent appearance of the phrase “unto this day” and the context in which it is found. For example, Rahab, who protected the lives of Joshua’s spies, was still living when the author wrote the book: “But Rahab…dwelt in the midst of Israel unto this day” (6:25).
Clue #3 – Joshua is specifically identified as author of some writings.
He wrote the words of a covenant which he shared with Israel “in the book of the law of God” (24:25), which was born of his farewell charge in chapter 24. Also Joshua was responsible for the land survey of Canaan which he caused to have recorded in a book (18:9).
Clue #4 – Some small parts could not have been written by Joshua.
Such sections include the references to his death (24:29-30) and to the faithfulness of Israel during the years after his death (24:31). It is possible that these sections were added by Eleazar the priest, and that the note of Eleazar’s death (24:33) was in turn recorded by Phineas his son.
Clue #5 – The bulk of the book was written by one author.
The unity of the book as to style and organization is sufficient evidence that Joshua is the composition of one man, whoever he was. Jewish tradition, both ancient and modern, has consistently ascribed the authorship of the book to the man Joshua (Joshua: Rest-Land Won, pp. 10-11).
Because the book was probably written and completed during the time of Joshua and shortly after his death, we can zero in on a date for which it was written. There are two important Old Testament references that help us zero in on a date (1 Kings 6:1 and Judges 11:26).
1 Kings 6:1
1 Now it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. NAS
This passage is important in establishing an Exodus date of 1446 B.C. from Egypt. According to Paul Enns,
The passage indicates that Solomon began to build the temple in the fourth year of his reign, which was 480 years after the Israelites came out of Egypt. Since Solomon began his reign in 970 B.C., his fourth year was 966 B.C. Adding 480 to 966 indicates a 1446 B.C. Exodus date. Since Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years (Num. 14:34), the date that Joshua and the Israelites began their conquest of the land was 1406 B.C. (Joshua: Bible Study Commentary, pp. 8).
Judges 11:26
26 'While Israel lived in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, three hundred years, why did you not recover them within that time? NAS
Jephthah indicates that Israel had possessed the land and lived in it for 300 years from the conquest until Jephthah’s day. Again Enns states,
The succeeding chronology to the fourth year of Solomon adds up to 144 years, which agrees in substance with I Kings 6:1 and further substantiates a 1406 B.C.
invasion. (Joshua: BSC, pp. 8)
The date of the writing of the book then occurred shortly after the Exodus (1406 B.C.) and was completed by around 1370 B.C., the date of the completion of the conquest!
Why is this important? It is important because we are in a spiritual battle over the Bible with the enemies of God (2 Cor. 10:3-5; 2 Peter 3:1-13). The Bible is constantly being attacked within (documentary hypothesis) and without (liberal archeology). This impacts what is taught in Christian Colleges and it is meant to weaken Christians’ confidence in the Word of God. God’s Word does not contradict itself, it is accurate and trustworthy, even in the area’s of history and science.
v Historical Setting
The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into three sections,
§ The Law
§ The Prophets
§ The Writings
The Prophet’s section was divided into two parts,
q The Former Prophets – Joshua, Judges, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings
q The Latter Prophets – Isaiah through Malachi
Joshua was considered the first book of the former prophets which points to its importance. It is always helpful for the serious student of Scripture to have it clear in his/her mind the place the book of Joshua occupies in the historical thread of the Old Testament, especially in relation to Israel.
In Genesis God brings Israel to birth, and promises to give it the land of Canaan. In Exodus He delivers His people from oppression in a foreign land, and starts them on their way to the promised land, giving them laws to live by (as recorded both in Exodus and Leviticus). Numbers records the journey of Israel through the wilderness up to the gate of Canaan, while Deuteronomy describes final preparation for entering the land. At this point Joshua picks up the story, describing the conquest of the land and the division of its territories to the tribes of Israel. In a real sense Joshua is the climax of a progressive history as well as the commencement of a new experience for Israel. Thus its historical nexus gives it a strategic place in the Old Testament Scriptures (Jensen, Joshua: Rest Land Won pp. 13-14).
From archeology we also gain some insight into the political and social circumstances that Israel would face in conquering the land. Two items from archeology are worth mentioning, the Armana letters and the Ras Shamra tablets. Paul Enns explains,
The Armana letters reveal that the Book of Joshua accurately portrays the historical situation during this period. The letters represent the country as divided into small feudal city-states that were often at war with one another. Extant Armana letters from Jerusalem, Gezer, Lachish, Jarmuth and Eglon request help from Egypt because of the “Habiru” invaders (a possible identification with Hebrews). The cities that correspond with Egypt (Megiddo, Ashkelon, Acco, Gezer, Jerusalem) were conquered later by Israel, while cities not corresponding with Egypt were conquered early. Thus these letters, written between 1400 and 1367 B.C. by the Canaanites to the Egyptians, help provide information concerning the historical circumstances at the time of the conquest.
He adds,
The Ras Shamra (Ugaritic) tablets reveal the licentious and degrading nature of the Canaanite inhabitants, with their chief emphasis on fertility and sex. Their
idolatrous practices of child sacrifice and temple prostitution would have been
spiritually contaminating to the Israelites; hence, severe measures of extermination were commanded by God (Joshua: BSC pp. 9-10).
In summary, the Book of Joshua describes for us Israel’s advance into and conquest of the Promised Land, as well as the distribution of the land among the tribes. It in essence follows and resumes the narrative left off at the end of the Book of Deuteronomy. It also reflects both the political and spiritual/social circumstances of the day.
v Themes of the Book
There are several broad themes that are dealt with in the Book of Joshua that have implications for the rest of Scripture.
Theme #1 – The Land
A major theme in the Book of Joshua is the possession of the Promised Land. The land had been promised to:
q Abraham – Gen. 12:7; 13:14-15, 17, 15:18-21; 17:8; 22:17
q Isaac – Gen. 26:3-4
q Jacob – Gen. 28:4,13; 35:12
q Succeeding Generations – Gen. 15:13-21; 48:4; 50:24
The land is a central goal toward which the action and thought of the Pentateuch moves. Moses was called to bring God’s people to a “good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:8, 17; 6:48). In fact, the major portion of Joshua (chap. 13-21) is devoted to detailing the allotment of the land. What was so special about the land? Irving L. Jensen explains,
Because the vital factors of soil, water, weather, and climate in a particular area can change markedly over a period of a few thousand years, our knowledge of these important elements concerning the land of Canaan in Joshua’s day is more accurately based on the biblical descriptions than our present day observations. God Himself described that land as a land of hills and valleys, blessed with rain, cared for by Himself throughout all the seasons (Deut. 11:11-12). It was a very productive land, its thirst quenched by brooks of water, fountains, and springs (Deut. 8:7); flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8; 13:5; Lev. 20:24; Ezek. 20:6); abounding in wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees (Deut. 8:8; II Kings 18:32); its hills offering iron and copper (Deut. 8:9). Most of the agriculture centered in middle and north Canaan, while the plains east of the Jordan provided excellent pasturage. The land was also a pleasant and healthy region for dwelling, especially because of its relatively moderate climate. There were places where the climate was uncomfortable, but the people could avoid these because of the topographical variety of the land. Finally, the land was attractive for its beauty. The hills and valleys, rivers and lakes, distant snowclad mountain peaks, green plains, and sweeping stretches of beach afforded a lifetime experience of exulting in the marvelous handiwork of God. God was giving the best to His people (Joshua: Rest Land Won pp. 19-20).
Theme #2 – God’s Promises
David Howard says,
An integral part of the book’s major theme, the possession of the promised land, is the idea that Yahweh was a promise-keeping God. The land that is the book’s focus was not just any land, but it was the land that had long been promised to Abraham and his descendants…The Book of Joshua shows God being faithful to his promises in every respect, including promises that were not directly about the land (Joshua: The New American Commentary pp. 57).
These promises include,
§ God’s promise to be with Joshua – Josh. 1:5, 9; Deut. 31:8, 23
§ God’s promise of rest for His people – Ex. 33:14; Deut. 12:10; 25:19
§ God’s promise concerning the condition of the land – Deut. 6:1-11 cf. Joshua 24:13
Joshua 21:43-45 serves as an all-encompassing affirmation of Yahweh as the promise keeping God.
Theme #3 – The Covenants
This theme is closely related to both the land and the promises. There are two covenant renewal ceremonies recorded in the book. The first took place on Mt. Ebal, when Joshua built an altar to the Lord and offered sacrifices (8:30-35). The second renewal ceremony took place at Shechem in chap. 24. According to v.25-27, Joshua wrote the words of their covenant renewal in “the Book of the Law of God” and erected a large stone as a witness and a memorial for them. At that time the people once again committed themselves to keeping the law (24:16-18, 21-22, 24, 27). According to Howard,
The importance of the covenant in Joshua is even clearer in the book's emphasis on the Ark of the Covenant. It occupies an especially important place in the account of the crossing of the Jordan in chap. 3 as well as in chap. 8, where it was part of the covenant renewal ceremony. The ark was a symbol of God’s presence, and the covenant was a sign of his relationship with his people (Joshua: NAC, pp. 59).
Theme #4 – The Importance of Obedience
The focus in Joshua is not only on God fulfilling the covenants, but also on the importance of Israel keeping the covenant (1:7-8; 8:31-34; 22:5; 23:6; 24:24). Over and over again in the book we read of the importance of obedience to the law.
The book of Joshua also stresses the “cause and effect” relationship between obedience and blessing and disobedience and punishment. The most obvious example of this is found in the story of Achan in Chapter 7.
Also note Joshua 13:13; 15:63; 16:10; 17; 11-12; 19:47 and the ominous phrase “did not dispossess,” “did not drive them out,” and so on.
Theme # 5 – The Importance of Separation / Holiness
The Hebrew word “qados – holy” has at its core the idea of separateness…..away from evil – unto God. The word holy occurs only three times in Joshua (5:15; 24:19, 26) but the concept pervades the entire book. This is especially seen in three events of chapter 5.
· Circumcision – v.2-9
· Observation of the Passover – v.10-12
· Joshua’s encounter with the Captain of the Host of the Lord – v.13-15
Each of these events has an element of dedication to them.
q Circumcision – individual dedication
q Passover – communal dedication
q Joshua’s encounter – leadership dedication of Joshua
In addition, the whole issue of destroying the Canaanites has to do with God’s holiness. Howard says,
This destruction was accomplished so that the Israelites might take possession of the land and that they might punish the great wickedness of the Canaanites. However, it was also for the purpose of cleansing the land, of dedicating its inhabitants--even its cities and its booty—to the Lord. These were to be devoted to the Lord for destruction, emphasizing his absolute holiness and his intolerance of evil. When the land and its inhabitants were thus “dedicated” to him, they became “holy” and thus fit to be his people’s inheritance (Joshua: NAC pp. 62).
This is also related to God’s prophecy in Genesis 15:12-16.
12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 And God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. 14 But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve; and afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15 And as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 Then in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete." NAS
Theme #6 – Godly Leadership
The Book of Joshua begins with a transition in leadership for Israel, from Moses – the great lawgiver and “Servant of the Lord” – to Joshua – “Moses’ aide.” (Deut. 34:10-12; Joshua 1:1-2) It would not be an easy task, both in following in Moses’ footsteps and in leading the people to take the land. Yet Joshua was able to be successful in leading the people and serving the Lord and the key to that success had to do with his devotion to God and His law (word) (Josh. 1:6-9).
Joshua was obviously a man of many talents – both militarily and administratively – yet his leadership was tied to his godliness and obedience! When looked at objectively, the results of his leadership are impressive. The land was pacified, the people were settled in their allotted territories, and Joshua was faithful throughout (Joshua 24:29-31).
The Book can be outlined very easily into four divisions. Two possible suggestions, the first is from Warren Wiersbe.
§ Chapters 1-5 – Preparing the Nation for Conquest
§ Chapters 6-12 – Defeating the enemies (the conquest itself)
§ Chapters 13-22 – Claiming the Inheritance
§ Chapters 23-24 – Renewing the Covenant
OR
§ Entering the Land – chap. 1-5
§ Fighting for the Land – chap. 6-12
§ Dividing the land – chap. 13-22
§ Living in the land – chap. 23-24
v Purpose of the Book
Ultimately the purpose of the book of Joshua is to show the faithfulness of God in establishing His people in the Land, according to His promises. In that, there is a great lesson for us about God’s promises to us. Four-hundred years before their entrance into the land, God promised the land to their forefather Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), but Abraham never actually possessed the land.
In fact, when Abraham’s wife Sarah died, he had to negotiate with a local landowner in order to get a piece of land large enough to bury her. Yet, four-hundred years later, as we pick up the thread of the story, that promise is about to be fulfilled. As Paul E. Toms says, “God does not neglect His promises.” To that point he adds,
We get uneasy because sometimes a few days go by, or maybe even a few weeks or
months, and we don’t see our prayers answered. We wonder if God has gone out of
business, or if He is no longer going to be faithful to the promises He made.
There are perfectly good reasons for delays in the answering of prayers. For example, God said, “The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Gen. 15:16). That was one of the basic reasons why Abraham was not able to have the land. When the iniquity of the Canaanites (of whom the Amorites were a part) was full, when the Canaanites became impossible in terms of their immorality, they were driven out and the Israelites came in (Joshua: This Land is Your Land pp. 7).
As we study this book let’s remember the inspired words of Paul found in Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
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