David Cox's Library of Religious Works Main Page22 Pentateuch:
22.01 Joshua
22.01.00 Introductory Material on JoshuaDate: before 12th century B.C.Name of the Book: "Joshua", Author"Taken from Joshua, the leading character, who may be described as a man of faith, courage, enthusiasm, fidelity to duty, and leadership."1 Connection with former books"Joshua completes the story of the deliverance begun in Exodus. If Israel had not sinned in believing the evil spies and turning back into the wilderness, we would not have had the last twenty-one chapters of Numbers and the book of Deuteronomy. Joshua then would have followed the fifteen chapter of Numbers, thus completing the story of God leading Israel out of Egypt into Canaan."1 The Key-Word"is 'redemption', with the emphasis put upon possession, while redemption in Exodus put the stress upon deliverance. The two make full redemption which requires being 'brought out' of evil and 'brought into' the good."1 Purpose "(1) To show how Israel was settled in Canaan according to the promise of God.
(2) To show how, by the destruction of the Canaanites, God punishes a people for their sins.
(3) To show that God's people are the final heirs on earth and that the wicked shall be finally dispossessed."1 Some Typical and Spiritual Matters"(1) The conflict with Canaan. In the wilderness the conflict was with Amalek, which was an illustration of the never-ending conflict of the flesh or of the conflict between the 'new man' and the 'old man'. In Canaan the conflict is typical of our struggle against principalities and powers and spiritual hosts in heavenly places, Eph. 6:10-18.
(2) Crossing the Jordan is an illustration of our death to sin and resurrection with Christ.
(3) The scarlet line illustrates our safety under Christ and His sacrifice.
(4) The downfall of Jericho. This illustrates the spiritual victories we win in secret and by ways that seem foolish to men.
(5) Joshua. Joshua is a type of Christ in that he leads his followers to victory over their enemies, and in that he is their advocate in time of defeat and in the way he leads them into a permanent home."1 The War against the Canaanites"Joshua's war of conquest against the Canaanites is one of the great wars of all time. Certainly no other was ever fought for a more noble purpose. It was a war fought on behalf of the whole world. On its issue depended the civil and religious liberty of the people. It gave tot he world a new pattern of government as God's free nation, and a new conception of religion, free from idolatry, vice, and superstition. It established the Nation of Israel, through which came the Messiah to bless all nations."1 22.01.01 Chapter Content I. Conquest of Canaan Chapters 1-12
A. The Preparation Chapters 1-2
B. Crossing the Jordan Chapters 3.4
C. Conquest of Jericho Chapters 5-6
D. Conquest of the South Chapters 7-10
E. Conquest of the North Chapters 11
F. Summary Chapter 12
II. Division of the Lands Chapters 13-22
A. Territory of the different tribes Chapters 13-19
B. Cities of Refuge Chapter 20
C. Cities of the Levities Chapter 21
D. Return of the Eastern Tribes Chapter 22
III. Joshua's Last Counsel and Death Chapters 23-24
A. Exhortation to fidelity Chapter 23
B. Farewell address and death Chapter 2422.01.02 MessagesGod is at War with Sin(1) "That after long probation He punished and cast out the Canaanites because of their sins.
(2) That He allowed Israel to be defeated at Ai because there was sin among them.
(3) That God is still the enemy of sin, whether personal, social, civic, or national."1 God Uses Instruments against Sin(1) "He uses men as far as they will suffice.
(2) He uses the powers of nature. Examples of this are seen in the crossing of the Jordan, the falling of the walls of Jericho, and in the lengthening of the day."1 From the Conflict with the Canaanites"The three truths are seen here :
(1) That Israel's victory came through a leader and commander and not through a law-giver-- through Joshua, not through Moses. So it is with a Christian.
(2) That they entered Canaan through divine power and not by keeping the law. Likewise the Christian enters upon his present blessing -- his present heavenly experience -- not by the works of the law, but by divine power. His future blessing will come in the same way.
(3) The Christian, like Israel, must submit to God's standards of holiness and to His government."1 22.01.03 Difficulties and Difficult Passages22.01.04 Teaching Helps22.01.05 Questions for Discussion and Bible Studies22.01.06 Joshua's Long Day22.01.07 Extermination of the Canaanites22.01.97 Recommended Commentaries22.01.98 Teaching Outlines22.01.99 Sermons
1 J. B. Tidwell - "The Bible Book by Book", (Wm B. Eerdmans Publishings Co: Grand Rapids, Michigan 1914). (See section on Genesis.) |