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Reading Joshua
Reading Joshua
This book forms the bridge from exile in the wilderness to occupation of the promised land. God was providing a 'safe place' for Israel and at the same time was bringing judgment upon the people of the land for their great iniquity and ungodliness (see Lev 18:24–27). As was usual for God throughout history, the judgment upon one nation was carried out by another nation, yet God was the one who raised up and set aside the kingdoms of the world. Truly, God rules in the kingdoms of men.
God is often said to 'give' them a city or land, yet we see that THEY had to do the work. We will see God working WITH them, casting down hailstones and causing walls to fall down. We will also see that Israel does the marching, the blowing of trumpets, the actual fighting.
There were often conditions of HOW they were to accomplish the conquest. It is repeated that they followed the instruction of Moses as the engaged the people of the land: 8:31; 11:15, 20, 23; 13:8, 15, 32, 33; 20:2. The tribes on the east side of the Jordan were required to help those on the west side to conquer the land. They were all circumcised at Gilgal. There were things devoted to the Lord that they were NOT to take for their own personal use. They were to march in a certain way. The times that they did NOT follow God's instructions brought failure and problems upon them.
There were conditions on how they were to live AFTER they had conquered and settled the land. This primarily was being faithful to God by keeping the covenant they had made with Him.
We watch as God confirms Joshua to be the rightful leader to take over. They cross over the river Jordan, during the flood season, just as they had crossed through the Red Sea under Moses. As God had caused the sun to stand still under Moses so that Israel could finish a battle, so God causes a long day so that Joshua could finish leading Israel to victory.
We will watch as Israel does NOT drive out all the people of the land. The failure to do this would come back to be a perpetual problem as Israel is led away from God time and again. It is this failure on Israel's part that sets the stage for the story of the Judges.
James Smith writes: “The Book of Joshua opens with a word of the Lord for Joshua. That opening speech virtually outlines the entire book.
“Arise, go over Jordan” (1:2) points to the preparation for conquest (chs. 1–5).
“No man shall be able to stand before you” (1:5) announces in advance the result of the Israelite-Canaanite clash (chs. 6–12).
“You shall cause this people to possess this land which I swore to give to their fathers” (1:6) is prophetic of what is described in chapters 13–22.
The exhortation “Be strong … to guard to do [i.e., to carefully do] according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you” (1:7) anticipates the concluding hortatory section of the book (chs. 23–24) in which Joshua pleads with the people to be faithful to the Lord. *
God is faithful. God is powerful. God is merciful, yet bring righteous judgment upon evil doers. God expects His people to be faithful unto Him. Enjoy reading the book of Joshua.
Hugh DeLong
* (Smith, James; Old Testament Survey Series, The Books of History, College Press Publishing Company, Joplin, Missouri; pg. 36, Logos Edition)
