JOSHUA---POSSESSING THE PROMISED LAND

INTRODUCTION

1.    The book is the story of a military campaign led by Joshua by which Israel gained possession of the Promised Land.

2.    The book introduces a new method of teaching. Up to this time God had spoken in dream, vision or angelic ministry; now there is the book of the Law written by Moses, and they are exhorted to hearken to God’s voice in and through that book. (Joshua 1:8)

3.    The children of Israel are right on the border of the Land, near the banks of the Jordan.

4.    Joshua is the leader now. Moses is dead. (1:1)

HISTORICAL BOOKS

1.    The twelve books, including Joshua through Esther, are called historical.

2.    They narrate the history of Israel from the entrance of Canaan to the return from the captivity.

3.    The history of these books is divided into 3 periods:

A.   The Independent Tribes - consists of the work of conquest and the experience of the Judges. (Joshua, Judges, Ruth)

B.   The Kingdom of Israel

1)    Its rise - I Samuel

2)    Its glory - II Samuel, I Kings 1-11, I Chron. 11-29, II Chron. 1-9

3)    Its division and fall - I Kings 12-22, II Kings 1-25, II Chron. 10-36

C.   The Return from Captivity (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)

KEY WORD - “Inheritance” (59 times) 1:6; 13:7-8

DATE

1.    Of coverage: probably about 30 years, from the death of Moses to the death of Joshua (14:7, 10)

2.    Of writing: probably completed between 1400 and 1375 B.C.

THEME: APPROPRIATION

Its primary message is the faithfulness of God to His people in giving gifts to His own if they will but trust the Lord and appropriate the promises.

RELATION TO OTHER BOOKS

1.    It is to the first five books of the Old Testament what Acts is to the first four of the New Testament.

2.    To Ephesians:

A.   Joshua: discusses God’s provision of Canaan and all its material blessings for His earthly people, Israel. (1:2-5; 24:11-13)

B.   Ephesians: discusses God’s provision of the heavenlies and all spiritual blessings in Christ for His heavenly people, the Church. (Eph. 1:3-7)

CANAAN - is not a type of heaven but the place of victory in this life. Typically, Canaan corresponds to the “heavenlies” of Ephesians. As they were to appropriate the Land by faith, we are to appropriate the blessings of the heavenlies.

That Canaan is not a type of heaven is obvious as there was warfare in Canaan. It was not cessation of war, but victory in war. Though the conflict was still there, there was victory. In heaven there will be no more conflict; however, while we are here on earth we must engage in battle.

SPIRITUAL LESSON

1.    First the people were redeemed and delivered from Egypt. Up to this point they were carrying on a defensive warfare much like the babe in Christ and the carnal Christian. Now, after crossing the Jordan River, they went forth offensively, appropriating the land God had given them. So it is with the Christian. After our redemption follows growth and development from a defensive position guarding ourselves against the wiles of the devil - to an offensive position, appropriating the blessing that is ours by faith in Christ.

2.    Characteristics of Canaan

A.   A place of rest - wandering was to give place to settled dwelling.

B.   A place of plenty - Ex. 3:8; Deut. 33:28; Lev. 26:5; Deut. 11:10-12.

C.   A place of victory - Josh. 3:10

OUTLINE

  I.    CROSSING INTO THE LAND (1-5)

A.   Joshua charged (1)

B.   Jericho spied (2)

C.   Jordan crossed (3)

D.   Memorials raised (4)

E.   Gilgal occupied (5)

 II.    CONQUERING THE LAND (6-12)

A.   The fall of Jericho (6)

B.   The sin of Achan (7)

C.   The defeat of Ai (8)

D.   The deception of the Gibeonites (9)

E.   The conquest of the kings (10-12)

III.   CONTINUANCE IN THE LAND (13-22)

A.   The division of the Land (13-19)

B.   The cities of refuge (20)

C.   The inheritance of the Levites (21)

D.   The altar of witness (22)

IV.   COUNSEL IN THE LAND (23-24)

A.   Joshua’s farewell message (23:1-24:28)

B.   Joshua’s death and burial (24:29-33)