Joshua 1-4

Joshua begins a whole new section of the Hebrew Scriptures often called the Historical Books, or the Former Prophets. This section includes Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings. Scholars believe these books were originally edited as one continuous history of Israel covering from the end of Moses’ life down to the Babylonian exile. There also seems to be an influence here from the preaching of the prophets of the eighth and seventh centuries BCE. The majority of scholars today believe that these books were put together by the same editor(s) that crafted the Book of Deuteronomy. Thus, these books are sometimes called the Deuteronomic History.

The Greek Septuagint version of the Hebrew Scriptures included 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ruth, Esther, Judith, Tobit, and 1 and 2 Maccabees as historical books in this section. Many English translations follow this same practice, though Judith, Tobit and Maccabees are usually placed in a separate section along with the other apocryphal books of the Hebrew Scriptures.

The major thing that scholars today struggle with in the books of Joshua and Judges is the idea that Israel took the Promised Land by violent assault in a relatively short period of time. Scholars find no archaeological evidence for this and so often propose other explanations for the way in which Israel took possession of Palestine.

Lawrence Boadt provides this outline of the book of Joshua:

1:1-18 Introduction: the authority of Joshua

2:1-12:24 The Conquest of the Promised Land

13:1-21:45 The Division of the conquered lands to the tribes

22:1-24:33 Joshua’s Farewell and renewal of the Covenant[1]

Joshua is one of my favorite books of the Old Testament. Whatever it tells us historically or imaginatively about the conquest of the Promised Land, I find in it a number of principles that apply to spiritual warfare today. For example, in chapter one we see such basic principles as the importance of:

Hearing and meditating on God’s commands
Being strong and courageous
Obeying God’s word
Obeying, praying for, and encouraging our spiritual leaders

Joshua 2 tells the story of the Israelite spies checking out Jericho and their meeting with the prostitute Rahab who, amazingly, ends up becoming an ancestor of King David and the Lord Jesus. (See Matthew 1.)

Chapters three and four deal with the miraculous crossing of the Jordan which is similar to the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus. Thus, Joshua is presented to the Israelites as a worthy successor of Moses.

The spiritual meaning of the entire book is summed up in the name of its chief character. The name “Joshua” means “YHWH saves” or “YHWH gives victory”. Joshua is the Hebrew version of the Greek name, Jesus. Thus, it is not by their own strength that the Israelites conquer the Promised Land. It is by YHWH’s grace and strength alone. The key verse is: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) This message was not only important to Joshua, but also to the first readers of this book in the seventh century BCE, and to us today.

This book is not primarily about what Joshua said and did. It is a book about God and how God was faithful to do what God had promised by bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land.

In 1896, Glasgow University conferred upon the famous missionary, David Livingstone, the degree of Doctor of Laws. As Dr. Livingstone rose to speak, he was received in respectful silence. He was gaunt and haggard as a result of hardships in tropical Africa. His left arm crushed by a lion, hung helplessly at his side as he announced his resolve to return to Africa, without misgiving and with great gladness. He added, “Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was often uncertain and often hostile? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the age.’ On these words I staked everything, and they never failed!”

The Lord promises no less to us. If we trust in God, he will be with us and give us victory, no matter what battles we may have to face.

[1] Boadt, Reading the Old Testament, 198

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