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HISTORICAL BOOKS

LECTURE 15

JOSHUA

Students will be able to

1. summarize the basic content of the book and explain how it fits into the history of Israel.

2. discuss the theological purpose of the book.

3. comment upon some of the difficult issues raised by the text.

CONTENT OF LECTURE

Introduction:

Although Jewish tradition suggests that Joshua was the author, there is no claim made in the text for authorship (TN#1). The events recorded occurred around the 13th century B.C. (TN#2) The purpose for the writing was to continue the record of the history of Israel that had ended with the death of Moses at the end of the Pentateuch. It is in Joshua that we see God fulfilling the promises He made to Abraham and Moses concerning the land.

Purpose:

Joshua was written to recount the faithfulness of God to His People of the Covenant and to remind them of the importance of obedience. In Joshua God fulfills His covenant promise to bring the Israelites into their own land. The conditions for prospering in the land are also made clear. Joshua's main purpose is theological, not historical; i.e., it is not intended to provide a detailed military history.

Theme:

God keeps His promises.

OUTLINE OF JOSHUA (TN#3)

I. Entrance into the Land

A. Preparation for entering the Land (1-2)

1. Joshua is assured that God is with him just as He was with Moses (1:5).

2. He is reminded that to prosper as God's servant, he must obey the Law passed on to him (1:7-8).

3. Joshua is assured that God is going before him into the promised land and that victory is certain (2:24).

B. Crossing the Jordan (3-4)

1. The people come to see that God is with Joshua as He was with Moses (3:7; 4:14).(DQ#4)

2. The crossing is accomplished by a miracle of God, (TN#5) and a memorial is built to acknowledge this event.

C. The Covenant is Renewed (5:1-12)

1. Circumcision

2. Passover

3. Manna ends and eating of the "fruit of the land" begins

II. Conquest Narratives

A. The Commander of the Lord's Army (5:13-15) (DQ#6)

B. Jericho (6)

The city is to be totally "devoted" (TN#7) to the Lord (except for Rahab and family, see Joshua 2). To be devoted to the Lord in this setting requires "the slaughter of everything that breathes (Deut. 20:16) and the destruction of everything destructible. Things flammable were burned (Deut. 7:25-26), but non-combustible precious metals might be taken into the sanctuary treasury." (Pope 838-839) (TN#8)

C. Ai (7-8)

1. Defeat Ai (7:1-5)

2. Achan's offense (7:6-26) (DQ#9)

a. Israel/Achan accused of taking some "devoted things" for her/himself (7:11-12)

b. Achan's confession and his family's destruction to appease God's anger against Israel (7:20, 25-26) (TN#10)

3. Victory at Al (8:1-29)

4. Reading of the Law at Ebal and Gerizim (8:30-35) (Obedience to Deut. 11:29; 27:1-11)

D. Southern Coalition (9-10)

1. Treaty with Gibeon (9)

Israel is tricked because they rely only on their own wisdom (9:14)

2. Battle at Gibeon (10) (TN#11)

The sun and moon stand still in the sky (10:12-14)

E. Northern Coalition (11)

F. List of Conquests (12)

III. Description of allotment of land

A. Settlement of prior claims (13-17)

1. Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh in Transjordan (13)

2. Caleb (14)

3. Judah (15)

4. Manasseh and Ephraim (16-17)

B. Remainder of Tribes (18-19)

C. Cities of refuge established (20)

(See Ex. 21:13 and Num. 35:6-15)

D. Levitical cities allocated (21)

IV. Covenant Matters

A. Potential violation in altar building (22)

(See Deut. 12:5-14)

B. Covenant exhortation to tribal leaders (23)

Many nations remain in the land, and Israel needs to be careful and faithful.

 C. Covenant renewal at Shechem (24)

The choice to follow is ongoing for Israel. (TN#12)

ASSIGNMENT

1. Read Ex. 20:5; Deut. 24:16; Jer. 31:29-30 and Ez. 18:1-32.

Why is it important to recognize both the corporate consequences of sin and the individual's responsibility?

How do the laws of the United States of America address this issue?

2. What might occur if you receive a land "you did not toil for and cities you did not build...and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plan"?

3. List some of the problems that Israel faces at the end of Joshua.

4. Read chapter 14, "Judges" in Hill & Walton's A Survey of the Old Testament.

 

OUTLINE OF JOSHUA

Discussion Questions:

#4 Why was it important for the people to see that God was with Joshua as He was with Moses?

#6 How does this theophany parallel events in Moses' life? What is the theological significance of this encounter? (It will not be the people who battle but YHWH. This is the theology of Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.")

#9 Why is all of Israel punished for Achan's sin? Why in the end does his family perish with him? Are you responsible for your "brother's" sin? Is it possible to sin and hurt only yourself? (The idea of individual responsibility before God and the community consequences of sin could be discussed here.)

 

Teacher' Notes:

#1 Many modem scholars believe Joshua was written by a group of editors known as the Deuteronomistic school about the 6th century B.C. A brief view of scholarly thoughts along this line can be found in Morton, "Joshua," The Broadman Bible Commentary.

#2 Dates -

How one dates the writing of Joshua depends on who the person sees as the author. If the Deuteronomistic School is accepted as the author, a late seventh or early sixth century B.C. date should be assigned

The dating of the events recorded in the book is also difficult. Scholars have found it difficult to reconcile internal dating with archaeological findings. This is the subject of ongoing dispute. It does seem certain, however, that the recorded conquests occurred between 1550 and 1200 B.C. (Hill 161-165).

#3 Joshua, the man

Assistant to Moses (Exodus 24:13; 32:17; 33:11)

Successful General (Exodus 17:8-13)

One of Twelve Spies (Numbers 14)

Successor to Moses Joshua 1:1-5)

#5 The Jordan has been blocked on several occasions in this location. In this area the west bank consists of high hills and cliffs of crumbly clay. Earthquakes and erosion by high water can and have caused the hills to collapse and dam up the river temporarily. (More details can be found in the Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 314.)

Does it matter how the stopping of the river was accomplished? (Does God not have to accomplish His work in some manner?)

What purpose does this miracle accomplish for the Israelites? for the people against whom they are about to battle?

#7 This policy of "devotion to destruction" is a major problem for the modern Bible students. Many attempts have been made to justify it by scholars. Don't be afraid to acknowledge the difficulty of this issue. It is indeed a "Gordian Knot." Share some of your own questions, struggles, or possibly your "solution." This type wartime "should be understood as a rite of ancient peoples (Israel among them) whereby within the context of their times, they attempted to please God (or the gods)" (Morton, 324-325).

This "devotion" concept is also referred to as anathema (LXX), ban, or taboo.

Scripture background: Deut 7:1-11,9:5, and 20:10-18. The reasons seem to be to avoid the temptation of turning to other gods.

#8 What do you see as the purpose of the total devotion (annihilation) of the city of Jericho and its inhabitants? How do you reconcile this concept with God as revealed by Jesus?

#10 This is a good point for a discussion of the idea of "corporate personality" or "community solidarity." Stress the idea that Israel was one. Blessing and punishment of part applied to the whole community. "In this society the whole group was held guilty for the sin of one of its members, whose punishment then devolved upon the members of the immediate family" (Morton 330). However, Israel struggled with the issue of corporate responsibility. Compare Ex. 20:5 with Deut 24:16. In the end more emphasis was placed on individual responsibility - see Jer. 31:29-30 and Ez. 18:1-32.

#11 Here is another example of God intervening on behalf of Israel. You will need to deal with this occurrence according to your own interpretation of Scripture. Please note that there are difficulties of interpretation here. The exact purpose of the sun and moon standing still is unclear. Was it to maintain light or darkness? Broadman Bible Commentary, V. 2, 341-342 has an excellent discussion.

#12 A good point to make might be that whatever happened, Israel was aware of God's presence.

RESOURCES:

Additional References

 

Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.

Credits and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100 Use the text to meet your academic needs. If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer Missions Programs.