PURITAN REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OVERVIEW OF JOUSHA A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. MURRAY FOR NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY BY MICHAEL DEWALT

Transcription

1 PURITAN REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OVERVIEW OF JOUSHA A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. MURRAY FOR NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY BY MICHAEL DEWALT GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN FEBURARY 2008

2 Joshua Overview 1. Name I. Introduction This book is the first of the twelve historical books written in the Old Testament. The title of this book is named after its main character. Joshua s original name was Hoshea which meant salvation found in Numbers 13:8; but Moses later changed it to Yeshoshua in Numbers 13:16, meaning, Yahweh Is Salvation. This name in Hebrew is the Greek equivalent to the name Jesus. His name and the title of this book are symbolic in the fact that he was the leader of the Israelite nation during the conquest, which shadows that of Jesus being our Conqueror Theme The theme of Joshua is that victory and blessing come through obedience and trust in God Purpose The purpose of the book of Joshua is that God in covenant with his people is faithful in providing the land that Israel had been promised. Unlike other books later written about Israel, Joshua is the only one that does not record (besides chapter seven, which was fixed) a massive failure by the nation of Israel or its leadership Key verse(s) Joshua 1:8: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 11:23: So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war. 4 1 MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), p. 55, Wilkinson, Bruce, Kenneth Boa. Talk Thur the Bible. Nashville: (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983), p Balchin, John. Opening God's Word: The Compact Survey of the Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1985, p. 42, MacArthur, p. 57, Wilkinson, p Wilkinson, p Wilkinson, p.53.

3 5. Key truths The promising keeping God. God giving what he had promise years before to Isaac, Jacob, and then renewed with Moses, gave to the Israelites in the wilderness, and then again to Joshua to lead the Lord s people across the Jordon. The Covenantal relationship between God and His people. The covenant that had been promised to the nation of Israel previously had now been fulfilled. The Rest. The rest given to the Lord s people who had been promised from the time they were in slavery. Although later we would see that they failed at keeping to this rest in breaking covenant with Him. II. Author Although the title of this book and chapter 24:26 makes it clear that Joshua had written these words in the Book of the Law of God, there is still some doubt throughout the whole of the book of who the author may be. There are three sections in the book of Joshua that must have been written after his death; Jos. 15:13-19 and Judg. 1:9-15, Othniel capturing of Kirjath Sepher, Jos. 19:47, Judg. 18:27-29, Dan s migration to the north, and lastly Joshua s death being recorded in Jos. 24: Many who think that Joshua is the author of the book of Joshua, believe that these texts would have been inserted in a later time by Eleaser the priest and his son Phinehas in Jos. 24:33. Nonetheless there is a unity flow to the book that would allude to one author of it, being Joshua. III. Date The beginning of the book of Joshua would have around 1405 B.C. The events in this would have been in March of 1405 B.C., with the death of Moses (Deut. 34:5-9) to the crossing of the Jordan in April of 1405 B.C. (Jos. 4:19). From Jos. 6:1-13:7 would have been seven years. Then lastly, Jos. 13:8 would have been about 1398 B.C. to Jos. 24:29 when Joshua dies at 1390 B.C. would have lasted 8 years. It is believed that the book of Joshua was somewhere written over the span of 15 years, during 1405 B.C. to 1390 B.C. 5 Historical purpose IV. Historical Analysis Joshua serves is the historical link between Moses writing of the Pentateuch and the twelve historical books written in the Old Testament. From the previous books written before Joshua, the Israelites had learned many important truths of living under God s blessing. Unlike the 5 Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1964), p

4 previous books, however, in Joshua God tests his people, tests that they pass and then receive his blessing by obeying the Word of God/ His commands (Jos. 1:8, 8:32-35, 23:6-16, 24:26-27.) 6 History or myth? Although that some may think that the book of Joshua may have myths in it such as Jos. 10 with the sun standing still, no one can say that it is not actual historical facts. The discovery of the el- Amarna letters in 1887 aids in much history accounts of the events in which took place during the time of B.C. 7 Historical Periods Pivotal events Joshua taking over Moses leadership of the Israelites, Jos. 1. Joshua s exodus that he would have done, leads the Israelites into the land, Jos. 9. Joshua asking the Lord to keep the sun standing still, in order that he could continue to fight, Jos. 10. Joshua dividing the land to the Israelites, Jos Pivotal people Joshua: the leader of the Israelites who lead the people to the promise land, Jos Rahab: a prostitute from Jericho saved from death for obeying God, Jos. 2:6, 17, 22-23, 25. Achan: disobeyed God by stealing from the plunder of Jericho, which made Israel lose a battle, Jos. 7:20. Phinehas: a priest and a son of Eleazer which help prevent civil war of Israel, Jos. 22:13, 31-34, 24:33. Eleazar: the son of Aaron who became the High Priest, Jos. 14:1, 17:4, 19:51, 21:1-3, 22:13-33, 24:33. The Necessity of Joshua- after the death of Moses the people of the Lord were still waiting for their rest and their land that God had promised them. The book of Joshua demonstrates like no 6 Bush, Frederic, William LaSor and David Hubbard. Old Testament: The Message, Form, and Background. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), p Archer, p , Bush, p

5 other book in the Old Testament that when the people of God s covenant actually follow the Word of God they can and will be blessed by God. This book however, gives the historical link between two totally different sections of the bible closing a gap in the history of the Lord s people living in covenant with him. This was to show both the conquest and the settlement of the Lord s people in their given land and given rest which God promised. This was done by seeing that when God s people stay true to him, no one can stand against Him. The Conquest The first five chapters of the book of Joshua record the people of Israel and their conquering the land of Canaan. Joshua being told by God to take the land sends out two of his spies who happen to come back with good report. Here in the conquest of the land, Israel shows their obedience and faith to God in crossing the Jordan River, Jos. 3:1-4:24. The Dividing of the Land Later in Joshua s life, God tells him to divide the land between the twelve tribes, Jos. 13:8-21:45. Although at this time much of the land was still to be won, the Israelites knew that being obedient at this time and faithful to their promising Lord, God would give them all of the land. Outline of the book- Entering the Promise Land 1:1-5:12 Conquering the Promise Land 5:13-12:24 V. Literary Analysis Balchin MacArthur Wilkinson & Boa Entering the Promise Land 1:1-5:15 Conquering the Promise Land 6:1-12:24 Israel is prepared for the conquest 1:1-5:15 Conquest of Canaan the land 6:1-13:7 Settling the Promise Land 13:1-22:34 Leavening the Promise Land 23:1-24:33 Distributing Portions of the Promise Land 13:1-22:34 Retaining the Promise Land 23:1-24:28 The settlement east of the Jordan 13:8-33 The settlement west of the Jordan 14:1-19:51 The settlement of the religious community 20:1-21:45 The conditions for continued

6 Postscript 24:29-33 settlement 22:1-24:33 Original audience/message- The audience of the book of Joshua would have been the Lord s people Israel, so that they knew their heritage and where their ancestors had came from and what they had done. Genre- The book of Joshua is a historical narrative. It gives historical truths of Gods people (Jews) during their exodus into their land that God promised them in Canaan. To read Joshua in parts, one must see the focus towards the climatic passage of the Israelites in their conquest of the land of the Canaanites, Jos. 6:1-13:7. When reading Joshua one will see the importance that the writer gives to showing how the Israelites prepared to take their land, Jos. 1-5:15. After their conquering of the land, the writer then gives the historical sequence of how the land was separated and given to the twelve tribes. The significance of the interpretation of Joshua is important in understanding how God fulfills his covenants to his people throughout time. The author gives information throughout the book to show the promises that were being fulfilled over time and the importance of the people obeying God s word. The writer of Joshua uses the historical view that the previous and following books did as well to show the connection of the Lord s people conquering the land that God had promised.the most important fact to see here is that the writer uses this historical narrative to link together what Moses had previously written to the following historical books of the Old Testament. This can be easily seen that the writer would have been well trained in writing historical narratives like that of Moses. The following is a great table made up by Mark E. Briddle: Joshua Moses Commission (1:1-9) Commission (Exod 3-4; cf esp. Josh 1:9 and Exod 3:12) sends spies sends spies (Num 13//Deut 1:19-25; (2:1; 7:2; cf. 18:4-9) Num 21:32) Israel's fame among the Israel's fame among the nations inspires fear nations inspires fear (2:22-24; 5:1; 6:1,27; (Exod 15:15-16; Num 22:3; passim) 9:1-2; 10:1-5; 11:1-5) crossing the Jordan crossing the Reed Sea (Exod 14) (3:1-4:24)

7 circumcision (5:2-9) circumcision (Exod 4:24-26) Passover celebration in Passover celebration in conjunction with preparation (Exod 12-13) crossing(5:10-11) cessation of manna (5:12) beginning of manna (Exod 16) Joshua's encounter with divine figure (5:13-15 remove shoes) Moses' encounter with YHWH (Exod 3:5, remove shoes) Joshua's complaint (7:6-9) Moses complains (Num 14) Joshua's outstretched hand Moses outstretched hand (Josh 8:18,26) (Exod 9:22; 10:12, 21; passim) Ritual at Mt. Ebal Ebal and Gerizim prescription (8:30-35) (Deut 11:26-32; 27:1-8) Land grant to Caleb Promise of Land to Caleb (Num (14:6-15) 14:24, 29//Deut 1:36) Division of the land by Lot Instructions for the division of (18-19) land by lot (Num 34) Problem of daughter's Problem of daughter's inheritance inheritance (15:13-19; (Zelophehad's - Num 36) Zelophehad's -17:3-6)

8 Cities of Refuge Cities of Refuge (20:1-9) (Num 35) Trans-Jordanian tribes Trans-Jordanian tribes placed under released from their obligation (Num 32//Deut 3:12- obligation (22:1-12) 17) Joshua's farewell (23:1-15) Moses' farewell address(deut 29:2-30:20) Covenant at Shechem Covenant in Moab (Deut 31) (24:1-28) Joshua's death and burial Moses' death and burial (24:29-30) (Deut 34:1-8) Priest's (Eleazar) Aaron's death and burial (Num death and burial (24:33) 20:22-29) 8 God s Character in Joshua- God is holy Jos. 24:19 God is jealous Jos. 24:19 God is covenant keeping Jos. 22:4, 23:14 God is provident Jos. 7:14, 21:45 God is wrathful Jos. 10:25, 23:16 VI. Thematic Analysis Theological Themes God s faithfulness to his covenant- 5:14-16:2, 11:23, 21:45, 22:4. The obedience of God s Word- Jos. 1:8, 8:32-35, 23:6-16, 24:26-27 The holiness of God (judging the Canaanites)- Deut. 7:1-6 8 Biddle, Mark E. Literary Structrues in the Book of Joshua. (Class Paper, Richmond: Baptist Theological Seminary), p. 5-6.

9 VII. New Testament Analysis Joshua a shadow of Christ Although nowhere in the book of Joshua is Christ or any other explicit messages of the coming messiah mentioned, it is hard to miss the representation of Christ in both the name and person of Joshua. The shadow of one bringing the Lord s people into rest and a leader of them resembles that of Christ today. Joshua s name meaning Yahweh is Salvation alone points towards Christ, as well as the vision of a Commander of the army of the Lord in Jos. 5:13, 14. This commander does seemly shadow that of Christ as he was a leader of Joshua, the commander of the Lord s army to victory over the Canaanites. Original message VIII. The Messages of Joshua The original message of Joshua is that when God s people obey his Word and have faith that he will guide, protect, and keep his promises, God will continue to do so. This blessing from God came only when the Israelites kept his commandments. This message recorded by (most likely) Joshua taught that God keeps his promises. Joshua as well includes the will of God throughout his book in showing that it was God who wanted the people to take control of the land. The message that the Israelites would have gotten from this writing would have been the goodness of God. Joshua describes God as the one who gave them victory and strength in their battles, Jos. 1:2, 6:16, 10:8. This, however, would have help shown the power of their God, in that there was nothing in their way from stopping his will when they obeyed, Jos. 3:7-17, 10:12. Present message The present day message is of the same for the church. God, whom the church today still serves, is never changing. God s power and goodness provide the church the needed material in the Christian walk. In the church s obedience, God blesses and takes care of his flock time after time, again and again.

10 Bibliography Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Chicago: Moody Press, Balchin, John. Opening God's Word: The Compact Survey of the Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, Barnes, Albert. Barnes Notes. Edited by Robert Frew. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Baker, Biddle, Mark E. Literary Structrues in the Book of Joshua. Class Paper, Richmond: Baptist Theological Seminary. Bright, John. A History of Israel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, Bush, Frederic, William LaSor and David Hubbard. Old Testament: The Message, Form, and Background. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Calvin, John. Calvin's Commentaries. Translated by Rev. William Pringle. Vol. 4. Grand Rapids: Baker, Gangel, Kenneth O. Joshua: Holman Old Testament Commentary. Edited by Max Anders. Vol. 4. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Howard, David Jr. Joshua: New American Commentary. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, Keller, Phillip. Joshua: Man of Frealess Faith. Waco: Word Press, Joshua: Might Warrior and Man of Faith. Grand Rapids: Kregel, MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Mazar, Amihai. The Archaeology of the land of the Bible. New York: Doubleday, Morton, William H. Joshua. The Broadman Bible Commentary. Edited by Clifton J. Allen. Vol. 2. Nashville: Broadman Press, Wilkinson, Bruce, Kenneth Boa. Talk Thur the Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Woudstra, Marten. Joshua: New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981.