THE BOOK of JOSHUA - 09.27.09

JOSHUA: Captain of our Salvation

Joshua means "the LORD is salvation." Variant forms of his name include Jehoshua, and Yeshua. It is the Hebrew name of the Greek form of "Jesus." In Numbers 13:16 his name was changed from Oshua to Jeho–shua (Numbers 13:8, 16). The Divine name was incorporated into his. We first encounter the man Joshua as a successful conqueror, not slaying innocent people, but in fighting the enemies of the LORD (Exodus 17:8ff). He is a victorious conquering hero.
Joshua was born in Egypt and became Moses' right–hand man during the exodus and desert wanderings. He was Moses companion at Sinai (Exodus 24:13), and one of the twelve spies who went to spy out the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb had the faith and courage to advocate conquering the land (Numbers 14:6ff). They were the only adult males who left Egypt to enter Canaan 40 years later (Num. 14:30). Joshua assumed leadership after the death of Moses. He was 110 years old when he died.
The book of Deuteronomy (33:37–36:13) records the farewell and death of Moses. The book of Joshua opens with the work of Moses completed. God has provided His people with a written revelation, a priesthood, a place to worship, a system of laws and a new leader to conquer the promised land. Joshua takes over the leadership of Israel. The Israelites were encamped in the Plain of Moab, awaiting the Lord’s command to go over and possess Canaan. His responsibility is to conquer the land and settle the tribes in their appointed boundaries. The date of crossing over Jordan is about 1406 B.C. The conquered land was first known as Canaan, and then Palestine. The to the descendents of Abraham it was known as the Promised Land.
The first historical book in our English Bible is named after its conquering hero. It is the first in the Former Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. It begins with the Lord's commission of Joshua (1:1–9) and concludes with his death and burial (24:29–33).

AUTHOR: Ancient Jewish tradition in the Talmud attributes the book to Joshua, the commander of the Conquest of the Promised Land. A few sections could not have been written by him (15:13ff; 24:29f). However, Eleazar or Phinehas could have added these verses. Joshua 24:1–26 specifically identifies Joshua as author and eyewitness to these events. The accuracy of the stories of the conquest is supported by archaeological findings. There is disagreement among the scholars as to the date of some sites. The material comes from a time reasonably close to the actual events (6:25). Clearly the author was an eyewitness to many of the events (5:1, 6). The book as we have it was completed after the death of Joshua.

DATE: The events of Joshua begin where the book of Deuteronomy concludes. "After the death of Moses" (1:1; cf. Deuteronomy 34:1–6). With the death of Moses, Joshua takes over the leadership of Israel. It covers about 45–50 years. The date of the Conquest was c. 1406 B. C. Initial conquest was about seven years and 25 for the division and allotment of the land. The time of writing is not long after the events described, c. 1400 B. C. Cf. Numbers 13:15; Exodus 17:9f; 24:13; Numbers 14:6f; 27:18–23. Joshua died c. 1390 B.C.

THEME: The faithfulness of God in fulfilling under Joshua's leadership the promises He made to Moses to conquer and take possession of the Promised Land (1:2–4; 11:23; 21:45; 24:14–16). God is faithful to the promises He has made to the people of His Covenant. What He has promised He will do. God is faithful to His promises.

PURPOSE: JHVH will hold Israel true to her covenant with Him. Victory comes through faith in the LORD God and obedience to His Word.

KEY VERSES: 11:23; 21:45