lesson 6

JOSHUA

I. BACKGROUND

1. Author - unknown, but possibly some written by Joshua himself

2. Date of Events - around 1400 B.C.; after the exodus from Egypt

3. Setting - Moses had just led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness,

the Israelites were led by Joshua into the promised land of Canaan. The land was given to the will of God.

II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

1. Key Verses: 1:1-9; 14:1-5; 23:1-16; 24:14-24

2. Theme: The book of Joshua reveals now God provided the land of Canaan to the people of Israel. It shows the

victories that God inspired, as well as the losses due to the disobedience of the people. It may have been written to motivate

faith in the Israelites during the time of the Judges. Faith is a key concept in the book..

1) Provision of the Land

a. The promise: 1:3-4; Genesis 12:6-7; 15:18-21

b. The conquests: 6:1-25 (Jericho): 10:41: 11:23

c. The problems: 7:1-26; 9:1-27; 15:63; 16:10

d. The division of the land: 14:1-5; 19:51

e. The fulfillment: 21:43-45; 23:14

f. The warnings of danger: 23:7; 12-13

2) Pictures of Faith

a. Joshua: 1:10-11; 10:12-14; 24:14-15

b. Eastern tribes: 1:16-18

c. Rahab: 2:1-21; 6:17; 22-23; James 2:25; Heb. 11:31

d. Israelites at Jericho: 6:1-25; Hebrews 11:30

e. Achan's lack of faith: 7:1-26; 22:20

f. Nation of Israel: 24:16-27

III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH

1. No direct prophecies concerning Jesus, but there are several shadows worthy of note:

1) Joshua as conquerer: 10:40-42; Rev. 17:14; 1Cor.15:20-28

2) Joshua a ruler: 1:16-18; 11:15; Acts 3:19-23; Hebrews 10:5-7

3) Cloud of witnesses: Hebrews 12:1-2 (pointing to Jesus)

2. The promised land: 21:43-45; Hebrews 11:13-16; Rev. 21:1-4

IV. APPLICATIONS – LESSONS

1. Faith in the midst of sin (positive)

1) Spies went to a prostitute, but still faith was produced ( in Rahab): 2:1-21

2) Achan took the devoted objects, but still Israel had faith to defeat Jericho, and later Ai: chapters 6-8

3) The Gibeonite deception did not defeat the faith of Joshua: He still conquered the enemies: chapters 9-11

4) God is able to turn our greatest weaknesses into His greatest victories: Hebrews 12:12-13; 2 Cor. 12:9-10

2. Sin hampers the produce of faith (negative).

1) Achan's sin caused the initial defeat at Ai: 7:1-26

2) Gibeonite sin caused a diversion of Joshua's campaign: 10:1-7

3) Not completely destroying the native people caused the serving of foreign gods and intermarriage:

15:63; 16:10; 23:6-16; 24:14-15

3. Serving the Lord: chapters 23 and 24

1) Remember His actions: 23:9-10; 24:2-13

2) Do not associate with the wicked: 23:7; 12-13

3) Get rid of foreign gods: 24:23-24

4) Choose to serve Him as Lord: 24:14-15

5) Obey Him: 23:6: 24:24

6) Never forsake Him: 24:16-20

JOSHUA QUESTION

1. BEFORE OR AFTER: Write a "B" for the events that happened before the book of Joshua, and an "A" for those things

that happened after the book of Joshua.

____ 1) The death and resurrection of Jesus

_____2) Deliverance from Egyptian bondage for Israel

_____3) Abraham was called by God

_____4) Israel started having kings - Saul, David

2. The book of Joshua reveals how God provided the land of ___________________ to the people of ____________________.

3. What caused Israel to have victory over their enemies?

4. What caused Israel to suffer defeat at Ai:

5. Name three (3) examples of faith in the book of Joshua.

6. How was Joshua a shadow of the Messiah to come?

7. Did the people of Israel inherit the land that God had promised to them?

8. "____________________ you this day whom you will serve...' but as for me and my house,

we will serve____________________." (24:15)

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