LESSON 7
The Book Of Joshua
1. The Book:
A. Joshua is the first of the twelve Books (Joshua- Esther) in the second
category classified Historical.
B. Joshua the son of Nun is the author of this book, which picks up where
Deuteronomy leaves off.
C. Its name is appropriately named after its central figure Joshua, or in the
Hebrew Yehoshua (Yehweh Is
Salvation), which is the equivalent of the Greek
name Jesus.
D. The key word is "Conquest". (The act of conquering) 1:3
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NOTE: Victory was based on faithfulness.
2. Survey of Joshua
The Book of Joshua has 2 main divisions:
Conquering the Land 1-12
Occupying the Land 13-24
The first half of Joshua describes the seven year conquest of the Land, and the
second half gives the
details of the division and settlement of the Land. (Approximately 8 years)
Conquering The Land (Canaan)
A. Chapter 1 - Prepartion of Israel. First, a leader replaces Moses. Joshua is
chosen and commissioned by God.
The task of commanding two and a half million people would seem almost
impossible without some
type of formula in order to be successful. Verse 8
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B. Chapter 2 - Jericho Spies. Joshua sends spies to Jericho, the first city they
would come to in the
central region of Canaan. Note the acts of the harlot Rahab toward the two spies
and her reward.
Verse 18
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C. Chapter 3 - Crossing of the Jordan. Here Israel is where their parents were
40 years earlier.
Verse 7
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They miraculously cross over on dry ground once again.
D. Chapter 4 - Memorial of the Crossing. Joshua was instructed to set up a
memorial at Gilgal to remind
them of the power of God in holding back the waters. Verses 6-7
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E. Chapter 5 - The circumcision and Passover at Gilgal. The children born during
the forty years
wandering had to bear the mark of Israel - which spoke of moral and spiritual
separateness.
Deuteronomy 10:16
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Colossians 2:11-13
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F. Chapter 6 - Victory at Jericho. God would conquer the inhabitants of Canaan
if Israel would be
obedient. Verse 20
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G. Chapter 7 - The Sin of Achan. One mans sin effected the whole camp. Verse 11
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H. Chapters 8-12 - The Conquest of the Land. After sin had been confessed and
dealt with, Ai was
defeated. Then they proceeded to take the Land in the southern and northern
region. Chapter 12 gives
us a complete list of Kings of the lands which the children of Israel OVERTHROW.
Occupying The Land Chapters 13-24
In chapter 13 the land of Canaan is divided among the tribes though there were
still parts of Canaan yet to be
conquered. They did this by casting lots. Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of
Manasseh received their
inheritance by Moses beyond Jordan, eastward and were not a part of the dividing
by lots.
Chapter 14:2-3
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Two and a half tribes - East Jordan. Nine and a half tribes - West Jordan. From
Chapters 15-19 we read of
the geographical boundaries for each tribe. Use a map to closely examine these
boundaries.
Chapter 20 - The Cities of Refuge. Here we have six Cities of Refuge - three on
the west of the Jordan, and
three on the east. Verse 3
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Chapter 21 - The Cities of the Levites. Though the Levites had not an
inheritance, they needed a place to
dwell. They were given cities from the inheritance of the other tribes.
Chapter 21 - Israel possesses the Land. Verses 43-45.
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Chapter 22 - The 2 1/2 tribes are sent home, they erected the altar Ed by
Jordan. There was some question
as to its purpose among the other tribes. A simple misunderstanding. Read Verses
27-30.
Chapters 23-24 - Joshua's farewell. Read 23:14-16. What do you learn from these
verses?
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Renewal of the Covenant. Chapter 24:15
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At 110 years of age, Joshua died. 24:29.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the Key Word of Joshua?
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2. What are the two main divisions?
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3. Who was the woman that hid the spies at Jericho?
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4. How did they cross the Jordan River?
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5. How did they conquer Canaan?
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