Let's play some Risk

Joshua

First impression: finding the context

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?

Joshua is speaking to the new generation of Israelites who are about to take the promise land! They seem to be more obedient (Joshua 1:16-18) and ready to follow instructions. And after wandering for 40 years, who would not be ready to bring the promise to a completion?

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Joshua wrote this book as a historical type of account. Specifically the accounts of the taking of the Promise Land through the eyes of Joshua. We also can read from the very beginning (Joshua 1:3) that God was talking directly to Joshua, and that the Lord was very fast to assure the new Israelite leader at the time that all that He had promised to Moses is promised to him as well.

We can tell that Joshua was cautious because he did send spies like Moses did, but he sent them secretly and he only sent two (Joshua 1:1). Joshua also was very specific in telling them to scout the whole land but to pay special attention to Jericho. That’s in the center(ish) of Canaan, a very strategic plan, so that the other nations of Canaan would not have time to get all together behind the walls of Jericho and attack the Israelites! We can read that Joshua was very good at strategy because after conquering the center of Canaan, he decided to conquer the South section of Canaan and then the North part of Canaan. It’s like playing Risk but in real life!

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea”?

It seems to me that the main theme in Joshua is the capture and settlement of the Promised Land. The whole first part of the book talks about actual wars and conquests (Chapters 1-12) and then the distribution of the land takes place (Chapters 13-24).

My sentence to summarize the whole book would be: We’ve finally arrived home!

What is the primary reason this book was written?

Similar to the other 5 books of the Bible, Joshua was written to keep record of the Israelites’ times and adventures. In this book, the main reason seems to be help the people of God remember how He turned them from dessert nomads to owners of the promised land. This process helps them understand that everything they are, and everything they own is because of God’s favor upon them.

Theme tracing

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Just - God did not help the Israelites when they went to Ai for battle because they sinned, they broke the covenant (Joshua 7:11)

“Strong and courageous”, Joshua had to be brave so that the people would follow him to victory. God is faithful  because He promises Joshua He’ll be with him

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

The redemption happens specially at the level of ownership. Owning land has always been very important for people, and we can see that in this part of the history of Israel. Now, to go from a nomad to an owner of land is a very big change. I feel that God used the 40 years of wandering in the dessert to create longing in their hearts for “security” and for them to have a sense of belonging: the promise land was the answer for them. God was so good that He gave them all this land, He even helped them drive the people out of their land before they got there! (Joshua 23:5)

   I also like how as soon as they conquered the land they came back to Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle (Joshua 18:1) because they respected God so much that they wanted Him to have His own place as well.

Personal application

Is there a timeless truth, or maybe a specific verse, or perhaps the main idea of the book you are studying that is challenging you in your life?

I see that if you trust in God and follow His instructions, you will be blessed. And this is a topic that is not only presented in this book, we see a lot of this in Deuteronomy as well. But it seems to be repeated for a very important reason: humans are very hard headed, and timeless truths need to be repeated so many times that we actually remember them!

What area of your life is God encouraging you, convincing you or empowering you in through this book?

Again, I feel like my patience is challenged by this book. I know God will deliver what He has promised to me personally, but sometimes I want those things to come right now!

I also feel empowered to do so much more! In the book of Joshua I got the sense that he had led the Israelites to take all of the land they were supposed to take. But God reminds Joshua, in his old age, that he’s far from finished. God gives Joshua a list of the territories that remain to be conquered (Joshua 13:1-7). And I feel like sometimes we feel that we are done with what God has asked us to do, but we are so far from done! Gotta keep on working!

Point of passion

Whether it is a people group or a sphere of society, God’s word can speak into all areas of life. Share in a paragraph or two how the message of this book, or a truth from this book relates to your  point of passion, and how your ministry to this area can use the message from this book to share Christ in your passion.

I feel like a leader is needed to start the job but it takes a whole group of people to actually finish the task at hand. Likewise, I realize that when it gets to the time of starting the food truck ministry to the homeless and the poor, a good team of people will be needed. I also believe that it would become a regular thing to do, to ask God “what else is left to do”? So that in my old age I don’t have to hear God tell me that there’s still a lot that I do not complete!