Joshua's Preparation

All,

Finally our books have arrived and we're able to begin our new study on the Book of Joshua. After reading the first chapter I think I'm going to like this new book. The author's writing style is very readable and holds your attention. So let's dig right in and see what this all about.

I. Introduction

A. Surprise! Chapter 1 - mainly based on events found in books of the Pentateuch

1. Exodus
2. Deuteronomy
3. Numbers

B. Theme of Chapter 1 - God preparing Joshua to lead the Israelites

II. Joshua references before the Book of Joshua

A. Exodus Ch.17 v9 (Going out to fight the Amalekites)
B. Exodus Ch.24 v13 (On Mount Sinai)
C. Exodus Ch.32 (The Golden Calf)
D. Exodus Ch.33 (In the Tabernacle)
E. Numbers Ch.11 v24-29 (Prophesying in the Camp)
F. Numbers Ch.13-14 (Spying out the Land)
G. Numbers Ch.26 v65 (Joshua's Ordination)
H. Deuteronomy Ch.31 v2-8 (Moses Final Address)

III. Joshua's "Internship" - What did he learn?

A. God is not far off. He is immediately present
B. Sin is terrible, especially among the people of God
C. Merely using the name of God is not sufficient
D. God can and will guide
E. God's glory is to come first
F. God makes the rules, and more importantly God doesn't follow our rules
G. A man of God must stand and trust God
H. God keeps his promises and distinguishes among people
I. True spiritual leadership comes from God, not man.
J. No one is indispensable, yet each person is important and unique

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

(1) Joshua and the Flow of Biblical History, Francis A. Schaeffer, Inter Varsity Press 1975

An Introduction to Joshua

This week we begin our study of Joshua. I'm excited about our return to the Old Testament. Here we will learn not only about the word of the Lord but also about ancient history and the timeless shortcomings of man.

Without further ado let's start our study with an overview of the book.

I. Who is the book about?

A. Book is about God's chosen people, the Israelites
B. Book is also about their second leader, Joshua, who succeeded Moses

II. What is the book about?

A. Book is about Israelites transition from a tribal community to a nation-state
B. Book is about God's delivery of his people into the promised land
B. Book contains three major sections
1. Israelites invasion (claiming) of the land west of the Jordan
2. Israelites subjection (conquering) of the land
3. Israelites distribution (colonization) of the land amongst the 12 tribes

III. What is the timeframe covered in the book?

A. Book picks up after the death of Moses and the succession of Joshua, chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the promised land.
B. Chronologically and relative to its placement in the Bible it immediately follows Deuteronomy and precedes Judges.
C. Some estimate time was around 1406 B.C. to 1399 B.C.
D. Others estimate it at 1456 B.C. to 1426 B.C.
E. Not going to quibble, it was "a long time ago, in a land far away"

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) The HarperCollins Study Bible
(2) Willmington's Guide to the Bible, Tyndale Press, 1981
(3) A Chronological Bible Timeline: http://www.abiblestudy.com/part2.html
(4) Old Testament Timeline: http://www.matthewmcgee.org/ottimlin.html