History and Background
THE OCCUPATION OF CANAAN:
Before we discuss this subject, we need to review the Patriarchal Age (2000 – 1730 BC). The main characters of this age are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Israel’s bondage in Egypt began around 1870 BC, and lasted for a period of 430 years. The exodus of the Jews from Egypt occurred in about 1440 BC. Then the retrogressive Exodus Generation wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Next in our chronology we see the conquest of Canaan from 1407 – 1380 BC.
To facilitate our understanding of the invasion and occupation of Canaan, we need to spend a little time on the kingdoms which were contemporary with Israel at this time, in the Middle East. The most powerful empire in existence at the time of the conquest and occupation of Canaan was Egypt. The section of Egypt adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea was known as lower Egypt. Of course, Egypt’s economy was based on an agricultural society. Egypt’s great historian, “Manetho” has traced thirty different dynasties during the history of the Egyptian Empire. The Kingdom of Mitanni was northeast of the Tigris-Euphrates Valley. This was basically an Indo-European Empire. The people of this Empire are known as the Hurrians. The Biblical phrase “the sons of Hur” refers to this people. The leaders of the kingdom were known as the “Aryans”. This Empire had a great cavalry and a tremendous interest in horse racing. It is thought that they were perhaps the first people to actually race horses. In the area of Babylonia, at the coming together of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, we see the last vestiges of the Babylonian Empire. And directly north of this Empire we see the Kingdom of Assyria. The cities of Ashur and Nineveh were the two major cities of this empire. Later on in our Bible Survey, we will study Jonah and Obediah as prophets who ministered to the Assyrian Kingdom.
By the way, the chief cities of Egypt were Memphis in North Egypt and Thebes in South Egypt. Both of these cities were used as capitals. Aleppo and Carchemesh, were the two capital cities of the Kingdom of Mitanni. And as we have already mentioned, Nineveh and Ashur were the chief cities in Assyria. Kadesh was the chief city of Syria and served as a buffer zone between the Northern section of Palestine and the Southern. Hazor was the capital city of the Hyksos Pharaohs of Egypt. This city was located just north of the Sea of Galilee.
AUTHOR: Joshua (Joshua 24:26), Successor to Moses (Deuteronomy 31:23). One of the major holy books in Judaism states that Joshua wrote all but the last five verses, and that those were penned by Phineas the Priest. The name Joshua means “Jehovah is Salvation” – the corresponding word in the New Testament is “Jesus” (Hebrews 4:8). Joshua was one of the great generals in history, although born a slave in Egypt. He was forty years old at the time of the exodus (one of the spies). He was eighty years old when he received his commission (it’s never too late to serve the Lord). He died at the ripe old age of 110. Joshua was a great man of prayer, courage, dependence upon God, faith-rest, leadership, zeal and faithfulness. He is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ in both name and ministry. Joshua demonstrates the fact that a man of average ability may become a leader in the Lord’s service; he received his call not in flaming letters across the sky, but from an old man who loved God, knew Joshua, and saw that he was prepared by the Lord to be a leader. The great challenge before Joshua, under God’s grace and power, was to invade, fight for, and divide the land for Client Nation Israel. Historically, this was the perfect timing of God for the fulfillment of this challenge. The Land of Canaan existed in city states as the result of a great interruption of leadership. The city states were weak because of their moral depravity and they were ripe for conquest.
PURPOSE: The Book of Joshua completes the redemption out of Egypt. Salvation is not only a redemption from Hell, but it is a redemption to heaven. “Who was delivered up for all our offenses and was raised again on account of our justification.” (Romans 4:25) Since the second book of the Bible is called Exodus, the book of Joshua should be called, “Eisodus.” In Exodus we see our redemption from the penalty of sin; in Joshua we see our redemption from the indwelling power of sin. This deliverance from the power of sin is effected through our victorious entrance into the spiritual life. Israel’s crossing of the River Jordan speaks of our entrance into spiritual living. The entrance into the Land pictures our entering the Christian life at the point of salvation. The Jews’ battling for the land is a type of our tactical victory in the Angelic Conflict in living the Christian life under the power of the Spirit and the power of the Word. The division of the land pictures our Lord Jesus Christ “dividing up” all of the blessings of time to every member of His Royal Family who grows and matures spiritually. The purpose of the book is to relate the degree of spiritual victory received under God’s enabling grace and power. Joshua also relates a history of God’s miraculous dealings with Client Nation Israel; this provides a beautiful picture of the Christian life as a miraculous, supernatural way of life, requiring a supernatural means of execution, i.e., the power of the Spirit and the power of the Word.
SYNTHESIS AND OUTLINE: The basic synthesis of Joshua is as follows: the entrance, the battle, the division. This simple synthesis also provides the outline for the entire book.
1. The entrance into the land (Joshua 1-4).
2. The battle for the land (Joshua 5-12).
3. The division of the land (Joshua 13-24).
The time covered in the Book of Joshua is about 27 years.
TRANSITION: Throughout the Pentateuch, Jehovah had spoken by dreams, visions, the Voice of the Lord, or by angelic ministry. Now, a new method is employed. The Law of Moses is depicted as the written voice of Jehovah (Joshua 1:8)
KEY VERSE: Our first key verse goes all the way back to Exodus 23:28-32, “By little and little I will drive them out from before thee until thou increase and inherit the land.” The second key verse is Joshua 1:3, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” Some have referred to Joshua as the Old Testament Book of Ephesians. Joshua is prophetic of Israel, and typical of the church. In Jeremiah 23:8 and in Ezekiel 37:21, we read of Israel’s pre-title to the land. Although the title is free and based upon God’s unconditional covenant with the jews, conflict and conquest go hand-in-hand with possession.
KEY WORD: Possession. Although Israel’s ownership of the promised land is unconditional (“Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21; 17:8), Israel’s possession of the land was conditional (Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20). In functioning under the power of God’s Word, our Lord Jesus Christ grants us the tactical victory in the angelic conflict. As we receive the tactical victory of spiritual growth and maturity (becoming winners in the Plan of God), God grants us deliverance from the indwelling power of the old sin nature and possession of all the divine blessings of time.
JOSHUA 1:4 – EXTENT OF THE PROMISED LAND. Joshua 13:1 – Israel did not possess all of the land. Joshua 11:15 – Joshua had conquered the land and possession was available. Joshua 11:23 – Each tribe was given its allotment, but had to drive out the enemy. There was to be a gradual occupation of the land by each tribe. Likewise, the Christian today is given title to spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3; Romans 5:1-11; Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 5:22, 23). The possession and experience of all these divine blessings in time depend upon conflict and conquest in the angelic conflict (Ephesians 6:10-20; Galatians 5:25; 11 Corinthians 10:3-6; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Hebrews 4:11). Blessing in time is never attained through the energy of the flesh, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working in the Christian who is devoted to Bible truth (Romans 7 & 8).
JOSHUA – THE BOOK OF THE OVER-COMER
CHAPTER TITLES
I. PREPARATION AND ENTRY (Joshua 1-4)
1. Joshua Commissioned
2. The Spies and Rahab
3. Step of Faith
4. Two Altars
II. PREPARATION AND BATTLE (Joshua 5-12)
5. Two Acts of Worship
6. First Victory
7. First Defeat
8. Second Victory
9. Deceived
10. Sun Stood Still
11. Secret of Victory
12. Victories Reviewed
III. PREPARATION FOR OCCUPATION (Joshua 13-22)
13. First Divisions
14. Caleb’s Reward
15. Land of Judah
16. Land of Ephraim
17. Western Manasseh
18. Tabernacle at Shiloh
19. Second Division
20. Cities of refuge
21. Levite Cities
22. Back over Jordan
IV. PREPARATION FOR PRESERVATION (Joshua 23-24)
23. Condition of Possession
24. Authority Accepted
SPECIAL STUDIES
I. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF BEGINNING AND ENDING
(Joshua 1 with 23 and 24)
Beginning
1. Be strong and of good courage.
2. Observe all things according to the law.
3. Meditate (be saturated) in the Word of God.
Ending
1. Be strong, courageous.
2. Observe the Word.
3. Love God, the pledge and witness (Joshua 24:16-27)
II. CONTRAST OF FAITH AND WORKS FOUND IN JOSHUA 6 AND 7
Faith to Victory (Joshua 6)
1. Recognize God (Joshua 5:13-15)
2. Hear and Understand (Joshua 6:1-5)
3. Instruction (Joshua 6:6-7)
4. Obedience (Joshua 6:8-20)
5. Victory – Complete Confidence (Joshua 6:21)
6. Continued Walk (Joshua 6:22-26)
7. Reward (Joshua 6:27)
Works to Defeat (Joshua 7)
1. Disobedience (Joshua 7:1)
2. Listen to Man (Joshua 7:2-3)
3. Self-Confidence (Joshua 7:3)
4. Flight – running (Joshua 7:4)
5. Fear (Joshua 7:5)
6. Sin and Shame (Joshua 7:6-21
7. Judgment and Death (Joshua 7:22-26)
III. CALEB’S REWARD (Joshua 14, ef. The Reward of Faithful Service found in Numbers 14:26)
1. God declared this faithfulness
2. God promised possession
3. Caleb speaks of the promise (Joshua 6-9)
4. Caleb praises God for preservation (Joshua 10-12)
5. The reward received (Joshua 14:13-15)
IV. TWO ALTARS AND TWO ACTS OF WORSHIP
A. Two groups of stones
1. Midstream – marking the end of the pilgrimage. In Jordan – marking the beginning of possession.
2. Fulfilling the command of Moses (Deuteronomy 27:2)
B. Two sacred acts
1. Circumcision – purification
2. Passover – redemption
JOSHUA: MAN OF INFLUENCE AND WHY
His Influence: “And Israel served Jehovah all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua and had known all the works of Jehovah that He had wrought for Israel.” (Joshua 23:41)
His Strength: “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Be strong and of good courage.” (Joshua 1:5b, 6a)
His Guide: “This book of the law shall not depart from out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night.” (Joshua 1:8)
His Companion: “For Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9b)
His Authority: “On that day Jehovah magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel: and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” (Joshua 4:14)
His Commander: “And the prince of Jehovah’s host said unto Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot: for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:15)
His Failure: “And they (the spies) returned to Joshua and said to him. Let not all the people go up.” (Joshua 7:3)
His Humility: “And Joshua rent his clothes and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of Jehovah until evening.” (Joshua 7:6)
His Prayer Life: “Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon;…And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed.” (Joshua 10:12, 13)
Secret of Victory: “As Jehovah commanded Moses his Servant, so did Moses command Joshua; and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that Jehovah commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:15)
(Complete obedience – not selective obedience.)
His Charge: “Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses.” (Joshua 23:6)
His Choice: “But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.” (Joshua 24:15b)
THE ENTRANCE INTO THE LAND (Joshua 1-4)
Joshua 1:1-9 gives to us Joshua’s preparation. Joshua is the key personality of Joshua 1. Jehovah’s promise of victory was given to Joshua, and this victory, as far as Joshua’s role in it, was seen from his total dependence upon the Word of God. To truly be a winner through executing the purpose and Plan of God for our lives, we must have total dependence upon Bible Truth. This total dependence refers to our daily intake and application of the Word of God. The preparation of the people is seen in Joshua 1:10-18. The three days of preparation is noted in Joshua 1:12-18. The spying out of the land is the subject of Joshua 2, and the key person is Rahab, the prostitute. The spies knew the land, which is analogous to the fact that we as Christians must know our enemy. The crossing of the Jordan is the subject of Joshua 3-4. The Ark of the Covenant, carried by the priests, went before the people of Israel. The Ark being carried through the River Jordan is typical of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It becomes a picture of our identification with Him in death and burial. This refers to the attitude of the advancing and mature believer as being dead to sin but alive unto God. This is the attitude of the believer who says down with everything that the old sin nature can produce. This attitude is a part of our victory over the indwelling power of sin. The miracle of the Jordan River dividing, and the miraculous path through the River is seen in Joshua 3. The memorial of the crossing is noted in Joshua 4 compared with Joshua 3:12. After crossing the Jordan the Jews established their base camp at Gilgal, which is right on the west bank of the Jordan River.
THE BATTLE FOR THE LAND (Joshua 5-12)
Joshua is depicted as the key person of Joshua 5. The name Joshua means deliverance and is the same as the name Jesus in meaning. The Old Testament Joshua is not included with the heroes of faith of Hebrews 11. This is because of the strong reference to Joshua in Hebrews 4 as being a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as General Joshua provided deliverance to the Jews from their enemies, the Lord Jesus, as the “Captain of our Salvation” provides deliverance from the cosmic system of evil for each one of us as we function under Bible Truth, which is the thinking of Christ. In Joshua 1-4, we saw the preparation for possession, now in Joshua 5, we note the preparation for battle. The instructions and mechanics for the battle of Jericho are related to us in Joshua 6. The importance of exact, accurate and complete obedience is seen from Joshua 6:15, where the army marched around Jericho seven times on the seventh day. This principle is also seen in the obedience of the people in Joshua 6:8-14, with their “thirteen long looks.” The result of this complete obedience is noted in Joshua 6:15-27: Jericho was destroyed, Rahab was delivered, and the entire city was cursed. The need for complete, and not selective, obedience is seen in Joshua 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. What a wonderful principle, obedience equals victory! In 1907 through 1909, the archeologists Wielen and Watiziger found the ruins of Jericho. Dr. Garstang, in 1930 through 1936 discovered that the inner wall was destroyed. From 1952 through 1956, Dr. Ken-Lyon discovered that some walls were built over seventeen times. This led Dr. Finnegan in his book “Light from the Ancient Past” to conclude that earthquake had caused the destruction of jericho. This is altogether possible, but does not detract at all from the miraculous destruction of the city, because it was god who caused the earthquake in response to the obedience of Israel.
As we continue in our study in Joshua, you will recall the brief and simple outline for the book. Joshua 1-5 deal with the entrance into the land. The battle for the land is seen in Joshua 5-12. And lastly the division of the land is seen in Joshua 13-24. As we continue in the second main division entitled The Battle For the Land, we now come to Joshua 7-8 dealing with the battle for Ai. The first campaign was against Achan, in Joshua 7; the second campaign relates the victory over Ai in Joshua 8. Because of a blasphemous act of defiance of the command to devote all the spoils to the Lord, Achan and his family were stoned to death in the Valley of Achor. When we are led of the Lord to give of our money, or our time in service and we hold back part of that which God wants us to devote to Him, we can incur divine discipline. This lesson is seen from Achan and his family in the Old Testament and from Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament. Once the Jews won the spiritual victory over this problem, they were ready for the military victory over Ai which was a small fortress and military outpost for the city state of Bethel. (Joshua came through this area in about 1400 BC.) The word Ai means a “ruin.” I believe that it refers to the ruin which is caused to the life of the believer, when that life is lived under the control of the old sin nature. We can never move on to Bethel (House of God) which refers to the place of worship, confidence in God, and a personal love relationship with Him, until the control of the old sin nature is eliminated by our walking in fellowship with God. We note from Joshua 8:17, and the context preceding and following this verse, that the defeat of Ai led Israel into Bethel. Remember from Joshua 7 that once the deliberate disobedience to the Word of God was corrected and judged, becoming analogous to our own “self judgment” through confession-repentance, then the victory described in Joshua 8 came about. In other words, the disobedience had to be corrected before the victory could be obtained. The campaigns and conquests of Jericho and Ai are the most important victories in the Book of Joshua. These victories created a great, positive momentum which led Israel to the rest of the victories referred to in Joshua.
The Two Leagues against Israel (Joshua 9-10). We first of all note the Hivite League in Joshua 9. These people decided to surrender to Joshua in Gibeon. In this city Joshua strikes a covenant or a contract with these people. In Joshua 10 we see the famous victory over the Amorite League, during which the sun stood still for almost an entire day (Joshua 10:12-13). It is my personal belief that this is not simply poetic language, or some type of miracle of refraction, but divine intervention from the omnipotence of God granted Joshua and his army almost another entire day, plus the divinely-imposed hailstorm upon the enemy to achieve this overwhelming victory.
Next we study Joshua’s victory over the northern campaign in Joshua 11-12. Joshua 11:1-5 refer to the northern alliance. This victory resulted in the destruction of Hazor (Joshua 11:6-15). The destruction of this northern alliance at Hazor was in the area of Mara, located just north of the Sea of Galilee. Joshua 11:16 through Joshua 12:24 gives us a summary of the destruction of Hazor. This was the victory of the northern campaign in contrast to Joshua’s victories in the southern campaign, i.e., Jericho, Ai, Bethel, and the victory over the Amorite League where the sun stood still.
The final main division of our outline deals with the division of the land (Joshua 13-24).
The first thing we see under our third and last main division of the book is the tribal divisions of Joshua 13-19. Five principle divisions are noted in Joshua 13-17. These divisions are: Reuben, Gad, the half-tribe of Manasseh, Caleb (whose territory was around Hebron in Judah, Joshua 14:6), and the largest portion in the south of the land, going to the tribe of Judah. The eight remaining tribal divisions are noted in Joshua 18-19.
Joshua 20 deals with the cities of refuge. These six cities were designated to house and protect any individual guilty of the accidental killing of another. This would be manslaughter in contrast to premeditated homicide. These cities become a beautiful type of our Lord Jesus Christ as our “City of Refuge” in relationship to His bearing all of our sins on the cross so that we are protected from future condemnation because of our union with Him.
Joshua 21 relates the forty-eight assigned cities which were the portion of the Levites.
The final portion of Joshua (Joshua 22-24) deals with the problems of occupation, that is occupying the land. These problems become analogous to the distractions which we all face from the details of life and good works performed under the energy of the flesh, rather than the Power of the Spirit. The problem of the altar is seen in Joshua 22. The altar speaks to us of worshiping the Lord, developing confidence in Him, and a personal love relationship with him. The first purpose of worship is seen in our obedience to that which we learn from the Word of God, and this obedience giving us a mastery over the details of life, and enabling us to perform divine good as we serve the Lord. Joshua 23 relates the problem of relaxation, and becomes analogous to the distraction of the details of life. The problem of service, i.e., human good versus divine good, is noted in Joshua 24.
