Answers for a study in the book of Joshua” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.

Review and Bible Study

ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND WITH JOSHUA LEADING THE NATION

Chapter 1: God’s Charge to Joshua; Joshua Assumes Command

This first chapter picks up where Deuteronomy left off, after the death of Moses, with God speaking to and commissioning Joshua to enter and take the Promised Land (note: this promise goes back to Abraham through his descendants up to the leadership and giving of the Law to Moses). God promises to be with Joshua all the days of his life (v.5), and at least four times the phrase “be strong and courageous” is used in just this chapter (from God to Joshua, and from the people to Joshua). God also told Joshua (and therefore the people) to be careful and do all that the Law has required of them so that they would be successful (this is the obedience vs. disobedience clause in the Law that would provide protection by God, or loss of that protection, due to God’s Holiness and Righteousness that can be involved in no other way). This chapter ends with Joshua assuming command and commissioning the people as God had commissioned him, and they respond in agreement.

C – Both the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants are in view here with the Land Promise spoken of in the Abrahamic Covenant; and the protection clause for obedience from the Mosaic Covenant.

J – Joshua will give us a picture of Jesus (just like Moses) as he will be the Nation of Israel’s leader into battle as well as their shepherd looking out for them, bringing them into the Promised Land.

Note: There is nothing bad reported about Joshua’s life throughout the Scripture – he is a “picture” of the perfect Savior to come.

Leader focus questions for summary discussion:

1. What does God say to Joshua, and why?
2. What does Joshua tell the people and how do they respond?
3. What phrase is used four different times in this chapter, and how might that apply to our lives as Christians today?
4. Going Deeper: What Covenants are in view in this first chapter (how can we tell)? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?

Chapter 2: Rahab Shelters Spies; The Promise to Rahab

In this chapter we read that Joshua sent out two spies to Jericho to view the land (this is in contrast to Moses sending out 12 spies 40 years earlier). We learn about Rahab, a harlot, who hid these two men on the roof of her house, and protected them from the king’s men who were looking for them; she and her people had heard about what Israel had done the last 40 years, and she believed in the one true God (see verse 11). Rahab made the men promise that when they returned to conquer the land, and Jericho in particular, that they would protect her and her family at that time; so, the men promised if she would put a cord of scarlet thread in her window that she and her family would be spared. The men returned safely to Joshua and reported what they had learned (v. 24): “Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”

Note: These people had feared Israel 40 years earlier, so Israel could have entered back then, but did not for lack of trust in the LORD, and they spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness until that faithless generation died out.

C – The Abrahamic Covenant is in view here with the Land Promise; and the Mosaic Covenant with the protection clause for these two men and the Nation of Israel.

J – Jesus comes from the line of Rahab who ends up marrying one of the Israelite men named Salmon, and they have Boaz who marries Ruth and they have Obed who is the father of Jesse, the father of King David (see genealogies in Matthew 1:5-6 and also in Luke 3). It is interesting to speculate if one of the two spies was Salmon, but the Bible does not tell us.

Archeological Note: Archeologists have found an undamaged outside section of the wall of Jericho which many Bible scholars believe to be the section where Rahab’s home would have been, and it was spared by the LORD.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. Who was Rahab and why did she help the Israelite spies? What can we know about Rahab from elsewhere in Scripture?
2. What happened to the spies, and why do you think Joshua sent out only two?
3. Going Deeper: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?

Chapter 3: Crossing the Jordan

This chapter narrates the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites, similar to the crossing of the Red Sea, as God stops the river from flowing at an upper level. Only the Levitical Priests could carry the Ark and the people were to consecrate themselves and follow at a specific distance from the Ark. The entire Nation (some 2 million plus) crossed over on dry ground as the Priests stood firm in the middle of the Jordan.

Note: The Bible specifically tells us that this was during harvest time when the river was at its highest flood stage, overflowing its banks, making this miracle even more spectacular.

Cross-reference: We read here that only the Levitical Priests could carry or touch the Ark of the Covenant and the people were to remain at a specific distance. This gives reason why, in a later story during the time of David, a man is struck dead for reaching out to steady the Ark, because he was not a Levitical Priest and did not remain at the specific distance from the Ark (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

C – Mosaic Covenant: The Ark was carrying the tablets of the Law of this covenant, and there were specific guidelines for handling the Ark of the Covenant; The people were now, for the first time, crossing into the Promised Land of the Abrahamic Covenant.

J – The LORD speaks directly to Joshua in this chapter, giving him directions to relay to the people.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. How do we know this was a miraculous crossing (what evidence do we see in Scripture)? Where else in Scripture does God do something similar?
2. What was special about the Ark and why was God so specific in His directions about carrying it?
3. Going Deeper: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?

Chapter 4: Memorial Stones from the Jordan

After the people had finished crossing the Jordan River, The LORD told Joshua to select twelve men, one from each tribe, to place a memorial stone from the Jordan River in the middle of the River, as a monument in remembrance of what the LORD had done for them. This was important for the next generation and beyond to remember what the LORD had done, not only there at the Jordan, but at the Red Sea; and also, for all the people of the earth to understand the mighty hand of the LORD and fear Him (reverence, honor, respect and acknowledgement to Him as the one true God). When the priests who carried the Ark stepped out of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan not only returned, but went over the banks of the Jordan as before (v. 18). We can also note that “on this day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; so that they revered him, just as they had Moses” (v. 14).

C – The people set up an altar of twelve stones in remembrance of what God had done in keeping His part of the Covenants so far by bringing them into the Land (Abrahamic – unconditional) and protecting them (Mosaic – conditional).

J – The LORD spoke again directly to Joshua in this chapter.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. What was the importance of the twelve memorial stones from the Jordan?
2. Going Deeper: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?

Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Bible and a study in the book of Joshua!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15