Introduction to the book of Joshua

The first five books of the Bible written by Moses are collectively known as the Pentateuch. They contain God’s preparatory message. In the book of Genesis, we are shown how everything began. It’s called the book of beginning. In the book of Exodus, we see the redemption of God’s people from Egypt, the land of bondage. In Leviticus, the redeemed people were instructed on matters concerning worship and fellowship with the Redeemer. The book of Numbers is a record of the journey of the wandering of the redeemed. Deuteronomy is the call to a life of obedience. The book of Joshua links the Pentateuch to what happened to the redeemed after they entered the promised land. As we reflect on the book of Joshua, we will see the establishment of Israel as a nation.

God made a promise to the people of Israel that they would inherit a land flowing with milk and honey. It is not until the book of Joshua that we see the people entering into that promise. God used Moses to lead the people out of the land of bondage and through the wilderness to deal with their stubborn and rebellious attitude. But He used Joshua to lead the people into that land of promise. While the land would be a great inheritance, it was occupied by enemy forces that had to be driven out. Through the expedition led by Joshua, God provides us with lessons and show us that anything worthwhile possessing requires responsibility and effort. This book describes how the conquest of the promised land took place under the leadership of Joshua. It records the battles they were engaged in, and how they slipped and stumbled and bounced back until they had conquered much of the land. Joshua then divided and apportioned them to the 12 tribes of Israel. All these have spiritual lessons for us in our journey with God.  

The expedition covered a period of some 25 years from the time Moses died. The incremental possession of the land reminds us of our Christian journey. While God had promised us an abundant life, we need to responsibly and diligently enter into this promise. As the forces residing in the promised land had to be dislodged, there are also negative habits in our life that we must demolish, and good habits that we have to build to come into the abundant life Jesus Christ has promised us. Of course, as God did not leave Joshua helpless, He also will not leave us as orphans. He has sent the Holy Spirit alongside us to help us in the conquest.      

Joshua himself is widely believed to be the author of this book that carries the theme of conflict and conquest under his leadership. It shows us how the people of Israel progressed to take hold of the land of Canaan. In this book, we are shown their joyful optimism, their strategic actions in their military campaigns and the victories they enjoyed as they marched forward to possess the land.  

In our journey to uncover the message of Joshua, we will come face to face with the faithfulness of God. We will see how everything He has promised being brought into fruition. Here we see God keeping the promise He made to Abraham as the people possessed the promised land. In this book, we will see God dealing with sin in order to purify for Himself a holy and set apart people. This book also shows us God’s rescue operation to bring them into a land of security and rest. What we need to understand to fully realize the promises of God, is that we must collaborate with Him in dealing with the forces that can hinder our progress in our Christian life and prevent us from entering into the abundant life He promises. Let’s be prepared for an amazing journey with God!