Joshua

Purpose
The book of Joshua demonstrates Gods faithfulness to fulfill His covenant by giving the Israelites the land that He had promised them.

Authorship & Genre

The book is anonymous, but parts of it were certainly written by Joshua (24:26). The frequent use of the phrase to this day hint that the book was completed some time later, but probably before David drove the Jebusites from Jerusalem (15:63). The first half of Joshua is primarily narrative, describing Israels conquest of the land. The second half is historiography, listing specific details of each tribes territorial allotment.

Key Verse

Joshua 21:43-45: So the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. And the Lord gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. (NASB)

Structure
1 12 13 17 18 24 Israel Enters the Israel Wages War The Land Divided by Joshuas Final Land Tribe Exhortation Angel of the Lord Victory through God God Fulfills Promise Choose for God stops the Jordan (Jericho) & Prophecy yourselves today Defeat without God whom you will serve. (Ai) Conquering the Land Settling the Land 5 6

Theological Themes
Ban: Israel was commanded to completely eliminate the idolatrous cultures from the Promised Land. The book of Joshua emphasizes that they failed to do so. Land: Joshua repeatedly emphasizes that the land was Gods gift to Israelthey could never have possessed it without His help. Gods Involvement: God is unquestionably the hero of the book. Every story is included not to emphasize Joshuas character or Israels military might, but rather the sovereign hand of God working on behalf of His people. Mediation on Gods Word: Joshua and the people are exhorted to meditate on it day and night in order to be prosperous and successful. The message of Deuteronomy is reemphasizes, that blessing in the land is tied to the Law.