Book Introduction - Joshua edit
Read first chapter of Joshua
Joshua records the consummation of the redemption of Israel of Israel out of Egypt; for redemption has two parts: "out," and "into" (Deuteronomy 6:23). The key-phrase is "Moses My servant is dead" (Joshua 1:2). Law, of which Moses is the representative, could never give a sinful people victory (Hebrews 7:19; Romans 6:14; 8:2-4).
In a spiritual sense the book of Joshua is the Ephesians of the Old Testament. "The heavenly" of Ephesians is to the Christian what Canaan was to the Israelite and blessing through divine power (Joshua 21:43-55; Ephesians 1:3)
The government, as before, was theocratic; Joshua succeeding Moses as the ruler under God.
Joshua falls into four parts:
- The conquest, 1-12.
- The partition of the inheritance, 13-21.
- Incipient discord, 22.
- Joshua's last counsels and death, 23,24.
The events recorded in Joshua cover a period of 26 years (Ussher).
CHAPTER 1 edit
Verse 3 edit
Every place
The law of appropriation. God gives, but we must take.
CHAPTER 2 edit
Verse 21 edit
scarlet line
The scarlet line of Rahab speaks, by its color, of safety through sacrifice. Hebrews 9:19,22.
CHAPTER 3 edit
Verse 1 edit
Jordan
The passage of Jordan, type of our death with Christ Romans 6:6-11; Ephesians 2:5,6; Colossians 3:1-3.
CHAPTER 4 edit
Verse 3 edit
The two memorials
The two memorials. The twelve stones taken out of Jordan and erected by Joshua in Gilgal, and the twelve stones left in Jordan to be overwhelmed by its waters, are memorials marking the distinction between Christ's death under judgment in the believer's place Psalms 42:7; 88:7; John 12:31-33 and the believer's perfect deliverance from judgment. The stones in Jordan stand, typically, for Psalms 22:1-8.
Verse 19 edit
first month
i.e. April.
CHAPTER 5 edit
Verse 2 edit
circumcision
Circumcision is the "sign" of the Abrahamic Covenant Genesis 17:7-14; Romans 4:11. "The reproach of Egypt" was that, during the later years of the Egyptian bondage, this separating sign had been neglected (cf. Exodus 4:24-26 and this neglect had continued during the wilderness wanderings. The N.T. analogue is world conformity; the failure openly to take a believer's place with Christ in death and resurrection. ; Romans 6:2-11; Galatians 6:14-16. Spiritually it is mortifying the deeds of the body through the Spirit. ; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16,17; Colossians 2:11,12; 3:5-10.
Verse 11 edit
corn
The manna is a type of Christ in humiliation, known "after the flesh," giving his flesh that the believer might have life John 6:49-51 while the "old corn of the land" is Christ apprehended as risen, glorified, and seated in the heavenlies. Occupation with Christ on earth, "crucified through weakness," tends to a wilderness experience. An experience befitting the believer's place in the heavenlies demands an apprehension of the power of His resurrection ; 2 Corinthians 5:16; 13:4; Philippians 3:10; Ephesians 1:15-23. It is the contrast between "milk" and "meat" in Paul's writings. ; 1 Corinthians 3:1,2; Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1-3.
Verse 15 edit
holy
Trans. "consecrated," Joshua 6:19 in R.V. "holy."
CHAPTER 6 edit
Verse 1 edit
holy
Trans. "consecrated," Joshua 6:19 in R.V. "holy."
Verse 5 edit
And it shall come to pass
The central truth here is that spiritual victories are won by means and upon principles utterly foolish and inadequate in the view of human wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:17-29; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
CHAPTER 7 edit
Verse 11 edit
Israel
The sin of Achan and its results teach the great truth of the oneness of the people of God, Joshua 7:11. "Israel hath sinned." See in illustration ; 1 Corinthians 5:1-7; 12:12-14,26. The whole cause of Christ is injured by the sin, neglect, or unspirituality of one believer.
CHAPTER 10 edit
Verse 42 edit
at one time
Cf. Joshua 11:18. As the context shows, the verse refer to different parts of Palestine and different kings.
CHAPTER 11 edit
Verse 18 edit
long time
(See Scofield "Joshua 10:42").
CHAPTER 17 edit
Verse 15 edit
giants
Or, Rephaims.
CHAPTER 20 edit
Verse 3 edit
avenger
Heb. "goel," Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20").
CHAPTER 22 edit
Verse 25 edit
fearing
(See Scofield "Psalms 19:9").
Verse 34 edit
Ed
i.e. a witness; so Joshua 24:27.
CHAPTER 23 edit
Verse 1 edit
Ed
i.e. a witness; so Joshua 24:27.
CHAPTER 24 edit
Verse 14 edit
fear
(See Scofield "Psalms 19:9").
Verse 31 edit
overlived
prolonged their days after.