The Book Of | Joshua

  In Joshua 24:25 it says, "Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to follow the decrees and regulations of the Lord." This tells us that the original readers were the Israelites. 

  Joshua 24:26 supports the idea that Joshua was the author. It says, "Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God's Instructions." In 3:7, God tells Joshua, "They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses." It goes on to say that Joshua then told the Israelites what God had spoken to him. In 13:6, God says, "So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you." 

  It is often said in Joshua, "Be strong and courageous." (1:6,7,9,18,10:25) That is definitely a repeated idea in Joshua and I love how God says it first to Joshua and then Joshua says it to the people. He passes on the encouragement and it seems to be a command as well. It was much needed because they were about to go in and fight and take the land. A main theme is God and His promise to them. In 1:3, 14:10, 21:45, and 23:15 it talks about how God has never left a promise unfulfilled. Joshua in one sentence: Everything the Israelites achieve is not by their own strength because victory comes from God alone. (10:8)

  I think that the primary reason Joshua was written was to remind the Israelites how God had given them the land and of the covenant renewal they made. (24:11-13) Joshua tells the people, in chapter 24, all that God has done and to "fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly." (v14) He warns against worshiping idols and disobeying God and reminds them of the consequences, should they fail to obey. That is all a part of the covenant they swore to keep. (v25)

 I see God's jealousy in 24:20 when Joshua says, "If you abandon the Lord and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you." God is jealous for His people and He has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to serving other gods. Even if it means destroying His chosen ones, He will not stand unfaithfulness; it's part of His nature. God tells Joshua three times "Do not be afraid" (1:9,8:1,11:6) and this shows me God's comforting side. Even though it is part of a command it is personal. He is reassuring Joshua that He will be with Him and that there is no reason to be afraid. What a comfort to know that the God of the universe is with you! (1:9)

  

While reading the story of Rahab, the "scarlet rope" stood out to me. (2:18) Then, while reading in Nelson's Maps and Charts, I read that the scarlet rope "portrays safety through the blood of Jesus." (pg.63) Because of Jesus' blood we are safe from the consequences of our sin, as Rahab was protected from death and destruction and adopted into the tribe of Israel. 

  For me, Joshua 5:13-14 really stuck out, especially after Bekah highlighted it in class. Joshua asks God, "Are you friend or foe?" and God replies, "Neither one…I am the commander of the Lord's army." I was confused when I first read that because I so often hear 'God is on your side!' But after light was shed on God's response by Bekah, it struck me. It's not a question of God being on our side but of us being on God's side. He is always true and always faithful and always just; are we? It's kind of hard to wrap my head around that. I need to be on God's side, pursuing righteousness and staying faithful to Him and His commands. When I sin, God's not on my side, but that doesn't mean He doesn't love me or have a plan for me or isn't jealous for me. It's challenging my idea of who God is.

My point of passion is worship but more specifically bringing people into the presence of God. It is making a space and focusing all attention on Him. In Joshua it talks a lot about worshiping idols, mainly in commands not to. But what stood out to me was when the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half Manasseh answer the rest of the tribes when questioned about an altar they built. In 22:27 is says, "It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at his sanctuary…" and then in verse 28 it says, "…it is a reminder of the relationship both of us have with the Lord." They made sure that just because they were on the opposite side of the Jordan, everyone knew that they had just as much right to worship God. Everyone has the right to worship God, no matter their skin colour, ethnicity, or background. We were created to worship and He desires praise from every tribe, tongue and nation!!