The Book of Joshua

Introduction to the Book of Joshua

Joshua isn't an easy book. We're going to take some time on making sure we understand the book as a whole before drilling down into the detail.

• Watch thisOverview: Joshua (the Bible Project video)
• Read thisOverview

#1 "Be Strong and Courageous" (Joshua 1:1-18)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 18th September. In his talk, Andrew mentions that God's promise to Abraham's descendants is that they would inherit 'the land' is expanded in the New Testament to include the whole earth. If you're interested in this idea, we've included a short article by New Testament scholar Tom Wright who explains how this thought is important in the Book of Romans.

• Read thisAn Old Promise, a New Leader
• Going DeeperThe New Inheritance According to Paul

#2 "The LORD is God" (Joshua 2:1-24)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 25th September.

• Read thisSending in the Spies, Finding a Surprise

#3 "The Lord will go ahead of you" (Joshua 3:1-5:1)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 2nd October.

• Read the FIRST PART of this session (up to "Living and Leading on God's Terms")Crossing the Jordan, Getting Right with God

#4 Get Things Straight (Joshua 5:2-12)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 9th October.

• Read the SECOND PART of this session (from "Living and Leading on God's Terms" to the end)Crossing the Jordan, Getting Right with God

Interlude: Violence in the Book of Joshua

We have a gap in our Joshua series on Sunday 16th October. This would be a good week to give some detailed consideration to the question: what do we do with all the violence and bloodshed in this book? This lecture, by the author of the excellent book, "Skeletons in God's Closet", is quite long, but extremely informative and thought-provoking (and you can skip the Q&A at the end if you wish). This is also a good point to recommend a book by Paul Copan which also tackles the subject of "Holy War" (horrible term!).

• Watch thisLecture on Violence and Genocide with Josh Butler
• Worth a lookSkeletons in God's Closet by Joshua Ryan Butler
• Worth a lookIs God a Moral Monster by Paul Copan

#5 The Wrong Question (Joshua 5:13-15)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 23rd October.

• Re-read Part 2 of this sessionCrossing the Jordan, Getting Right with God

#6 A Bizarre Battle (Joshua 6:1-27)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 30th October.

• Read thisA Foolish Plan, a Decisive Outcome

#7 The Valley of Trouble (Joshua 7:1-8:35)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 6th November.

• Read thisTwo Piles of Stones, One Crucial Lesson

#8 Our Greatest Vulnerability (Joshua 9:1-26)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 13th November. The study notes on this passage are extremely brief. It's well worth looking at the talk by John Mark Comer in which he explains how deception is the devil's primary strategy to ruin our lives. If this talk leaves you hungry for more, you'll also find the second talk in the series on Youtube (you might also get his excellent book, "Live No Lies"!).

• Read PART 1 of this session (up to "Five Kings Hang From Trees")Taking More Land, Hanging More Kings
• Watch thisThe Truth About Lies with John Mark Comer

#9 "The LORD fights for us" (Joshua 10:1-12:24)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 20th November. Here you'll find two articles mentioned by John Peel in his talk: an article on war and violence and a report on the puzzling astronomical events mentioned in Joshua 10. After this week, we're going to be taking a break for the month of December.

• Read PART 2 of this session (from "Five Kings Hang From Trees" onwards)Taking More Land, Hanging More Kings
• Read thisWhy did God command the invasion of Canaan in the Book of Joshua?
• Read thisSolar eclipse of 1207 BC helps to date pharaohs

#10 Inheriting the Land (Joshua 13:1-21:45)

This is the theme of the video talk on Sunday 1st January.

• Read this...Putting Down Roots, Receiving God’s Inheritance
• ... and thisCities for Justice, People for Worship

#11 "The LORD is God" (Joshua 22:1-34)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 8th January.

• Read thisAn Altar of Remembrance, an Unforgettable Altercation

#12 Every Promise Fulfilled (Joshua 23:1-16)

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 15th January.

• Read "Joshua’s Parting Speech to Israel’s Leaders" AND "Gospel Glimpses"Joshua Dies in the Land, the Promise of Rest Lives On

#13 "Choose This Day Whom You will Serve"

This is the theme of the talk on Sunday 22nd January.

• Read "Joshua’s Parting Speech to the Nation", "Joshua's Death" AND "Whole-Bible Connections" onwardsJoshua Dies in the Land, the Promise of Rest Lives On

Review

We've made it through the whole of the Book of Joshua! Let's take a moment to look back and reflect on the main things we're taking away from the book.

• Read thisSummary and Conclusion