The Book of Joshua

The Book of Joshua cover art
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Lessons: 4
Discipline: Old Testament
Course Group: Historical Books
The book of Joshua covers the period of Israel's history from the conquest of Canaan to just after Joshua's death. Although certain events in the book can leave modern audiences feeling more than a little uncomfortable, it helps to remember that God promised to be with Joshua in all that he did, especially in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, establishing Israel's tribal inheritances, and calling God's people to remain faithful to the terms of God's covenant.

Course Goals:

  • Introduce viewers to the background, purpose and design of the book of Joshua
  • Examine the primary events and major themes in the book of Joshua in relation to their original meaning and Christian application

78 min.

Lesson 1: An Introduction to Joshua

Introduces the book of Joshua, including what it meant for its original audience and what it means for us today.
69 min.

Forum 1: An Introduction to Joshua

A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • What are some evangelical positions on the authorship of the book of Joshua?
  • What is your evaluation of Martin Noth's theory of the Deuteronomist and the so-called Deuteronomistic History?
  • When did the book of Joshua reach its completion?
  • What genres of writing can be found within the story of Joshua?
  • What is the overall literary structure of the book of Joshua?
  • How might the book of Joshua have impacted the original audience of the book?
  • Why did God command the destruction of the Canaanites in the book of Joshua?
  • How does the New Testament apply the imagery of warfare in the Old Testament to its original audiences and to believers today?
  • What are some ways that the theme of victorious conquest in Joshua applies to present-day Christians?
  • How does Jesus fulfill the theme of warfare against evil in the inauguration, continuation and consummation of his kingdom?
  • In what ways does the Holy Spirit empower us for spiritual warfare?
69 min.

Forum 1: An Introduction to Joshua

A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • What are some evangelical positions on the authorship of the book of Joshua?
  • What is your evaluation of Martin Noth's theory of the Deuteronomist and the so-called Deuteronomistic History?
  • When did the book of Joshua reach its completion?
  • What genres of writing can be found within the story of Joshua?
  • What is the overall literary structure of the book of Joshua?
  • How might the book of Joshua have impacted the original audience of the book?
  • Why did God command the destruction of the Canaanites in the book of Joshua?
  • How does the New Testament apply the imagery of warfare in the Old Testament to its original audiences and to believers today?
  • What are some ways that the theme of victorious conquest in Joshua applies to present-day Christians?
  • How does Jesus fulfill the theme of warfare against evil in the inauguration, continuation and consummation of his kingdom?
  • In what ways does the Holy Spirit empower us for spiritual warfare?
73 min.

Lesson 2: Victorious Conquest (1:1 - 12:24)

Addresses the original audience's challenges associated with warfare by drawing attention to Israel's extensive victory over the land of Canaan.
72 min.

Forum 2: Victorious Conquest (1:1 - 12:24)

A companion video to lesson 2 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • How could a loving God command Joshua to completely destroy the inhabitants of Canaan?
  • How do we know that God's call to destroy the Canaanites was not just a call for ethnic cleansing?
  • What does Joshua 1:5 mean when God promises, "I will be with you?"
  • What was Achan's sin, and why was it so terrible?
  • What does the book of Joshua teach us about God's character as a warrior for his people?
  • How does the book of Joshua emphasize God's supernatural power to defeat his enemies?
  • How was Jesus victorious over the enemies of God's kingdom in the inauguration of God's kingdom?
  • How should Christians interpret Old Testament commands for Israel to engage in divinely-sanctioned holy war?
  • How will Jesus' victory over his enemies and deliverance of his followers be complete when he returns?
72 min.

Forum 2: Victorious Conquest (1:1 - 12:24)

A companion video to lesson 2 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • How could a loving God command Joshua to completely destroy the inhabitants of Canaan?
  • How do we know that God's call to destroy the Canaanites was not just a call for ethnic cleansing?
  • What does Joshua 1:5 mean when God promises, "I will be with you?"
  • What was Achan's sin, and why was it so terrible?
  • What does the book of Joshua teach us about God's character as a warrior for his people?
  • How does the book of Joshua emphasize God's supernatural power to defeat his enemies?
  • How was Jesus victorious over the enemies of God's kingdom in the inauguration of God's kingdom?
  • How should Christians interpret Old Testament commands for Israel to engage in divinely-sanctioned holy war?
  • How will Jesus' victory over his enemies and deliverance of his followers be complete when he returns?
74 min.

Lesson 3: Tribal Inheritances (13:1 - 22:34)

Explores how Joshua called the people of Israel to live together as heirs of the Promised Land.
67 min.

Forum 3: Tribal Inheritances (13:1 - 22:34)

A companion video to lesson 3 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • Why were the promises of the Abrahamic covenant so important for Joshua and Israel as they secured the boundaries of their inheritance?
  • What does the narrative of Israel's tribal inheritances in the book of Joshua teach us about God's faithfulness to his covenant?
  • How does the book of Joshua emphasize the inclusion of "all Israel" in the Promised Land?
  • What is the significance of the specific tribal allotments found in the book of Joshua?
  • Why did the tribe of Levi receive no land inheritance?
  • Why did Ephraim and Manasseh each receive an inheritance even though they were Joseph's sons and not Israel's sons?
  • What was the story of Zelophehad's daughters, and what did it teach Israel about how to apply God's law in the Promised Land?
  • How is the theme of national unity highlighted in the book of Joshua, for instance, in stories like the construction of an altar by the Transjordan tribes?
  • How is the promise of Israel's land inheritance fulfilled in Christ?
  • What are some ways that the theme of national inheritance in the book of Joshua applies to Christians today?
  • What was the significance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost during the inauguration of God's kingdom?
  • What does it mean that the Holy Spirit guarantees our future inheritance?
  • What does it mean in Scripture to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  • What will the new heavens and new earth be like?
67 min.

Forum 3: Tribal Inheritances (13:1 - 22:34)

A companion video to lesson 3 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • Why were the promises of the Abrahamic covenant so important for Joshua and Israel as they secured the boundaries of their inheritance?
  • What does the narrative of Israel's tribal inheritances in the book of Joshua teach us about God's faithfulness to his covenant?
  • How does the book of Joshua emphasize the inclusion of "all Israel" in the Promised Land?
  • What is the significance of the specific tribal allotments found in the book of Joshua?
  • Why did the tribe of Levi receive no land inheritance?
  • Why did Ephraim and Manasseh each receive an inheritance even though they were Joseph's sons and not Israel's sons?
  • What was the story of Zelophehad's daughters, and what did it teach Israel about how to apply God's law in the Promised Land?
  • How is the theme of national unity highlighted in the book of Joshua, for instance, in stories like the construction of an altar by the Transjordan tribes?
  • How is the promise of Israel's land inheritance fulfilled in Christ?
  • What are some ways that the theme of national inheritance in the book of Joshua applies to Christians today?
  • What was the significance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost during the inauguration of God's kingdom?
  • What does it mean that the Holy Spirit guarantees our future inheritance?
  • What does it mean in Scripture to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  • What will the new heavens and new earth be like?
78 min.

Lesson 4: Covenant Loyalty (23:1 - 24:33)

Reveals the significance of Israel's call to be faithful to the terms of their covenant with God.
65 min.

Forum 4: Covenant Loyalty (23:1 - 24:33)

A companion video to lesson 4 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • What is the significance of the covenant warnings given in Joshua 23?
  • What was the purpose of Joshua's farewell speech in chapter 23 of the book of Joshua?
  • How do the final chapters of the book of Joshua emphasize Israel's need for exclusive loyalty and devotion to the Lord?
  • What would the book of Joshua have taught its original readers about the importance of obedience to Mosaic law?
  • What would the people of Israel have learned from the covenant renewal ceremony in Joshua 24?
  • How can a loving God say in Joshua 24:19 that he is a jealous God and will not forgive rebellion and sins?
  • What did Joshua 23 & 24 teach Israel about the importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant?
  • How would God's supernatural blessings to Israel have motivated them toward covenant loyalty and faithfulness?
  • What are some of the ways that covenant renewal and covenant loyalty in the book of Joshua apply to Christians today?
  • Is the new covenant spoken of in Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 a brand new covenant or a renewal of the old covenant?
  • What does Jesus do as the mediator of the new covenant?
  • What benefits does Christ provide for us in the new covenant?
  • What does the book of Joshua teach us about God's benevolence?
65 min.

Forum 4: Covenant Loyalty (23:1 - 24:33)

A companion video to lesson 4 of the same series that asks the following questions:
  • What is the significance of the covenant warnings given in Joshua 23?
  • What was the purpose of Joshua's farewell speech in chapter 23 of the book of Joshua?
  • How do the final chapters of the book of Joshua emphasize Israel's need for exclusive loyalty and devotion to the Lord?
  • What would the book of Joshua have taught its original readers about the importance of obedience to Mosaic law?
  • What would the people of Israel have learned from the covenant renewal ceremony in Joshua 24?
  • How can a loving God say in Joshua 24:19 that he is a jealous God and will not forgive rebellion and sins?
  • What did Joshua 23 & 24 teach Israel about the importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant?
  • How would God's supernatural blessings to Israel have motivated them toward covenant loyalty and faithfulness?
  • What are some of the ways that covenant renewal and covenant loyalty in the book of Joshua apply to Christians today?
  • Is the new covenant spoken of in Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 a brand new covenant or a renewal of the old covenant?
  • What does Jesus do as the mediator of the new covenant?
  • What benefits does Christ provide for us in the new covenant?
  • What does the book of Joshua teach us about God's benevolence?