Through The Bible
Session #8
January 23, 2002
Joshua
Things to reference and give out:
- See p.
335 in Harper Collins Bible for how the land was divided and the outline
of the territory at the time of Conquest.
- Give
people article on pagan religions in Canaan from Marshall’s book (pp.
70-71).
- Structural
Outline for book of Joshua.
Review:
Genesis: creation,
fall, flood, patriarchs/matriarchs
Exodus: out of
Egypt
Leviticus: Atonement
Numbers: in the
wilderness
Deuteronomy: 2nd giving of Law
Joshua: Conquest and
Occupation
About Joshua:
- Name
of Joshua means “Yahweh saves.”
- Part
of series of books (Joshua thru 2nd Kings) known as
Deuteronomistic History). Document
conquest & settlement through the exile.
- Short
history – BUT the conquest was a long and hard process.
- Aim of
book: bring those who read it centuries later to obedience.
- Writer:
most likely it is Joshua with help from Eleazar or Phinehas. The Bible does not state anywhere who
actually wrote it.
- Conquest
began around 1406 BC and writing of Joshua around 1375-1370 BC.
- Go
over structural outline for book of Joshua.
What was Canaan like when Israel entered to conquer?
- Reference
article on Canaan’s religions.
- Socio
and political turmoil. Power
concentrated in upper classes.
Peasants had hard life.
- Israel
brought in a new framework for society.
For the following stories of conquest, describe or conclude
about the following:
- Describe
what went on.
- Is
there anything peculiar (hard to believe, tough to imagine, contradictory,
etc.) about this story?
- Describe
what benefits (nationally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.) this event
might have had on the people.
- What
application to our spiritual lives is there from this story.
Jericho’s Conquest (6.1-27)
Ai’s Conquest (7.1-8.29)
The Gibeonite Situation (9.1-10.15)