LET'S GET READY!
Our next study starts this Monday, October 14th. Here's an overview of Joshua and a PDF copy of our reading plan.
Hi, friend,
Our study starts this Monday,October 14th. Yay!
For the next 25 days, we will read through the book of Joshua together and learn to draw on God’s strength and prepare to move forward with courage.
Here’s an overview for you:
The Book of “Joshua” tells the story of how a faithful God brought His chosen people into the Promised Land to conquer the enemy, take possession of their inheritance, and settle into His rest. Although God is the true hero of every story, the title identifies the human protagonist — the strong and courageous leader of Israel and “The New Moses.” Joshua means “The Lord is Salvation,” which echoes the name “Jesus” ascribed to the Messiah in the New Testament.
AUTHOR, DATE, AUDIENCE:
The exact author of the book is not designated, but the Talmud attributes most of the writing to Joshua himself. Many Bible scholars believe that scribes or possibly the High Priest Eleazar recorded the final portion of the book describing Joshua’s final words and death. Contextual clues in the narrative itself hint that portions of the book may have been written much later than they actually transpired.
The conquest led by Joshua begins approximately 40 years after the Israelite Exodus from Egypt, which took place between 1260. BC and 1446 BC. Because the definitive author of Joshua remains somewhat of a conundrum, the time period for its transcription is also somewhat of a mystery. Conservative scholars date the writing between 1405 and 1385 B.C., but leave space for editing by scribes after 587 B.C. during the Exilic period.
The events recorded in Joshua take place over a short period of twenty-five years. The book served as a record to help the next generation to never forget the faithfulness of God.
BACKGROUND AND SETTING:
