Joshua 1-5

What I love about books like Joshua is the ease of understanding while reading through the narratives. It reads like a story being read from an older generation handed down to a younger generation. My purpose then in writing will not be to simply restate the obvious but point out what I think is applicable in our own lives or what might be applicable in understand other scriptures.

Moses was the leader of Israel, but now he is gone and anyone who has ever experience a major change in leadership might understand the importance of this transition from Moses to Joshua. God calls Joshua to stand with courage based on the certainty of God’s word alone. What God does not mention is just as important as what God speaks to Joshua in encouraging him to stand and lead. For instance, God does not mention Joshua’s abilities, or cunning. The one thing God wants from Joshua as a leader is trust and obedience! God wants Joshua to trust the promise in v5:

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua’s courage likewise was not to be based of intelligence or skill, but the promises of God. Joshua was to maintain a willing heart of obedience v7 by keeping constant attention to God’s law v8. Here we see God’s part and we also see the human part. God fulfills the promises and does the saving, we do the believing and the obeying. This isn’t to say man never messes up in their obedience, but man should strive to keep a willing heart of obedience before the Lord. It can be said the condition for righteousness is perfection, but the condition for mercy and grace is willingness to obey (repentance). Joshua reminds the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh of their obligation to the rest of Israel. Even though they have already possessed their land on the west side of Jordan, they need to fulfill their promise to continue the campaign with their brothers (1:12-13)

In chapter two we come to Rahab’s importance to the narrative. Rahab, a harlot, and technically an enemy to Israel, saves her family by helping God’s chosen people. This is the same Rahab mentioned in Christ’s lineage, and I believe it is fair to say the scarlet line hung from window symbolizing the salvation of those inside the house also is prophetic of the Savior. A “scarlet line” speaks of salvation by the blood which comes from Rahab’s “line” that eventually leads us all to the birth of Jesus Christ. Rahab informs the Israeli spies they indeed know about the Israelites, not because they are strong but that God is with them (2:9-11) The Iraelites have nothing to boast in themselves, their boasting all belongs to God and what He is doing.

In chapter 3 the Israelites cross the river a similar way they crossed the Red Sea 40 years prior. This was to be God’s sign to them that He is with them and He will fulfill His promise. In Chapter 4 the LORD commands them to build a monument of stones to remind future generations of God’s covenant and mighty works and to “fear the LORD your God forever.” (4:24) God puts reverence in the hearts of all people for their leader Joshua. Joshua has no need to worry about being accepted or polity with the people, only to obey and let God take care of the rest (4:14).

In chapter 5 some more interesting things happen:
1. TheIsraelites that survived the 40 years in the desert have yet to be circumcised (5:7-8)
2. The mana ceased the day after the Passover. (5:12)
3. The LORD appears in human form to Joshua, we often call this a Christophany, an appearance of Christ in OT times. (5:14)

The first generation who were circumcised failed to trust and obey (5:6) and Israel’s second generation has another opportunity to trust God. They embrace this second chance from God with accepting the rite of circumcision. For application purposes only, I see the connection between OT circumcision and NT baptism, both are actions of obedience. They are not the means of trusting but the outcome and the outward showing of faith and obedience. The significance of Christ in this passage is to affirm to Joshua God’s overseeing presence and Joshua is merely a servant. The strength is not in Israel’s army, but in God’s and the Captain of the host is present with them. In other theological discussions, this affirms Christ’s deity and majesty eternally before His physical birth.