JOSHUA.

The Structure of the Book as a Whole.
A 1:1-18. Joshua entering on his work.
 B 2:21-7:26. Jordan. Events connected therein.
   C 8:1-12:14. The Land. Conquest.
   C  13:1-21:45. The Land. Division.
  B 22:1-34. Jordan. Events connected therein.
A 23:1-24:28. Joshua ending his work.
Epilogue to the whole Book (24:29-33).
Relation of Joshua to the Earlier Prophets.
x  Joshua. Israel's settlement in the Land; Under Joshua and Priests.
 y  Judges. Israel's failure under Priests.
x  Samuel. Israel's settlement in the Land; Under Samuel and Kings.
 y  Kings. Israel's failure under Kings.

  JOSHUA follows Deuteronomy in Canonical order and is the first book in the grouping of the former prophets (Zech. 7:7). The subject concerns "The Lord of all the earth" giving possession of the Land. Government under Priests.

  The Title, JOSHUA is Hebrew Yahoshua' = "Yahaveh the Savior". In Greek "Jesus". See Acts 7:45. Heb.4:8, and Matt.1:18. The great subject is the Land, as that of the Pentateuch was the People.

  Joshua's name (who's help is Yahaveh), appears in the Various forms of HOSEA, OSHEA, YAHOSHUA (Jehoshua), YAHSHUA (Joshua), and Jesus. The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim. 1 Chron. 7:27 (1544-1434 B.C.). Born a slave in the Egyptian brick-field, 27 years younger than Moses. He was 53 years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites. Ex. 17:9. Soon afterward he was one of the 12 chiefs who were sent, Num. 13:17, to explore the land of Canaan, and one of the 2, Chapter 14:6, who gave an encouraging report of their journey. Moses, shortly before his death, was directed, Num. 27:18, to invest Joshua with authority over the People. God Himself gave Joshua a charge by the mouth of the dying lawgiver. Deut. 31:14,23. Under the direction of God again renewed, Josh. 1:1, Joshua assumed the command of the People at Shittim, sent spies into Jericho, crossed the Jordan, fortified a camp at Gilgal, circumcised the People, kept the Passover, and was visited by the Captain of the Lord's host. A miracle made the fall of Jericho more terrible to the Canaanites. In the great battle of Beth-horon the Amorites were singly routed, and the south country was open to the Israelites. Joshua returned to the camp at Gilgal, master of half of Palestine. He defeated the Canaanite under Jabin king of Hazor. In 6 years, 6 tribes, with 31 petty chiefs, were conquered. Joshua now stricken in years, proceeded to make the division of the conquered land. Timnath-serah in Mt. Ephraim was assigned as Joshua's peculiar inheritance. After an interval of rest, Joshua convoked an assembly from all Israel. He delivered 2 solemn addresses, recorded in Josh. 23 & 24. He died at the age of 110 years, and was buried in his own city, Timnath-serah (Heb. = portion of abundance).

THE

BOOK OF JOSHUA ("YAHAVEH THE SAVIOR")

1:1-18. Joshua Entering on His Work.

A  A  1. Joshua. Appointment over the People.
    B  a  2-4. History rehearsed. (Yahaveh's promises).
        b  5-9. Admonition (Yahaveh to Joshua).
    B   b  10,11. Admonition (Joshua to People).
       a  12-15. History rehearsed. (Reubenites' Promises).
   A  16-18. Joshua. Obedience of the People.

1451 B.C.
Joshua 1)

1: Now (Heb. "And". Linked to the Pentateuch as the Books of the Pentateuch are thus linked on to each other; and as the Books of the earlier Prophets are linked to Joshua. Joshua not necessarily the author, but doubtless is so, as asserted by Talmud. Books referred to in the O.T and N.T.: Judg. 18:31. 1 Sam. 1:3,9,24; 3:21. Ps. 44:2,3; 68:12,13; 78:54,55; 114:1-8. Isa.28:1. Hab. 3:11-13. Acts 7:45; 13:19. Heb. 11:32. Jas. 2:25. No MS. of the five Books yet found with Joshua bound up in them, making a 6th [or so-called and hitherto unheard of "Hexateuch"]) after the death of Moses (in the 11th month of 40th year. Cp. Deut. 1:3,38; 34:5,9. Cp. the beginning of the Book of Judges) the servant of the Lord (see Deut. 34:5, and cp. Heb. 3:5) it came to pass, that the Lord spoke (when Moses is dead. Moses is a type of Law, Joshua of the Messiah. The Law is "until Christ", Gal. 3:24. Yahaveh spoke at 4 various times and 3 different manners: To Joshua, 1:1; 4:1. To Joshua to command he priests, 4:15. To Joshua to speak to the sons of Israel, 20:1) to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister (cp. Ex. 24:13. Num. 11:28. Deut. 1:38), saying,

2: "Moses My servant (see Num. 12:7,8) is dead (cp. John 1:17. Rom. 7:1-6); now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this People, to the land which I, even I, am giving to them, even to the sons of Israel.
3: Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given to you, according as I said to Moses (cp. Deut. 11:24. Josh.14:9).
4: From (for these boundaries, cp. Gen.15:18. Ex.23:31. Num.34:3-12. Deut.11:24) the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

5: There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be (Heb. 'eyah. Cp. Ex.3:14, part of title Yahaveh) with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you (this promise first made to Jacob, Gen.28:15. Passed on by Moses, Deut.31:6. See note on Deut.4:31).
6: Be strong and of a good courage: for to this people shall you (emphatic. This is the great subject of the Book) divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear to their fathers to give them.
7: Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may take heed to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper (= deal wisely) to which place wherever you go.
8: This book of the law (i.e. the 5 Books referred to as one throughout the O.T. See Ex. 17:14) shall not depart out of your mouth (put for what is spoken by it, i.e. Joshua is to continually speak of it); but you shall meditate (= talk to yourself. Cp Ps. 1:2 = audible musing) therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your ways prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
9: Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the Lord your God is with you (cp. Ex.3:12) to which place wherever you go."

10: Then Joshua commanded the officers of the People, saying,
11: "Pass through the host, and command the People, saying, 'Prepare you victuals; for after three days (spoken 6th or 7th Abib [March 26 or 27th]. Cp.4:19. Spies probably already sent [2:16,22; 3:1,2) you all shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God gives you to possess it.'"

12: And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spoke Joshua, saying,
13: "Remember the word (cp. Num.32:20-24) which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, 'The Lord your God has given you rest, and has given you this land.'
14: And your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but you all shall pass before your brethren armed (Heb. = marshaled by fives [#5 = grace]. Cp. Ex. 13:18, where it is rendered "harnessed"), all the mighty men of valor, and help them;
15: Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as He has given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God gives you: then you all shall return to the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord' servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sun-rising."

16-18. Joshua. Obedience of People.

A  c  16,17-. Whatsoever. Positive.
    d  -17. Only. Yehovah "be with you".
   c  18-. Whatsoever. Negative.
    d  -18. Only. "Be strong".

16: And they answered Joshua, saying, "Whatsoever that you command us we will do, and to which pace wherever you send us, we will go.
17: According as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you:

only the Lord your God be with you (cp. Ex. 3:14), as He was with Moses.

18: Whosoever he be that shall rebel against your commandment (Heb. "mouth", put for what is uttered by it), and will not listen to your words in all that you shall command him, he shall be put to death:

only be strong and of a good courage."

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