Joshua & Christ

Introduction: Starting this series of lessons in the Old Testament we said a constant thread in the Old Testament is the coming of Christ. Romans 15.4 points out we are to study the things written before hand. In the Old Testament we learn of the lineage of Christ, when He would come, where He would be born, the purpose of His coming, and so on. In Joshua we have Israel finally entering Canaan. After 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness the generation that rebelled at Kadesh Barnea was dead.

I) Background

A) The last part of Deuteronomy speaks of Moses dying and Israel mourning his death, Deuteronomy 34.7-8.

B) God choose Joshua to take the place of Moses.

1. This seems fitting since Joshua in the Hebrew language is Jesus in the Greek language. Joshua means "God is salvation"; Jesus means Savior.

2. The character of Joshua is seen earlier in his life.

a. Joshua’s misguided zeal in Numbers 11.26-29

b. Joshua was one of the two spies that actually wanted to take the land of Canaan, Numbers 14.6-9

i. Make sure our zeal is toward God and not man.

ii. Joshua trusted in God and not himself.

II) Some Key Events in Joshua

A) Crossing the Jordan River, Joshua 3.2-8,14-17

1. Problems must be dealt with in a Godly fashion.

2. Most of our problems will be taken care of in time, we need to have the faith and patience to trust in God, Matthew 6.31-33

B) Defeating the city of Jericho, Joshua 6

1. Jericho was fearful of the Israelites because of their earlier victories, Joshua 2.10-11

2. It was a fortified city, a walled in city. Historians say the cities of Egypt were not walled in due to being isolated from their enemies. 3. Jericho was well fortified with valiant warriors, Joshua 6.2

3. The solution was to do what God said. March around the city, Joshua 6.4-5, 20-21

4. Rahab the harlot stands out as one that trusted in God, she hide the spies that came into Jericho and was spared by Israel. She would be in the lineage of Christ.

C) Their defeat at AI, Joshua 7.5

1. God told Israel to not take the spoils of Jericho, they were the Lord’s, Joshua 6.19

2. Achan had sinned by taking some of the spoils, Joshua 7.20-21

3. Think of the consequences of this man’s sin:

i. 36 men died at AI, Joshua 7.5

ii. Caused Joshua and the rest of the people to question God, Joshua 7.

iii. Caused all his sons and daughters to die with him, Joshua 7.24- ff.

G) An unwise treaty with the Gibeonites, Joshua 9

1. God wanted Israel to drive all the people from the land. Why? They will be a snare, their religions.

2. The Gibeonites realized their condition. Instead of leaving the land, they sought to trick Israel into a treaty. See Joshua 9.12-13

3. Israel acted presumptuously and entered the treaty without consulting with God, Joshua 9.14

4. Let us not presume to know what God wants. Before people make decisions they need to know what the Bible says. Dating, marriage, jobs, etc

H) Dividing of the territories among the tribes, Joshua 14-22

1. Twelve tribes – Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh were on the other side of the Jordan River; Judah, Ephraim, Asher, Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Naphtali, Dan, half tribe of Manasseh

2. Levites received cities dispersed throughout Israel.

3. Side point, in Numbers 27 five daughters of Num 27:1 Zelophehad came to Moses to ask for their portion of the inheritance. Among those was Noah. Joshua 17.3 we see that happening.

I) Joshua’s charge to Israel, Joshua 24.15

1. We can not control our nation, our state, our city, even our own brethren, but we can control ourselves.

2. We need to be determined to serve God.

III) Joshua & Christ

A) Joshua succeeded Moses and won the victory Moses could not reach.

B) The Gospel Of Christ succeeded the Mosaic Law and wins the victory the Law could not. John 1.17

1. Key words in the early part of Joshua is "be strong and very courageous"

D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 11.05.06

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