Bible 101: Lesson 7

Joshua

The book of Joshua describes the conquest of the land of Canaan, which God had promised to make the possession of the Israelites beginning with Abraham. The leadership has passed from Moses to Joshua, who has been an understudy for the past forty years of wandering. Joshua was also one of the twelve spies originally sent into Canaan to scout out the land. He and Caleb were the only two to come back and encourage Israel to take the land. Because they gave a "good report" they were the only two of the original generation whom God allowed to cross into the Promised Land. Joshua’s name is the same as Jesus’ in Hebrew, but pronounced differently depending on how the translation was done.

The book begins with the crossing of the Jordan River – another miraculous proof of God’s protection and participation. The entire book is a metaphor of the Christian life with respect to claiming the blessings that flow from taking God at His Word and obeying Him. It also shows that receiving the blessings involves struggle, and involves being tested again and again in our ability to trust God, rather than relying on our own understanding.

Although there are no Messianic prophecies in Joshua, there is an appearance of what many believe to be Christ himself, before his incarnation as a baby. You can study it in Chapter 5: 13-15.

Contains no messianic prophecies.