Joshua Bible Study: Who or what is “the LORD” who spoke with Joshua? (Joshua 1.1).
Within Joshua 1.1-1.9, “the LORD” spoke to Joshua following the death of Moses. Within this opening statement, “the LORD” emphasized the importance of having the Israelites follow the Ten Commandments (which were placed in an Ark). Doing so was essential for the people to be successful in their ability to peacefully live on the Promised Land. Why did “the LORD” state that it was necessary to live according to the Ten Commandments?
“After the death of Moses…the LORD spoke to Joshua” (Joshua 1.1). Who or what is “the LORD” who spoke to Joshua? (Joshua 1.1-1.9).
Why would the LORD place such an emphasis upon following the Ten Commandments in order to be successful in the land? (Joshua 1.1-1.9).
Who or what is the “LORD your God” that will be with Joshua “wherever” he goes? (Joshua 1.9).
Are the people being honest with themselves in their response to Joshua’s call to move into the Promised Land? (Joshua 1.17-1.18).
How do their own words foreshadow their own future demise? (Joshua 1.17-1.18).
If Israel did what they had promised – which was to follow all that Joshua told them and to obey all of the commandments – what would the nation of Israel represent as a people?
Upon spying in the land of Canaan, where is the first place the spies went? (Joshua 2.1). What does this suggest about their priorities? How did the previous spies who Moses sent out behave and what does this suggest about the nature of the people as they prepare to enter the land? (see Numbers 13.31).
Considering the fact that the people of Israel follow an ark that contains the Ten Commandments, what does the forthcoming battle between Israel and the Canaanites represent? (Is this a battle between consciousness attempting to enter a land of unconsciousness and ego-centrism?).
What do the king’s actions in response to speaking with Rehab indicate about the intelligence – and level of consciousness – of the people who Israel was preparing to battle against? (Joshua 2.3-2.5).
Examine Rehab’s words about the people of her town – most probably the men with whom she slept – and what they had to say about Israel. Were the people of Israel living up to such a reputation? How do the Canaanites’ perception, or illusion, about the people of Israel work to Israel’s advantage? (Joshua 2.9-2.12).
Consider the words that the men spoke to Rehab in Joshua 2.17-2.20. The instructions to place a “scarlet cord in the window” so as to protect one’s family is consistent with the need of the children of Israel to place blood on their doorposts during the evening of Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12.7). What does this unique comparison suggest had happened outside of the peoples’ homes during the the evening of Passover in Egypt?
Upon spying the land of Canaan, the first place the spies went when they crossed into the Promised Land was a prostitute’s house (Joshua 2). What does this suggest about the priorities of the children of Israel as they enter into the land that had been promised to them?
Does this narrative parallel another early Genesis story? How?
Consider the previous spies that Moses had sent out (Numbers 13.31). How did those spies behave and what do the actions of these spies suggest about the nature of the people?
What do the King’s actions in response to speaking with Rehab indicate about the intelligence (and level of awareness/consciousness) of the people with whom Israel is preparing to battle against? (Joshua 2.5).
Examine Rehab’s words about the people of her town - most probably the men with whom she interacts as a prostitute (Joshua 2.9-2.11). How does the Canaanites’ perception, or illusion, about the people of Israel work to Israel’s advantage?
Considering the fact that the people of Israel follow an ark that contains the Ten Commandments, what does the forthcoming battle between Israel and the Canaanites represent? (Is this a battle between consciousness attempting to enter a land of unconsciousness and ego-centrism?).
Examine Joshua 3.2-3.3. Who is being referred to as having “commanded the people”? Consider the use of the word “commanded.” Who has been noted as using this word and what does this imply?
What were the children of Israel told to follow as they entered the Promised land and what was the symbolic message in doing so? (Joshua 3.3-3.4).
Examine Joshua’s words to the people (Joshua 3.9-3.13). How may the people of Israel have interpreted Joshua’s words in a way that permitted Joshua to have absolute control in leading the people to either their success and survival, or their failure and extinguishment, as a nation?
Consider the word “commanded.” Who has been noted as using this word in the past and what does this imply?
What is the army following and protecting? (Joshua 3.3).
Prior to their beginning their conquest into the Promised Land, Joshua instructed the children of Israel to “sanctify” themselves, which means they were to clean themselves with water. What is the symbolic undertone of the people doing this at this time? (Joshua 3.5).
Why did the ark and the priests lead the people across the Jordan River? (Joshua 3.13).
Prior to their entrance into Jericho, the narration states the following: “So Joshua said to the children of Israel, ‘Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.’ And Joshua said, ‘By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites…’” (3.9-3.10). Who or what is Joshua referring to when he says “the living God” and what dangers exist if the people misinterpret his words?
Examine Joshua’s words to the people (Joshua 3.10-3.13). How may the people of Israel have interpreted his words in a way that permitted him to have absolute control in leading the people to their success and survival, or their failure and extinguishment, as a people?
As the children of Israel crossed the Jordan, the text repeatedly states that the waters of the Jordan were “cut off” (3.13). How does this wording, the fact that the Israelites placed twelve stones in the Jordan River as they crossed it, and the emphasis on circumcision within chapter 5, symbolically tie the Jordan River to the Israelites themselves?
Consider the parallels in the following verses: Joshua 3.17 and Exodus 14.19-14.22. How does this narrative serve as another ‘rebirth’ story for the Israelites?
Consider the parallels in the following verses: Joshua 3.17 and Exodus 14.19-14.22. By having both rivers part so that the people entered the land on dry ground, only to have the water close behind them, what is implied about the natural boundaries that otherwise served as boundaries between the people of Israel and their potential adversaries at the time of their entrance into the Promised Land?
As the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River it is repeatedly stated that the waters of the Jordan were “cut off” (Joshua 3.13; 4.7). What may these words symbolically suggest about the relationship between the Jordan River and the children of Israel?
The people of Israel emerged from the Jordan on “the tenth day of the first month” (Joshua 4.19). What happened during Israel’s first month as noted in Exodus? (Exodus 12.2). What is the symbolic significance of their emerging from the river on the tenth day of this month?
Within Joshua Chapter 5, some indication is given about the manner in which Israel was able to leave Egypt. Which particular “men” are referred to in Joshua 5.4 and Joshua 5.6 and what does this imply about the nature of Israel’s escape from Egypt and the nature of the plagues that struck the Egyptians, and what does this imply about the nature of their liberation and the plagues?
What was Israel’s first cultural act upon crossing the Jordan? (Joshua 5.2-5.4). Why would this be their first act?
What was Israel’s second cultural act upon crossing the Jordan? (Joshua 5.10). What is the symbolism of the people of Israel celebrating Passover after crossing the Jordan River and becoming collectively circumcised? (Joshua 5.11).
Why did the manna immediately cease after the people celebrated Passover and what did the people eat instead? (Joshua 5.12).
Examine the description of the “Man” who visited Joshua. Who was this individual? Who was this individual’s “LORD”? (Joshua 5.13).
Within Joshua chapter 5, some indication is given about the manner in which Israel was able to leave Egypt. Which “men” are referred to in Joshua 5.4 and 5.6?
What does this imply about the nature of their liberation and the plagues?
What was Israel’s first cultural act upon crossing the Jordan? (Joshua 5.4). Why would this be their first act?
What was Israel’s second cultural act upon crossing the Jordan? (Joshua 5.10).
What does this event remind the people of Israel concerning their ability to survive as a people even against the greatest of all odds?
When did the manna cease and what did the people eat instead? (Joshua 5.12).
Examine the description of the “Man” who visited Joshua (Joshua 5.13-5.15). Who was this individual? Who was this individual’s “LORD”?
By telling Joshua that “the place where you stand is holy,” what is this implying about any notion that they will be able to retreat?
By repeatedly referring to the number 7 with the tactics “the men of war” used in absolutely terrifying the inhabitants of Jericho, what could the battle between the people of Israel and the people of Jericho symbolically represent? In other words, what could be considered as symbolically invading this city?
Consider the parallels in the following verses: Joshua 6.21-6.22; 6.24 and Genesis 7.18-7.23 and Genesis 19.24-19.29. What is being wiped out in each of these situations?
Who within the bible story has had a similar description to the one given to J The tactics “the men of war” used in terrifying the inhabitants of Jericho repeatedly involved the number 7. What could the battle between Israel and the people of Jericho symbolically represent? (Joshua 6.3-6.6). In other words, what is symbolically entering this city?
Within the description of the conquest of Jericho, the narration repeatedly emphasizes the number seven (6.4; 6.6; 6.15). What are the symbolic undertones of what is symbolically entering the Promised Land?
Consider the parallels in the following verses: Joshua 6.21-6.22; Joshua 6.24 & Genesis 7.18-7.23 & Genesis19.24-19.29. What is being wiped out in each of these situations?
Who within the Bible story has had a similar description to the one given to Joshua in Joshua 6.27? What does this parallel imply?
Which tribe did not heed Joshua’s warning and instead tried to take possession of the Canaanites’ “accursed things”? (Joshua 7.1). Explain the irony of this tribe doing such a thing.
What happened to the children of Israel during their battle with Ai and what was Joshua’s response to this? (Joshua 7.4-7.7). How does this parallel the sentiments of their grandfathers in Egypt?
What may explain the harsh system of justice that was put forth on the people who claimed “the accursed things”? (Joshua 7.15).
Who or what is “the LORD” who called for this punishment?
By the time Joshua was an old man, what was Israel’s situation like within the Promised Land? (Joshua 23.1).
Consider Joshua’s words to the people in 23.3. Who may the children of Israel interpret “the LORD your God” to be?
What does Joshua tell the people of Israel during his farewell address about what “the LORD your God” had done for them?
Who may the children of Israel have interpreted “the LORD your God” who Joshua referenced to be and what is the danger of such a misinterpretation? (Joshua 23.3).
What does Joshua beg the children of Israel to do and what warning does he give if they fail? (Joshua 23.6-23.8; 23.12-23.13). How do Joshua’s words parallel M By the time Joshua was an old man, what was Israel’s situation like within the Promised Land? (Joshua 23.1).
Consider Joshua’s words to the people in 23.3. Who may the children of Israel interpret “the LORD your God” to be?
What is the potential danger if they were to misinterpret Joshua’s words?
What does Joshua clearly tell the people of Israel about who “the LORD” their “God” was within Joshua 23.3 and Joshua 23.10?
What does Joshua warn the people about concerning the alternative to their current way of being? (Joshua 23.12-23.13).
What important philosophical information does Joshua provide the people when speaking of his own death in comparison to what is stated in Genesis 3.19? In doing so, what does Joshua remind the people about the nature of all things, including their own cultural identity as a people? (Joshua 23.14-23.15).
How do Joshua' final words relate to Moses’ final words as well? (end of Deuteronomy).
What was Joshua attempting to symbolically convey to the people by gathering “all the tribes of Israel to Shechem”? (Joshua 24.1; Genesis 12.6).
Explain the symbolic significance of the final events of Joshua’s life and the burial What was Joshua attempting to symbolically convey to the people by gathering “all the tribes of Israel to Shechem”? (Joshua 24.1; Genesis12.6).
Examine the shift in proper nouns within Joshua 24.1-24.2. What is implied with this shift?
Where was Joseph buried? Is the description of how the land for burial acquired accurate? (see Genesis 34.27-34.29). What does this suggest?
What is the symbolic significance of the final events of Joshua’s life and the burial of Joseph’s bones all taking place in Shechem (see Genesis 12.6-12.7).
"If we walk together little children,
We don't ever have to worry
Through this world of trouble,
We've got to love one another.
Let us take our fellow man by the hand,
Try to help him to understand,
We can all be together forever and ever,
When we make it to the Promised Land."
A complete animated overview.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.