the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary Poor Man's Commentary
Joshua Commissioned; Israel Prepares for Conquest.Chapter 2
Rahab Hides the Spies in Jericho.Chapter 3
Israel Crosses the Jordan River Miraculously.Chapter 4
Memorial Stones Set Up at Jordan.Chapter 5
Circumcision Renewed; Passover Celebrated; Joshua's Vision.Chapter 6
Jericho's Walls Fall; City Destroyed Completely.Chapter 7
Achan's Sin Causes Israel's Defeat at Ai.Chapter 8
Ai Captured; Covenant Renewed at Mount Ebal.Chapter 9
Gibeonites Deceive Israel; Become Servants.Chapter 10
Sun Stands Still; Israel Defeats Amorite Kings.Chapter 11
Northern Kings Defeated; Land Mostly Conquered.Chapter 12
Summary of Defeated Kings and Territories.Chapter 13
Unconquered Lands Listed; Inheritance East of Jordan.Chapter 14
Caleb Receives Hebron as His Inheritance.Chapter 15
Judah's Territory and Cities Described.Chapter 16
Inheritance of Ephraim Detailed.Chapter 17
Manasseh's Territory and Land Distribution Issues.Chapter 18
Tabernacle Set Up; Land Divided by Lot.Chapter 19
Inheritance for the Remaining Tribes Allocated.Chapter 20
Cities of Refuge Appointed for Manslayers.Chapter 21
Cities Given to the Levites Described.Chapter 22
Eastern Tribes Return Home; Build an Altar.Chapter 23
Joshua's Farewell Address to Israel's Leaders.Chapter 24
Covenant Renewed at Shechem; Joshua's Death.
- Joshua
by Robert Hawker
JOSHUA
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
THIS Book of God takes its name from Joshua, not perhaps from his being the writer of it, for it is more than probable that he did not write it, more likely, as some think, to have been Phinehas: but because it treats principally of him and his victories in the conquest of Canaan, as captain of the Lord's host. And as by name, as well as in this character, he was an eminent type of the Almighty Joshua, nothing could have been more suitable than that in the history of the church's taking possession of Canaan, it should be recorded in his name, who evidently in all he did in this great work, typified a greater than himself even the Lord Jesus Christ.
In point of history, the Book of Joshua contains all, the great events which took place in the Church of God, from the death of Moses to the death of Joshua, a period of somewhat more than twenty years: during which time the conquest of Canaan, and the division of it among the tribes of Israel, were accomplished.
It forms a memorable period in the history of the church, and especially so when considered with an eye to the spiritual conquest of the church over her enemies by the true Joshua, in subduing all opposition, and bridging his people auto that rest which remaineth, for the people of God.
Reader! one request I have to make of you through the whole of the perusal of this history. Seek grace from him whose office it is to glorify Jesus, that in the conduct of Joshua in leading on the people of God to victory, you may look beyond the type, and behold the outlines of him, whose very office, as Joshua's was, is to save his people, to go before them, to conquer for them, and finally to give them all an inheritance among them that are sanctified. Oh thou Almighty Joshua! thou Captain of Salvation, who art bringing many sons unto glory, may I behold thee going before me in all the victories over sin, death, hell, and the grave; and drying up the Jordans of affliction, trials, temptations and difficulties, through which thou art leading me. Dearest Jesus! do thou lead on, and lead me out, and give me grace to follow, until thou shalt bring me in to behold thy glory, and dwell with thee forever!