Biblical Teaching Series by Pastor Scott E. Slaughter

The Book of Joshua, The Victory of Faith

oshua is the sixth book of the holy canon giving it the unique role of pivoting the Bible’s narrative from the Pentateuch (Genesis - Deuteronomy) to the Historical Writings (Judges - Esther). The historical setting for the Book of Joshua is given in chapters 1:1–6: “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, [2] “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. [3] Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. [4] From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. [5] No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. (ESV)” Joshua had served faithfully as Moses’ assistant for over forty years (Dt. 34). Joshua had shown himself to have a military mind leading Israel into her first battles as a nation. He had shown concern for Moses when others besides Moses began to prophesy. Joshua accompanied Moses when the two of them ascended the fiery mountain of Sinai. He and Caleb were the only two, of all the spies sent ahead to do reconnaissance before the first battle at Jericho, who returned with a positive report. As a result, he and Caleb were the only two individuals left from the generation that left Egypt whom God allowed entrance into Canaan.