Joshua is a great saga of war and victory. It begins with the crossing of the Jordan River during flood time, the destruction of Jericho, and the redemption of a prostitute and her family; the prostitute became an ancestor of King David and the Lord Jesus Christ. After a brief setback because of sin, Israel’s victories are recorded covering a period of about five years. While parts of the promised land was still unconquered, enough territory was taken to send the 2-1/2 tribes home across the Jordan and to divide the land for the 9-1/2 remaining tribes.
Chapter 24 is the climax of the book with Joshua giving God’s message to the Israelites. He recounts how God had given them victory at each step; it is similar to Paul’s statement. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:10 (NLT). We do not do God’s work; He does the work and allows us to walk with Him in it. That way God gets the glory. When we try to do God’s work in our own strength, we get weary and discouraged. Again, Jesus is the vine; we are only the branches. He allows us to bare the fruit, but He does the work.
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” John 15:1-4 (NLT).
Outline:
- 1A. Obeying God’s Commands. Ch. 1-12
- 2A. Receiving God’s Promises. Ch. 13-24
Key Verse: 11 “When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I gave you victory over them.12 And I sent terror ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory.13 I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. Josh 24:11-13 (NLT).