If you could only have 3 or 4 books of the Old Testament to read, which ones do you think would be the most important? Many preachers agree the Book of Joshua would certainly be one of those books. Chuck Swindoll says, “If you want to use a book in the Bible to teach you about the victorious life or a life of obedience that is honored with victory, Joshua is the book.” Ray Stedman called this book “’A Guidebook to Victory’. It is a book packed with practical lessons – challenging concepts to help one grasp the principles of a Spirit-led life.”
The story of the nation of Israel, as it is recorded for us in the first 5 books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch) and in Joshua, gives us a vivid word picture or metaphor for our Christian life. The years of bondage and slavery in Egypt picture for us the situation which all human beings are in – bond slaves to their sinful and selfish nature. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” – Romans 3: 23. Redemption and freedom came to the Israelites when they crossed over the Red Sea – a clear illustration of the transformation that happens when we come to Christ by faith and by His Spirit we are “set free from the law of sin and death” – Romans 8:2.
Why study the book of Joshua? Because all of us need to be reminded over and over again that it is the Almighty God who invites us to come to Him in our weakness and with a sense of dependence, willingly ready to admit that He is God and that we are not. Willingly eager to live by faith in the Son of God, believing the Spirit of God is greater than every enemy we might face.
We hope you are ready for the adventure of moving on from the wilderness to the Promised Land!
View or print out your study guides and let’s go together with Joshua – www.westudytogether.com
