The Message of Joshua : Promise and People
David G. Firth
- 226 pages ; 21 cm
- The Bible speaks today .
Includes bibliographical references.
New leader, new land, same God (1:1-18) -- New light from a lady of the night (2:1-24) -- Crossing the Jordan and remembering (3:1-4:24) -- Faithfulness first (5:1-12) -- Yahweh fought the battle of Jericho (5:13-6:27) -- Yahweh at war against sin (7:1-8:29) -- As Moses commanded: law and blessing in renewal (8:30-35) -- Who's in, who's out? Gibeon's deception and covenant (9:1-27) -- Faithful to the promises: the southern campaign (10:1-43) -- Obedient to God: the northern campaign (11:1-12:24) -- Living the promise (13:1-14:15) -- Judah's allotment (15:1-63) -- Joseph's allotment (16:1-17:18) -- Seven more allotments at Shiloh (18:1-19:51) -- Taking God at his word: cities of refuge and the allotment for Levi (20:1-21:45) -- Keeping together (22:1-34) -- Parting words (23:1-16) -- Confessing faith anew (24:1-33).
Joshua is the Old Testament book that troubles the contemporary readers, whether Christians or critics. Isn't there too much violence? Isn't this inconsistent with the rest of the Scripture and the message of the gospel? David Firth begins his excellent exposition with a careful and helpful response to this issue. This book challenges those who have read Joshua down through the ages to recognize that God doesn't just include those who join him in his mission; he also excludes those who set themselves against it.