JOSHUA

Now we move from The Pentateuch (Torah) to what many scholars refer to as the Deuteronomic History or The Historical books. The introduction to this old testament section in The New Jerusalem Bible indicates: "The books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings form one great history, telling the story of Israel from the settlement in Palestine until the Babylonian exile. The materials on which the author draws vary enormously, from folk-tales, through cycles of stories about Elijah and Elisha, to court records of the kings. But the final editor is concerned above all with one viewpoint: fidelity to Yahweh brings prosperity, while desertion of him brings punishment. Throughout these 600 years Israel again and again deserts the covenant and needs to be drawn back to its duty.
-- The New Jerusalem Bible. New York : Doubleday, 1985, Jos

“This first book of the deuteronomic history (The Book of Joshua} begins by recounting the conquest of the Promised Land. (The New Jerusalem Bible. New York : Doubleday, 1985, Jos) In the first twelve chapters of Joshua the Promised Land is entered. Then in chapters 13–21 we see the land divided. The book concludes with the final message of Joshua to his people .The great theme of Joshua is possession. --McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary: History of Israel (Joshua/Judges). electronic ed. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1991 (Thru the Bible Commentary 10), S. 13

Here we will find many of the Bible stories we learned as children in Sunday School. Such wonderful and meaningful stories they are. John MacArthur in his introduction to Joshua says: “This is the first of the 12 historical books, and it gained its name from the exploits of Joshua, the understudy whom Moses prayed for and commissioned as a leader in Israel (Nu 27:12–23). “Joshua” means “Jehovah saves,” or “the Lord is salvation,” and corresponds to the NT name “Jesus.” God delivered Israel in Joshua’s day when He was personally present as the saving Commander who fought on Israel’s behalf (5:14–6:2;10:42; 23:3, 5; Ac 7:45).
--MacArthur, John: The MacArthur Study Bible : New American Standard Bible. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006

So let us prayerfully and studiously proceed with The Book o Joshua. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.
--Psalms 19:14 (ASV)