Sunday’s with Spurgeon: PRAYER, THANKSGIVING, PRAISE
Posted: March 31, 2008 Filed under: Sundays with Spurgeon Leave a comment
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6,7
No care, but all prayer. No anxiety, but much joyful communion with God. Carry your desires to the Lord of your life, the guardian of your soul. Go to Him with two portions of prayer, and one of fragrant praise. Do not pray doubtfully, but thankfully. Consider that you have your petitions, and therefore thank God for His grace. He is giving you grace, give Him thanks. Hide nothing. Allow no want to lie rankling in your bosom; “make known your requests.” Run not to man. Go only to your God, the Father of Jesus, who loves you in Him.
This shall bring you God’s own peace. You shall not be able to understand the peace which you shall enjoy. It will enfold you in its infinite embrace. Heart and mind through Christ Jesus shall be steeped in a sea of rest. Come life or death, poverty, pain, slander, you shall dwell in Jesus above every ruffling wind or darkening cloud. Will you not obey this dear command? Yes, Lord, I do believe thee; but, I beseech thee, help mine unbelief.
Video of the Week: John Piper – Expositional Preaching
Posted: March 29, 2008 Filed under: John Piper, TG4'08, Video of the Week Leave a commentBook of the Week: Vintage Jesus: How Human was Jesus?
Posted: March 28, 2008 Filed under: Book of the Week, Mark Driscoll, Vintage Jesus Leave a comment
As I started reading chapter two today, right away I thought I was listening to the message preached at the 2006 Desiring God conference. But I was simply reading… I often wonder, when others read my writing if they feel as if I am speaking. No matter what they feel, I see some good in it. Often at times, writer’s can hide behind the pages in their books that keep the reader from seeing the real person. Not with mark Driscoll. You get 100% reality. I enjoyed reading the way Mark paints Jesus as an actual human, someone that actually walked on earth and someone who was normal. Often times it seems that many tend to place Jesus in a category all by himself. Which he is! But he was also human in every way, shape, and form. Mid way through the chapter I found it great that only Mark would have a section title, “Jesus was Funny.” Mark shows the humanity of Christ that what just like that of how many people may act today, irony, sarcasm, and saying things with a cutting edge. Mark goes on to explain that humanity of Christ not only being funny, but being passionate about sheep and that he was a “bum,” (Not being the cardboard box drunkard, but Mark just means homeless.)
At the end of the chapter there is a list of serious questions dealing with the incarnation of Christ. What does the incarnation mean? Can we call Jesus a person instead of a man? Did Jesus have a sin nature? Was Jesus perfect? Could Jesus have sinned? If Jesus never sinned, why were some people mad at him? If you would enjoy reading the answers pick up a copy!
Vintage Jesus: Is Jesus the Only God?
Posted: March 27, 2008 Filed under: Mark Driscoll, Vintage Jesus 1 Comment
I stopped in a store today with a gift card to a parable books in Grand Rapids, MI. Now I often when buying books, try to buy from my own publisher that I work for at Reformation Heritage Books. However, you are not going to fine Mark Driscoll’s book there. So I said, “I wanna read the new book on Christ” and walked out with my student discount and still $1.80 on my gift card holding a book with about 250 pictures of Jesus Christ on the front cover. Now to the traditional reformist, THEY HATE THAT! But none the less I can get over it, and enjoy the book. So I figured since I have not too much to blog about lately until my series this coming summer on the Gospel 6 volume set of Jeremiah Burroughs, why not do a review of Mark Driscoll’s book. So, if you actually enjoy reading my blog, or just happen to see what article I place up here, maybe you’ll enjoy my comments on Vintage Jesus.
So, I pick up the book in the afternoon and set down in 30 min and read the 1st 30 pages. The cover is enough to create an issue of matter that many could and would fight about, but I honestly see no issues, nor do I make issue about the images of Christ, (Now is Mark worshipped them, we’d have a different story.) But I enjoy a laugh at looking at the number of individuals that burbled the book! Man alive, from the always and most blurb guy J.I. Packer to 200 Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, Matt Lindland, (who I have never heard of.)
Reading the preface I got the feeling that this is just a normal book. Then asking myself normal? Can it be? But yes, seeing that Mark is addressing normal questions, explaining normal doctrines of matter that are crucial to the gospel should be normal! For chapter one (Is Jesus the Only God?) the books starts off much like that of his sermons on Christ. If you have ever listened to a message of Mark, then you have maybe or most likely heard this exact chapter. “Dumpy, rural, hick town…etc” are the words he always uses. To some it’s hip and cool, but to myself, sounds normal. The chapter then goes into giving a few pages over who exactly Jesus as man, was, where he came from, why he came, and about what he came to do, and places it in 10 ways this Jesus claimed to be God. They are;
1. Jesus said he came down from heaven
2. Jesus said he was more than just a good man.
3. Jesus said that he is the son of man
4. Jesus performed miracles
5. Jesus said he was God
6. Jesus confirmed to others he is God
7. Jesus said he was sinless
8. Jesus forgave sin
9. Jesus taught people to pray to him as God
10. Jesus said that he is the only way to heaven
These all seemed to be covered extremely simplistic and easy for the average believer. This is why for someone as I enjoy reading or listening to Mark preach. Mark does an amazing job like he had done in Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches, by placing scripture reference after scripture reference. Although I hate endnotes in a book, it is great to see them supported in truth and not misused or taken out of context. However why people even do endnotes, or sometimes chapter notes makes no sense to me. That is why we have FOOTNOTES! I want to be able to look down and see what the writer is talking about and not skim through the back pages to find it.
One thing I would like to point out is that many reformed individuals often bash people such as Billy Graham. I am not saying that Billy is right in all things. I am simply saying that because one may often not agree in all areas of doctrine doesn’t mean the believer or the reformed or the dispy cannot learn from them. One of the most beautiful few sentences I read in Mark’s first chapter, was written first by Bill Graham saying, “Jesus was not just another great religious teacher, nor was he only another in a long line of individuals seeking after spiritual truth. He was, instead, truth itself. He was God incarnate.”
RHB’s Bestsellers of 2007
Posted: March 25, 2008 Filed under: Reformation Heritage Books Leave a comment
Check out RHB’s blog in top sells of 2007. They are blogging for the next two weeks over both RHB publications and others.
Jeremiah Overview: The New Testament Analysis & The The Messages
Posted: March 24, 2008 Filed under: Jeremiah Leave a comment
Jeremiah in the New Testament
The book of Jeremiah made a major impression on the New Testament writers, as they cite it forty times. Jeremiah was known in the New Testament as the “weeping prophet.” Many scholars often look at Luke gospel and wonder about the image of Jeremiah that may have been in Luke’s mind when he wrote that Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem; there is a certain resemblance between Christ and Jeremiah in that both Jesus and Jeremiah made their stance against the temple and that they were both grieving for the sins of God’s people. Another correlation between Christ and Jeremiah is that both of them had a conspiracy against them for their deaths. [1]
Stephen preaching Jeremiah
Another area of the New Testament that includes a reference to Jeremiah is in Acts 8:32, when Stephen was preaching his last sermon. Stephen preached the same message as Jeremiah, of Israel’s being uncircumcised in heart and ear.
Paul preaching Jeremiah
Lastly, Paul as well saw the importance of God’s sovereignty over all things, following the message of Jeremiah in his writings in Rom. 9:20-24.
Original message
Jeremiah’s main message was for Israel to repent of their sins and turn back to their covenant-keeping God.
Present message
Today, the book of Jeremiah tells us to remain in covenant with God and, as we pursue the act of holiness, to follow God’s word, until our last day here on earth.
Together for The Gospel 06′ Mohler
Posted: March 22, 2008 Filed under: TG4'08, Video of the Week Leave a commentBook of the Week(s) by Horatius Bonar Night of Weeping and Morning of Joy
Posted: March 21, 2008 Filed under: Book of the Week Leave a comment
Horatius Bonar, a well-known nineteenth-century minister called “the prince of Scottish hymn-writers,” was also a prolific writer of scriptural, practical, and experiential Christian literature. Two of his books that bore considerable fruit and have often been reprinted were The Night of Weeping and The Morning of Joy, here reprinted under one cover. The Night of Weeping expounds compassionately and beautifully a biblical view of suffering, showing how it is an integral part of belonging to God’s family, how to cope with it, and how it benefits the believer. The chapters on the purifying and solemnizing fruits of suffering are themselves worth the price of the book. The Morning of Joy shows how God leads believers to rejoice in the present and future joys of the living church, particularly through fellowshipping with the resurrected Christ. The chapters on the majestic kingdom of Christ and the superlative joys of glory are most uplifting. By the Spirit’s grace, both books can be life-changing; they present us with a clear, powerful, profound, and balanced view of the Christian life and of God’s dealings with His people.
RHB Price: $9.00!
Order here: Night of Weeping & Morning of Joy
Overview of Jeremiah: Thematic Analysis
Posted: March 21, 2008 Filed under: Jeremiah Leave a comment
Jeremiah’s God
The prophet Jeremiah had a constant mindset that God was always in control. For Jeremiah, the sovereignty of God was of most importance when trying to understand the events around him. He knew that God was the creator of the earth and knew that as that creator, nothing happened that he did not allow to happen, Jer. 4:23-26, 18:1-11. Jeremiah emphasized the sovereignty of God by emphasizing the sins of Israel and relating it to the holiness of God; this made the message of repentance focused upon the character of God, rather than being man-centered.
God’s Covenant
Jeremiah the writer understood that the people of God were to be in covenant with the holy and sovereign God. Jeremiah tried time and time again to call the nation of Israel back to God, knowing that the nation had become a whore by their sins.
Jeremiah learning from Moses
Jeremiah knew that his message came directly from the mouth of God for the people to turn back to God. Like Moses’ message preached to the Lord’s people in Deut. 1:9 and 18:18, Jeremiah called the people to return back to God and repent of their sins. Although in full authority from God, the people would not repent and come back to God in covenant.
God’s Hope for His People’s Future
Although his message was of wrath and judgment, Jeremiah still gave his hearers the hope of their God in Jer. 29:11. Jeremiah wanted the Lord’s people to see the mercy and grace of a God who always promised his people and that they still could repent. Later on, Jeremiah gives the hope of the Messiah in 23:5-6, 33:15-16, following the example of his predecessor, Isaiah, Isa. 4:2, 11:1, 10.
Key Doctrines
Sin- Israel’s sin and life in disobedience to God. Jer. 2:1-13, 23-37; 5:1-6; 7:16-34; 11:1-17; 17:1-4; 18:1-17; 23:9-40.
Judgment- 4:3-18; 9:3-26; 12:14-17; 15:1-9; 16:5-13; 19:1-15; 24:8-10; 25:1-38; 39:1-10; 44:1-30; 46:1-51:14.
Restoration- for Israel if they turn from their sin. Jer. 23:3-8; chapters 30-33.[1]
Overview of Jeremiah: Literary Analysis
Posted: March 20, 2008 Filed under: Jeremiah Leave a comment
Outline
|
Balchin |
MacArthur |
Wilkinson |
|
1:1-19 Introduction
2:1- 6:30 Prologue to Judgment
7:1- 10:25 Speech for the Prosecution
11:1-13:27 Sentence Anticipated
14:1-20:18 Shadow of Doom
21:1-24:10 Life and Death
25:1-38 Conclusion
26:1-29:32 The 1st Book of Biography
30:1-33:26 The Book of Comfort
34:1- 44:30 The Second Book of Biography
45:1- 51:64 The Second Book of Judgment
52:-34 A Historical Appendix
|
1:1-19 Preparation of Jeremiah
2:1-45:5Proclamations to Judah
46:1- 51:64 Proclamations of Judgment on the Nations
52:1-34 The Fall of Jerusalem |
1:1 -10 Jeremiah’s call
1:11—16 Jeremiah’s Sings
1:17-19 Jeremiah’s Assurance
2:1-25:38 The Condemnation of Judah
26:1- 29:32 The Conflicts of Jeremiah
30:1- 33:26 The Future Restoration of Jerusalem
34:1-45:5 The Present Fall of Jerusalem
46:1- 28 Prophecies against Egypt
47:1-7 Prophecies against Philistia
48:1-47 Prophecies against Moab
49:1-6 Prophecies against Ammom
49:7- 22 Prophecies against Edom
49:23-27 Prophecies against Damacus
49:28-33 Prophecies against Kedar and Hazor
49:34- 39 Prophecies against Elam
50:1 – 51:64 Prophecies against Babylon
52:1-11 The capture of Jerusalem
52:12-23 The deconstruction of Jerusalem
52:24-30 The exile to Babylon
52:31-34 The Liberation of Jehoiachin |
Materials
Again, a serious problem that exists in the book of Jeremiah is that the material has no structure or sequence to it. A good number of the smaller assortments placed in the book are given their own titles. This makes it hard for the reader to follow along and harder still to see importance of what the author is trying to get across in the larger sections. On the other hand, some sections are not even titled or identified in the book at all.[1]
Poetic
Throughout the book of Jeremiah, there are large sections of poetry that deal with the judgment of God, namely chapters 25 referring back to chapter 1.[2]
Symbolic
Like the preachers of their time and even today, Jeremiah used stories in order make his message more understandable. This is something that Jeremiah practices all throughout his book, for example, chapters 13, 16, 20, 27, 28, 43, 51. This way of using symbolic stories was an important part of an Old Testament prophet’s preaching, important in that it was how they related the Lord’s Word to their hearer.[3]
Overview of Jeremiah: Historical Analysis
Posted: March 19, 2008 Filed under: Jeremiah Leave a comment
Political Situations
At the time of the book of Jeremiah (627) the Assyrian Empire had been in control of most of the ancient Near East for over 200 years. With the death of King Ashurbanipal, however, the empire slowly collapsed within 30 years. Israel and Syria began competing for new control of their own lands, and the Babylonians began to expand their own empire, destroying everything in their path. Josiah became king of Judah was 8 years old in 640, close to the end of the Assyrian empire. In time Josiah wanted to complete Judah’s independence, but died in battle before fully accomplishing this, leaving the kingship to Jehoiakim. Within a few years, both Judah and Israel were taken captive by the Babylonians under the leadership of king Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah was an eyewitness to all of this, seeing not only the constant disobedience of the Lord’s people, but also suffering the events of the destruction of an entire nation.[1]
Critical Approaches
One issue that many readers may have with the book of Jeremiah is the amount of material in it that completely lacks organization. The oracles in different periods, undated material, and material that is not in chronological order throughout the book make it extremely hard to read. Oftentimes scholars even have a hard time placing the book with a single writer, due to the large amounts of it that may have been edited and revised. Some scholars, on the other hand, see that there is a close relationship between the book of Jeremiah and his own life. These scholars believe that the undated material most likely is dictated sermons that Jeremiah preached, something like Moses’ in the book of Deuteronomy.[2]
Key People
Jeremiah– priest and prophet of southern Judah.
King Jehoahaz– 16th king of southern Judah, Jer. 1:1-3; 22:11; 18
King Jehoiakim– evil son of Josiah, 18th king, Jer. 22:18-23; 25:1-38; 26:1:24; 27:1-11; 35:1-19, 36:1-32.
King Jehoiachin– son of Jehoiakim, 18th king, Jer. 13:18-27; 22:24-30
Baruch– served Jeremiah’s scribe, Jer. 32:12-16; 36:4-32; 43:3-45:4
Ebed- Melech– Ethiopian police officer who helped Jeremiah, Jer. 38:7-39:16
King Nebuchadnezzar– king of Babylon, Jer. 21-52
The Rechabites– the obedient descendents of Jonadab, Jer. 35:1-19[3]
Overview of Jeremiah: Author and Date
Posted: March 18, 2008 Filed under: Jeremiah Leave a comment
Author
Jeremiah is most clearly stated to be the author of the book in the very beginning (Jer. 1:1). Jeremiah was the son of a priest and lived in a city called Anathoth, which was located nearly two miles north of the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah had been nearly killed in his earlier days, having been forced to flee to king Jehoiakim. Jeremiah was made fun of and placed into a cistern because of his shocking message that God had revealed to him, a message of judgment but also of grace. His authorship of the book was not only confirmed by other prophets such as Daniel, (Dan. 9:2) but also in Ecclesiastes, the Works of Josephus, and the Talmud.[1]
Date
The date of the book of Jeremiah’s ministry and writings is around 627 to about 580 B.C. During this time, Babylon had taken over much of the Near East and overthrown Nineveh, the old capital of Assyria in 622 B.C. It is said that the time frame of Jeremiah’s writing can be easily broken down into three areas.
1. 627 – 605 B.C. Jeremiah prophecy while Judah was being attacked Assyria and Egypt.
2. 605 – 586 B.C. Jeremiah proclaiming God’s judgment while Judah was being attacked Babylon.
3. 586 – 5580 B.C. Jeremiah ministry in Jerusalem and Egypt after the fall of Judah.
Overview of Jeremiah: Introduction
Posted: March 17, 2008 Filed under: Jeremiah Leave a comment
Introduction
Name
The Hebrew word Yirmeyahu or Yirmeyah literally means “Yahweh Throws,” in the sense of laying the foundation. This could also mean other terms such as “establishes heart breaking”, “appoints”, or “sends.” The title of this book is after the author of it, and the book itself gives a prophecy and a message to the Lord’s people.[1]
Theme
The theme of the book of Jeremiah is God’s gracious promise of hope and restoration for his covenant-keeping people.
Purpose
The purpose of the book of Jeremiah is to proclaim that God’s wrath awaits his people if they do not repent.
Key verses
Jeremiah 7:23-24 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.
Jeremiah 8:11-12 They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. 12 Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the LORD.
Key Chapter
Jeremiah 31
Key Phrase
Judah’s Last hour
Key truths
God demands true repentance
God itemizes their sins
God explains true contentment with His Word
God will judge the disobedient[2]
Book of the Week: Jesus Ascended: The Meaning of Christ’s Continuing Incarnation
Posted: March 14, 2008 Filed under: Book of the Week, Christ Leave a comment
You can check out the great review at Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
The Book of Joshua: The Messages
Posted: March 12, 2008 Filed under: Joshua Leave a comment
The Messages of Joshua
Original message
The original message of Joshua is that when God’s people obey his Word and have faith that he will guide, protect, and keep his promises, God will continue to do so. This blessing from God came only when the Israelites kept his commandments. This message recorded by (most likely) Joshua taught that God keeps his promises. Joshua as well includes the will of God throughout his book in showing that it was God who wanted the people to take control of the land. The message that the Israelites would have gotten from this writing would have been the goodness of God. Joshua describes God as the one who gave them victory and strength in their battles, Jos. 1:2, 6:16, 10:8. This, however, would have help shown the power of their God, in that there was nothing in their way from stopping his will when they obeyed, Jos. 3:7-17, 10:12.
Present message
The present day message is of the same for the church. God, whom the church today still serves, is never changing. God’s power and goodness provide the church the needed material in the Christian walk. In the church’s obedience, God blesses and takes care of his flock time after time, again and again.
The Book of Joshua: New Testament Analysis
Posted: March 11, 2008 Filed under: Joshua Leave a comment
New Testament Analysis
Joshua a shadow of Christ
Although nowhere in the book of Joshua is Christ or any other explicit messages of the coming messiah mentioned, it is hard to miss the representation of Christ in both the name and person of Joshua. The shadow of one bringing the Lord’s people into rest and a leader of them resembles that of Christ today. Joshua’s name meaning “Yahweh is Salvation” alone points towards Christ, as well as the vision of a “Commander of the army of the Lord” in Jos. 5:13, 14. This commander does seemly shadow that of Christ as he was a leader of Joshua, the commander of the Lord’s army to victory over the Canaanites.
Ethiopia’s Orphans, Magnifying God, and Carolina Hope
Posted: March 11, 2008 Filed under: Adoption, Carolina Hope Leave a commentThe Book of Joshua: Thematic Analysis
Posted: March 10, 2008 Filed under: Joshua Leave a comment
Thematic Analysis
God’s Character in Joshua-
|
God is holy |
Jos. 24:19 |
|
God is jealous |
Jos. 24:19 |
|
God is covenant keeping |
Jos. 22:4, 23:14 |
|
God is provident |
Jos. 7:14, 21:45 |
|
God is wrathful |
Jos. 10:25, 23:16 |
Theological Themes
God’s faithfulness to his covenant- 5:14-16:2, 11:23, 21:45, 22:4.
The obedience of God’s Word- Jos. 1:8, 8:32-35, 23:6-16, 24:26-27
The holiness of God (judging the Canaanites)- Deut. 7:1-6
Sunday’s with Spurgeon: PRAYER FOR PEACE
Posted: March 9, 2008 Filed under: Sundays with Spurgeon Leave a comment
“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace Jeremiah 29:7
The principle involved in this text would suggest to all of us who are the Lord’s strangers and foreigners that we should be desirous to promote the peace and prosperity of the people among whom we dwell. Specially should our nation and our city be blest by our constant intercession. An earnest prayer for your country and other countries is well becoming in the mouth of every believer. Eagerly let us pray for the great boon of peace, both at home and abroad. If strife should cause bloodshed in our streets, or if foreign battle should slay our brave soldiers, we should all bewail the calamity; let us therefore pray for peace, and diligently promote those principles by which the classes at home and the races abroad may be bound together in bonds of amity. We ourselves are promised quiet in connection with the peace of the nation, and this most desirable; for thus we can bring up our families in the fear of the Lord, and also preach the gospel without let or hindrance. Today let us be much in prayer for our country, confessing national
Video of the Week: John Piper Adoption is Greater Than the Universe
Posted: March 8, 2008 Filed under: Adoption, John Piper, Video of the Week Leave a commentBook of the Week: Select Works of Robert Rollock
Posted: March 7, 2008 Filed under: Book of the Week, Reformation Heritage Books, Robert Rollock Leave a comment
“The long overdue republication of Robert Rollock’s Select Works introduces us to one of the greatest Reformed thinkers of the sixteenth century. Robert Rollock (c. 1555–1598), first principal of Edinburgh University, able preacher and philosopher, and a renowned biblical commentator in his own day, was a seminal Reformed theologian particularly as an early exponent of covenant theology in Scotland. His treatises on God’s effectual calling and the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ are themselves worth the purchase of this two-volume Select Works. These volumes represent the cream of sixteenth-century Reformed theology, and should be treasured by all who love biblical truth. May they whet the appetite for more of this prolific Scotsman, who wrote five volumes of sermons and nine commentaries.” —Joel R. Beeke
“Partly because of his reluctance to engage in the rough and tumble of church and state relationships, Robert Rollock’s name has been almost unknown outside of a small circle of scholars interested in the history of covenant theology—in which he features significantly. But for all his irenic spirit, Rollock was a powerfully intellectual and spiritual influence in late sixteenth-century Scotland. He was wonderfully endowed with remarkable intellectual gifts, possessed a rare ability to inspire University students, and was an outstanding preacher whom the common people of Scotland’s capital listened to gladly.”
“An added bonus to this edition of Rollock’s long unavailable Select Works is a splendidly informative and sensitive introduction by Dr. Andrew Woolsey—further underlining that the republication of these volumes is an event to be celebrated by scholars, pastors, and ordinary Christians alike.” —Sinclair Ferguson
***New Biographical Introduction by Andrew Woolsey, in 2 Volumes, 1420 pages at the retail price of $95.00, at RHB $68.00. You can order this by calling 616-977-0599.
The Book of Joshua: Literary Analysis
Posted: March 6, 2008 Filed under: Joshua Leave a comment
Literary Analysis
Outline of the book
|
Balchin |
MacArthur |
Wilkinson & Boa |
|
Entering the Promise Land 1:1-5:12
Conquering the Promise Land 5:13-12:24
Settling the Promise Land 13:1- 22:34
Leavening the Promise Land 23:1-24:33 |
Entering the Promise Land 1:1-5:15
Conquering the Promise Land 6:1- 12:24
Distributing Portions of the Promise Land 13:1- 22:34
Retaining the Promise Land 23:1-24:28
Postscript 24:29-33 |
Israel is prepared for the conquest 1:1- 5:15
Conquest of Canaan the land 6:1- 13:7
The settlement east of the Jordan 13:8-33
The settlement west of the Jordan 14:1- 19:51
The settlement of the religious community 20:1- 21:45
The conditions for continued settlement 22:1- 24:33 |
Original audience/message- The audience of the book of Joshua would have been the Lord’s people Israel, so that they knew their heritage and where their ancestors had came from and what they had done.
Genre-
The book of Joshua is a historical narrative. It gives historical truths of Gods people (Jews) during their exodus into their land that God promised them in Canaan. To read Joshua in parts, one must see the focus towards the climatic passage of the Israelites in their conquest of the land of the Canaanites, Jos. 6:1-13:7. When reading Joshua one will see the importance that the writer gives to showing how the Israelites prepared to take their land, Jos. 1- 5:15. After their conquering of the land, the writer then gives the historical sequence of how the land was separated and given to the twelve tribes. The significance of the interpretation of Joshua is important in understanding how God fulfills his covenants to his people throughout time. The author gives information throughout the book to show the promises that were being fulfilled over time and the importance of the people obeying God’s word. The writer of Joshua uses the historical view that the previous and following books did as well to show the connection of the Lord’s people conquering the land that God had promised.The most important fact to see here is that the writer uses this historical narrative to link together what Moses had previously written to the following historical books of the Old Testament. This can be easily seen that the writer would have been well trained in writing historical narratives like that of Moses.
The following is a great table made up by Mark E. Briddle:
Joshua compared with Moses
Commission (1:1-9) Commission (Exod 3-4; cf esp. Josh 1:9 and Exod 3:12)
sends spies sends spies (Num 13//Deut 1:19-25; (2:1; 7:2; cf. 18:4-9) Num 21:32)
Israel’s fame among the nations inspires fear nations (2:22-24; 5:1; 6:1,27; (Exod 15:15-16; Num 22:3; passim) 9:1-2; 10:1-5; 11:1-5)
crossing the Jordan crossing the Reed Sea (Exod 14) (3:1-4:24)
circumcision (5:2-9) (Exod 4:24-26)
Passover celebration in Passover celebration in conjunction with preparation (Exod 12-13) (5:10-11)
cessation of manna (5:12) beginning of manna (Exod 16)
Joshua’s encounter with Moses’ encounter with divine figure (5:13-15 YHWH (Exod 3:5, remove shoes)
Joshua’s complaint (7:6-9) Moses complains (Num 14)
Joshua’s outstretched hand Moses outstretched hand (Josh 8:18,26) (Exod 9:22; 10:12, 21; passim)
Ritual at Mt. Ebal Ebal and Gerizim prescription (8:30-35) (Deut 11:26-32; 27:1-8)
Land grant to Caleb Promise of Land to Caleb (Num (14:6-15) 14:24, 29//Deut 1:36)
Division of the land by Lot Instructions for the division of (18-19) land by lot (Num 34)
Problem of daughter’s Problem of daughter’s inheritance (15:13-19; (Zelophehad’s – Num 36) Zelophehad’s -17:3-6)
Cities of Refuge Cities of Refuge (20:1-9) (Num 35)
Trans-Jordanian tribes Trans-Jordanian tribes placed under released from their obligation (Num 32//Deut 3:12- obligation (22:1-12) 17)
Joshua’s farewell (23:1-15) Moses’ farewell address(Deut 29:2-30:20)
Covenant at Shechem Covenant in Moab (Deut 31) (24:1-28)
Joshua’s death and burial Moses’ death and burial (24:29-30) (Deut 34:1-8)
Priest’s (Eleazar) Aaron’s death and burial (Num death and burial (24:33) 20:22-29)[1]
Piper on the Prosperity Gospel
Posted: March 5, 2008 Filed under: John Piper 1 CommentI saw this video on Justin Taylor’s blog and I had posted t on here last summer but wanted to place it on here once more for those of you who may be reading/watching.
The Book of Joshua: Historical Analysis
Posted: March 5, 2008 Filed under: Joshua Leave a comment
Historical purpose
Joshua serves is the historical link between Moses’ writing of the Pentateuch and the twelve historical books written in the Old Testament. From the previous books written before Joshua, the Israelites had learned many important truths of living under God’s blessing. Unlike the previous books, however, in Joshua God tests his people, tests that they pass and then receive his blessing by obeying the Word of God/ His commands (Jos. 1:8, 8:32-35, 23:6-16, 24:26-27.)[1]
History or myth?
Although that some may think that the book of Joshua may have myths in it such as Jos. 10 with the sun standing still, no one can say that it is not actual historical facts. The discovery of the el-Amarna letters in 1887 aids in much history accounts of the events in which took place during the time of 1400-1350 B.C.[2]
Historical Periods
Pivotal events
Joshua taking over Moses’ leadership of the Israelites, Jos. 1.
Joshua’s exodus that he would have done, leads the Israelites into the land, Jos. 9.
Joshua asking the Lord to keep the sun standing still, in order that he could continue to fight, Jos. 10.
Joshua dividing the land to the Israelites, Jos. 13-22.
Pivotal people
Joshua: the leader of the Israelites who lead the people to the promise land, Jos. 1-24.
Rahab: a prostitute from Jericho saved from death for obeying God, Jos. 2:6, 17, 22-23, 25.
Achan: disobeyed God by stealing from the plunder of Jericho, which made Israel lose a battle, Jos. 7:20.
Phinehas: a priest and a son of Eleazer which help prevent civil war of Israel, Jos. 22:13, 31-34, 24:33.
Eleazar: the son of Aaron who became the High Priest, Jos. 14:1, 17:4, 19:51, 21:1-3, 22:13-33, 24:33.
The Necessity of Joshua– after the death of Moses the people of the Lord were still waiting for their rest and their land that God had promised them. The book of Joshua demonstrates like no other book in the Old Testament that when the people of God’s covenant actually follow the Word of God they can and will be blessed by God. This book however, gives the historical link between two totally different sections of the bible closing a gap in the history of the Lord’s people living in covenant with him. This was to show both the conquest and the settlement of the Lord’s people in their given land and given rest which God promised. This was done by seeing that when God’s people stay true to him, no one can stand against Him.
The Conquest
The first five chapters of the book of Joshua record the people of Israel and their conquering the land of Canaan. Joshua being told by God to take the land sends out two of his spies who happen to come back with good report. Here in the conquest of the land, Israel shows their obedience and faith to God in crossing the Jordan River, Jos. 3:1-4:24.
The Dividing of the Land
Later in Joshua’s life, God tells him to divide the land between the twelve tribes, Jos. 13:8-21:45. Although at this time much of the land was still to be won, the Israelites knew that being obedient at this time and faithful to their promising Lord, God would give them all of the land.
[1] Bush, Frederic, William LaSor and David Hubbard. Old Testament: The Message, Form, and Background. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), p. 204-10.
[2] Archer, p. 295-6, Bush, p. 204-10.
The Book of Joshua: Author and Date
Posted: March 4, 2008 Filed under: Joshua Leave a comment
I. Author
Although the title of this book and chapter 24:26 makes it clear that Joshua had written these words in the Book of the Law of God, there is still some doubt throughout the whole of the book of who the author may be. There are three sections in the book of Joshua that must have been written after his death; Jos. 15:13-19 and Judg. 1:9-15, Othniel capturing of Kirjath Sepher, Jos. 19:47, Judg. 18:27-29, Dan’s migration to the north, and lastly Joshua’s death being recorded in Jos. 24:29-33. Many who think that Joshua is the author of the book of Joshua, believe that these texts would have been inserted in a later time by Eleaser the priest and his son Phinehas in Jos. 24:33. Nonetheless there is a unity flow to the book that would allude to one author of it, being Joshua.
II. Date
The beginning of the book of Joshua would have around 1405 B.C. The events in this would have been in March of 1405 B.C., with the death of Moses (Deut. 34:5-9) to the crossing of the Jordan in April of 1405 B.C. (Jos. 4:19). From Jos. 6:1-13:7 would have been seven years. Then lastly, Jos. 13:8 would have been about 1398 B.C. to Jos. 24:29 when Joshua dies at 1390 B.C. would have lasted 8 years. It is believed that the book of Joshua was somewhere written over the span of 15 years, during 1405 B.C. to 1390 B.C.[1]
Gospel-Centered Musings 