The Message of Joshua (The Bible Speaks Today Series) - Softcover

Firth, David G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830824421 ISBN 13: 9780830824427

Publisher: IVP Academic, 2015

Synopsis

• Preaching's 2017 Survey of Bibles and Bible Reference

The book of Joshua recounts the momentous events of Israel?s entry into Canaan, the promised land: Joshua?s commission and reassurance, crossing the Jordan river, the capture of Jericho and Ai, the grand covenant renewal ceremony at Mount Ebal, the curious treaty with the Gibeonites, and a rapid overview of the campaigns in the south and the north. The second half of the book gives extensive details of the allotment of the land to each tribe, before resuming the conquest story and concluding with farewell speeches and burial notices. It is an action-packed story―but perhaps more than any other, Joshua is the Old Testament book that most troubles contemporary readers, whether Christians or critics: Isn?t there too much violence, and isn?t this inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, and the gospel? David Firth begins his excellent exposition with a careful and helpful response to this issue. However, while addressing the problems is undoubtedly important, we must also consider how the book continues to speak to us today as God?s word. Firth?s basic contention is that we have to read Joshua as part of God?s mission, which for much of the Old Testament centered on Israel, but finds its ultimate focus in Jesus Christ. The book challenges those who have read it down through the ages to recognize that God not only includes those who join him in his mission, he also excludes those who choose to set themselves against it.

About this title

About the Author:

David G. Firth is director of research and lecturer in Old Testament at St. John's College in Nottingham, England. He is the author of 1 2 Samuel (Apollos Old Testament Commentary) and The Message of Esther, and coeditor of Interpreting the Psalms, Interpreting Isaiah, Interpreting Deuteronomy, Words the Word and Presence, Power and Promise.

Review:

"I was enlightened, entertained, challenged, and blessed as I read this book, and I recommend it highly." (David M. Howard Jr., Themelios, August 2016)

"Throughout the years of its publication, IVP’s The Bible Speaks Today series has been a consistent source of help, instructions, and practical wisdom on the exposition of Scripture and its application in our contemporary settings. The present volume continues that noble heritage and it is well worth adding to one’s resources on the message and meaning of the book of Joshua. . . . It is hard to imagine that more could be packed into the brief 230 pages which make up this fine and informative study." (James M. Garretson, The Banner of Truth, July 2017)

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0830824421
• ISBN 13: 9780830824427
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 230