Hermeneutical Study about the Book of Joshua 1:1-9

Hermeneutical Study about the Book of Joshua
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November 9, 2016
Context Outline
* Introduction: A brief background on the chapter: the context of the transition if leadership from Moses to Joshua. A denotative summary of the events that happened in the chapter.
* Analysis and Interpretation. A connotative, symbolic, and historical analysis of the chapter done so per verse.
* Joshua 1:1 The appointment of the successor of Moses, Joshua
* Joshua 1:2 The obstruction to overcome before entering the Promised Land
* Joshua 1:3 The divine right of the Israelites to the Promised Land
* Joshua 1:4 The geographical description of the Promised Land
* Joshua 1:5 The promise of the continuous guidance and presence of God during their exodus
* Joshua 1:6 The key role of Joshua in the journey to the Promised Land
* Joshua 1:7 The pre-requisites to enter the Promised Land
* Joshua 1:8 The book of Law and it’s ritualistic
* Joshua 1:9 The two opposing nature of man and the Lord’s promise of perpetual guidance
* Summary and Conclusion.
There are requirements needed to accomplish the journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land. Always follow the word of the Lord and you are bound to live in paradise.
Background of Joshua 1:1-9
The book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible which marks the beginning of the Historical Books of the Old Testament. The first verse of the chapter begins with the statement which gives reference to the important event that transpired in the previous section: the death of God’s servant Moses. This event led to a transition of leadership which fell into the hands of Joshua, son of Nun; Moses’ helper. The primary task that God has given him is to lead the people to the journey to the Promised Land which requires the crossing of the Jordan River. God assures Joshua and the people that the land that the Lord promised to them will be theirs and implies that it can act as a haven for them. Joshua and the people of Canaan are given historical, at least biblical, which was implied in the entirety of the first chapter. However, this promise could be perceived as conditional. And the condition, to a greater extent a command, is that it makes the conquest in a way that is “determined and confident” and that they obey the whole Law that God’s servant Moses has given Joshua. And thus, with this requirement, they will reach the Promised Land which has been promised since the time of their ancestors and also, God will remain by their side and watch over them.
This first chapter is significant because it gives the context for the start of the journey of the people to Canaan and the shift of leadership from Moses to Joshua. The endeavors, crisis, and epiphanies that the people, with the direction of Joshua, will undertake upon passage to the Promised Land will be beyond the scope of this paper and thus will not be discussed.
This is the story that the first chapter tells and from this, we will now transition of the analysis and interpretation of the text which will be done so, per verse.
Analysis and Interpretation: Per Verse
Joshua 1:1
“After the death of the Lord’s servant Moses, the Lord spoke to Moses’ helper, Joshua, son of Nun.”
Joshua was appointed as the successor of Moses in the book of Numbers 27: 18-23. The Lord said to Moses that he would not be able to enter the land of Canaan since he disobeyed the Lord in Numbers 20:1-13 which was given explicitly as an imperative for the conquest to successfully transpire. Therefore, for Joshua and the Israelites to enter Canaan, Moses must die. Joshua being appointed as the descendant of Moises and the continuation of the Journey to the Promised Land for the Israelites only came into passing after the death of Moses.
Then the Lord spoke directly to Joshua during the time when the people under Moses are grieving which can either be using directly communicating to the mind of Joshua or using Eleazar who will learn Urim and Thummim. (Numbers 27:21)
Moses became the law provider who is the physical representation or the embodiment of the Law of Sinai, the body of rules which shows the ideal holiness of God for the believers and followers and the bad condition of those who are non-believers and are detached from God. (Romans 3:23). But the Law, even if it is holy and good, will not be enough justification nor could never create life or spirituality. Because of the physical body or the flesh of man which symbolizes its constant need for sustenance such as food and among other pleasures, it is the man to commit sins. (2 Cor. 3:7; Rom. 7:7; Gal. 3:19-22). Moses portrayed the law that won’t allow the man to experience the salvation and the abundance of life of the Lord. Since Moses is a man of flesh, he is only an impermanent servant who must pass away. Therefore, Moses had to exit the scene for Joshua to be appointed and given instructions to lead the people to Canaan.
A further reason is seen in Joshua’s name which so clearly stresses out that “Yahweh is Salvation.” Then the Lord spoke to Joshua during the time when the people are grieving the death of Moses for 30 days (Deuteronomy 34:8). The Lord spoke to Joshua which can either be using directly communicating to the mind of Joshua or using Eleazar who will learn Urim and Thummim (Numbers 27:21).
Joshua 1:2
He said, “My servant Moses is dead. Get ready now, you and all the people of Israel, and cross the Jordan River into the land that I am giving them”
Now the Lord instructed Joshua to get ready in entering the Promised Land. “My servant Moses is dead.” From this statement, it was evident that Moses was not able to enter the Land promised by the Lord. What could be the reason why Moses was not able to get into the Land even if he was a faithful and an effective leader? The reason behind this was apparent in Num 20:12, 27:14 and Deut 3:26. It was mentioned that the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron stating that the people they assembled cannot enter into the land because they did not believe in the Lord and did not treat Him as holy in front of the Israelites (Num. 20:12 [New International Version]). And the second verse asserted that Moses and Aaron both defied the commands of the Lord in the wilderness of Zin. Both of them failed to demonstrate the holiness of God when the Israelites rebelled in the waters (Num. 27:14 [New Living Version]). While the last verse affirmed that God was angry with Moses due and that He did not allow him to his foot on Jordan (Deut 3:26 [New Living Translation]). From the previous statements, this showed that the Lord is no honorer of persons. He shows his prevalent authority by giving judgment to an individual who fails to comply or even made the slightest alteration on His commands (Utley, 1996). Just like what happened to Moses when he disobeyed the Lord, he was not able to enter the Sacred Land. And that not a single man will be able to experience the blessings or the goodness of the Lord if he does not act according to His words since the word of the Lord is absolute.
According to Utley (1996), the river Jordan goes deep at almost 1,500 feet in just 80 miles and that at that particular time of the year, the water level in the river rises in high amounts which make crossing the river a great struggle. And it needs an enormous amount of faith in God to be able to cross that rapid and violent stream of water. It was like a test to the people if they will cross the river or not. This clearly demonstrates a test of faith in God which the central theme in the book of Joshua. If the Israelites are to accomplish the crossing of the river, they will be able to go to the Promised Land. Only those who obey the words of the Lord, no matter how ridiculous or hard to comprehend it may be and for those whose faith are not shaken, they will undoubtedly receive the blessings of the Lord; and as for the Israelites, it is to live in the Promised Land.
Joshua 1:3
As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land that you will be marching over.
In Gen. 13:17; Exod. 23:30-31; Deut. 11:24 as cited by Constable (2016), God had previously promised ancestors of Israelites from when Moses was the leader of the exodus and now has reiterated this promise under the leadership of Joshua. It can be noticed that the verse conveys God’s sovereignty under the lands which further reassures the people of their historical and biblical right to the Promised Land. This could be seen as a purpose or as a drive to keep people from thriving to arrive at this Promised Land which was intended specifically for them, the Israelites. And is justified because God has proclaimed so through his new se...