Week 1: Choosing Joshua

Introduction:

Author: Joshua, whose name means "salvation"

Date: Initially written after entering Canaan (6th century BC)

Major Theme:

• God is faithful in fulfilling His promises to the children of Israel.

• The Israelites will inherit the Promised Land through:

  • Obedience to God’s law and commandments

  • Joshua’s leadership and God’s interventions

Outline:

1. Conquest of the Promised Land (Chapters 1-12)

2. Division of the Promised Land among the Israelites (Chapters 13-22)

3. Conclusion of Joshua’s Ministry (Chapters 23-24)

Book of Joshua Chapters 1-2

Objective: 

• God's instructions to Joshua 
• Rahab and the spies

Resources:

• Book of Joshua - Fr Tadros Malaty Commentary (English)
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
• Fr Luka Maher Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

Chapter 1&2

Key verse(s):

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." Joshua 1:7

Comments:

Chapter 1 explains the role of God in achieving salvation and the role of the servant and the people in it.

• The role of God (verses 6-1)
  • God is the one who initiates and encourages us on our path to salvation through support, encouragement, and companionship. Therefore, we should not fear failure or retreat but continue on the path with His strength.
• The role of the servant (verses 9-7):
  • Focus on reading God's word, meditating on it, memorizing it, and repeating it throughout your day in the form of a verse or a psalm. This will help you feel God's presence, rely on Him, and delight in His fellowship. As a result, you will find joy even in difficult circumstances and navigate through them with assurance, knowing that God is with you.
• The role of the people (verses 10-18)
  • Do everything you can to show your love for God by committing to your prayers, readings, and serving others. On the other hand, avoid sources of evil and stay away from all sin, and God will support you and make you successful in all your ways.

Chapter 2

• Joshua sent two men to spy the land of Jericho
• Rahab hides the spies (Verses 1-7)
  • God's love is marvelous in His protection of the two spies, not through their friends, but through a foreign woman known for her wickedness. Do not be troubled, for you are in the safe hands of God, who protects you wherever you go and grants you favor in the eyes of those from whom you would least expect it.
• Rahab confessed her faith in the one God, the King of heaven and earth. (Verses 8-13)
• The sign and the condition (verses 14-24):
  • Scarlet cord, The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ, which is the condition for obtaining salvation. Rahab's house represents the Church, where believers find refuge. Without the Church and its sacraments and means of grace, we cannot attain salvation.

  • The first condition is the commitment to remain inside the house, as there is no salvation outside the Church, and those who leave will be responsible for their own destruction.

  • The second condition is to keep the matter secret from the king, symbolizing the need for our loyalty to Christ. We must not betray Him until we are granted the enjoyment of His salvation.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

Chapter 1

• Who took over after the death of Moses?
• “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” Who made this statement? To
  who was the statement made?
• What did the Lord ask Joshua to do?
• What was the Lord’s promise to His people?
• What recommendations did God gave Joshua concerning the Book of the Law. How does this apply to us
  today?

Chapter 2

• Why did Joshua send men to Jericho? 
• Where did the spies hide?
  
• Mention a verse that shows that Rahab believed in God.

• What are the sign and the condition given by the spies to Rahab?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

• Have not I commanded you? Be ________ and of good __________.
• How many men did Joshua sent to spy in Jericho?
• For the Lord your God he is God in _________ above, and on __________ beneath.
• Scarlet cord, The red color symbolizes ________ and Rahab's house represents _______.