The Message of Joshua (The Bible Speaks Today Series) by David G. Firth


The Message of Joshua (The Bible Speaks Today Series)
Title : The Message of Joshua (The Bible Speaks Today Series)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0830824421
ISBN-10 : 9780830824427
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : 230
Publication : First published December 6, 2015

Preaching's 2017 Survey of Bibles and Bible ReferenceThe 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.

The Message of Joshua (The Bible Speaks Today Series) Reviews

  • Jimmy Reagan

    It’s finally complete! Now every book of the Bible is represented in the BST series. It’s strange that Joshua would be the last to get coverage in the series, but it is an outstanding volume in any event. David Firth, the contributor of this volume, has shown in recent years his mettle as a commentator on the historical books of the Old Testament. His superb quality is upheld here.

    The Introduction is unique, and yet a joy. The typical elements of an Introduction, which are of varying worth to readers, were skipped to focus on what he felt was the biggest issue in studying Joshua–the violence in Joshua. Since that violence is often parlayed into an attack on God, and a reason to completely discount Joshua, his approach has merit.

    His conclusions are interesting. He argues that the violence is not as widespread as it sounded, and that the line was not as racial as imagined. Rahab and others seem to prove his point. Even his explanation that the land is owned by Jehovah as the overriding justification is helpful. This novel approach to Introduction is, in my judgement, a success.

    The commentary proper exhibits those qualities you love when studying a text. Great insights and good theology abound. For example, read all he explains on the story of Rahab and see what I mean. He addresses the violence all through the text as well.

    This is a fine commentary and I highly recommend it.

    I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

  • Dan

    One of the harder books to preach through is the book of Joshua, due to its historical style of writing and some of the moral problems depicted (eg. the slaughter of the Canaanites) .  This problem is also exacerbated by the sad fact many pastors and teachers are not as well trained in teaching historical narrative as they are in teaching Epistles or the Gospels.  One of the better commentaries for pastors on the book of Joshua is in the Bible Speaks Today Commentary series produced by IVP, of which the author is famed author David Firth.

    This volume in the Bible Speaks Today commentary series is compact yet not truly small.  Firth spends a great deal of time and effort to explain the cultural context of each passage as well as the prophetic nature and eventual fulfillment.  This volume truly is a great aid to not the the Sunday School teacher or Bible Study leader, but also to the pastor.

    As with all of the volumes in the Bible Speaks Today series, the passages are dealt with section by section instead of verse by verse.  While this may be a problem in some circumstances, the overall value of this volume can not be understated.  Each section deals with matters that are not only pertaining to the modern day reader but to the original audience hearing the prophecy and the original audience reading it written.  This is truly one of the better commentaries on the market for Joshua.  I will mention as I usually do that for a pastor intending to preach through the book of Joshua, I would add a exegetical commentary along side this fantastic commentary.

    This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.