Exegesis Paper One: Joshua 1:1-9 (Essay Sample)

Exegesis Paper One: Joshua 1:1-9
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Introduction
The book of Joshua shows the old testaments prophets in the category of historical books. It shows an interpretative history of the people of Israel from the time of Moses and the covenant made between God and Moses. Joshua means lord is salvation. He was the Israelites leader from the time of Moses’ death. It outlines sacred history of how God deed in the past to his people who were royal and obeyed him, and showed a willingness to serve only one God. God had appointed Joshua to succeed Moses as a leader of Israelites and promising to bless him and walk with him. (Joshua 1:2). It covered the period when he led them to the `promised land`.
The background of Joshua 1:1-9
Joshua 1:1-9 creates the topic of discussion for the entire book. The book begins as God talks to Joshua concerning the conquest of the land. The direct address of Yahweh to the new people’s leader shows an understanding of the way in which the role of Joshua would be interpreted in the generations of the future. The section of the book contains a repeating process of faith and encouragement. The author uses the phrase "Be strong and courageous" severally in the first section of the book of Joshua. However, the phrase does not stand-alone. It is linked with admonitions not to be afraid or dismayed and reminders that ‘The Lord is with you.’ Therefore, Yahweh reminds a new leader of the people that he is the main force propelling and protecting an errant band of nomads in their struggle for a new homeland.
A formula of leadership encouragement
After Moses’ demise, the beginning of Joshua narrative acknowledges leadership change. The book of Joshua consists of four major themes: Land, Leadership, Law and the Lord as they contained in Joshua 1:1-9 (Bright, 2000). The themes are explored in the entire book of Joshua. However, the first passage of the book sets leadership standards, which includes courage on Joshua’s role to be faithful to the seemingly difficult or impossible tasks of leading the Israelites to the new home and to the religious challenge of working according to Moses’ Law. Thereby the concept of leadership sets an example for the people and provides a way for a new society.[Bright, John. A History of Israel. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2000).]
God had promised Abraham the land and severally repeated the similar promise to Moses. The time had come for Israelites to possess the land.
Joshua was the only chosen leader to direct the people of Israel to the Promised Land. However, the author of the book of Joshua had a significance point to let readers know concerning the type of leadership that was involved in the book. According to the book, the type of leadership expressed is religious but not military. Thus, this section of Joshua’s book is a significant passage in illustrating the leadership type that Joshua was to express to the people. The main significant and critical aspect of leadership the book talks about are the adherence to the Law of Moses. Therefore, the outcome of such obedience gives a prescription for best performance and encouragement that the God’s presence would be with the individual who adheres to the Moses’ law.
According to Curtis (1998), God commanded Joshua to lead Israelites. This was beyond his abilities. However, he had to assume the position of a leader by trusting and putting his faith in God. This was a hard task for Joshua, taking the role of Moses, who had served as a leader for quite a long time. Nevertheless, Joshua had to obey the words of God. He needed to focus on people and know whether they would follow him as they did to Moses. He had been assured by God of his assistance and guidance. The children of Israel were near banks of Jordan River in Moab, close to the Promised Land. Moses had died. He was their leader. Now Joshua had to take the responsibilities. God did not abandon the Israelites. He did not stop communicating to them. He called and ordered Joshua to continue with His work. This shows individuals may perish, but the work of God continues, and God will still speak to his people and if they are willing to listen he will bless them and fulfill his promises.[Curtis, Adrian. Joshua. (Sheffield Academic Press, 1998).]
Moses had served the lord for so long. As a leader, he would gather all his people together and teach them the inclusive laws that God wanted them to obey. He told them God would give them a leader to lead them to the promised land of Canaan. This was now the time of Joshua, who was the assistant of Moses. He was to lead the Israelites to the `promised land’. The Israelites had stayed at the wilderness for forty years. They suffered from hunger, thirst and dangerous animal. The experience in the wilderness was a period of testing. Those who had no faith were denied access entry into the land. Those who kept on complaining died together with their relatives. A wilderness represents a state of not yet dwelling in the blessings, but as a route to receive the blessings. Those unwilling to trust on God suffered and that is why God had to punish them for those many years because of their disobedience.
Theology
Moses did not enter the Promised Land. In many occasions, he disobeyed God. (numbers 20:1-3). God commanded Moses to talk to the rock when the congregation required water but instead he struck the rock twice. He disobeyed God and did not treat him holy in the Israelites' eyes and this annoyed God.[Neil, Asher. The Bible Unearthed. (Free Press, 2000).]
Moses also called the Israelites as rebels contrary to what God had said. He was told to speak to them and not to speak to abuse them verbally. He also failed to acknowledge the miracles of God. He made the Israelites believe it was his miracles to provide water to the Israelites. Instead, it was God's power that provided the water. Striking the rock and being bossy was like stroking God and Holy Spirit.
God was fulfilling his promises to Jacob descendants; he had made a covenant with Moses to give the Israelites a place to settle. He encountered with Moses through a burning bush and sent him to demand the release of Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Moses could not speak well, and God assured him of best results when his brother accompanied him. The Israelites were led out of Egypt. In Mount Sinai, Moses was given Ten Commandments and made a covenant with God; he obeyed God and delivered his laws to the people. He was obedient to God`s law and his revelation. The Israelites had to leave all the bad things they had done in the future, in many instances they complained to God, and accused him of the many sufferings they went through.[Robert, Boling, & Ernest, W. Joshua. (Anchor Bible Commentary. Garden City: Doubleday, 1982).]
God had been with Moses and assured Joshua he would be with him also (versus 7). A pillar of cloud manifested the presence of God in the daytime and a pillar of fire during the night. When we obey and do according to God's commandments, He will always be with us to protect and guide us from all evils and to bless us. (Mathew 28:20). God requires everyone to trust and believe in him and put the faith on him. Joshua was to be guided by God and obey the laws that Moses taught him. Moses had written these laws, some on rocks others he had composed songs. He wrote the first five books and was meant to work as a guide to Joshua and his people. In today’s situation, it is necessary for people to read, remember and repeat these laws to work as a guide in people’s lives for the betterment of their lives. People have the word of God, the bible and should act as a tool to lead them. We should read and obey.
Joshua was instructed to put his faith upon the lord. This was contrary to what Moses and Israelites did. When they left Egypt, they were followed by their armies and chariots that had intentions of killing them. When the Israelites looked back and saw them, they were terrified. They complained to Moses because of taking them away from Egypt; they lacked God's faith to save their lives and forgot that God was there to fight and protect them.
In the wilderness, the Israelites complained of bitter water, which was available to them. They could not trust that God was their provider. They lost courage and talked about returning to Egypt. Moses would turn to God and ask for his guidance. God was merciful and showed him a tree, which he dropped into the water, and it got sweet.
We see God promising Joshua he will walk with him and told him to put his trust and faith in him as he would deliver his promises. It was time to have a new mind and put new character that resembles God`s holy ways and his nature. Moses’ death showed a beginning of new and better opportunities f...