Joshua (Teach the Text Commentary Series)
Overview
Joshua covers a critical period in the history of Israel, as God brings them out of the desert wanderings into the land he promised them, through a series of spectacular military maneuvers. Yet readers today may struggle with commands from God that offend modern sensibilities. And what does the conquest and division of the promised land have to do with the Christian life?
Professor Kenneth Mathews helps teachers, preachers, and everyday readers understand this important Old Testament book in its original context and apply it for today. While Joshua is historical, it is also theological. The crucial lessons then and now are that God’s word is truthful and authoritative and that he fulfills his promises.
- Provides information pastors need to effectively communicate Scripture
- Contains a concise summary, main theme, illustrations, and interpretation for each passage
- Points to key themes and ways to communicate them to today’s audience
Top Highlights
“‘Tell me, sweetheart, would you rather be run over by that truck or its shadow?’ The little girl responded, ‘By the shadow, I guess. It can’t hurt you.’ Her father responded, ‘Your mother has not been overrun by death, but by the shadow of death. That is nothing to fear.’” (Page 203)
“The Lord provides two memorials to recall the story of Jesus for Christians: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These two are gracious gifts designed to keep the church’s focus on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (e.g., Matt. 26:26–30; Rom. 6:3–5; 1 Cor. 11:17–34; 1 Pet. 3:21).” (Page 34)
“Israel’s memorials are tributes to God, not to human achievements. They reflect a living faith in the Lord that he receives with favor (Lev. 2:2; Matt. 26:13; Acts 10:4). Together, the stone memorials—one in the river and one at Gilgal—are constant reminders of what God has done for Israel.” (Page 33)
“The language ‘consecrate yourselves’ (qadash) is related to the vocabulary of sanctuary worship. The crossing, therefore, is cast as a sacred act of worship.” (Page 25)
“The Lord strengthens Christians for his purposes (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 3:16), not for whatever goals they might want to achieve.” (Page 16)
In this new volume on Joshua, Kenneth A. Mathews has once again provided readers with a masterful and insightful commentary on a major book in the Old Testament. The clear, comprehensive, and cogent exposition found in these pages evidences the wisdom and thoroughness of a mature scholar who has invested many years researching and teaching this biblical book. It is a genuine joy to recommend this outstanding work.
David S. Dockery, Chancellor of Trinity International University
Mathews expertly and thoroughly engages the text in its original context, while maintaining a sensitivity to the pastoral and practical trajectories of each passage. This volume represents a welcome addition to the library of any pastor or professor or layperson.
Bryan Cribb, chair of undergraduate Christian studies at Anderson University
My week as a pastor is jam-packed with hospital visits, counseling sessions, and staff meetings. When choosing aids for sermon prep, I often have to pick between massive, overly technical works I do not have time to read or shorter commentaries that can sacrifice careful exegesis. That's why I love Ken Mathews's Joshua commentary in the Teach the Text Commentary Series. He brilliantly combines scholarly exegesis with preaching insights in a concise and helpful tool. This book would be an invaluable resource for any pastor who desires to rightly handle the Word of truth!
Jon Akin, pastor of Fairview Church in Lebanon, TN; author of Preaching Christ from Proverbs
- Title: Joshua
- Author: Kenneth A. Mathews
- Series: Teach the Text Commentary Series
- Publisher: Baker
- Print Publication Date: 2016
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. O.T. Joshua › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781493405695, 9780801092176, 1493405691, 0801092175
- Resource ID: LLS:TTC06JOS
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T17:12:45Z
The Teach the Text Commentary Series gives pastors the best of biblical scholarship and presents the information needed to move seamlessly from the meaning of the text to its effective communication. By providing focused commentary, this volume allows pastors to quickly grasp the most important information. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage and sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text.