Joshua01

The Book of Joshua

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

1.  The time had come for the Israelites to cross over into the Promised Land.  The Lord took Moses up on Mount Nebo and gave him another view (also see Deuteronomy 3:27) of the land across the Jordan River.  In  Deut. 34:7 we are told that Moses was old (120 years) but not weak or sick.  Yet he just died there.

            a)  Was this a punishment to Moses, and if so, why was it dispensed?

            b)  Is there any way that this was a blessing to Moses?

            c)  Symbolically, Moses represented “The Law.”  Joshua, whose name translated means “Jehovah is Salvation,” was delegated the task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.  Discuss the symbolism of these events.

2.  Because Moses had laid his hands on Joshua, Joshua was filled with “the spirit of wisdom.” (Deut. 34:9). 

            a)  What is the spirit of wisdom?

            b)  Verse 9 continues that, because Joshua had the spirit of wisdom, the people listened to him.  How would the people have known Joshua had the spirit?

3.  In Deut. 34:9-12 the writer (certainly not Moses) gives Moses extreme accolades.  List those accolades expressed or implied here.

4.  In verse 5, Moses is called “servant of the Lord.”  This is a very special title, which is bestowed on only a few men in scriptures, including Abraham and David.  It is not until the end of Joshua’s life (and the very end of this book) that Joshua is called a servant of the Lord (Joshua 24:29).

            a)  Discuss “servanthood.” 

                        What did Jesus say about servanthood?

                        What did Paul say about servanthood?