THE MESSAGE OF JOSHUA
‘The Bible Speaks Today’ Series
By David G. Firth
IVP. 226 pages. £10.99
ISBN 978 1 783 593 651
David Firth has produced an excellent commentary on the Book of Joshua which is very readable and neatly divided into reasonably short chapters, ideal for using as part of your daily devotions.
It’s a commentary which takes seriously not only the exciting happenings of the early chapters, but also Chapters 13–21 with their long lists and intricate geographical details. Excellent contemporary application characterises the whole volume. A wide range of subjects is helpfully addressed and drawn appropriately out of the text – subjects as diverse as the guidance of God, the benefit of small group Bible studies, and the age at which we should retire from active ministry.
God and violence?
One of the great strengths of this commentary is the way in which David Firth wrestles with the whole matter of violence and warfare, an issue that often arises within the Book of Joshua. He interacts with some of the current critics of Joshua (and of God) and helpfully shows that God is not ‘some petty national deity who demonises the ‘other’; he is the God of all the earth whose purpose is to bring all back into relationship with himself’ (p.86).
A good read. But there is no perfection in this life! The present reviewer cannot concur with the comments on page 123 in which the author, expounding Chapter 10, declares: ‘But is Joshua here asking for the sun and moon literally to stop? Although many have argued this , suggesting that Joshua wanted a longer day in order to complete the defeat of the Amorites, it seems unlikely.’
However, despite this reservation, this is a useful volume which will definitely enhance your understanding of the Book of Joshua.
