Student Connect

great to meet Pastor greetings from Harare , Zimbabwe

Hello dexjoseph35

I am Catherine Luke I am new to the class my first day. Good to meet you. Joshuna is a good book to read. of the promise land

The Old Testament demonstrates how God made the land essential for His promises in Genesis 15:18–21 because His people received His rulership and divine blessing. The New Testament guides believers to redirect their attention from geographical territory to spiritual authority. Hebrews 11:13–16 clarifies that early believers focused on the heavenly country that surpassed Israel's Earthly land's teachings about the divine kingdom, announcing its independence from geographical boundaries (John 4:21–24; Luke 17:20–21). Different aspects exist among Christians regarding modern Jewish migration to Israel. The prophecy in Ezekiel 36–37 guides some people in their interpretations, although others perceive these promises as spiritually accomplished through Christ and His Church according to Galatians 3:29. From my perspective, God remains faithful to his promises toward Israel. The Church should refrain from drawing direct connections between modern geopolitical developments and their role in prophecy. The way a Christian should engage in modern conflicts involves expressing compassion and truth and promoting peace according to Matthew 5:9. The demand to pray and love all people, including Jews along with Palestinians and everyone else, must transcend political alliances. Christians must function as messengers of peace through reconciliation instead of fomenting discord since the gospel message defies partisan politics (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).

The book of Joshua reveals some similarities with Jesus as the two serve as salvation and sources of hope to their respective people. As Joshua guided his people toward the Promised Land, Jesus brought his followers to the everlasting reward of eternal life and entrance into the Kingdom of God. The scriptures describe him as a leader who becomes a warrior to mediate between enemies before leading God's people to peaceful rest (Joshua 21:43–45). Jesus defeated sin and death as described in 1 Corinthians 15:57, while Matthew 11:28–30 reveals his ability to provide rest to exhausted spiritual seekers. The rest Joshua bestowed upon His followers existed at the moment, but Jesus offered everlasting peace. Across the Book of Joshua, readers find a significant symbolism in the people's Jordan River crossing in Joshua 3–4 as the transition between wilderness and promised land (Keil, 2023). The believer's spiritual development resembles this path, transforming the sinful and purposeless wandering soul into one serving God's mission. After studying Joshua I understand that Jesus serves as both Savior and triumphing King who brings to fruition all promises made by God. Through this perspective about Jesus, I value His called demands for obedience and faithfulness while receiving His promise of guiding believers to a spiritual future beyond our understanding.

Preaching and Teaching Joshua

First, I would emphasize God calling Joshua and Joshua’s obedience.

Joshua had a relationship with the Lord. Jesus hadn’t come and he was not born again. But like King David, he was righteous. Joshua feared, loved, respected and revered God. His strong character was both developed and expressed through diligently keeping the law and living in a healthy fear of God.

The “Three Solas” of the Protestant Reformation fit Joshua’s person and character.

Sola scriptura ("by scripture alone") 

What God says is the foundation of what we believe - scripture over theology, scripture over the opinion and writings of the church fathers. Church history is important, but the scriptures are essential. A believer lives by scripture alone.

Sola fide ("by faith alone")

Paul’s words in Romans inspired Martin Luther to see that faith in God brought people to Christ.

Romans 1:17 NKJV - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Faith is like respiration. When you inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide you live. No respiration, you die. Faith in God through Jesus Christ brings eternal life. It’s by “faith alone.”

Sola gratia ("by grace alone")

Grace is often defined as unearned or undeserved favor. I’ve learned by living life, that I don’t deserve anything from God, I can’t earn it through hard work or for being “good looking.” I receive everything from God because He loves me.

Hello Everyone

How do you feel about the fact that God asked the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites? How would you explain why it was justified? What does it mean for us today? In what way was the destruction of Canaan an extraordinary event?

I didn’t wrestle with the fact that God commanded the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites, because I recognize who God is. He is sovereign. He is righteous. He is just. And most of all, he is holy. When he speaks, creation responds. When he judges, it is final. I do not approach his decisions with hesitation or doubt, because I trust his nature. We live in a world where people want to make God fit into their own understanding, but that’s not who he is. He’s not limited by our opinions or our feelings. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and when he moves, it is always for a reason beyond what we can fully see.

The command to destroy the Canaanites was not about hate, nor was it about political gain. It was about purity. It was about protecting the promise. That land was not just occupied it was spiritually corrupted. The Canaanites were not innocent people. They had filled the land with generations of idolatry, perversion, demonic practices, and child sacrifice. God gave them time centuries, in fact to repent. He didn’t strike in anger. He waited. He warned. And when they still refused to turn, judgment came. That judgment came through the Israelites not because they were perfect, but because they were chosen to carry out God’s plan. And part of that plan meant tearing down everything that would contaminate the promise.

What made the destruction of Canaan extraordinary was that it was not a pattern to follow it was a holy moment in history, commanded by God for a specific purpose. It was a divine reset. A cleansing. A preparation for something much bigger than just taking land. God was preparing a space for a nation that would birth the Messiah. He was building a people who would carry his covenant. That kind of assignment cannot dwell in a space where rebellion rules. It had to be cleared. It had to be purified. It had to be sanctified by obedience, not opinion.

For us today, this event should shake us and awaken us. It reminds me that God is not casual about sin. He is not blind to corruption. He is merciful, yes. He is patient, yes. But he is also holy, and holiness demands separation. We cannot carry God’s promises while playing with the very things he hates. The destruction of Canaan teaches me that obedience to God must outweigh my emotions. It teaches me that delayed judgment is not the same as approval. And it reminds me that God will always protect what he establishes, even if it means removing people, systems, or entire cities.

It also gives me a more imdepth appreciation for grace. Because even in the middle of destruction, there was mercy. Rahab, a Canaanite woman, chose to believe, and she was spared not only spared, but woven into the lineage of Jesus Christ. That tells me something powerful. Even when judgment is on the horizon, faith still makes room for redemption. God never closes the door on those who turn to him. His judgment is real, but so is his love.

So no, I don’t struggle with what God commanded. I stand in awe of it. It reminds me who he is, and it reminds me of who I must be. Obedient. Set apart. Aligned with his will. Sensitive to his voice. And willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of what he has promised.