Historical Books Project: Theme Analysis Assignment
Malcolm Short
Bibl 310: Old Testament Historical Books
Oct 18, 2022
Theme Analysis
A. Theme of the Book: Restate your theme. Copy and paste the theme from your first
paper.
This book records the fulfillment of God’s promise to the ancestors of the Israelites to
deliver their descendants into the Promised Land.
B. Theme Analysis: list 3 – 5 places in the book where the author develops the theme
in your selected historical book. Write a 25 – 50-word synopsis of each reference.
Joshua 1
1
The first chapter of Joshua records God’s commissioning of Joshua to continue
the work He started with Moses to deliver the Israelites into the Promised Land. He
emboldens and encourages Joshua to follow His lead.
Joshua 2:9
This verse serves as an indication of the widespread awareness of God’s provision
for the Israelite people. Rahab, a citizen of Jericho, expressed to the spies sent by Joshua
that the members of the town were fully aware that God would fight on their behalf to
secure the land He promised.
Joshua 5
In chapter 5, God prepares the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. He prompts
Joshua to circumcise the males and celebrate Passover. At Gigal, the Israelites first ate
some of the food of Canaan, and the manna that God used to sustain the nation ceased in
preparation for the abundance of the land. Campbell asserts, “spiritual not military
preparation was needed at this time because God was about to reveal Himself by
performing a great miracle in Israel’s midst.”1
Joshua 11-12
Upon successful conquest of the Land, chapter 11 closes with the confirmation
that the Israelites received their inheritance and the land promised to Abraham had rest
from war. Chapter 12 includes a list of thirty-one kings that had fallen to the Israelites by
the power of God.
Theme in Scripture
A. Theme in Scripture: list 2 – 4 references where this theme is found in the Bible.
Write a 25 – 50-word synopsis of each reference.
Nehemiah 9:24
1 Donald K. Campbell, “Joshua,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 333–334.
2
In Chapter 9 of Nehemiah, the Levites are encouraging the people of Israel to
keep faith in the God that has already delivered His promises. They reminisced on their
people’s past insurrection but emphasized God’s faithfulness despite these transgressions.
They referred to the entrance to the Promised Land and were reminded of His goodness.
Acts 7:5
During his plea to the Sanhedrin, Stephen provided an overview of God’s
sustaining power throughout Israel’s history. In his speech, he mentions God’s promise
and fulfillment of the Promised Land. He emphasizes that the same grace provided in the
past delivered the anticipated Messiah.
Acts 13:19
While in Antioch, Paul spoke to Jews and Gentiles about God’s faithfulness to fulfill
His promises to the Israelites. He refers to conquering the land of Canaan in His speech
and reminds them that God sustained them for redemption in His son, Jesus.
B. The Theme in the Metanarrative of Scripture: Write a 2 – 4 sentence discussion of
how this theme fits into the overall story of the Bible
As a founding element of God’s promise to Abraham to bless the nations through him
and his descendants, the Promised Land holds theological significance. Through the land
given to the Israelites, they could grow in number, disperse and have resources to sustain
their growth. It was because of this sustainability that God was able to produce The
Messiah. According to the promise, Israel must possess the land forever. The return of
Messiah and the redemption of Israel depend on it.2
The Theme and God
A. Write a 3 – 5 sentence discussion on how this theme reflects God and his character.
Use passages from Scripture to develop your argument.
Perhaps the most emphasized characteristic of God is His faithfulness. This theme
displays the fruition of a promise made to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), sustained by God
2 Campbell, “Joshua,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 326.
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through the patriarchs Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (Gen. 50:24), which was ultimately made
complete through Joshua, Moses’ successor, whom God used to deliver His people into
the Promised Land. God works through these generations to triumph over human
sinfulness and insurrection by remaining faithful to His purposes of preservation (Num.
14). Ultimately, He fulfilled His promise, and the Israelites conquered their Promised
Land where they could socially, politically, and religiously flourish.3
Application for Today
A. Application today: write a 3 – 5 sentence discussion on how your theme applies to
believers today.
Although God has already fulfilled the promise to Abraham for his ancestors to
inhabit the land of Canaan, lessons of God’s sustaining love can be drawn from the book
of Joshua. Campbell concludes, “As Joshua led Israel to victory over her enemies and
into possession of the Promised Land, and as he interceded for the nation after it had
sinned and been defeated, so does Jesus.”4 God demonstrates his consistency amid our
failures. He carved a path to Jesus and continues to usher in the anticipated second
coming. Modern-day believers can confidently know that the second appearance of Christ
will come and can look forward to the final eradication of sin. Humanity’s sinful
condition is substantially devastating to our world, but God’s redeeming power
transcends our iniquities. Christians can be confident that He will fulfill His promises for
the future as He has in humanity’s past.
B. Write 3 – 5 discussion questions you would include for a Sunday School class or
small group to discuss when studying this theme in your historical book and the
Bible overall.
3 Helene Dallaire, Joshua (Grand Rapids: HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 2017), 41.
4 Campbell, “Joshua,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 326.
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1. What motivation does God have for delivering the people of Israel into the
Promised Land?
2. Why does God enforce circumcision before entering the Promised Land?
3. Does the fulfillment of this promise hold any significance today, or has humanity
experienced the pinnacle of its impact? How?
5
Bibliography
Dallaire, Helene. Joshua. Grand Rapids: HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 2017.
Campbell, Donald K.. “Joshua,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of
the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books, 1985.
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