Topical Bible: Revivals: Under Joshua

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The period of leadership under Joshua marks a significant era of revival and renewal for the Israelites as they transitioned from the wilderness wanderings into the Promised Land. Joshua, the successor of Moses, was instrumental in leading the people of Israel into a new chapter of covenant faithfulness and national identity. This revival is characterized by a series of key events and spiritual renewals that underscore the importance of obedience, faith, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

1. The Commissioning of Joshua

Joshua's leadership begins with a divine commissioning, where God commands him to be strong and courageous. In Joshua 1:7-8 , God instructs Joshua, "Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." This charge sets the tone for a revival centered on adherence to God's law and reliance on His guidance.

2. Crossing the Jordan and the Renewal of the Covenant

The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3-4) serves as a powerful symbol of God's continued presence and faithfulness. As the Israelites enter the Promised Land, they are reminded of the covenant established with their forefathers. Joshua 4:23-24 states, "For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

3. The Circumcision at Gilgal and the Passover Celebration

Upon entering the land, Joshua leads the people in a renewal of the covenant through the rite of circumcision at Gilgal (Joshua 5:2-9). This act signifies the Israelites' recommitment to the covenant and their identity as God's chosen people. Following this, they celebrate the Passover, marking the first time they observe this feast in the Promised Land. Joshua 5:10-12 records, "On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites kept the Passover. The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. And the manna ceased the day after they ate the produce of the land; there was no more manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan."

4. The Conquest of Jericho and the Fall of Ai

The conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6) is a testament to the power of faith and obedience. The Israelites follow God's unusual battle plan, resulting in a miraculous victory. This event reinforces the principle that success comes through reliance on God's instructions. However, the initial failure at Ai (Joshua 7) due to Achan's sin highlights the necessity of holiness and collective responsibility. After dealing with the sin, Joshua leads the people to victory, demonstrating the importance of repentance and restoration.

5. The Covenant Renewal at Mount Ebal

Following the victories, Joshua leads the nation in a covenant renewal ceremony at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (Joshua 8:30-35). Here, the law is read aloud, and the people reaffirm their commitment to God's commands. This public declaration serves as a national revival, emphasizing the centrality of God's Word in the life of the community.

6. The Farewell Address and Covenant at Shechem

In his farewell address, Joshua calls the people to a renewed commitment to serve the LORD. Joshua 24:14-15 exhorts, "Now therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth. Cast aside the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt. And serve the LORD. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." The people respond affirmatively, renewing their covenant with God and setting a foundation for future generations.

The revival under Joshua is marked by a return to covenant faithfulness, a reliance on God's promises, and a commitment to holiness and obedience. Through these events, the Israelites experience a profound spiritual renewal as they establish themselves in the land promised to their ancestors.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 5:2-9
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, Make you sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Take Ye Away the Stone.
... If there is not Scriptural authority for revivals, then I cannot understand my Bible. ...
Under Joshua there was a great revival; and again under the Judges. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter i take ye away.htm

Old Revival Hymns.
... Eleazer Wheelock and endowed (1755) by Joshua Moore (or More ... When some natural shrinking
was manifest in converts of his winter revivals, under his rigid rule ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vii old revival hymns.htm

Measures to Promote Revivals.
... In Joshua's day, he called on the people to decide ... be known, that the declension
which followed the revivals in those ... us, at the very point, and under the very ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiv measures to promote.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... Under Joshua, the text was something which the people all ... But if, when a sinner is
under conviction, you ... has been eminently the case in many revivals of modern ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... Revivals come mostly in times of panic. ... Under Joshua (7:6-9; 10:14), and the judges
(c.6) we are told that the children of Israel "cried unto the Lord.". ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Author's Preface.
... Character and work of Joshua. Period lessons. ... False prophets. Great religious revivals
of this period. ... Persian period. Under the rule of Greek kings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... as ushering in a new era in the history of revivals of religion, the ... to God, and
brought into the fold of Christ, under the labors of Joshua Wells and ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

General Conference of 1824
... Stephen G. Roszel, Henry Smith, Joshua Soule, John ... not been favored with extraordinary
revivals of religion ... in which the conferences were under the necessity of ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... work in the new countries, nor special revivals in other ... Joshua Soule, felt some
anxiety for its success, and ... its merits are to be tested under the inspection ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

Gracious Ability.
... assumed by the defenders of the dogma under consideration, that ... When Joshua said
to the children of Israel ... As to revivals of religion, they were settled down in ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxii gracious ability.htm