Anders - Joshua

T o my son, Dr. Jeff Gangel,
who contributed enormously to the
research and application in this
commentary.

Today's church hungers for Bible teaching, and Bible teachers hunger for resources to guide them in teaching God's Word. The Holman Old Testament Commentary provides the church with the food to feed the spiritually hungry in an easily digestible format. The result: new spiritual vitality that the church can readily use.

Bible teaching should result in new interest in the Scriptures, expanded Bible knowledge, discovery of specific scriptural principles, relevant applications, and exciting living. The unique format of the Holman Old Testament Commentary includes sections to achieve these results for every Old Testament book.

Opening quotations stimulate thinking and lead to an introductory illustration and discussion that draw individuals and study groups into the Word of God. In a Nutshell summarizes the content and teaching of the chapter. Verse-by-verse commentary answers the church's questions rather than raising issues scholars usually admit they cannot adequately solve. Bible principles and specific contemporary applications encourage students to move from Bible to contemporary times. A specific modern illustration then ties application vividly to present life. A brief prayer aids the student to commit his or her daily life to the principles and applications found in the Bible chapter being studied. For those still hungry for more, Deeper Discoveries takes the student into a more personal, deeper study of the words, phrases, and themes of God's Word. Finally, a teaching outline provides transitional statements and conclusions along with an outline to assist the teacher in group Bible studies.

It is the editors' prayer that this new resource for local church Bible teaching will enrich the ministry of group, as well as individual, Bible study, and that it will lead God's people truly to be people of the Book, living out what God calls us to be.

As the dedication notes, special thanks are due my son, Dr. Jeff Gangel, for diligent research on the project. In addition, I express loving appreciation to my wife, Betty, for assisting with proofreading, and to my manuscript manager, Mrs. Ginny Murray, for impeccable handling of the commentary text. Readers will note my dependence on those who have walked this road before, particularly Campbell, Howard, Redpath, and Schaeffer. It is always a joy to work with editors Max Anders and Steve Bond.

Twenty volumes designed for Bible study and teaching to enrich the local church and God's people.

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The angel might well have said to Joseph, You will call his name Joshua, for the name God chose for his Son on earth is the same as this great captain of ancient Israel. As we shall see in our study, there is also a parallel between this book and Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Here we see historic Israel entering and possessing an earthly inheritance promised to Abraham. In Ephesians we see the church entering and possessing a heavenly inheritance provided in Christ. Major theological themes like rest, godly leadership style, holiness, and obedience appear in both books. Canaan indeed offers a metaphor of something to come but not, as so many songs suggest, heaven. The promised land for believers is walking in godliness and righteousness with the Lord here on earth. As Israel possessed its inheritance in the land, so Christians need to possess their spiritual blessings on earth but with their hearts in the heavens. For Joshua and for us there is a promised inheritance, a divinely appointed leader, gifts of grace received by faith, and great conflict along the way.