Exalting Jesus in Joshua is part of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this commentary series takes a Christ-centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible. Each chapter explains and applies key passages, providing helpful outlines for study and teaching.
This practical and easy-to-read commentary is designed to help the reader see Christ in Joshua. More devotional than academic, the expositions are presented as sermons and divided into chapters that conclude with a “Reflect & Discuss” section, making this series ideal for small group study, personal devotion, and even sermon preparation.
The CCE series will include 47 volumes when complete; this volume is written by Robert Smith.
This is a very accessible commentary that anybody can pick up. Dr. Smith has an easy to follow outline for every chapter and ends with discussion/reflections that would be perfect for Bible studies. If you have heard Dr. Smith preach before, he has some paragraphs in here that just sound/feel like his preaching which is delightful.
The only thing that I'll critique about this commentary is that if you want to really grapple with the theme of violence in Joshua, this commentary will leave you with so many questions. He doesn't fully address it like some of the other books I have recently read (I don't think he needs to address that for what he is trying to do in this commentary but just in case you are looking for something that does engage that....)
Joshua 1:7-10 will stick with me “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it dat and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For them you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua began his career as “Moses’ assistant”, but ends his ministry with the designation “The Lord’s Servant”. Well done good and faithful servant!
I love this series of commentaries but this one felt much more surface level than many of the others I’ve read. Still enjoyed my time in Joshua and was encouraged to faithfully and sincerely serve the Lord.
Smith’s knowledge and study of Joshua is deep and it bled through the pages. Smith’s way of structuring each section was very different from others in the series, but it was a nice departure from the norm and I’ll miss having the Big 10 in other versions.