Strong and Courageous – Joshua
John D Currid
271pages, £11.99
EP Books
ISBN: 978-085234-747-8
Star rating: 4 stars
John D. Currid has again produced another valuable volume on the Old Testament – this time it appears in the Welwyn commentaries, the Bible simply explained. It is similar in style to Dr Currid’s EP Study Commentaries on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – but the Welwyn commentaries are not so detailed. However, every verse of the book of Joshua is covered.
The author has divided Joshua up into four sections – the crossing (1:1 – 5:12), the seizing (5:13-12:24), the dividing (13:1-21:45) and the serving (32:1-24:33). Those who are wary of books by theologians need not be deterred from reading this one. Included in the introductory chapter are brief explanations of three literary genres. These help the reader to identify key words, phrases and recurring themes throughout scripture.
The author is not only a Professor of Old Testament; he also pastors a Presbyterian Church congregation. He skilfully uses his theological skills to apply the meaning text to ordinary Christians.
There is nothing complicated about the way the commentary moves through the book of Joshua and I like the fact that each section normally covers no more than two pages of the commentary.
In dealing with the defeat at Ai Dr Currid points out the similarities to the conquest of Jericho. ‘As everything belonging to Achan is taken outside of the camp of Israel and destroyed (which does not seem fair), so everything belonging to the city of Jericho had been laid waste. …[Achan] is no different from a pagan from the city of Jericho!’ (p.100).
After over 40 years of preaching I have now come to understand why Jesus used so many stories in his teaching. Dr Currid adopts a similar method. He frequently illustrates his teaching by referring to incidents from the past (often in the lives of Christians). These all show us how the Bible is relevant to the daily lives of each one of us.
‘Points to ponder’ are useful tools that appear at the end of each chapter. Here the author often relates Old Testament occurrences to New Testament teaching.
Every Christian believer would benefit spiritually by using this book to aid his or her study of the Bible. It will be of great benefit to all preachers and teachers of the God’s word, and I thoroughly recommend it.
Michael Bentley,
Bracknell
