Joshua
“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this land wilt thou bring the people… only be thou very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee.” — Joshua 1:6-7 (KJV)
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Author: Traditionally Joshua (Son of Nun), completed by Eleazar after Joshua’s death (Joshua 24:29-31)
- Date Written: ~1400s BC
- Key Themes: Conquest, covenant faithfulness, divine warfare, rest, obedience, land distribution
- Chapters: 24
Summary
Joshua picks up where Deuteronomy left off — Moses is dead, and a new generation stands at the edge of the Promised Land. God commissions Joshua (Son of Nun), Moses’ aide and successor, to lead Israel across the Jordan River and into the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The book divides into four major sections:
- Chapters 1–4: Crossing the Jordan — God’s commission of Joshua, the spy mission to Jericho, the miraculous crossing of the Jordan on dry ground (mirroring the Red Sea crossing in Exodus).
- Chapters 5–12: Conquest of Central & Southern Canaan — Renewal of the covenant at Gilgal, the fall of Jericho, the disaster at Ai (caused by Achan’s theft), the victory at Ai, the Gibeonite deception, the southern campaign, and the northern campaign.
- Chapters 13–21: Division of the Land — The territory east of the Jordan given to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh; the western territory divided among the remaining nine-and-a-half tribes by lot; cities of refuge appointed; Levitical cities designated.
- Chapters 22–24: Closing Events — Dismissal of the eastern tribes, the great altar controversy, covenant renewal at Shechem, Joshua’s farewell, and his death at 110.
Joshua is a book of fulfillment — the promises made in Genesis are now being realized. But it’s also a warning: partial obedience is disobedience, and compromise with the Canaanite cultures will bring future trouble.
Key Characters
| Character | Role | Key Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua (Son of Nun) | Moses’ successor, leader of the conquest | Throughout |
| Eleazar | High priest, son and successor of Aaron | Joshua 14:1, 17:4, 19:51, 24:33 |
| Caleb | Faithful spy, receives Hebron as inheritance | Joshua 14 |
| Achan | Caused Israel’s defeat at Ai by taking devoted things | Joshua 7 |
| Rahab | Jericho harlot who protected Israelite spies | Joshua 2, 6 |
| The Gibeonites | Deceived Israel into a peace treaty | Joshua 9 |
| Jabin | King of Hazor, defeated in northern campaign | Joshua 11 |
| Levites | Receive cities instead of a tribal land inheritance | Joshua 21 |
Key Events
| Event | Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Death of Moses | Deuteronomy 34 | Moses dies on Mount Nebo, Joshua succeeds him |
| Commissioning of Joshua | Joshua 1 | God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous |
| Spies Sent to Jericho | Joshua 2 | Two spies hidden by Rahab in Jericho |
| Crossing the Jordan | Joshua 3–4 | Israel crosses on dry ground as Ark leads |
| Fall of Jericho | Joshua 6 | Walls fall after marching seven days |
| Sin of Achan | Joshua 7 | Israel defeated at Ai due to Achan’s theft |
| Battle of Ai | Joshua 8 | Victory after Achan’s judgment, covenant renewed |
| Renewal at Gilgal | Joshua 5 | Circumcision, Passover, manna ceases |
| Gibeonite Deception | Joshua 9 | Gibeonites trick Israel into a treaty |
| Battle of Gibeon | Joshua 10 | Sun stands still, great victory |
| Southern Campaign | Joshua 10 | Five kings defeated, southern Canaan conquered |
| Northern Campaign | Joshua 11 | Jabin of Hazor defeated, northern Canaan conquered |
| Division of the Land | Joshua 13–21 | Territory allotted by lot among the tribes |
| Cities of Refuge | Joshua 20 | Six cities appointed for accidental manslaughter |
| Levitical Cities | Joshua 21 | 48 cities given to the Levites |
| Eastern Tribes Return | Joshua 22 | Reuben, Gad, Manasseh cross back with altar controversy |
| Covenant Renewal at Shechem | Joshua 24 | ”As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” |
| Death of Joshua | Joshua 24:29–31 | Dies at 110, buried at Timnathserah |
| Death of Eleazar | Joshua 24:33 | High priest dies, buried in the hill country of Ephraim |
Important Places
| Place | Significance | Key Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Jericho | First city conquered, walls fell by divine miracle | Joshua 2, 6 |
| Ai | Second battle, initial defeat due to sin | Joshua 7–8 |
| Gilgal | First camp in Canaan, covenant renewal site | Joshua 4–5 |
| Gibeon | Deceptive treaty, great battle where sun stood still | Joshua 10 |
| Hazor | Capital of northern coalition, burned by Joshua | Joshua 11 |
| Shechem | Covenant renewal, “choose this day whom ye will serve” | Joshua 24 |
| Shiloh | Tabernacle set up here, central gathering place | Joshua 18:1 |
| Timnathserah | Burial place of Joshua | Joshua 24:30 |
| Jordan River | Miraculous crossing, boundary marker | Joshua 3–4 |
| Mount Ebal & Gerizim | Blessing and cursing ceremony | Joshua 8:30–35 |
Chapter Outline
| Chapters | Section | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commissioning | God calls Joshua to lead Israel into the land |
| 2 | Spies at Jericho | Rahab protects two spies |
| 3–4 | Crossing the Jordan | Ark leads, Jordan parts, twelve stones set up |
| 5 | Gilgal & Renewal | Circumcision, Passover, manna stops, Commander of Lord’s army appears |
| 6 | Fall of Jericho | Seven days of marching, walls fall |
| 7 | Sin of Achan | Defeat at Ai, Achan identified and judged |
| 8 | Victory at Ai | Ambush tactic, covenant read at Mount Ebal |
| 9 | Gibeonite Deception | Treaty made with Gibeonites through deceit |
| 10 | Southern Campaign | Sun stands still, five Amorite kings defeated |
| 11 | Northern Campaign | Hazor destroyed, all kings defeated |
| 12 | Summary of Conquest | 31 kings defeated, summary list |
| 13–14 | Eastern Tribes & Caleb | Reuben, Gad, Manasseh east; Caleb receives Hebron |
| 15–17 | Southern & Central Allotments | Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh receive territory |
| 18 | Benjamin & Remaining Tribes | Lot cast for Benjamin, Shiloh as Tabernacle site |
| 19 | Northern Allotments | Remaining seven tribes receive territory |
| 20 | Cities of Refuge | Six cities appointed |
| 21 | Levitical Cities | 48 cities for the Levites |
| 22 | Eastern Tribes Return | Altar controversy resolved |
| 23 | Joshua’s Farewell | Warnings to remain faithful |
| 24 | Covenant Renewal & Death | Shechem covenant, deaths of Joshua and Eleazar |
Cross-References
New Testament:
- Matthew 1:5 — Rahab in the lineage of Christ
- Hebrews 4:8 — “If Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day”
- Hebrews 11:30 — “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down”
- Acts 7:45 — Israel brought the tabernacle into the land under Joshua
Old Testament connections:
- Deuteronomy — Moses’ promises now fulfilled
- Judges — The unconquered territories left by Joshua lead to compromise
- Psalm 105:44-45 — “He gave them the lands of the heathen… that they might observe his laws”
- Nehemiah 9:22-25 — Later prayer remembers God giving Israel kingdoms and land
Key Verses
The Commission:
“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore rise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” — Joshua 1:2-3
The Command:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” — Joshua 1:9
Jericho Falls:
“And the walls fell down flat, and the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” — Joshua 6:20
The Famous Declaration:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15
The Warning:
“Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. For if ye do go altogether astray, and cleave to the remnant of these nations… so shall they be for snares and traps, and scourges unto your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish of the earth.” — Joshua 23:12-13
Notes & Reflections
- Joshua is both a military leader and a covenant mediator — he leads conquest AND reads the Law
- The book shows divine warfare: God fights for Israel, but Israel must obey
- The pattern is clear: obedience = victory, disobedience = defeat (Ai is the textbook example)
- Joshua’s personal faithfulness contrasts with the nation’s future unfaithfulness (Judges)
- The “rest” of Joshua is a type of the ultimate rest in Christ (Hebrews 4)
- Rahab — a Canaanite harlot — becomes an ancestor of Christ, showing grace extends beyond Israel
- The unconquered territories left at the end foreshadow the compromise that will plague Israel in Judges
- Caleb’s faithfulness at age 85+ shows that age is no barrier to serving God
- The covenant renewal at Shechem mirrors Deuteronomy — same choice: blessing or curse
Sequential Connections
- Preceded by: Deuteronomy — Moses’ farewell, covenant renewal
- Followed by: Judges — The era of apostasy and deliverance
Tags
OldTestament Historical Conquest Covenant Joshua PromisedLand DivineWarfare