THE LIFE OF JOSHUA
God made three promises to Abraham: Nation, Land, and Seed.
While in Egyptian bondage, Abraham’s descendents grew into a nation; leaving, they became a free people.
Now the nation of Israel needs a home, and God is preparing to deliver on His Second Promise.
Joshua is the foremost character in the book that bears his name.
God names Joshua to be Moses’ successor (1:5 – 9).
God tells Joshua to be of good courage because He will not forsake him.
In three days, they will cross the River Jordan to claim their inheritance.
While in Egyptian bondage, Abraham’s descendents grew into a nation; leaving, they became a free people.
Now the nation of Israel needs a home, and God is preparing to deliver on His Second Promise.
Joshua is the foremost character in the book that bears his name.
God names Joshua to be Moses’ successor (1:5 – 9).
God tells Joshua to be of good courage because He will not forsake him.
In three days, they will cross the River Jordan to claim their inheritance.
The Spies and Rahab
In preparation for the first battle, Joshua sends in two spies to survey Jericho.
Rahab, a harlot, hides the spies; in return, they promise her and her family safety when Israel takes the city (2).
Rahab, a harlot, hides the spies; in return, they promise her and her family safety when Israel takes the city (2).
Crossing The River Jordan
Joshua commands the Levites to take the ark of the covenant into the river. When they did so, the water dried up and Israel crossed over on dry land (3). Twelve stones are taken out of the river bed and set up in Gilgal as a memorial. They camp at night before crossing (4). They are instructed to circumcise the boys and men who are uncircumcised (5). At Gilgal, Israel eats the produce of Canaan and the manna from heaven. (5:10 – 12) Joshua saw a messenger from God, standing with his sword drawn (5:13 – 15). Jericho’s inhabitants lock themselves within the walls of the city.
Taking Jericho
God’s instructions—men of war are to march around the city once a day, for six days. No speaking. Led by seven priests carrying trumpets and the ark of the covenant (6:1 – 11). On the seventh day, march around seven times, blow the trumpets, and shout. The walls will fall down! (6:15 – 21). They are not to take any of the “accursed” things (6:18, 19).
Failure at Ai
A man named Achan disobeyed God’s instructions. The small force sent to attack Ai was routed. Thirty-six men died (7:1 – 5). God tells Joshua there is sin in the camp. He is to find the guilty (7:6 – 15). Achan is found guilty; he and his family are put to death (7:16 – 26).
They Take Ai
5000 men attack from the west, and the rest from the north. Ai saw Israel and went out to attack them, abandoning the city—ambushers attacked and burned the city! (8:16 – 20) Ai’s army saw the smoke, and they had no power to flee. Israel easily defeated them. (8:21 – 25) Spoils of the city were divided among the people (8:27).
Blessings and Cursings
After the victory, Joshua built an Altar on Mt. Ebal, and they offered sacrifices to the Lord (8:30, 31). Joshua reads the law, and Israel renews her covenant. Half stand in front of Mt. Ebal, and half in front of Mt. Gerizim (8:32 – 35).
The Gibeonites
Gibeon heard about Jericho and Ai and sought to make a covenant with Israel (9:3). To deceive Israel, they dressed as if they had traveled a long way (9:3 – 6). Israel had been forbidden to make covenants with the people of Canaan, but Joshua did not consult the Lord (9:8 – 15). When Israel learned the truth, they kept the oath and did not attack Gibeon (9:17 – 21). The Gibeonites became their servants (9:24 – 26).
Joshua conquered all the southern part of Canaan. Now he turns his attention to the north and defeats an alliance of its kings (11). Israel has defeated 31 of Canaan’s kings and is now in control of the land (12). Still, some parts of Canaan remain unconquered (13:1 – 7).
Dividing The Land; The Inheritance
The land will be divided among the tribes according to the numbers of people in the tribes. The Levites received 48 different cities within the borders of the different tribes. Different Levite families received different cities (21). The tabernacle was set up at Shiloh (18). They appointed six cities of refuge (20).
A Problem for The Eastern Tribes
Now that Canaan is secure, Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh return home (22:1 – 9). Upon returning, they erected an altar. The other tribes thought they were rebelling (22:10 – 12). The High Priest and ten other priests went to investigate (22:13 – 20). The altar wasn’t built for worship; it was to witness to their brethren that they were partakers of the same covenant (22:21 – 29).
All The Land Is Given
“So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.” (Joshua 21:43 – 45, NASB)
Joshua’s Warnings
“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. It shall come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you. When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.” (Joshua 23:14 – 16, NASB)
Joshua Dies
The people agree to follow God (24:16 – 22). Joshua sets up a stone to be a witness of the covenant between God and the people (24:23 – 28). Joshua dies at the age of 110; Eleazar, the High Priest, also dies (24:29 – 33). Joseph’s bones, brought from Egypt, are buried at Shechem which Jacob had bought for a burial plot (24:32).
Joshua’s Final Challenge
¨“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14 – 15, NASB)