Joshua Introduction
The Book of Joshua details Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land after Moses’ death. Led by Joshua, the Israelites experience victories and setbacks, demonstrating the power of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience. The book emphasizes God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, and Joshua’s leadership reflects courage, faith, and dependence on God. Joshua can be seen as a type of Christ, leading God’s people to victory and rest. The book divides into three parts: conquest of Canaan, division of the land, and Joshua’s farewell.
Chapter 1:
God commands Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. He promises success if Joshua is strong, courageous, and obedient to the law. Joshua prepares the people and the army for the upcoming conquest, sending messengers to rally the tribes. The people affirm their loyalty to Joshua, pledging to follow him as they did Moses, and preparing to take possession of the land.
Chapter 2:
Joshua sends two spies to scout out Jericho. They stay at Rahab’s house, a prostitute, who hides them from the king of Jericho’s men. Rahab acknowledges God’s power and asks for protection when Israel attacks. The spies agree to spare her and her family if she ties a scarlet cord in her window. The spies report back to Joshua, confirming that the Lord has given them the land.
Chapter 3:
The Israelites prepare to cross the Jordan River. God promises to exalt Joshua before all Israel. The priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the Jordan, and as their feet touch the water, the river stops flowing, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This miraculous event echoes the Red Sea crossing, affirming God’s continued presence with them.
Chapter 4:
After crossing the Jordan, God commands Joshua to set up twelve stones as a memorial to this miracle. One man from each tribe takes a stone from the Jordan, and Joshua places them where they camp that night. These stones serve as a sign to future generations, reminding them of God’s power and faithfulness in bringing Israel into the Promised Land.
Chapter 5:
The Israelites renew their covenant with God by circumcising all the males born in the wilderness. They celebrate the Passover for the first time in the Promised Land, and the manna ceases as they begin to eat the land’s produce. Joshua encounters a divine being, the Commander of the Lord’s army, signaling that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Chapter 6:
God gives Joshua the battle plan for Jericho. For six days, the Israelites march around the city once a day, led by priests carrying the Ark. On the seventh day, they march around seven times, shout, and the walls of Jericho fall. They destroy everything in the city except Rahab and her family, fulfilling the promise to her. The city is burned, and Joshua declares it cursed.
Chapter 7:
Israel suffers defeat at Ai because Achan disobeys God’s command and takes spoils from Jericho. Joshua seeks God’s guidance, and Achan’s sin is revealed. He and his family are punished, and the stolen items are destroyed. This chapter emphasizes the serious consequences of disobedience to God’s commands.
Chapter 8:
After dealing with Achan’s sin, God instructs Joshua on how to defeat Ai. This time, Israel prevails by setting an ambush. Joshua renews the covenant by building an altar, offering sacrifices, and reading the Law to the people, including blessings and curses. The victory reaffirms God’s favor when Israel is obedient.
Chapter 9:
The Gibeonites deceive Israel into making a peace treaty by pretending to be from a distant land. Israel fails to seek God’s counsel and makes a covenant with them. When the truth is discovered, the Gibeonites are spared but made servants. This chapter illustrates the importance of seeking God’s guidance in all decisions.
Chapter 10:
Five Amorite kings unite to attack Gibeon for making peace with Israel. Joshua leads a surprise attack and, with God’s help, defeats the kings. During the battle, Joshua prays, and God makes the sun stand still to prolong the daylight. The five kings are captured and executed. Israel continues to conquer other cities in the region, showing God’s direct involvement in their victories.
Chapter 11:
Joshua faces another alliance of kings, this time in the north. God assures him of victory, and Joshua leads Israel to defeat this larger enemy. He burns the city of Hazor and utterly destroys the enemy forces, fulfilling God’s command to leave no survivors. The chapter summarizes Israel’s conquest of the entire land, emphasizing their total obedience to God’s command.
Chapter 12:
This chapter lists the kings and territories defeated by Moses and Joshua. It includes the land east of the Jordan taken by Moses from Sihon and Og and the land west of the Jordan conquered by Joshua. Thirty-one kings are named, marking the completeness of Israel’s military success in taking the Promised Land.
Chapter 13:
God tells Joshua that much land remains to be conquered. The chapter outlines the territories yet to be taken and recounts the division of the land on the east side of the Jordan among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. God also commands the Israelites to continue their conquest, but the focus begins shifting to settling the land.
Chapter 14:
The land west of the Jordan is divided among the tribes of Israel. Caleb, one of the original spies, asks Joshua for the hill country of Hebron, which had been promised to him because of his faithfulness to God. Caleb’s request is granted, and at 85 years old, he leads the conquest of his inheritance, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God’s promises.
Chapter 15:
This chapter details the boundaries of the tribe of Judah’s inheritance, including cities and regions. Special attention is given to Caleb’s conquest of Hebron and his offer of his daughter Achsah’s hand in marriage to anyone who captures the city of Debir. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, succeeds, and Achsah requests and receives additional land with springs of water.
Chapter 16:
The boundaries of the inheritance of the tribes of Ephraim and half of Manasseh are described. The Ephraimites do not drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, allowing them to stay and live among them as forced labor. This failure to completely conquer the land would later cause problems for Israel.
Chapter 17:
This chapter describes the land given to the other half of the tribe of Manasseh. The daughters of Zelophehad request and receive an inheritance, fulfilling God’s promise. The Manassites are also unable to completely drive out the Canaanites, and Joshua encourages them to expand their territory by conquering the forested hill country.
Chapter 18:
The Israelites gather at Shiloh to set up the tabernacle. Joshua instructs the remaining seven tribes to survey the land and divide it among themselves. The chapter focuses on the allocation of land to the tribe of Benjamin, describing its boundaries and listing the cities within its territory.
Chapter 19:
The rest of the land is divided among the remaining tribes: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. Joshua also receives an inheritance, the city of Timnath Serah, as a reward for his leadership. This chapter concludes the division of the land, with each tribe receiving its portion according to God’s promise.
Chapter 20:
God commands the establishment of six cities of refuge, where people who accidentally kill someone can flee for protection until they stand trial. These cities provide a safeguard against revenge killings, ensuring justice is carried out properly. The chapter emphasizes the importance of mercy and fairness in Israel’s judicial system.
Chapter 21:
The Levites receive towns and pasturelands within the territories of the other tribes since they do not have a separate inheritance. Forty-eight towns are allocated to the Levites, fulfilling God’s command. The chapter concludes by highlighting that God fulfilled all His promises to Israel, giving them the land and peace on every side.
Chapter 22:
Joshua dismisses the eastern tribes—Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh—to return to their lands after helping conquer Canaan. They build an altar by the Jordan River, which alarms the other tribes, fearing rebellion. The eastern tribes explain that the altar is a witness to future generations, affirming their loyalty to God. Conflict is averted, and peace is restored.
Chapter 23:
Joshua, nearing the end of his life, calls Israel’s leaders together and reminds them of God’s faithfulness. He warns them to remain obedient and not associate with the remaining nations or their gods. Joshua urges them to love and serve the Lord, warning that disobedience will result in disaster, just as God fulfilled His promises to bless them.
Chapter 24:
Joshua gathers all the tribes at Shechem and recounts Israel’s history, from Abraham’s call to their recent conquest of Canaan. He challenges them to serve the Lord alone and reject the gods of the surrounding nations. The people renew their covenant with God, and Joshua sets up a stone as a witness to their commitment. Joshua dies, and Israel serves the Lord during the lifetime of the elders who outlived him.