The Book is called after Moses’ successor, Joshua, the leader of the chosen people. It narrates how, aided by God, Joshua, with the people of Israel, entered and conquered the Promised Land which was then divided by lot amongst the tribes.
1.The Lord Speaks to Joshua. God encourages Joshua and repeatedly tells him to be
strong and take courage. God once again defines the area which is to be given to his
chosen people. Joshua 1:1-9.
2. Joshua prepares the people for the conquest. Women and cattle are to stay on the east
of the Jordan while the men cross over and fight. Joshua 1:10-15.
3.The people accept Joshua. They will obey him as they obeyed Moses. Joshua 1:16-18.
4. The exploration of Jericho. Jericho stands in the path of an advance into the promised
land so has to be the first place to conquer. The two spies enter the house of a harlot.
By so doing it is less likely that they will arouse suspicion. The harlot, Rahab, has
heard the story of the Israelites, how they crossed the Red Sea and how God has been with
them throughout their time in the desert. She protects them and hides them. Joshua 2:1-7.
B.C.
5. She makes a pact that she will help them if they promise to save her and her family.
They agree. (It is believed that Rahab later changed her immoral way of life and lived
among the Israelites. See Joshua 6:22-25.) Joshua 2:8-24.
6. Crossing the Jordan. The Ark of the Covenant is carried in front of the army of
Israelites. The waters of the river Jordan cease to flow even though it was the time of
flood waters. As with the Red Sea they cross on dry land. The Ark of the Covenant remains
in the middle of the river-bed. Joshua 3:1-17. (In 1927 an earthquake caused a blockage of
the river water which lasted for twenty one hours.)
7. Twelve stones are taken and used as a monument to the river crossing. The Ark of the
Covenant is carried out of the river-bed and the waters return. Thus the people revered
Joshua as they had Moses. Joshua 4:1-24.
8. Circumcision. This had not been practised during the forty years in the desert. Now,
was the time for the new generation to renew their Covenant with God. (Bronze knives would
have been available but flint was used as a traditional method.) Joshua 5:1-8.
9. The ‘manna’ has stopped as the people are now able to prepare their bread
from the produce of Canaan. Joshua 5:9-12.
10. The fall of Jericho. The ‘man’ with the sword was an angel of the Lord. Thus
Joshua is assured of victory. Joshua 5:13-15.
11. For six days The Ark of the Covenant is carried around Jericho proceeded by seven
trumpeters and followed by the Israelite army. On the seventh day they encircled the city
seven times and at Joshua’s command the people shout and the trumpets blast. The
walls of Jericho fall. Rahab and her family are saved. Every other living thing is
destroyed men, women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. Joshua 6:1-23.
12. The city is burned but gold and silver and articles of bronze and iron are saved and
put into the treasury of the Lord. Joshua 6:24-25.
13. Joshua pronouces a curse on the city and on anyone who may rebuild it. Joshua 6:26-27.
(The curse was fulfilled when Hiel sacrifices his eldest and youngest sons. See 3 Kings
16:34)
14. Achan of the tribe of Judah had kept a robe and some gold and silver for himself. For
this sin the Israelites were defeated by the people of Ai. God tells Joshua that the
defeat is due to stealing which is a breaking of the Covenant. Achan owns up to his sin
and is stoned to death and his stolen items burned. Then the Lord turns from his anger.
Joshua 7:1-26.
15. Ai destroyed. At the Lord’s command Joshua sets a trap and the people are routed.
This time the Israelites are allowed to keep the plunder for themselves. The only person
of Ai to be saved is their King and he is then hung on a tree. The city is raised to the
ground. Joshua 8:1:29. B.C.
16. Joshua builds an altar on Mount Ebal and renews the Covenant with God. He copies the
Ten Commandments onto stone. He then reads the whole of the words of the law - blessings
and curses. Listening were the whole assembly of Israel, including women and children, and
the aliens who lived with them. Joshua 8:30-35.
17. Through fear the people of Gibeon trick the Israelites into making a treaty of peace.
Although Joshua eventually realises he has been tricked he cannot break the treaty.
Instead the Gibeonites are reduced to slaves. Joshua 9:1-27.
18. Other Kings in the area of Gibeon hear of the treaty and plot to destroy Gibeon. The
Gibeonites send a message to Joshua asking for his help. The unusual weather seems to have
helped in routing the enemy. "More of them died from the hailstones than were killed
by the Israelites." The Bible story also tells of the "sun stopping in the
middle of the sky." All the southern cities of that area were conquered. Joshua
10:1-43.
19. Northern cities destroyed. Joshua and his army destroyed the cities of the North just
as they had done in the South. In all thirty-one Kings had been killed. Joshua 11:1-23.
& 12:1-24.
20. God tells Joshua of the land that is still to be defeated and defines the areas to be
given to the nine tribes plus half of the tribe of Manasseh. (The Levites as priests are
not given a territory, God is their inheritance. The other half of the Tribe of Manasseh
and the Reubenites and Gadites had already chosen territory to the East of the Jordan. See
Numbers 32:1-42.) Joshua 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19.
21. Cities of Refuge. The Lord tells Joshua to set designated cities of refuge. These were
a safeguard against vengeance protecting any who caused accidental death. Joshua 20:1-9.
22. Towns for the Levites. They are given forty eight cities which ensure that they are
dispersed amongst the tribes. Joshua 21:1-45.
23. The Eastern Tribes, having kept their obligations to help in the conquest, return home
with Joshua’s blessing and a share of the plunder. Fear that they may be forgotten
prompts them to build an altar as a witness and token of solidarity. Joshua 22:1-34.
24. Joshua, in his old age, summons all the elders, leaders, judges and officials of all
the tribes. No single successor is being appointed. It is therefore vital to ensure that
everyone keeps the law and remains faithful to God Joshua 23:1-16.
25. The Covenant is renewed. Joshua recites the story of the Israelites from Abraham
through to their present day. He exhorts the people to continue to serve the Lord with all
faithfulness. The people answer "Far be it from us to foresake the Lord". Joshua
24:1-27.
26. Joshua dies and is buried at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. Joshua
24:28-31.
27. Joseph’s bones, which had been brought from Egypt, are buried at Schechem in a
tract of land which his father, Jacob, had bought. Joshua 24:32.
28. Joshua’s son Eleazar dies and is buried at Gibeah. Joshua 24:33.