The book of Joshua continues the story directly from Deuteronomy. Moses has died, and leadership passes to his assistant Joshua. Under Joshua, Israel crosses the Jordan River, enters the promised land, and receives its inheritance. The book shows that God keeps the promise he made to Abraham centuries earlier.
Who was Joshua?
Joshua had served alongside Moses for many years. He led Israel's army against the Amalekites (Exodus 17), accompanied Moses partway up Mount Sinai, and was one of only two spies — with Caleb — who trusted God at Kadesh (Numbers 14). His name means "the LORD saves". Interestingly, the Greek form of the name is Iesous — the same name as Jesus.
God's charge to Joshua (chapter 1)
Taking over from Moses was a daunting task. God encouraged Joshua with promises and commands:
"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, KJV)
God also told him to meditate on "this book of the law… day and night" (1:8). Success would come from obedience to God's word, not military strength alone.
The structure of Joshua
| Chapters | Theme |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | Entering the land |
| 6–12 | Taking the land |
| 13–21 | Dividing the land among the tribes |
| 22–24 | Serving God in the land |
Rahab and the spies (chapter 2)
Joshua sent two spies to Jericho. They were hidden by Rahab, a Canaanite woman, who had heard what God had done for Israel and believed: "the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath" (2:11). In return, the spies promised to spare her family if she tied a scarlet cord in her window. Rahab later appears in the family line of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) and is praised for her faith (Hebrews 11:31).
Crossing the Jordan (chapters 3–4)
The Jordan was in flood, but when the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the river, the waters stopped flowing, and the people crossed on dry ground — echoing the crossing of the Red Sea. They set up twelve stones as a memorial so that future generations would ask, "What mean ye by these stones?" (4:6).
The fall of Jericho (chapter 6)
Jericho was a strong walled city. God gave Joshua unusual instructions: march around the city once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, with priests blowing trumpets. When the people shouted, "the wall fell down flat" (6:20). The victory clearly belonged to God.
Failure at Ai (chapter 7)
After Jericho, Israel was defeated at the small town of Ai. The reason: Achan had secretly taken forbidden goods from Jericho. Sin within the community had consequences for everyone. Once the sin was dealt with, Israel took Ai.
Hard questions
Many readers find the conquest of Canaan troubling, especially the commands to destroy whole cities. Some helpful points:
- The Bible presents the conquest as God's judgement on the Canaanites' long-standing wickedness (Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:5), which included child sacrifice.
- It was a unique, limited event in history, not a pattern for God's people to follow today.
- Even within the story, Canaanites who turned to God, like Rahab, were spared.
- Israel was warned that the same judgement would fall on them if they behaved the same way — and later it did, in the exile.
Christians continue to wrestle honestly with these passages. A good commentary can help.
Dividing the land (chapters 13–21)
The land was divided among the tribes by lot. Caleb, at eighty-five, asked for the hill country still occupied by strong enemies, saying, "I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me" (14:11). Cities of refuge were set up to protect people who killed someone accidentally (chapter 20).
Joshua's farewell (chapters 23–24)
In his final speeches, Joshua reminded Israel of all God had done and challenged them to choose whom they would serve:
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15, KJV)
The people promised to serve the Lord, and Joshua renewed the covenant at Shechem.
Lessons from Joshua
- God keeps his promises — "There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken" (21:45).
- Courage comes from God's presence.
- Obedience to God's word is the key to faithful living.
- Hidden sin harms the whole community.
- Each generation must choose to serve God.
Continue with the book of Judges, or go back to Deuteronomy. See also the geography of Bible lands.