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History · Old Testament · 24 chapters

The book of Joshua

The book of the conquest

Author
Joshua for the most part, according to tradition (24:26); the account of his death was added afterward, perhaps by Eleazar or Phinehas
Written
Around 1380 BC (according to the traditional dating)
Time covered
From the death of Moses to that of Joshua: the conquest and division of Canaan, some twenty-five to thirty years (around 1406–1380 BC)
Key word
Possession

Joshua tells of Israel’s entry into Canaan. God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous and to meditate on his law day and night. Rahab hides the spies in Jericho; the Jordan stops before the ark; the walls of Jericho fall after seven days of marching. Achan’s sin causes the defeat at Ai, but Israel gets back up. The Gibeonites obtain a treaty by trickery; the sun stands still over Gibeon; the coalitions of the south and the north are defeated. Then the land is divided by lot among the tribes, with Hebron for Caleb, cities of refuge and Levitical cities. Joshua concludes with a call: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (24:15).

Main theme

God keeps his word: he gives Israel the land promised to Abraham, on condition that the people advance by faith, obey his law and serve him faithfully — “all came to pass” (21:45).

Outline

  1. Joshua 1-5 — Entering the land

    Joshua’s call, Rahab and the spies, crossing the Jordan, circumcision and Passover at Gilgal.

  2. Joshua 6-12 — The conquest of Canaan

    Jericho, Ai, the Gibeonites, the campaigns of the south and north: thirty-one kings defeated.

  3. Joshua 13-21 — The division of the land

    Inheritance of the tribes, of Caleb and of Joshua; cities of refuge and cities of the Levites.

  4. Joshua 22-24 — Joshua’s farewell

    The altar by the Jordan, the final exhortations and the renewal of the covenant at Shechem.

Key points

  • The secret of Joshua’s success: meditating on the law day and night and putting it into practice (1:8).
  • Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, is saved by her faith and enters the Messiah’s line (2:11; 6:25; Matt 1:5).
  • The Jordan stops before the ark: God opens the way as at the Red Sea (3:15-17; 4:23).
  • The walls of Jericho fall by faith and obedience, with no military assault (6:20; Heb 11:30).
  • Achan’s hidden sin brings defeat on the whole people: one person’s sin touches the community (7:1-11).
  • Failing to consult the LORD leads to the trap of the treaty with Gibeon (9:14).
  • The land is divided by lot before the LORD: each tribe receives the inheritance God intends for it (18:10; 19:51).
  • God kept all his promises; it remains for the people to choose to serve him (21:45; 24:15).
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8 — The key to spiritual success: meditating on and practicing the Word of God.
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 — The believer’s courage rests on God’s presence with him.
There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45 — The verdict of the book: God fulfilled each of his promises.

Jesus in Joshua

Joshua and Jesus bear the same Hebrew name, which means “the LORD saves.” But Joshua did not give definitive rest (Heb 4:8); Jesus, the true captain of our salvation, brings us into God’s rest. The captain of the host of the LORD before whom Joshua bows down (5:14), the scarlet cord that saves Rahab and her entry into the Messiah’s genealogy (Matt 1:5) also foreshadow the Savior.

Did you know?

  • Joshua’s curse on Jericho was fulfilled to the letter some five centuries later: Hiel of Bethel rebuilt it at the cost of his sons Abiram and Segub (6:26; 1 Kgs 16:34).
  • The day the manna ceased was precisely the day after the first Passover celebrated in Canaan (5:11-12).
  • Joshua and Joseph both died at 110; Joseph’s bones, carried out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem at the end of the book (24:29, 32).

Quiz on Joshua

Who hid the two spies whom Joshua sent to Jericho?

How many times did the Israelites march around Jericho on the seventh day?

What happened when the priests carrying the ark set foot in the Jordan?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.