Joshua

Reading Scripture Together

The book of Joshua takes place immediately after the conclusion of the Pentateuch and is the first of the historical books of the Bible. Through the leadership of Moses, the Lord redeemed his people from bondage and formalized his covenant with them at Mount Sinai. Following Moses’ death, the Lord uses Joshua to bring his people into the Promised Land and provides them rest. This article will cover the major themes discussed in our Bible studies as the Lord leads his people by the hand of Joshua.

Crossing into the Land

At the beginning of the book, the mantle of leadership is passed from Moses to Joshua by the Lord. God is preparing Joshua for the tumultuous journey ahead and to claim the land that he has promised to the Israelites. He specifically instructs Joshua to “be strong and courageous” and to meditate on the Book of the Law “day and night” while assuring him of his divine presence through the crossing. They are ready to enter the land and first must make the journey across the Jordan.

The exchange of leadership to Joshua is further conveyed through his actions. Joshua is a new Moses. He sends spies into the land as Moses did, he calls people to obey the Torah and maintain covenant faithfulness as Moses did, and he leads people into the promised land through a body of water as Moses did. This intentional symmetry highlights Joshua as a worthy successor of Moses and also highlights God’s sovereign power in leading his people. Moses was regarded as a great leader, but God’s plans move forward in spite of the death of great leaders. It magnifies God as the ultimate leader and diminishes reliance on human leadership.

As they enter into the Promised Land, Joshua is intent on making sure they are reminded of their covenant relationship with the Lord. They are here by the Lord’s provision and his promise to Abraham back in Genesis 12, 15, and 17 to make them into a great nation and to give them the land. Joshua ensures the covenant of circumcision is practiced and they feast to remember the Lord’s kindness in their lives. The Israelites are now in the Promised Land, but it is not yet under their control.

Taking the Land

Right before the Israelites take Jericho, Joshua is visited by the Commander of the Lord’s army (Joshua 5:13–15). When asked if he is for the Israelites or for the enemies, he responds by stating neither. This is God’s battle and the Israelites play a secondary role in his grand purposes and design. The victories of the battles are only made possible by the presence of the Lord.

The battles of Jericho and Ai serve as two examples of how the Lord assists Israel in taking the land. In the account of Jericho, the Israelites circle the wall seven days straight and blow their horns seven times on the last day. All of this highlights that God is the one who will deliver his people, his instructions are purposeful and intentional, and the Israelites need only depend on the Lord.

This account is contrasted with the battle of Ai, in which Achan takes the devoted things from their plunder and covets them for himself. In this, Israel is defeated in battle since they have disobeyed God’s commandments. God is a holy God and doesn’t tolerate the presence of sin among his people. Sin will be punished.

Both these accounts show that God is for his own glory. His purposes are to use Israel to achieve victory, but they must also obey him in the process.

In these battles, the people of the land are “totally destroyed” and there are “no survivors.” One may question why God is declaring war? Why does God allow this destruction and killing of people? It is to remember that God is bringing justice to human evil and is destroying moral corruption. The Canaanites are not righteous.They were known for their moral corruption (Leviticus 18) and child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:29–31). God does not tolerate evil, he does not tolerate corruption, he does not tolerate sin, and he will justly punish it. When the Israelites take the land, they are accomplishing the Lord’s plan for purging out evil.

Dividing the Land

Once they have conquered the land, it comes time for Joshua to divide it. Chapters 13–21 contain numerous minute details regarding the boundaries and allotments of geographical regions to the people. Its intricacies may be lost on modern readers, however, this section is of great importance in the covenantal promise of God and was imperative for the people of Israel at the time. God promised them the land and it is now here for them to receive. This is the land that they were promised from their Patriarch. This is the land they were promised from their slavery in Egypt. This is the land they were promised through their grumbling and groaning in the wilderness. That land is finally here! While these chapters are administrative in nature, it is the fulfillment of one of God’s great promises over many years of waiting. “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45).

Serving the Lord in the Land

Despite all that God has done for Israel during Joshua’s lifetime, Israel’s covenant life with Yahweh requires ongoing fidelity and obedience. The Lord has fulfilled his promise to his people and now it is time for his people to respond. They are charged with being united and exclusively worshiping the Lord alone.

Israel is at a high point in its history—made possible by the Lord. Now they must continue to serve, obey, and worship Yahweh exclusively as the covenant is renewed at Shecehm. Joshua implores the people to turn away from their idols and serve the Lord faithfully. He warns them that they will turn away, forsaking God and depriving themselves of the possibility of forgiveness. However, Israel’s response is to consistently reiterate their intention to serve the Lord. Joshua also accuses the people of maintaining false gods. This tension sets up a daunting question of how Israel will continue in faithful service in this next generation. This question will be answered in future books.

The book of Joshua provides a fitting end to the Patriarchal narratives. As Joshua dies and is buried, the bones of Joseph are buried at Shechem. Joseph’s final wish is granted (Genesis 50:25) and the promise to the patriarchs has been fulfilled. Israel has become a great nation. It stands in a blessed relationship to the Lord. And it has a land of its own.