Overview of Joshua

Introduction

Conquering The Land (1 - 12)

Allotment of Land (13 - 21)

Offensive Altar (22)

Joshua’s Farewell (23 - 24)

Chapter Summaries

Conquering The Land (1 - 12)

Genesis 12:1 - 3, the LORD promised to Abraham that his descendants would possess the land of Canaan, the Promised Land and this promise is passed down to Isaac and Jacob. Now, after wandering in the desert for 40 years, it is time for the LORD to lead the nation of Israel into the land of Canaan and conquer it. The first 12 chapters of Joshua detail this Holy War.

1 - The LORD’s charge to Joshua, then he assumes command.

After the death of Moses, the LORD calls Joshua the son on Nun to lead the nation of Israel across the Jordan to conquer the land. The LORD promises Joshua that He will be with Joshua, just like He was with Moses. He tells Joshua to be strong and courageous for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. He cautions Joshua to follow the law; tells him to meditate on it day and night, for following the law will make Joshua’s way prosperous. In verses 6 - 9, “be strong and courageous” is used three times.

Joshua commands the people to prepare for battle in three days. He commands the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to fight along with their brothers and then they can return to their land after the Promised Land is conquered.

2 - Rahab shelters spies in return for protection.

Joshua send two spies from Shittim into Jericho to view the land. The two spies hide into the house of a harlot named Rahab. She ask the spies to give her and her family protection when Israel destroys Jericho. She knew all that the LORD had done to Israel’s enemies. She even declares “..for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” Is she a believer? She sounds like one! The two spies require her to tie a cord of scarlet thread in her window and that anyone in her house will be safe. The two men returned and said to Joshua, “Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”

3 - Israel crosses the Jordan

The priests, carrying the ark of the covenant, led the people to the Jordan River. Once the feet of the priests were in the Jordan, the waters rose up in one heap. The priests stood firm on dry ground in the middle fo the Jordan while all the nation of Israel crossed.

4 - Memorial built with stones from the Jordan.

Twelve stones were taken from the Jordan and placed where Israel lodged. Joshua set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, where the priests feet were. 40,000 equipped for war crossed before the LORD to the desert plains of Jericho. The LORD exalted Joshua. The priests and the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth of the first month and camped at Gilgal. Joshua informs the people why the memorial was built. Joshua 4:24 “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.””

5 - Israel is circumcised

All the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised. Note Joshua 5:6 “For the sons of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, that is, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord, to whom the Lord had sworn that He would not let them see the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Once Joshua had circumcised them, they remained in their camp until they healed. The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

On the fourteenth of the month, they observed the Passover and the next day they ate some of the produce of the land and the next day the manna stopped.

Joshua sees a man with a sword and hits the ground in worship. The man says, “I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.” He then states: “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” The angel of the LORD, Jesus Christ, as promised by the LORD in Exodus! This is a christophany.

6 - Jericho conquered