Summary
God's faithfulness as Joshua leads Israel into the Promised Land and witnesses the fulfillment of God's promises.
by Dr. David Silver3 min read
Read the Summaryby Dr. David Silver3 min read
Joshua is the sixth book of the bible, following the Pentateuch. It is the sequel to Deuteronomy as Moses died and Joshua is commissioned as the new leader of Israel. The author is anonymous, though some think Joshua was the author. God is now fulfilling his covenant promise to Abraham about the Promised Land. Israel crosses the Jordan (supernaturally as with the Red Sea) and prepare for the land in the first five chapters. The conquest takes place in chapters 6-12, the allotment of the land in chapters 13-21, and they settle in the land in chapters 22-24.
The Lord gives Israel the land (Joshua 1: 2-4). Spies go into Jericho, their first target, and Rahab, the prostitute, hides them. Through a pact made, she saves herself and her family when the battle happens. The men get circumcised and the nation celebrates the Passover in preparation for holy war. Then a commander of the army of the Lord visits Joshua to give him the battle plan (Joshua 5: 13-15). Many believe this was a preincarnate appearance of Christ.
After marching around Jericho for seven days (seven times on the seventh day), the walls come tumbling down. The city is easily captured. However, Achan (his name means trouble) takes some of the devoted things (God has commanded not to do that) and makes Israel liable to defeat. Indeed, when going against the next major city, Ai, they are routed. God reveals the problem to Joshua and Achan get stoned with all his family. After that, Ai is destroyed. Israel renews the covenant.
The inhabitants of Canaan are becoming anxious with Israel’s momentum. The Gibeonites come to Joshua and the elders deceptively, acting like they came from a distant land. Without inquiring of the Lord, Israel makes a treaty with them (they were forbidden to make treaties with the Canaanites). When the kings of the Amorites hear about the treaty, they attack Gibeon for siding with Israel. This allows Israel to attack a large contingent of enemies in one battle. Joshua prays the sun would stand still until Israel kills its enemies in this battle and the Lord does it (Joshua 10: 13-14). In the rest of chapter 10 southern cities are conquered. In chapter 11 northern cities are conquered. Chapter 12 lists the defeated kings.
The land is divided up east and west of the Jordan. Both Caleb and Joshua (the two faithful spies in Numbers) are given cities. All the tribes are given their allotment in chapters 15-19. Cities of refuge and towns for the Levites are established in chapters 20-21. In chapter 22 the Eastern tribes return home.
In chapter 23, Joshua gives his farewell address. He reminds Israel to be obedient to the law of Moses and warns them not to turn away from the Lord to false gods and idols.
The book ends with a covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem. Joshua reviews Israel’s history and their deliverance out of Egypt. He emphasizes that God lead them into the Promised Land and gave them the victory. He challenges the people to serve the Lord. After this, Joshua died at the age of one hundred and ten and was buried in the land of his inheritance. Joseph’s bones, brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem. Eleazar son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah. So, they were all buried in the Promised Land.
Structure
Chapters 1–5
Joshua succeeds Moses, Rahab hides the spies, Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground, and the nation is consecrated for holy war.
Chapters 6–12
Jericho falls, Achan’s sin costs a battle, the Gibeonites deceive Israel into a treaty, and the southern and northern campaigns are won.
Chapters 13–21
Each tribe receives its inheritance, and cities of refuge and Levitical towns are set apart.
Chapters 22–24
Joshua charges Israel to obey the law of Moses and renews the covenant at Shechem: choose this day whom you will serve.
Key Themes
01
What God swore to Abraham about the land is finally given.
02
Victory follows obedience; Achan’s sin shows what one man’s disobedience costs a nation.
03
The conquest is God’s judgment on Canaan, fought at His command and by His power.
04
Rahab the Canaanite is spared and brought into the people of God.
05
Joshua’s last act is to call Israel to choose the Lord over the gods around them.
The Challenge We Face
Joshua bears the Hebrew form of the name Jesus, and he leads the people into the rest Moses could not give them. Hebrews takes up that very point: a greater rest remains, and a greater Joshua leads us into it.
The commander of the Lord’s army who meets Joshua with a drawn sword, and Rahab the outsider saved by a scarlet cord and named in the genealogy of Christ, point the same way.
Apply Scripture
God finishes what He promises, however long the wait.
Hidden sin does not stay private; it costs the whole community.
Acting without asking God — as Israel did with the Gibeonites — has long consequences.
God welcomes outsiders who put their trust in Him.
Faith has to be chosen again in each generation.
Study guides
You've seen the big picture. Now explore the book verse by verse with our practical Bible Study Guide.
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