The Book of Joshua

Author:

With the exception of the final five verses (24:29-33), this book is attributed to Joshua.

Setting:

Circa 1375 B.C.

Major Events:

Now that Moses is dead and an entire generation of Israelites have died out as well, God instructs Joshua to take the remaining people and cross into Canaan, the Promised Land. When they reach the city of Jericho, a prostitute by the name of Rahab helps Israelite spies to gain information about the strength of the Canaanite people. As a result of this help, Rahab is protected when the city is destroyed. God destroys the walled fortification of Jericho by telling the Israelite army to march around the wall while blowing their horns loudly and shouting. Joshua, with God's help, is successful in clearing out the idol-worshipping people-Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites from the land the Israelite people will possess. During one battle, God answers Joshua's prayer by performing a miracle, causing the Sun to stand still in the sky for an extra length of time allowing Joshua and his military campaign to complete a battle (10:1-15). The land is conquered and Joshua divides the land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joshua reminds the Israelites that they need to stay true to the God that protected them and brought them to the new land that they now possess when he says, "Now therefore put away...the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel" (24:23).

Transcendental:

Joshua is one of the few characters in the Bible who obeyed God completely and did everything right-was a strong leader, totally committed to God, who never fell into recorded sin or disobedience. He made only one mistake that is recorded in the Bible and that was to spare the Gibeonites rather than destroying them as he was instructed by God to do. Joshua was tricked into believing the Gibeonites had come from a faraway land and needed protection from their enemies. When Joshua discovered he had been tricked and had spared them, he turned the Gibeonites into slaves.

Take Away:

Joshua demonstrated how God blesses His people. The Promised Land was a gift from God to Joshua and the Israelites as were the military victories that Joshua was instrumental in carrying out.