Book 6 The Book Of Joshua
Who wrote the book of Joshua: Joshua (except the last portion, which was written by Elazar?)
When was book of Joshua written: Sometime before 1,000 B.C.
Why was book of Joshua written?
To provide us with the historical account of Israel’s entry into the Promised Land
To provide proof and reminders of God’s miraculous power, his love for his people, and the reliability of his promises
The book of Joshua has three main messages: God will never leave or forsake those who are faithful to him, nothing or no one can thwart God’s plans, and God always makes good on his promises.
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The delivery of these messages is loud and clear; being heard through God’s words to Joshua (and others), through God’s miracles, and through the actions of those who live faithful lives.
Be strong And Courageous
After Moses died and the people had mourned him for thirty days, God spoke to Joshua, telling him to get ready—to get the people ready—because they were going to cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. God’s words to Joshua were this: “…………
God went on to tell Joshua that he would be with him just as he was with Moses—to be strong and courageous. God’s assurances and reassurances to Joshua were many. ‘Be strong and courageous…be strong and very courageous’ are words he repeats several times.
Joshua, like Moses, had tremendous faith in the LORD and he was indeed very strong, courageous, and obedient.
An Unlikely Assistant
Following God and Joshua’s conversation about entering the Promised Land, Joshua sent two spies into the land—telling them to pay special attention to the city of Jericho, because that is where they would first enter their new homeland.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Joshua sent only two spies. If you will remember, he was one of twelve sent by Moses, but one of only two who reported favorably and with an attitude of faith, that they could indeed take their enemies and conquer the land God had promised to them.
Moses sent twelve—one for each tribe because that is what God had commanded him to do. This gave each tribe ‘equal say’ (even though God knew what that ‘say’ would be). But in sending only two, Joshua knew he would get a true and fair assessment of the situation by men who trusted in God’s promise to give them the land.
Joshua was also dealing with a much shorter time frame because God had told Joshua they had only three days left before crossing the river to begin the siege.
The spies Joshua sent went to Jericho and went to the house of a prostitute named Rahab. Rahab’s house was close to one of the city’s walls, making it an excellent hiding place/quick getaway.
Rahab, like so many others, knew of the Israelites and the divine protection and provision they enjoyed through the power of God. But unlike so many others, because of what she heard and saw, Rahab believed in God and recognized him as the one true God.
So when the spies arrived at her doorstep, Rahab readily took them in and hid them from her own people.
In return for Rahab’s kindness, the spies promised to spare the lives of Rahab and her family—as long as she hung a scarlet cord in the window of the house as a sign for the Israelites to know not to kill her and her family.
Both Rahab and the Israelites did as they said they would and Rahab and her family were spared when the Israelites took the city of Jericho. The experience obviously changed Rahab’s life because she married a descendant of Judah, the oldest son of Jacob (Israel).
Rahab’s husband was Salmon and they had a son they named Boaz. Boaz, as you will remember/learn, that married Ruth, the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi. Ruth and Boaz’s great-grandson was Being David, and many generations later, our Savior, Jesus.
The lesson to be learned and held deep in our hearts, souls, and minds, in the unlikely assistance from the prostitute Rahab is this: God can and does use whoever he wants and whatever situation he chooses to bring his plan into being.
No one is beyond God’s saving grace—no matter who you are or where you’ve been in life there is a path that leads to God if you choose to take it.
The Walls Fall Down
After the spies returned from Jericho Joshua began preparing the people to cross the Jordan River in order to take the city of Jericho as their own.
The account of crossing the river in Joshua, chapters three and four is filled with examples of God’s divine nature—proof once more that God can and will do anything necessary for those who put their faith in him and to bring his plans to fruition.
After crossing the Jordan River the Israelite army of 40;000 men celebrated the Passover Feast and on that night the manna stopped coming. Never again would the Israelites eat the manna they had eaten for forty years.
The sixth chapter of Joshua provides the details of bringing down the walls of Jericho. Again, the methods God used were extraordinary and miraculous. In resorting to such amazing tactics, God:
- Removes any cause for doubt from the people of Canaan that he (God) is the one true God
- Reminds the people of Israel that they are nothing without him (God) and that there is nothing they cannot accomplish when they live within the perimeters of the law He gave them
The walls of Jericho fell under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelites took the city; killing everyone but Rahab and her family.
Conquering And Dividing The Land
Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites continued taking over the entire land of Canaan. God was with them in every battle; giving them victory over their enemies just as he promised.
All but the final chapter of the book of Joshua is devoted to explaining how Joshua, according to God’s instructions, divided the land between the twelve tribes of Israel.
Joshua’s Farewell To The People
Joshua’s life was a living, breathing example of what it looks like to be a true and faithful servant of God. He listened and obeyed. He put aside his human doubts and fears in order to allow God to work in and through him. He faithfully and diligently led the Israelites into battle time and time again.
Once the land had been conquered and each tribe had settled into the areas assigned to them, Joshua called the people together for one last assembly with them.
In his ‘farewell address’ to the people he instructed them to throw away all foreign gods and yield their hearts wholly and solely to God. And to this, the people replied that they would serve God and only God.
Joshua died at the age of 110 and was buried in the land given to his people by God. No new leader had been appointed; leaving the duties of leadership to the priests and elders of the tribes. During their lifetimes the people of Israel followed God faithfully; remembering all he had done for them in bringing them to the Promised Land of Canaan.
Key Verses In Joshua
Every book of the Bible provides us with words of wisdom, instruction, comfort, encouragement, admonishment, warning, promise, and hope. Let’s look at some of what the Book of Joshua has to offer.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-7
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day that you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
“Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!” Joshua 24:16