Joshua
Book Type
Book of history, the sixth book of the Old Testament and the BibleIntroduction to the Book of Joshua
Joshua is about bravery, rooted in faith in Yahweh. The book of Joshua takes place just after the death of Moses, Israel’s longtime leader. It begins with God commissioning Moses’ successor, Joshua, to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River to take possession of the land that had long ago been promised to their forefather Abraham (Josh 1:1–5; compare Gen 17:8). In the narrative, the Israelites engage in a military campaign against the nations that already live in the promised land, Canaan. Eventually, through God’s intervention, they settle the land and allot territories to their 12 tribes (Josh 14:1–5).The narrative does not merely recount the events of the conquest of Canaan; it also interprets these events theologically. At the end of the book, Joshua charges Israel to choose Yahweh as their God, and the Israelites symbolically renew their covenant with Yahweh.The account of Israel’s soldiers walking around Jericho until its walls came tumbling down is one of the most famous in the Bible. Joshua had served as Moses’ apprentice, so when God appointed Joshua as Israel’s leader, he was ready. He led the Israelites across the Jordan River and through two campaigns that enabled them to settle the hill country of Canaan. As they began to live there, Joshua divided the land among Israel’s twelve tribes. The book of Joshua reveals much about God, who judges sin and faithfully keeps his promises.The book of Joshua is named for the most famous member of the Israelites in the generation after the death of Moses. The book describes the history of the generation that crossed the Jordan River and entered the promised land of Canaan. Their battles and faithfulness have a place among the greatest stories of faith in the Old Testament. Joshua led the people to defeat the adversaries who opposed God’s people. He then oversaw the division of the land into the tribal allotments. Finally, Joshua renewed the covenant between the people and God.Theme & Overview
God enables Joshua to lead the armies of Israel to victory over the Canaanites in the promised land. Have you ever wished for a second chance? Maybe you squandered a rare opportunity. Maybe you tried something, but your attempt failed. Or maybe you wasted a precious gift or a valued friendship. The NIV Quest Study Bible says the book of Joshua reminds us that God often offers us a second chance. Though the Israelites failed to enter the promised land the first time because of their lack of faith, and though they wasted 40 years because of their failure, God gave the next generation another opportunity. The Israelites had learned their lesson, and the results were different the second time around. In the book we also learn more about God, including his purposes and how he works in human lives. The book of Joshua is where we’re told to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (1:9).The book of Joshua emphasizes the importance of faith, in both times of war and peace. Joshua’s faith in Yahweh allows him to act courageously as he takes over for Moses and leads Israel into the promised land. He acts in obedience, even when God’s strategy does not seem to make sense—such as marching around Jericho and blowing trumpets until the city’s walls collapse (ch. 6). Joshua’s faith is an act of obedience grounded in Yahweh’s promise to never fail him or abandon him (1:5).The prostitute Rahab also acts faithfully by risking her life and the lives of her family to hide the spies Joshua sent into Jericho. She has seen the powerful acts of Yahweh and acknowledges that He is the God of heaven and earth (2:8–11). In addition, the tribes that settle east of the Jordan—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh—act in faith by returning to their territories and building their own altar as a symbol that they are also part of Yahweh’s covenant people, united with the tribes west of the Jordan (22:21–30). Joshua gathers all the tribes at Shechem, where they renew their pledge of faithfulness to Yahweh (24:1–28).Behind the physical warfare of Joshua is a spiritual battle. Yahweh issues war on nations ruled by evil powers (Lev 18:24–30; Num 22; Deut 9:4–6; 12:31; 32:8–9, 43; 1 Sam 5; compare Eph 6:12); Yahweh aims to show that He is the God of order and justice who will rightfully lay claim to the world that is His. Yahweh uses the land of Israel as a starting point to reclaim the world.Although the book of Joshua tells about the Israelites’ battles, the main focus is on Yahweh’s faithfulness to His people—as He protects them in battle, gives them the land He had promised, and restores peace among them. The people of Israel were responsible for choosing to follow God and wholeheartedly obey His covenant (Josh 1:7; 23:6), just as we are responsible to follow and obey Him today. If we do, we too will know God’s faithfulness.Yahweh continues to fight against sin and evil (Eph 6:12). As followers of Jesus, God calls us to take up His armor and join Him in this spiritual battle for the betterment of our broken world (Eph 6:10–18).Joshua recounts part two of God’s grandest work of redemption in the OT period. In part one (the Pentateuch), under the leadership of Moses, the Lord redeemed his people out of bondage in Egypt and formalized his covenantal love for them at Sinai. Now in part two, under the leadership of Joshua, the Lord as divine Warrior brings his people into the Land of Promise and gives them “rest.”Author
Unknown, though certain sections may derive from Joshua himself. The Book of Joshua does not explicitly name its author. More than likely Joshua the son of Nun, the successor of Moses as leader over Israel, penned / wrote much of this book. The latter part of the book was written by at least one other person after the death of Joshua. It is also possible that several sections were edited / compiled following Joshua’s death.Joshua, son of Nun. Joshua served as Israel's leader following the death of Moses. He had previously served as the Moses' aide, had explored the Promised Land with the 12 spies, and had led the Jews in military battle while in the wilderness.Recipients
Joshua is written to the Jewish people who first entered the land of Israel. These people experienced the initial fulfillment of God's promises to provide a land and a nation to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3). This book preserves the history of Israel following the death of Moses. In particular, Joshua notes preparations to cross the Jordan River, the conquest of the land, and the divisions of the land to the tribes of Israel. Date
Likely written between 1400 and 1370 BC.Background
Joshua and the subsequent Old Testament books (Judges, 1–2 Samuel, and 1–2 Kings) relate Israel’s history using the framework set out in Deuteronomy: When the Israelites are faithful to their covenant with Yahweh, things go well for them and they receive God’s blessing. But when they violate the covenant, they experience war and suffering.The historical period for Israel’s conquests described in Joshua is uncertain, but there are two common options—either around 1400 BC or around 1220 BC. Both dates fall within the period of ancient Near Eastern history known as the Late Bronze Age (1550–1200 BC). This was a time of upheaval and regional conflict in Canaan.When Israel left Egypt, they left a nation that had been the most powerful, prosperous, and secure on earth. But God intervened on Israel’s behalf, and Egypt was devastated. Then the Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness because they refused to believe that God could do for them in Canaan what he had already done in bringing them out of Egypt. The disbelieving generation died and a new generation came of age. The new generation believed God’s promises and was ready to invade the land of Canaan.The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
The book of Joshua emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The patriarchs had traversed the land as resident aliens; now their descendants occupied it as the beneficiaries of God’s faithfulness to his promise. Even the burials at the close of the book emphasize that point. Whereas Abraham had to buy a small parcel of land to bury Sarah, now Joseph, Joshua, and Eleazar were honored with burials in the territory God had given to their descendants.God desires and pursues relationships with people. God began to bring the human race back to himself by calling out a man (Abraham), his family, and finally the nation descended from him (Israel), through whom he could bring redemption to the world. The book of Joshua demonstrates how God brought the Israelites into the land promised to their ancestors. The book proves that God speaks and acts with integrity, and it shows that God can be trusted to fulfill his promises.The book of Joshua conveys this message in both subtle and obvious ways. The scouts’ faithfulness to Rahab and her family reflects and affirms the faithfulness of the God who had brought them to her house. Caleb’s inheritance at the beginning of the tribal allotments and Joshua’s at the end bear testimony to God’s recognition of those who remain faithful to him throughout their lifetime.Joshua records that Israel constructed stone memorials throughout the country. These monuments served as visual aids for teaching generations of Israelite children about God’s absolute faithfulness. These stone monuments crumbled or were carried away for use in construction, but the book of Joshua itself remains as an enduring memorial, still giving testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness.The book of Joshua records disturbing events. Israel destroyed Jericho and Ai and all their people. Many Israelites, including Achan and his family, died because of Achan’s sin. God fought the Canaanite coalitions that tried to prevent Israel from establishing themselves in the land. These and other episodes remind readers of the deadly seriousness of sin.In a culture where women and their rights were held with little or no regard, Joshua records divine enlightenment. When the land was allocated among the clans of Manasseh, the daughters of Zelophehad received their father’s inheritance, as God had instructed. Rahab’s saving of the two young scouts in the dramatic opening episode of the book also provides a radically positive assessment of a woman’s place in God’s economy.The book of Joshua has much for contemporary readers to ponder—about God himself, the consequences of human good and evil, and God’s passionate commitment to human redemption and the restoration of the divine-human relationship.COMMISSION OF A NEW LEADER: Chapter 1 establishes Joshua as a divinely appointed leader and as the successor to Moses. God addressed Joshua directly, promising both the land that he promised to Moses (Dt 34:4) and his divine presence (Jos 1:3–5). The commands to be strong and courageous (1:6, 7, 9) define the mission of Joshua. The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River was God’s means of exalting Joshua in the eyes of all Israel (4:14).HOLY WAR: Joshua’s military leadership recurs throughout the first twelve chapters of the book. Its theological dimensions raise questions about the extermination of all people from the land. How could a loving God allow such a slaughter? Appeals to the sovereignty of God and his wrathful judgment may be made. A complementary explanation focuses on the exceptions of Rahab’s family and of the Gibeonites, who escaped divine wrath through their confession of faith in Israel’s God (2:8–13; 9:9–10, 24–25).LAND AS AN INHERITANCE: Joshua’s allocation of the land in chaps. 13 –21 continued the process already begun by Moses in Transjordan. Insofar as God was giving this land to his people as an inheritance, the tribal allotments take on a covenantal character. This land inheritance formed the material wealth of the families of Israel.THE COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND ISRAEL: The covenant making over which Joshua presided dominates the book. It is explicitly detailed in 8:30–35 and 24:1–28. In both of these sections, Joshua’s leadership established Israel in a close relationship with God. God’s grace enabled the nation to occupy its land and to worship God alone. The circumcision and Passover celebration in chap. 5, as well as the theological role of the tribal allotments as part of Israel’s covenantal inheritance from God, suggest that fulfillment of the covenant is an integral part of the book.GOD AS HOLY AND AS DELIVERER: The character of God is evident throughout the book, especially in terms of his holiness and his saving acts. Divine holiness occurs in the ceremonies where God separated Israel from the other nations (4:19–24; 5:1–3, 13–15; 22:26–27; 24:26–27). The saving acts of God are clearly represented in the military victories of the people.CONTRIBUTION TO THE BIBLEJust as Joshua’s leadership begins with the death of Moses, so the book of Joshua follows and completes the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy serves as a means by which the new generation of Israelites renewed their covenant with God. The book of Joshua provides the means by which God fulfilled his part of the covenant. God gave them victories, but each victory required a step of faith. God’s provision for the people as their leader and guide bore witness to later generations of the divinely willed leadership for Israel, and his gracious gift of the land showed how the people’s faithful fulfillment of the covenant could result in abundant blessing.Key Verses (ESV)
Joshua 1:6–9: "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 24:14–15: "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."Key Passages (NLT)
Jos 1:1–9 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving…Jos 8:30–35Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal. He followed the commands that Moses the Lord’s servant had written in the Book of Instruction: “Make me an altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools.” Then…Jos 15:63But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.Jos 19:47But the tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of their land, so they attacked the town of Laish. They captured it, slaughtered its people, and settled there. They renamed the town Dan after their ancestor.Jos 24:26–33Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the terebinth tree beside the Tabernacle of the Lord. Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the Lord said to us.Structure & Outline 1
Joshua can be divided into three sections. The first section (Josh 1–12) describes the conquest of Canaan, including the battle of Jericho and the observance of the first Passover in the promised land.The second section (chs. 13–21) outlines the allotment of land to the 12 tribes of Israel. The Levites receive no tribal territory, but rather settle in cities throughout the other tribes’ lands where they can serve as spiritual leaders (ch. 21).The third section deals with the Israelites’ covenant with Yahweh (chs. 22–24). The tribes that settle east of the Jordan build a commemorative altar, which raises concerns that they are violating regulations about the proper place of worship (ch. 22). The now-elderly Joshua assembles the Israelites at the city of Shechem and leads them in reaffirming their commitment to serve Yahweh alone (chs. 23–24).Outline • God commissions Joshua (1:1–18) • Israel conquers the land (2:1–12:24) • Joshua distributes the land (13:1–21:45) • Joshua’s farewell address (22:1–24:33)Outline 2
This book consists of 24 chapters which form four major sections. First, chapters 1—5 describe the events related to the nation of Israel entering the Promised Land. Joshua is commissioned and begins to lead the people (Joshua 1). Rahab hides the spies sent to view the land (Joshua 2). The people consecrated themselves followed by a miraculous parting of the Jordan River (Joshua 3). Twelve stones are established as a memorial of remembrance (Joshua 4). The new generation is circumcised (Joshua 5:1–9), the first Passover takes place in the new land (Joshua 5:10–12), and the angel of the Lord appears to Joshua with instructions (Joshua 5:13–15). The second major section consists of the main battles waged as Israel conquered the land. Three campaigns took place, including a central effort involving Jericho (Joshua 6:1—8:35), a southern campaign (Joshua 9—10), and a northern campaign (Joshua 11). The remainder of chapters 11 and 12 provides a summary of the military actions taken during this time.The third major section covers chapters 13–22. This passage features instructions related to distributing the newly acquired land to the Israelites. This includes instructions regarding land yet to be conquered, already settled land east of the Jordan River (Joshua 13), allotment of land west of the Jordan River (Joshua 14—19), establishment of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20) and the towns of the Levites (Joshua 21), and recording of the eastern tribes returning to their land (Joshua 22).The fourth major section includes two speeches by Joshua (Joshua 23—24). These speeches encourage faithfulness to the Lord as well as Joshua's farewell to the people. The book ends with a description of the death of Joshua, at the age of 110, as well as burial of the bones of Joseph and the death of Eleazar the son of Aaron.