Joshua
The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites, Under Joshua’s leadership

Summary:
The book of Joshua follows the book of Deuteronomy both chronologically and historically. Deuteronomy closes with the death of Moses and Joshua begins, “After the death of Moses…” Moses along with an entire generation of Israelites who lived through slavery under Pharaoh and God’s hand of deliverance as he brought them through the Red Sea, have died. A new generation is being brought into the land that was promised to Abraham in his covenant with God back in Genesis. Joshua will be commissioned and empowered by God to lead the Israelites in pillaging and plundering the Canaanites. Although many people have a difficult time reading and understanding God’s character through this “bloody” book, it must be noted that this book and God’s command to “completely destroy” all living things that Israel encounters, is in keeping with God’s holiness. The Hebrew actually refers to “the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the LORD, often by totally destroying them.” Additionally, what we find in Joshua is the idea of “holy war.” Here everything that is not holy is to be destroyed. As we will see, Israel does not completely destroy what God tells her to destroy and it is due to their disobedience that they are eventually drawn to the worship of other gods.

Some important points to understand about the book of Joshua:

  • Joshua was a message by God given to a particular people at a particular place geographically at a particular time historically. We cannot easily draw ethical parallels regarding modern warfare from this book.
  • Joshua 1 begins with no less than four commands by God to “be strong and courageous.” Israel will be successful in taking the land in strength because God promises to be with them. Additionally, God promises success based on their obedience to the law…..a law they are to keep by meditating on it day and night.
  • The first half of Joshua chronicles the seven-year conquest of Canaan (Chaps. 1-12). The second half records the dividing and settlement of the land by the twelve tribes (Chaps. 13-24).
  • On a practical level, the book of Joshua teaches that blessing and victory come ultimately through obedience and trust in God. A faithful life leads one to be obedient to God and results in blessing (not necessarily material blessings as we in North America may believe).
  • Key verse: Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD you God will be with you wherever you go.