The Book of Joshua
Joshua Installed as Leader in Chapter 1
Moses died at the end of Deuteronomy. Before he died, he designated Joshua to lead the Israelites to the promised land.
Moses delivered the Israelites out of slavery and they had to cross the Red Sea. God opened up the waters so they walk through on dry land. After the last one crossed over, God released the water and Pharaoh's army who followed them drowned.
After the mourning period for Moses was over. God spoke to Joshua and told him to get up off his face and lead the people to the promised land. However, they had to cross another body of water, the Jordan River.
God promised Joshua and all the people that He was had given them the land, but they had to possess it. That meant they would encounter enemies along the way.
Rehab Hid the Spies (Chapter 2)
Joshua's first task was to send spies out to see where the enemies were. So, they went to the house of ill repute that was run by Rehab because she would know about people men in the community. Once there, the enemies came looking for the spies, but Rehab hid them. As a reward, the Israelites told Rehab they would protect her and share with her when they get to the promised land.
Crossing the Jordan (Chapters 3-5)
Crossing the Jordan was similar to crossing the Red Sea. When the priests who were carrying the ark put their feet into the water, the water stopped flowing and piled up into a heap. The priests carrying the ark stood in the middle of the river while all the Israelites passed by on dry land.
God told Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe and place a stone in the middle of the Jordan. Those stones are in the Jordan to this day as a memorial to the day the Israelites entered the promised land.
In the Promised Land (Chapters 6-12)
God gave Joshua instruction for acquiring Jericho. He told Joshua to walk around the city for six days, and on the seventh day to march around the city seven times with seven priests blowing their trumpets. Then the wall of Jericho would tumble down. Joshua and his men conquered Jericho and burned the entire city. They kept their promise to Rehab and spared her and her family because she had helped them in the past.
Dividing the Promised Land (Chapters 13-24)
The land was divided, and the tribes were given their share. Joshua is old, he gives his farewell to the leaders before he dies.
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