The Book of Joshua Overview
The events of the book of Joshua span about twenty-five years, starting soon after the death of Moses (Joshua 1:1).
The book of Joshua records the culmination of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. We see God fulfill His promise to give the land of Canaan to Jacob's descendants.
The Book of Joshua has many lessons for us. It teaches us to accept the good things that God provides for us.
Background of the Book of Joshua
The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt. God had set them free with the help of Moses. At first, they did not trust that God had done the right thing. Most of them died in the desert because they did not believe. Only Joshua and Caleb believed. ‘The Israelites had walked about in the desert for 40 years when the trip should have taken only 11 days. All the men had died who were old enough to fight at the beginning of their journey. This happened because they had not obeyed the Lord’ (Joshua 5:6).
Joshua and Caleb reached the promised land with those who had been born in the desert. Now they were ready to enter the land.
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt to take them into the promised land. The Israelites did not know completely the goodness of God until they entered the promised land.
When we read the Book of Joshua for the first time, it appears to be all about unpleasant wars. The promised land already had its own inhabitants. God said that they were evil people because of the following things:
---1. They worshipped false gods (Deuteronomy 20:18).
---2. They sacrificed their children to their gods (Deuteronomy 12:31).
---3. They practiced magic (Deuteronomy 18:9-11).
The inhabitants did not want the Israelites to live in the promised land. So, they opposed the Israelites. The Israelites would have to kill the inhabitants before they could enjoy the promises of God.
The Book of Joshua is like a lesson for us today. The book shows us what God wants to do for all Christians. Many Christians are like the Israelites who died in the desert. God has saved them from judgment, but they did not realize all the good things that God had for them. They let other things get in the way of their blessings.
---1. The Book of Joshua is not just a history book.
---2. The Book of Joshua has important lessons for all Christians.
---3. The Book of Joshua shows what God wants to do for us here and now.
---4. The Book of Joshua records the culmination of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land.
---5. The Book of Joshua covers the history of Israel from the arrival in the Promised Land to the Babylonian captivity.
‘The Lord has kept every one of the promises that He gave to you. You know that deep in yourselves. He has not failed to keep one of them. The Lord has kept every good promise’ (Joshua 23:14, 15).
Joshua: A Book of Contradictions
Joshua recounted a story of contradictions. On the one hand, God gave the land that He had promised to the nation. On the other hand, the people failed to possess the land completely, allowing some inhabitants to remain. God fulfilled His side of the bargain, but the Israelites did not finish the job. The Canaanite peoples became a damaging influence on Israel as years went by.
Accounts of Faithfulness of Lack of it
---1. Rahab the harlot (Joshua 2:1–21)
---2. The battle of Jericho (6:1–27)
---3. Caleb the warrior (14:6–14).
---4. Achan’s sin (7:1)
---5. Loss at Ai (7:5)
---6. Joshua made a treaty with the Gibeonites without first seeking the Lord (9:1–27).
The Book Is About God's Blessings
1. Prepare for God’s Blessing 1:1-5:12
God prepares the leader 1:1-9
Joshua prepares the people 1:10-18
Joshua sends two men to look over the land 2:1-24
The people cross the river Jordan 3:1-5:1
Circumcision and Passover 5:1-12
2. Take God’s Blessing 5:13-12:24
The first victory - Jericho 5:13-6:27
Defeat then victory at Ai 7:1-8:29
Joshua reads God’s law to the people 8:30-35
The Israelites become friends with their enemies from Gibeon 9:1-27
The Israelites defeat the Amorites 10:1-28
The Israelites defeat the towns in the south of the country 10:29-43
The Israelites defeat the towns in the north of the country 11:1-23
A list of all the kings that the Israelites defeated 12:1-24
3. The extent of the Blessing 13:1-21:45
The land that Israel had not yet taken 13:1-7
The land that Moses gave to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh 13:8-33
Joshua divides the rest of the land 14:1-19:51
Cities of refuge 20:1-9
Towns for the Levites 21:1-45
4. Accept God’s Blessing 22:1-24:33
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh return home 22:1-34
Joshua says ‘Goodbye’ to his leaders 23:1-16
Joshua says ‘Goodbye’ to the people 24:1-13
The people promise to serve God 24:14-27
The death of Joshua 24:28-33
Key Verse: Joshua 1:8
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
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