Introduction to the Book of Joshua

Summary Facts About Joshua

• Joshua is the sixth book of the Hebrew Bible
• Joshua is the first book of the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings)
• Focuses on Joshua who is commissioned by God to succede Moses and lead Israel.
• Traditional view attribute Joshua as the author based on Joshua 24:26.

Purpose of Joshua

• Show God's faithfulness to Israel and giving them victory when they trust God.

Structure and Content of Joshua

Israel's Conquest of Canaan (Josh 1–12)

• God commissioned Joshua to be Moses's successor (Josh 1)
  • Joshua is commanded to prepare Israel to cross the Jordan River and capture the land of Canaan.
  • Israel must trust God and obey his Law to be successful (Josh 1:8)
• Joshua sends spies to scout the city of Jericho (Josh 2)
• Israel crosses the Jordan and piles up stones to commemorate this event (Josh 3–4)
• Joshua meets a man with a sword in his hand, called the commander of the army of God who may have been the pre-incarnate Jesus (Josh 5:13–15)
• Conquering of Jericho (Josh 6)
• Sin of Achan (Josh 7)
• Conquering of Ai (Josh 8)
• Gibeon's Treaty and Curse (Josh 9)
• Conquest of South (Josh 10) and North (Josh 11)
• List of Defeated Kings and Conquered Territories (Josh 12)

Israel Allocates Canaan (Josh 13–24)

• There was still much land not conquered (Josh 13:1) including the region north of Galilee and areas occupied by the Philistines (Josh 13:2–7).
• God commanded Israel to focus on dividing the land that they currently possessed.
  • East of the Jordan River (Josh 13)
  • West of the Jordan River (Josh 14–19)
• All tribes received land except Levi who lived in designated cities (Josh 20–21).
• Special inheritance given to Joshua (Josh 19:49–50) and Caleb (Josh 14:6–15).
• Foreshadowing of struggles ahead since Israel was still worshipping idols (Josh 24)