Joshua tells of Israel's entry into the promised land under Moses' successor. It shows that the land is God's gift, received with faith and obedience.
AuthorDeuteronomistic school
DateEvents set around the 13th-12th centuries BC; written 7th-6th centuries BC
AudienceIsrael, to remember the gift of the land
🎯 Learning objective
Understand the message of Joshua, its historical setting and its place in the history of salvation.
🏛️ Historical context
Canaan was divided into city-states. The book, written centuries later, presents the conquest in an epic and theological way, stressing God's faithfulness to his promises.
🔙 Background
Moses has died on Mount Nebo. God tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous", and the people cross the Jordan.
🧭 Structure of the book
Chapters 1-12: entry and conquest
Chapters 13-21: division of the land among the tribes
Chapters 22-24: Joshua's farewell and renewal of the covenant
⭐ Key events and teachings
1Rahab welcomes the spies (ch. 2)
2Crossing the Jordan with the ark (ch. 3-4)
3The fall of Jericho (ch. 6)
4The land is divided (ch. 13-21)
5The assembly at Shechem: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (24:15)
🏷️ Main themes
God's faithfulness to his promisesCourage and trustThe land as giftChoosing to serve God
📖 Verses to memorize
Joshua 1:8Let not the book of this law depart from thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate on it day and night, that thou mayst observe and do all things that are written in it: then shalt thou direct thy way, and understand it.
Joshua 1:9Behold I command thee, take courage, and be strong. Fear not, and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to.
Joshua 6:20So all the people making a shout, and the trumpets sounding, when the voice and the sound thundered in the ears of the multitude, the walls forthwith fell down: and every man went up by the place that was over against him: and they took the city,
Joshua 21:43Not so much as one word, which he had promised to perform unto them, was made void, but all came to pass.
Joshua 24:15But if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord, you have your choice: choose this day that which pleaseth you, whom you would rather serve, whether the gods which your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorrhites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house we will serve thee Lord,
💭 For reflection
What does "be strong and courageous" (Josh 1:9) mean for me?
How can I renew today my decision to serve the Lord?
It tells how Joshua, Moses' successor, leads the people across the Jordan into the promised land. It narrates the fall of Jericho, the division of the land among the tribes and the renewal of the covenant at Shechem.