Joshua

Joshua
Joshua
	Joshua Renewing the Covenant with Israel, The Providence Lithograph Company, 1907
Birthplace	Goshen
Burial place	Timnath-Serah
Activity area	The wilderness, Canaan
Major achievements	Successor to Moses; ; commander in the conquest of Canaan; ; allocator of land to the twelve tribes of Israel

Joshua^[1] was the successor to Moses and the divinely appointed leader of the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. He is traditionally regarded as the principal author of the book of Joshua in the Old Testament. A member of the tribe of Ephraim and the son of Nun, his original name was Hoshea.^[2] Among the twelve tribal leaders sent to spy out the land of Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb returned with a faithful report, expressing confidence in God’s promise.^[3] As a result, they alone from the first generation of the Exodus were permitted to enter the Promised Land.^[4] Joshua is remembered for his unwavering faith, courageous leadership, and military success in securing Israel’s inheritance.

Historical Background

During the time of Joseph’s leadership in Egypt, Jacob’s descendants settled in the region of Goshen to escape famine. Joshua was born there into the tribe of Ephraim. Under harsh Egyptian oppression, the Israelites cried out to God, who sent Moses to lead them out of slavery. Following the Passover, the Israelites departed Egypt after approximately four hundred years of bondage. At the time of the Exodus, Joshua served as Moses’ young aide^[5] and as a tribal leader of Ephraim. Throughout the wilderness journey, he faithfully carried out his responsibilities both as Moses’ assistant and as a military commander.

Life and Major Achievements

===Spying Out Canaan=== When the Israelites arrived at Kadesh Barnea in the Wilderness of Paran, Moses selected twelve leaders—one from each tribe—to spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua, representing the tribe of Ephraim, was among them. After forty days, the spies returned. Ten brought back a discouraging report, expressing fear of the fortified cities and the descendants of Anak.^[6] Joshua and Caleb, however, urged the people to trust in God, declaring, “We will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.” Despite their faithful testimony, the people, driven by fear, attempted to stone them.^[7] At that moment, the glory of the LORD appeared, and God rebuked the people for their unbelief.^[8] He decreed that none of the men aged twenty and older—except Joshua and Caleb—would enter the Promised Land. Instead, God decreed that the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years until that generation had perished.^[9]

Successor to Moses

Moses Appoints Joshua, Illustration by Henry Davenport Northrop, from Treasures of the Bible, 1894

As the forty years in the wilderness came to an end, God instructed Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor. In the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River at Shittim, Moses publicly commissioned Joshua before the entire assembly and delivered his final address before his death. After Moses’ passing, God assured Joshua of His continued presence, promising that no one would be able to stand against him all the days of his life. Joshua was commanded to be strong and courageous to obey everything written in the Book of the Law, without turning aside to the right or to the left, so that he might prosper in all he did. Strengthened by this divine commission, Joshua prepared the people to enter Canaan. In response, the Israelites pledged their loyalty to him, just as they had once followed Moses.^[10]

Crossing the Jordan

Joshua Passing the River Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant, Benjamin West, 1800

As Joshua and the Israelites set out from Shittim and camped by the Jordan River, they found it overflowing its banks. After three days, in accordance with God’s command, Joshua instructed the priests carrying the ark of the covenant to go before the people. He did not rely on personal judgment but acted in obedience to God’s word. As soon as the priests’ feet touched the edge of the water, the flow of the river was cut off, and the riverbed became dry. While the priests stood in the middle of the Jordan, the entire nation of Israel crossed over on dry ground—recalling the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. When the priests finally stepped onto the far bank, the waters returned and overflowed as before.^[11] Joshua then led the people to Gilgal, where they set up camp. There, he circumcised the Israelite males and reverently observed the Passover, an ordinance that had not been kept during their years in the wilderness.

The Conquest of Jericho

The Conquest of Jericho, Jean Fouquet, 1470–1475

Jericho, the first major stronghold guarding the entrance to Canaan, was a heavily fortified city. Without its conquest, the Israelites could not advance into the land. The inhabitants of Jericho, having heard of Israel’s miraculous crossings of the Red Sea and the Jordan and their victories over the Amorites, were filled with fear.^[12] God gave Joshua specific instructions for the city’s conquest. The priests bearing the ark of the covenant, accompanied by the armed men, were to march around the city once each day for six days. On the seventh day, they were to circle the city seven times. Then, at the sound of the rams’ horns, the people were to raise a great shout, and the walls of the city would collapse.^[13]

The Israelites followed the LORD’s command exactly. On the seventh day, after the seventh circuit around the city, the trumpets sounded, the people raised a great shout, and the walls of Jericho collapsed. The Israelites then stormed the city, destroying everything within it and setting it on fire. As a result, Joshua’s fame spread throughout the land.^[14]

Achan’s Sin and the Battle of Ai

Joshua Confronting Achan, Charles Foster, 1873

After the fall of Jericho, Joshua sent men to spy out Ai, a smaller city east of Bethel. The spies reported that only two or three thousand men would be sufficient to capture the city. Acting on this report, Joshua sent about three thousand troops, but they suffered an unexpected defeat. The LORD then revealed that someone in Israel had violated His command by taking items devoted to destruction during the conquest of Jericho. As long as this sin remained, Israel would not succeed in battle.^[15]

The following morning, Joshua obeyed the LORD’s instructions to identify the offender. Achan son of Carmi, from the tribe of Judah, was revealed. He had secretly taken a robe, silver, and a bar of gold and hidden them in his tent. As judgment, Achan and his family were stoned, and all his possessions were burned. Only then did the LORD’s anger turn away.^[16] God then gave Joshua a new strategy for capturing Ai.^[17] This time, following the LORD’s guidance precisely, Joshua led Israel to a complete and decisive victory.^[18]

The Miracle in the Valley of Aijalon

Joshua Commanding the Sun to Stand Still, John Martin, 1848

When five Amorite kings launched a joint assault on Gibeon—a city that had formed an alliance with Israel—Joshua responded swiftly to their appeal for help. He gathered his troops and marched through the night, launching a surprise attack that routed the enemy forces. As the coalition fled, large hailstones fell from the sky, killing more soldiers than the sword.^[19]

In this unprecedented moment, Joshua witnessed a miraculous act of divine intervention. He prayed for the sun to stand still until Israel had completely defeated its enemies, and God granted his request. The sun remained in place, prolonging the day until victory was secured.^[20] Joshua then pursued the five kings, who had hidden in a cave at Makkedah, and put them to death.^[21] By God’s power, Israel prevailed in every campaign.^[22]

Distribution of the Land of Canaan

Jabin, king of Hazor, alarmed by Israel’s victories, rallied the northern kings and assembled their vast armies by the waters of Merom. The enemy forces were described as being as numerous as the sand on the seashore.^[23] Yet God assured Joshua of victory, and Joshua obeyed His command, leading Israel to a decisive triumph.^[24] Following this and a series of successful campaigns, the land of Canaan was subdued. Only Gibeon made peace with Israel; all other cities were conquered.^[25] Joshua carried out the conquest just as the LORD had commanded Moses^[26] and divided the land among the twelve tribes of Israel according to their allotted inheritance.^[27]

Joshua’s Final Exhortation

As his life drew to a close, Joshua summoned the leaders of Israel and delivered his final exhortation. He urged them to remain faithful to the Law of God and to love the LORD with unwavering devotion. He reminded them that continued obedience would bring divine blessing in the land, whereas violating God’s covenant and turning to foreign gods would provoke His judgment and lead to their downfall. The people pledged their loyalty, vowing to serve no other gods. Joshua then renewed the covenant and recorded it in the Book of the Law.^[28] He died at the age of 110 and was buried at Timnath-Serah in the hill country of Ephraim.^[29]

Lessons

Unwavering Faith in God

Throughout his life, Joshua placed absolute trust in God. Although the twelve tribal leaders who explored Canaan saw the same land and shared the same experiences, their responses differed dramatically. Ten of them were intimidated by the giants who inhabited the land and by cities that appeared to be impregnable fortresses. Overwhelmed by what they saw, they delivered a negative report about the land God had promised. When the people heard this account, they lost heart, wept through the night, and fell into despair.^[30] Joshua and Caleb, however, viewed the situation from an entirely different perspective. They regarded the word of God—promised since the time of their ancestors—as unshakable. Seeking to reassure the people, they proclaimed, “We will devour them,” and urged them, “Do not be afraid of them, for God is with us.” The outcome of their faith contrasted as sharply as heaven and earth. The ten spies and the Israelites who accepted their report wandered in the wilderness for forty years until they died,^[9] whereas Joshua and Caleb, in accordance with their faith, were granted the blessing of entering the Promised Land of Canaan with the second generation of Israelites.

Victory Through Trust in God

Under Joshua’s leadership, Israel conquered Canaan, defeating thirty-one kings and numerous Canaanite tribes.^[31] Their victories in battle—whether great or small—were not determined by Joshua’s abilities or the strength of Israel’s army, but by the presence of God among them. When the people obeyed God’s commands, even seemingly impregnable fortresses fell with ease. Conversely, when they sinned and God’s presence withdrew, they suffered defeat even at the hands of weaker enemies. It was through obedience to God’s will that His presence remained with Israel, and in such times they prevailed. This pattern recurs throughout biblical history, including during the period of the Judges and the era of the monarchy.^[32] Believers are therefore reminded that obedience to God’s will imparts true strength and opens the path to spiritual victory.

“You must always be careful to keep the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

2 Kings 17:37–39

References

[1] Strong's Hebrew: 3091. יְהוֹשׁ֫וּעַ, Bible Hub

[2] Numbers 13:16

[3] Numbers 14:6–9

[4] Numbers 14:36–38

[:0-5] Exodus 33:11

[6] Numbers 13.

[7] Numbers 14:9–10

[8] Numbers 14:11

[:1-9] 9.0 ^9.1 Numbers 14:29–34

[10] Joshua 1

[11] Joshua 4:18

[12] Joshua 2:10–11

[13] Joshua 6:1–5

[14] Joshua 6:6–27

[15] Joshua 7:2–13

[16] Joshua 7:13–26.

[17] Joshua 8:1–2

[18] Joshua 8:30–31

[19] Joshua 10:1–11

[20] Joshua 10:12–14

[21] Joshua 10:22–24

[22] Joshua 10:42

[23] Joshua 11:1–4

[24] Joshua 11:6–9

[25] Joshua 12:18–19

[26] Joshua 11:12–15

[27] Joshua 11:23

[28] Joshua 24:1–28

[29] Joshua 24:29–30

[30] Numbers 14:1–3

[31] Joshua 12:7–24

[32] Judges 3:7–31, :1–27

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