joshua. a paper i wrote.

Imagine attempting to replace the most prominent leader of a nation. Joshua faced this situation as he overtook Moses leadership of the nation of Israel. After Moses died, the Lord instructed Joshua to lead the Israeli people across the Jordan river into the land promised to Abraham in Genesis 12. While the book of Joshua is named after this historic and godly leader, it is important to stress how the book is a retelling of God’s fulfilled promise. The first twelve chapters of Joshua describe the commissioning of Joshua, and the subsequent entrance into the Promised Land.
The book of Joshua opens with God commissioning Joshua to service, and then an encouragement specifically for Joshua, and then Joshua’s acceptance of leadership. God’s charge to Joshua is specific: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel” (Joshua 1:2). The land referred to in this statement is the land promised in Genesis 12 to Abraham. The text continues to specifically describe the land which will be possessed. In verse 5 it states: “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” While the land is promised to Joshua and the Israelites, men will stand in front of their acquiescence of the land. However, no man will be able to stand. God secures victory here. He also gives Joshua encouragement as he restates that he will never fail or forsake him. “Be strong and courageous” urges the Lord, “For you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers.” God encourages Joshua for the task which has been set before him. This is seen as the commissioning of Joshua. A specific commissioning of leaders is characteristic of the great leaders portrayed in the bible. This passage is no different. As a leader, Joshua inevitably questioned his ability and right to lead these people (or others perhaps questioned). With such an authority given to Joshua to lead the Israeli people, it’s simply difficult to refute his God given position of leadership. Joshua was able to reflect upon these words spoken to him from God. These words commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous and to trust God’s presence is with him wherever he goes (Joshua 1:9).
Joshua assumes command of the people and sends spies to search the layout of the land. The two spies find refuse in Rahab, a prostitutes, house. She helps the two men hide from the authorities and escape safely back to Joshua. The spies carry pertient information back to Joshua which aids the people in the conquest of the land. In return, Rahab, and all in her household, were granted safety when the city is sacked by the Israel people.
Prior to the crossing of the Jordan two important steps are taken by the Israelites. First, is the security of the Ark of the Covenant. This ark symbolized God’s presence, and was transported by the Levites. Possession of this land was not with their own strength, but with the strength provided by God as represented in the ark. God went before them as their source of victory. The second step taken was the personal consecration of the people. The word ‘consecrate’ means to set apart as holy, to be clean, or to dedicate. Joshua’s reasoning behind the ordering of the peoples consecration is because, “…the Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). This again points to the preeminence given to the work the Lord will accomplish amongst them, and not of what they themselves can accomplish. Once the God dries up the Jordan river, allowing the Israelites to pass through unscathed, God orders the circumcision of the people. This act is done post-river crossing and pre-military campaign. All men of the previous generation circumcised as a sign of the Abrahamic Covenant had died, thus the new generation was uncircumcised. It would seem most wise (in our human minds) to take the advantage of the enemies surprise of the river crossing and to attack immediately. Instead, time is taken to complete the procedure of circumcision on all men, as well as time for recovery. This again shows that our ways are not God’s ways. Much trust had to be placed upon God’s promise to possess the land. For to many it would have seemed wise to attack the enemy while they were least expecting. Again, trust and dependency is placed upon God, and taken off the people themselves.
The next few chapters describe the conquering of the Promised Land. The central campaign is delineated 6:1-85, the southern campaign described in 9:1-10:43, the northern campaign is discussed in 11:1-15, and then the conquests are summarized in 11:16-12:24.
Jericho is perhaps the most well known conquest to the average Christian in America today. The destruction of Jericho is described in chapter six of the book of Joshua. Jericho was a fortified city with a double ring of protective walls. “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors.” This is the promise of God. Further instructions were given to march around the cities wall once a day for six consecutive days. On the seventh day they were instructed to march around the city seven times but to blow trumpets and shout the Lord’s victory over the city. The Israelites do as instructed under Joshua’s leadership. Jericho is given into their hands, and Rahab and all in her household are saved as promised.
Chapter seven describes the defeat of Israel at Ai. Prior to the conquest of Jericho, God gives specific instructions that everything within the city belongs to the Lord. All the silver, gold and articles of bronze were to go into the treasury of the Lord. What should have been an easy victory for the Israelites is met with defeat because of disobedience to God’s commands. Achan had sequestered articles strictly forbidden by God. This sin within the Israeli people caused the death of many. Joshua was distraught at the defeat, and much effort was taken to seek out the one within the community who had brought this defeat upon all the people. Achan and all his family were stoned to death because they were guilty of disobeying God. God continues to guide his people in chapter eight as he assures their victory against the Amorites in verse one. Victory is obtained in chapter eight. Unlike Jericho, the Israelites are now able to take the spoils from this city for their own personal usage. Achan had just been killed for the same action a few days prior. The seemingly small difference is the action was forbidden by God when Achan acted, but now permissible by God’s commands. It appears to be insignificant difference, but obedience is everything.
Word spread throughout the land of Israel and their God. They had defeated two major strongholds. Anxious, the Gibeonites came forward and deceptively sought to establish a covenant with Joshua. The Gibeonites pretended they were from a far land, when in actuality they were from the land promised to Israel. Joshua hastily establishes a covenant without seeking God’s counsel first. God had instructed Israel to eliminate all peoples within the land, but a covenant was established with the Gibeonites to allow them to live. This placed Joshua in a difficult position. “Why have you deceived us?” he asks the Gibeonites. “Now therefore, you are cursed, and you shall never cease being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of God” (Joshua 9:23).
A plot is developed by five different kings to attack Gibeon because they had made a covenant with Israel. “Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, “do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us” (Joshua 10:6). The Lord tells Joshua to not fear because victory is assured. Joshua and his army marched and fought at Gideon. As the armies were fleeing from the Israelites, large hailstones came from heaven and killed many men. The five kings of the attacking armies hid in the cave at Makkedah: King of Jerusalem, King of Hebron, King of Jarmuth, King of Lachish and King of Eglon. Joshua killed each of these kings, and also defeated each area in which they ruled.
The book of Joshua depicts the specific ways in which God delivered Israel the Promised Land. Much effort was put forth by Joshua and all of Israel. They adhered to the guiding commands of God. The promise was secure, but they had to follow through with the specific commands. God is interested in the obedience of his people first and foremost. Not a blind obedience. But, a trust that God is who he says he is, and he will do what he says he will do. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!” (Joshua 1:9). Strength and assurance rests ultimately upon God. It is not of our own strength, but of what God provides.