2.+A+summary+of+The+Book+of+Joshua

The Book of Joshua emphasises the importance of good faith and that those who follow God are rewarded, with the triumph over good and the punishment of evil. The author illustrates how by remaining true to the Commandments of God, the various Israelite tribes, under Joshua’s leadership, take over the land and settle in it with their families and livestock.

The book of Joshua is essentially broken into three parts: 1. Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land and the history behind it (1-12) 2. The division of the country to the various tribes, with the appointment of cities of refuge (13-22) 3. Joshua's farewell address, with accounts of his death (23, 24)

__**Chapter Overview 1-12**__ **Maps ** The book begins after Moses’ death where by virtue Joshua as Moses’ successor receives word from Yhwy (God). God’s assignment to Joshua was to cross the Jordan into the land that was promised to the Israelite people. God told Joshua that “Every place that the sole of your foot will treat upon I have given to you, as promised to Moses” (Josh 1:3). “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you where you go” (Josh 1:9). Joshua then made promises to the Israelites that they would conquer the land of Canaan and make it their own if they were committed to the Covenant of Moses.

Crossing the [|River Jordan] like the first deliverance from Egypt and the passage through the Red Sea with Moses, was a significant event for the Israel’s History. This event as one of the prophets describes it, "from Shittim to Gilgal" was a short, six-mile march from the east bank of the Jordan river to the west bank. But it was largely momentous because it was in this action that they received the Land that was theirs by right of inheritance.



Once crossed over the River Jordan Joshua led many battles in the quest to take over the already occupied land. Joshua attacked Jericho, Ai and other places with the edge of his sword destroying all inhabitants and did so according to the word of the LORD.

Joshua ordered that an alter be built in the Promised Land to renew their Covenant with God. The alter was an important symbol for the continual need for rededication and renewal.

The first 12 chapters of Joshua are dramatic and contain three well-known miracles. In all three miracles Joshua is leading the Israelites with the presence of God. The miracles are as follows; the crossing of the Jordan River (3:1-14), the circling of the city walls with the Arc of Covenant in the battle of Jericho (6:1-27) and the day the sun stood still in the conquest of southern Canaan (10:12-14).

Chapters 1-12 portray messages of redemption that follows when God is let into your life. The entry into the Land across the Jordan is symbolic to the Israeli’s decision to bring God into their lives, as they too were set free and no longer slaves of the world. Additionally in Josh 1:9 and numerous other chapters there are powerful messages to put your trust in God.

Reminder of the Covenant [|Joshua's Stone] in Shechem

Once the land was conquered Joshua went about dividing the land among the tribes of Israel. Six cities of refuge were also established so that those who committed a crime could await judgement without the fear of retribution. A misunderstanding between the tribes also occurred during these chapters with the tribe of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh on one side and the rest of Israel on the other, creating what could have lead to a civil war.
 * __Chapter Overview 13-22__ Maps**

Chapters 23-24 are fast tracked many years forward from the previous chapter to a time when Joshua has grown old and is preaching his final lessons to the Israeli’s before his life ends. Basically Joshua tells the Israeli’s to keep following God and to avoid things that will turn them away from him.
 * __Chapter Overview 23-24__ Maps**