Joshua
Eastern Tribes Return Home
The armed forces of the two and one half tribes (The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh) east of the Jordan had kept their pledge to Moses and had gallantly supported the other nine and one half tribes in their conquest of the promised land. Moses had granted these two- and …
Cities of The Levites
As has been previously stated, the Levites, the servants of God, were not to own their own land in Canaan. Instead, they were to be scattered among the other tribes as stated by Moses in his final message to the tribes, “They shall teach Thine ordinances to Jacob, and Thy law to Israel” …
God Delivers Caleb’s Promised Land
The actual dividing of Canaan, “the promised land” gets underway. This was the long-awaited hour. This was the goal which Israel had so long been pressing for. The land was to be divided now, according to Moses’ instructions, even though there remained yet “very much land to be …
The Destruction of The Stolen Goods
Since God was the only one who knew who had sinned He chose to reveal the culprit by the method of drawing lots (vv. 16-18). As the lots were drawn one by one they fell on the tribe of Judah, the family of the Zarhites, the household of Zabdi and finally on the trespasser h …
Joshua’s Farewell Address
In this passage we find Joshua’s retirement speech. His long life started in Egyptian bondage and ended in a worship service in the Promised Land. He had been used to lead Israel in defeating the enemy, conquering the land, and claiming the promised inheritance. He is now approaching 110 …
It is Not What Seems Right But What God Says
One prevailing theme of this chapter is not finishing the work. Israel was ready to divide up the land among the tribes, but we find there were enemies yet to be conquered in the land (13:1). It appears that some of the Israelites wanted to spare the Canaanites because of a false sense of mercy …
Israel Destroys the Town of Ai
The conquest of Ai was very important to the Israelites. Only 11 miles from Jericho, Ai was a key stronghold for the Canaanites and a buffer fortress for Bethel (v. 12). The LORD told Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged by what happened at the town of Ai (vv. 1-2). Take the army and attack …
Faith is The Opposite of Fear
Although women did not traditionally inherit property in the Israelite society, Moses put justice ahead of tradition and gave the women the land they deserved (Num. 27:1- 11). Now, it is interesting to see how Joshua is carrying out this law (vv. 4-5). It is easy to refuse to honor a …
A summary of Joshua’s Battles
The first ten chapters have been an exciting adventure story of God calling Joshua to lead the Israelites in military conquest of the land of Canaan, which God had given them. The conquest of much of the land of Canaan seems to have happened quickly but it actually took seven years. The …
A Choice Must be Made
Joshua summoned a second great assembly at Shechem to confirm Israel’s covenant relationship with God. Shechem was a few miles northwest of Shiloh (v. 1). This was where God first promised Canaan to Abraham (Gen. 12:6-7), where Jacob built an altar and buried his family’s idols …