Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. We knew about Joshua long before he became their leader. We learn how he received his name in Numbers 13:16. Moses gave Hoshea (one of the twelve spies), son of Nun, a new name, “Joshua” (meaning God saves). Joshua shows his ability to be a military leader early.
When Israel left the Red Sea and began their march to Sinai at a place called Rephidim the Amalekites confronted Israel. Moses told Joshua to select some men and go out to fight them, Exodus 17:9.
As long as Moses lifted up his hands, Israel prevailed, Exodus 17:11. Aaron and Hur stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands, and Israel prevailed, Exodus 17:12-13. Moses must have known of the leadership ability of Joshua by the fact that he chose him to lead Israel into battle with the Amalekites.
Later on, when Moses ascended Sinai to receive the two tablets of stone, Joshua, who is called his servant, accompanied Moses, probably only part of the way, until a cloud covered Moses, Exodus 24:13-18.
Evidently, Joshua remained on that part of the mountain until Moses came down. It is Joshua who hears the commotion that was going on in the camp of the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, Exodus 32:17.
The day came when the people reached the border of Canaan. Joshua was selected to be one of the twelve who would explore the land of Canaan, Numbers 13:16.
When they returned from their mission, Joshua and Caleb were the only ones to give an encouraging report of their journey, and exhorted the people to go up and possess the land, Numbers 13:30 / Numbers 14:7-9.
Because the people refused to enter Canaan, God sent them back into the wilderness, where they would wander for the next thirty-eight years, Deuteronomy 2:14.
Near the end of their wandering, the people complained of a lack of water, Numbers 20:2-5. Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God had commanded, Numbers 20:11-12.
Thus, Moses and Aaron were not allowed to enter the Promised Land, Numbers 20:12 / Deuteronomy 32:51-52. When it was revealed to Moses that he was soon to die, he was ordered to appear with Joshua at the Tabernacle, Deuteronomy 31:14.
While in the presence of God, Moses gave Joshua a commission from God: “Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore unto them: and I will be with thee,” Deuteronomy 31:23. We also learn that Joshua was “filled with the spirit of wisdom,” Deuteronomy 31:14 / Deuteronomy 31:23, and assumed full command.
Having crossed the Jordan River, spies were sent to Jericho, who were lodged and hidden by Rahab when they were discovered, Joshua 2:1-21. They returned and reported to Joshua.
Joshua broke camp and crossed over the Jordan, which at the time was overflowing its banks but became dammed up about twenty miles above, so the people could cross over, Joshua 3:15-16, as they had done at the Red Sea, Exodus 14:21-22. The bed would have been dry, giving the Israelites the needed time to cross over, Joshua 3:15-17 / Joshua 4:23.
They entered Canaan on the 10th day of the first month, Joshua 4:19, which corresponds to our March-April season. They encamped at Gilgal, in the plains of Jericho, and there Joshua set up twelve stones taken from the Jordan as a perpetual memorial of the dividing of the water, Joshua 4:20-24.
The Promised Land now before them would take three major campaigns for them to conquer the land, which probably lasted ten to fifteen years.
Jericho was the key city of East Canaan. The story of its fall is a powerful lesson for us today. The defeat of Jericho is one of the favourite stories of the Old Testament. Here again, their faith is put to the test.
They had to march around the city once each day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day, before the walls would fall and they would take the city, Joshua 6:3-5 / Joshua 6:14-16 / Joshua 6:20. The people’s faith and willingness to do this stand in contrast to the faith of those who refused to cross over into Canaan thirty-eight years before.
God could have caused the walls to fall instantly, but their faith needed to be tested first. Would they obey or turn back as their ancestors did? They passed the test, Joshua 5:13-6:27.
Their biggest defeat was the taking of Ai, which the spies informed Joshua would be easily accomplished, Joshua 7:2-4. Only three thousand men were sent to take it, Joshua 7:3-5.
They were repulsed and chased away with a loss of thirty-six men, Joshua 7:5. This was all the result of greed. One man, Akan, had taken some of the spoils from Jericho, Joshua 7:21.
This was a powerful and grave lesson for Israel. The taking of these two cities was a part of the first campaign into Canaan. When the kings of the Hittites and other nations west of Jordan heard of the fall of Ai, they armed themselves against Joshua, Joshua 9:1-2.
But the Gibeonites, a confederacy of several cities not far from the encampment of the Israelites, sent ambassadors in torn clothes, with old sacks and dry bread, pretending that they had come from a distant country and wished to make a covenant with Israel, Joshua 9:3-13. They obtained a treaty and were made “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation”, Joshua 9:21-27.
Hearing of the progress of Israel, the king of Jerusalem became an ally of the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon and laid siege to Gibeon, who had tricked Israel into a treaty, Joshua 10:5. Joshua hastens to the aid of Gibeon, marching by night and taking the Amorites by surprise, Joshua 10:9.
Joshua was helped in this battle by an unprecedented hailstorm, which killed more than fell by the sword and by a miraculous lengthening of the day, which enabled him to pursue the fugitives to Makkedah, Joshua 10:12-16.
In subsequent battles, Joshua subdued the southern half of Palestine from Kadesh-Barnea to Gaza, Joshua 10:41, the eastern and western limits of the southern frontier.
Jabin, king of Hazor, commanded a coalition of Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Hivites, but was defeated at Lake Merom, Joshua 11:11-15.
There were certain parts of the land that were left to the people who lived there. This mistake would come back to haunt them in later years. Not until David and Solomon would the borders of Israel extend to the areas that God intended to be a part of the Promised Land.
Finally, the land is divided among the tribes, chiefly by naming the cities within their respective allotments, Joshua 13-21 / Numbers 26:53-56. These chapters of Joshua might be called the “Biblical Geography of Palestine.”
The tribe of Levi received no inheritance but was given forty-eight cities, Joshua 21:41 / Numbers 35:7 / Numbers 18:20. However, Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, each received tribal shares, Joshua 14:4, making a total of twelve divisions. The tabernacle, the centre of worship, was placed at Shiloh, Joshua 18:1.
God fulfilled the promise he made to Abraham that he would give him this land as an inheritance for his posterity, Joshua 21:43-45 / Joshua 23:14. This promise was fulfilled over three thousand years ago and is not to be fulfilled at some future time, as some claim today.
After an interval of rest, Joshua called all Israel to an assembly and delivered to them two solemn addresses concerning the marvellous fulfilment of God’s promises to their fathers, Joshua 23 / Joshua 21:43-45.
He warned them of the conditions which would assure them of keeping their property, Joshua 23:11-16 / Joshua 24:14-15. This caused them to renew their covenant with God at Shechem, Joshua 24:1-28.
Joshua died at the age of one hundred and ten years and was buried in his own city, Timnath-Serah, Joshua 24:29-30. Mention is made of the death of Eleazer the priest, Joshua 24:33, and mention is made of the burial of the bones of Joseph, which they had brought up out of Egypt, Joshua 24:32 / Genesis 50:25 / Hebrews 11:22.
It is difficult to give full credit to Joshua’s character because he is overshadowed by the greatness of the events, which he directed and participated in. This is not a dishonour to him, but a great honour. A lesser man would have been seen and heard more. His life, though recorded with fullness, shows no stain.
His greatness can be found in his final address to the Israelites.
This describes his true character the best of all. He was a faithful and loyal servant of the Lord. What is greater than being called a servant of the Lord?