Downloads:
Study Course
Text:
The Bible Story In A Year
Week 12
Although God would have brought the generation that came out of Egypt into the promised land, they had rebelled against Him. Thus, God led them to wander in the wilderness until they died. Now, the next generation is prepared to enter the land under Joshua’s leadership. This brings us into a third section of the Bible story we may call, “The Promised Land.” God had been patient with the wicked people of the Canaan land, but the time had come for God to use Israel to punish those nations for their wickedness while also fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:13-16; Deuteronomy 18:9-14)
1) Crossing the Jordan River. After Moses’s death, God prepared Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan into the land He had promised to give them (Joshua 1:1-9). Joshua sent two men as spies into the land, particularly the city of Jericho. When they came into the city, they stayed in Rahab’s house (who was a prostitute). Whenever the king of Jericho searched for them, Rahab hid the spies and helped them escape, because of her faith that God could and would give the city to the Israelites (2:8-13). A promise was made that she would be spared in the destruction of the city, along with everyone in her house (2:17-20). When the spies returned to Joshua, they reported what happened and that God had handed the land over to them (2:23-24). Early the next morning, the Israelites left the Acacia Grove and went to the Jordan (3:1). The people and Joshua were prepared for the crossing, as God was going to exalt Joshua in the sight of all Israel and the Israelites would know God was among them and would dispossess the people of the land when the Jordan River was cut off (3:7-13). Note that the Jordan was at flood stage at this point (3:15). When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant touched the water, the water stood still so they could all cross on dry ground (3:14-17). Memorial stones were placed in the middle of the Jordan River and at Gilgal (4:19-24). After this, all the kings in the land were terrified of Israel (5:1), the Israelite men were circumcised in dedication to God (5:6-7), the Passover was observed at the appropriate time (5:10), and the manna from God ceased whenever they ate from the land (5:11-12). The 40 years have now been completed and the Israelites are in the promised land!
2) Conquering the Canaan land. As the Israelites had crossed into the promised land, they needed to remember all that God had told them about destroying the people of the land (Deuteronomy 7:1-4; 20:16-18). The first city they came to was Jericho, which God had given to them (Joshua 6:1-2). Joshua was given orders to have the army march around the city wall one time each day for six days (6:3). Then, on the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times while the priests blew the rams horns – leading up to a prolonged blast and a shout by the troops (6:4-5). This resulted in the wall collapsing and the people destroying the city (6:20-21). However, when a small number of troops (about 3,000) went to the next city of Ai, they were defeated because there was sin among them (as Achan had taken of things that were forbidden). Later, after dealing with this sin, the Israelites defeated Ai (8:24-27). At this time, Joshua built an altar to God on Mount Ebal as God had commanded (8:30-35; Deuteronomy 11:26-32). As they gathered in the area of Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, Joshua wrote the law of Moses on the stones and read the words of the law to the entire assembly of Israel. Take a moment to consider the significance of this, as this is the area known as Shechem. This was where God promised Abraham to give the land to his descendants (Genesis 12:5-7). Now, Abraham’s descendants have entered the land and are conquering it, laying claim to the land as their own! From this point, the book of Joshua records other battles as Israel conquered the promised land – defeating many kings in the process, with God providing the victories (Joshua 10:9-15; 11:8-11, 23). The time spent conquering the land in Joshua was around 6 years (14:7, 10).
3) Dividing the land. Although there was more work to be done by each of the tribes to completely conquer the land, the work of taking the main cities had now been accomplished. Now, it was time to divide up the land according to their tribal allotments (Joshua 13:1-7). The territory both east and west of the Jordan River was defined. Then, each of the 12 tribes received their inheritance, with the Levites being given cities within these territories. God’s promise to give the land to Israel was now fulfilled (21:43-45)!
4) Joshua’s farewell address. As an old man, Joshua summoned all Israel with their leaders to Shechem (23:1-2; 24:1). He reminded them of all God had done for them and how there was still more work to do (23:3-5). They were to continue obeying all that God had commanded them and be loyal to Jehovah God, warning them of the consequences if they did not (23:6-8, 11-13; 24:14-15). After this, Joshua died at 110 years of age and was buried (24:29-31). Also, Joseph’s bones (which had been brought out of Egypt, Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19) were now buried in Shechem (Joshua 24:32) and Eleazar died (24:33).
God has now kept two of His three major promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites are a great nation and they have been given the Canaan land. We will wait some time in the Bible story for the fulfillment of the third (Seed) promise. While we close the book of Joshua on high notes of obedience for God’s people, we will watch to see if this continues.
