Joshua Introduction

God fulfills His promises and calls His people to trust and obey Him, as shown in Joshua’s conquest and Israel’s covenant renewal.

Joshua: Introduction

The book of Joshua demonstrates how God faithfully kept His covenant by giving Israel the land He promised to their fathers (Joshua 21:43–45). Joshua, whose name means “Yahweh is salvation,” led Israel with courage, trusting God’s Word and presence (Joshua 1:6–9). The record shows victory through obedience (Joshua 6:20) and defeat through disobedience (Joshua 7:1–5). The book closes with Joshua calling Israel to covenant faithfulness (Joshua 24:14–15). Its main theme is God’s faithfulness to His promises and His call for His people to trust and obey Him fully.

Background

The events of Joshua follow directly after the death of Moses (Joshua 1:1). Israel camped east of the Jordan, preparing to enter the promised land (Joshua 1:2). God had sworn to give this land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 6:8). The land consisted of fortified cities (Joshua 6:1), kings and armies (Joshua 10:5), and idolatrous nations (Joshua 23:7). Canaan was a land of city-states, politically fragmented yet spiritually corrupt. Israel faced a decision: remain faithful to God or compromise with surrounding nations (Joshua 24:14–23). The background shows both the fulfillment of God’s covenant and the test of Israel’s faithfulness.

Author

Joshua, the servant of Moses, is the primary author. The text itself records Joshua writing in the book of the Law (Joshua 24:26). Eyewitness details, such as references to “this day” (Joshua 5:9; Joshua 7:26), affirm its firsthand origin. The final record of Joshua’s death and burial (Joshua 24:29–31) was likely added by another inspired writer, similar to the account of Moses’ death in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 34:5–7). The testimony of Scripture confirms Joshua as the faithful author of this record.

Date

The events of Joshua occurred after Israel’s 40 years of wandering (Numbers 14:33–34; Joshua 5:6). Joshua’s leadership extended about 25 years, concluding with his death at age 110 (Joshua 24:29). The book’s details suggest an early composition soon after the conquest, while eyewitnesses still lived (Joshua 5:1; Joshua 7:19–21). This places the writing in the late fifteenth or early fourteenth century BC.

Purpose

The purpose of Joshua is to show how God kept His promise to give Israel the land (Joshua 21:43–45). It calls Israel to trust God’s Word and live in covenant obedience (Joshua 1:7–8). It demonstrates God’s judgment against sin among His people (Joshua 7:1, 11–12) and among the nations (Joshua 11:20). It exhorts Israel to reject idolatry and serve the Lord alone (Joshua 24:14–15). The book establishes God’s faithfulness and urges His people to remain faithful to Him.

Unique Content

Joshua preserves accounts not found elsewhere in Scripture. These include the miraculous crossing of the Jordan at flood stage (Joshua 3:15–17), the fall of Jericho through marching and shouting (Joshua 6:20), the sun standing still during battle (Joshua 10:12–14), the detailed allotment of the land to each tribe (Joshua 13–21), and Joshua’s covenant renewal at Shechem (Joshua 24:14–28).

Main Themes

God’s Faithfulness: God fulfilled His covenant promise to give Israel the land (Joshua 21:45).

Obedience and Disobedience: Obedience brought victory (Joshua 6:20). Disobedience brought defeat (Joshua 7:1–5).

God’s Presence: God promised His presence as the source of Joshua’s courage and success (Joshua 1:9).

Holiness and Judgment: God judged sin both in Canaanite nations and in Israel (Joshua 7:25; Joshua 11:20).

Covenant Renewal: Joshua urged Israel to renew their covenant with God and serve Him alone (Joshua 24:14–23).

Christ in Joshua

Joshua points to Christ in several ways. Joshua’s name means “Yahweh is salvation,” the same name later given to Jesus. Moses, representing the Law, could not bring Israel into the land, but Joshua did. This foreshadows Christ, who accomplishes what the Law could not—bringing His people into eternal life (Romans 8:3–4; Hebrews 4:8–10). The “commander of the Lord’s army” whom Joshua encountered (Joshua 5:13–15) foreshadows Christ as the captain of salvation (Hebrews 2:10). Joshua’s division of the inheritance points to Christ who gives believers every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). God’s promise to be with Joshua (Joshua 1:5) is fulfilled in Christ’s promise to His church, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Joshua’s covenant renewal anticipates Christ’s new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:20). Joshua gave Israel temporary rest in the land, but Christ gives eternal rest to all who believe (Hebrews 4:9–11).

Application

The book of Joshua calls believers to trust God’s promises and obey His Word. Just as Israel saw victory through obedience and defeat through sin, so the church today must remain faithful to God’s Word. It exhorts us to reject idolatry and serve the Lord exclusively (Joshua 24:14–15). Joshua reminds us that God never fails to keep His promises (Joshua 21:45). For the church, it strengthens our hope that Christ will lead us into our eternal inheritance and rest (1 Peter 1:3–4; Hebrews 4:9–10). Believers must walk by faith, live in holiness, and serve the Lord with undivided loyalty.