Joshua

Joshua presents Israel's conquest of Canaan as a direct result of its obedience to the Mosaic Covenant. Read Joshua 23:14-16.

Joshua As Second Moses

The twelve tribes of Israel are united by their faith in the Lord. Their charismatic leader Joshua is presented as a second Moses. Like Moses, he leads the people through parted waters this time those of the Jordan River. Instead of Moses' staff, however, it is the Ark of the Covenant, carried by priests, that effects the miracle (Josh. 3-4). Like Moses, too, Joshua experiences a theophany, a vision of Yahweh's divine general whose participation guarantees victory over the Canaanites. He also resembles Moses in proclaiming Yahweh's commandments and in presiding over a covenant renewal at Shechem. (Joshua 4:1-9; 23-24.)

The "captain" of the Lord's army: Read Joshua 5:13-15.

The Fall of Jericho

After entering Canaan, the Israelites do not immediately begin their military campaign. Instead, all males born during the forty year wandering assemble at Gilgal to be circumcised. This operation incapacitates them for several days. (Joshua 5:1-12) Now ritually acceptable, the warriors still do not attack the Canaanite stronghold. Instead, they follow Joshua's instructions to march silently around the city seven times until a signal is given, at which time they are to raise a loud shout, blow their trumpets, and charge Jericho's ramparts (Joshua 6).

There seems to be a second story of the fall of Jericho. The second version emphasizes the priests' role in carrying the Ark of the Covenant and sounding rams-horn trumpets during thirteen trips around the town (see 6:4, 8-9, 11-13).

On the final day, the city walls collapse except for that part supporting the house of Rahab the prostitute who had hidden Israelite spies when they had spied out the city.

The prominent role that the number 7 plays in the story shows the importance of numerology in Hebrew thought. In addition to 7, the numbers 1, 3, 4, 10, and 12, and their multiples had significance other than their numerical value. For example, 7 symbolized completeness, 10 symbolized perfection, and 12 symbolized Israel (6:12-16).

The Ban

The entire population of Jericho is placed under the "sacred ban," which means that the people are massacred as an offering to Yahweh. This has been viewed as a form of human sacrifice. From the biblical author’s perspective, there is only one solution to the Canaanites' presence in the land Yahweh had promised to Abraham's progeny: they must be exterminated without mercy.

Defeat at Ai

After the spectacular victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffer a setback at 'Ai (Chapter 7). Joshua was perplexed, feeling the LORD had let him down (7:6-9).

Then Joshua became aware that this was not the case, but rather, someone had violated the ban (7:10-15). Someone had taken certain banned objects at Jericho (7:1): a beautiful robe, a large number of silver coins, and a bar of gold. At first, the name of the culprit was not revealed. However, an investigation revealed Achan as the culprit, and, in due course, he confessed his sin (7:16-26). Achan and his wife, children, and flocks are then stoned to death. After they have purged the sinner from their midst, the Israelites easily succeed in capturing 'Ai (Ch. 8).

Joshua Chapters 13-22

Joshua divides the conquered country among the twelve tribes. The first part of God's plan for the region is, thus, brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The climax of Joshua's story is the covenant-renewal ceremony described in Joshua 24:1-28. The site of the ceremony was Shechem, an ancient religious center.

After reminding them of the LORD'S blessing, Joshua called on them to accept the obligations of the covenant. Here Joshua makes his famous vow: "but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (24:15)