The Conquest of Jericho
In the ancient land of Canaan, the Israelites stood on the brink of a new beginning. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, they were finally ready to enter the Promised Land. Their leader, Joshua, a man of great faith and courage, was chosen by God to guide them.
One of the first challenges they faced was the fortified city of Jericho. Its massive walls seemed impenetrable, but Joshua trusted in God’s promise. One night, as Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword. Joshua approached him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence and asked, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
The commander of the Lord’s army instructed Joshua to march around the city once with all the armed men for six days. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When they heard a long blast on the trumpets, the whole army was to give a loud shout, and the wall of the city would collapse.
Joshua relayed these instructions to the Israelites. For six days, they marched around Jericho in silence, with only the sound of the trumpets filling the air. On the seventh day, they rose at dawn and marched around the city seven times. As the priests blew a long blast on the trumpets, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!”
The Israelites raised a mighty shout, and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. They charged straight in and captured the city, just as the Lord had promised. This miraculous victory was a testament to their faith and obedience to God’s commands.
The Gibeonite Deception
After the fall of Jericho, the fame of Joshua and the Israelites spread throughout the land. The kings of Canaan, fearing the might of Israel, formed alliances to fight against them. However, the people of Gibeon, a nearby city, chose a different approach. They decided to deceive Joshua and the Israelites to save themselves.
The Gibeonites disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land. They wore old, worn-out clothes and carried moldy bread and cracked wineskins. They approached Joshua and the leaders of Israel, saying, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.”
Joshua and the leaders were suspicious but did not seek the Lord’s counsel. Instead, they examined the Gibeonites’ provisions and believed their story. Joshua made a peace treaty with them, swearing by the Lord to let them live.
Three days later, the Israelites discovered that the Gibeonites were their neighbors, living just a few miles away. The Israelites were angry, but they could not break their oath. Joshua confronted the Gibeonites, asking, “Why did you deceive us?”
The Gibeonites replied, “We feared for our lives because of you. We heard how the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants.”
Joshua honored the treaty but made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the community and the altar of the Lord. This incident taught the Israelites the importance of seeking God’s guidance in all decisions.
The Sun Stands Still
As the Israelites continued their conquest, five Amorite kings joined forces to attack Gibeon for making peace with Israel. The Gibeonites sent an urgent message to Joshua, pleading for help. Joshua and his army marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon, and the Lord assured Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand.”
The Lord threw the Amorite armies into confusion, and the Israelites defeated them. As the enemy fled, the Lord hurled large hailstones from the sky, killing more soldiers than the Israelites did with the sword.
In a moment of great faith, Joshua prayed to the Lord in the presence of Israel, “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down for about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
The Division of the Land
With the major battles won, Joshua and the Israelites turned their attention to dividing the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. This task was crucial for establishing a stable and organized society in their new home.
Joshua, along with Eleazar the priest and the tribal leaders, cast lots to allocate the land. Each tribe received a portion according to God’s instructions, ensuring that every family had a place to call their own. Caleb, one of the faithful spies who had scouted the land with Joshua years earlier, was given the city of Hebron as his inheritance, fulfilling God’s promise to him.
Cities of Refuge and Levitical Cities
Joshua also established cities of refuge, as commanded by God through Moses. These cities provided a safe haven for anyone who accidentally killed someone, allowing them to escape the avenger of blood until they stood trial. This system ensured justice and mercy within the community.
Additionally, the Levites, who were the priestly tribe, were given cities scattered throughout the land. Since they did not receive a specific territory like the other tribes, these cities allowed them to serve the spiritual needs of all Israelites.
Joshua’s Farewell and Covenant Renewal
As Joshua grew old, he gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem for a final address. He reminded them of God’s faithfulness and the many miracles they had witnessed. Joshua urged the people to remain faithful to the Lord and to reject the gods of the surrounding nations.
In a powerful moment, Joshua declared, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” The people responded with a renewed commitment to serve the Lord alone. Joshua then made a covenant with the people, setting up a large stone as a witness to their promise.
Joshua’s Death and Legacy
Joshua died at the age of 110 and was buried in the land of his inheritance, Timnath Serah. His leadership and unwavering faith left a lasting legacy for the Israelites. Under his guidance, they had conquered the Promised Land and established a nation dedicated to serving God.
The Renewal of the Covenant at Shechem
After Joshua’s death, the Israelites continued to live in the land, but they faced new challenges. The elders who had served with Joshua and witnessed God’s mighty works helped maintain faithfulness among the people. However, as time passed, the new generation began to forget the Lord’s deeds and turned to the gods of the surrounding nations.
To address this, the leaders gathered the tribes at Shechem once more to renew their covenant with God. They recounted the history of their ancestors, from Abraham to the conquest of Canaan, emphasizing God’s faithfulness and the importance of obedience.
The people reaffirmed their commitment to serve the Lord, and a large stone was set up under an oak tree as a witness to their promise. This stone served as a reminder of their covenant and the consequences of turning away from God.
The Legacy of Joshua
Joshua’s leadership left a profound impact on the Israelites. His unwavering faith and obedience to God’s commands set a standard for future generations. The stories of Jericho, the Gibeonite deception, and the sun standing still became legendary, illustrating the power of faith and the importance of seeking God’s guidance.
The Book of Joshua serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. It reminds us that with faith, courage, and obedience, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things.
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