Joshua – Canaan is conquered.

Joshua was originally named Hosea, he became Moses’ successor. Moses changed his name to Joshua, which means the Lord gives victory – Joshua was thus a picture of Jesus who was to come and lead God’s people to final victory. All this points to the cosmic battle between good and evil, which is still going on to this day.

Joshua continued the calling, for which Moses initially was chosen. He conquered many enemies, over whom the people were very afraid.

In short.

First they walked across the Jordan River, the priests in front with the ark on dry ground.

An invisible dam held the water back and the people walked across without complaining.

With 40,000 warriors in the front, they walked in direction of Jericho.

In Gilgal they camped and ate and drank.

After the circumcision in Gilgal, Joshua met the holy man.

The man said, „Do not come too close, for I am the commander of the Lord’s army.“

Jericho fell on the seventh day, the Israelites fought for the Lord’s cause.

Nothing was left of this city, no one could escape or seek shelter.

Joshua continued the fight, killing many kings, giants and men.

All enemies from here must be exterminated, the Lord’s commands and words must be obeyed.

Joshua, by now an old man, obeyed the Lord and divided the land between the tribes. The inheritance also applies today, therefore the people defend the land for the Lord’s cause. They promised not to serve other Gods and be faithful to obey the Lord and keep his commandments. Tragically they failed many times, and thereby allowing the enemies to trouble them.

1) The first 5 chapters are about the position of the Israelites in Christ to take the promised land of Canaan.

The people took territory after territory under the strong hand of God and the guidance of Joshua.

God had shoved Abraham ahead of time, what would happen to the nations living in the promised land.

Chapter 15. God gave Abraham a deep sleep and showed him, what will happen to the Amorites after many generations.

Verse 16. Four generations later the people returned to the land, because only then was the Amorites, who live there, ripe to receive their punishment.

The areas of Canaan were populated by Anakims and giants who in all areas sinned against God. As Sodom and Gomorrah were judged, the Anakims also, at some point got judged.

God used one nation to judge another, but he do not judge a nation before the time is ripe. Later, when the Israelites forgot God, they to were judged by another nation.

Deuteronomy chapters 7-22. Lord will give you victory not in a hurry but gradually. Joshua took the land over a period of 25 years.

In Moses‘ time, the people followed the pillar of fire, but when they entered Canaan, it changed. They no longer needed manna from heaven and water from the rock. The pillar of fire also disappeared.

When they crossed the Jordan River, the priests went ahead with the Ark. It represents the inflow of God’s Holy Spirit. As soon they stepped into the water, the miracle happened, the place dried up, and the people crossed over on dry ground, as in Moses‘ time. Joshua ordered them to set up 12 stones from the bottom of the river, as a monument for people to remember.

A stone for each tribe. Later the 12 tribes became the foundations stone for Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

Then they camped at Gilgal on the plain of Jericho and ate, for the first time, the products of the land.

Gilgal means to remove. Here the Lord gave Joshua the order to circumcise the people. Two generations, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, had not jet been circmncided. Circumcision in the Old Testament was a sign of the New Testament circumcision of our hearts, signifying the Holy Spirit to guide us.

In the Old as well as the New Testament one must always have Gilgal in mind, and be able to choose according to the God-given conscience. If one does not learn this, the God-given plan, that He has blessed every person with, will never truly be achieved.

The book of Joshua chapters 6 to 12 – is about our life in Christ. The fall of Jericho clearly show us, how God expects us to follow Him. For 6 days in a row they walked around the city, on the 7th day they walked around the city 7 times, after which the walls collapsed and the city was taken.

Only Rahab and her family where spared, because she hided the spies.They walked around the city 13 times according to Gods command, at the right time the city was taken.

Joshua chapter 7. The fall of Jericho was a great victory and encouragement for the second generations of the Israelites.

The Lord had told Joshua to tell the waring leaders to destroy everything in Jericho and not to take any spoils for themselves. A man named Achan did not resist the temptation. This had fatal consequences, the army suffered a defeat, lost 36 people and had to flee.

Joshua and the leaders sought the Lord by tearing their clothes and falling facedown to the ground. The Lord revealed the truth and the sinner was found by drawing lots. Now the incomprehensible happened – Achan, his family and cattle were stoned, and together with his belongings burned.

God did not discriminate between people in the Old Testament. It was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Punishment had to be done according to the rules. It became a deterrent event for the people of Israel.

Thank God, all the commandments were crucified on Calvary and forgiveness was introduced.

Jesus said on the cross: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

In Gibbon the sun and the moon stood still, as Joshua fought according to the will of the Lord.

The prayer of a single person has never before or since received greater reward. Even the Anakims had to retreat, because Israel fought the Lord’s war, as great hailstones rained down on the enemy.

Chapters 13 to 24. The land became divided between the tribes. This meant that each tribe was responsible for its own area. The people were not allowed to marry into other tribes, in the Old Testament time, they were to be a holy people to the Lord.

The Old Testament with the people of Israel, became a witness to the whole world, how God saved mankind from dead and destruction, through Jesus Christ, who payed the penalties on the cross for all time and for all generations.