Joshua

Joshua

After the death of Moses, YHWH spoke to Joshua son of Nun:

“Moses My servant is dead.

Now arise, cross this Jordan—you and all this people—into the land I am giving them.”

“Every place the sole of your foot treads, I have given you.

From the wilderness to Lebanon, from the Euphrates to the Great Sea.”

“Be strong and courageous.

Do not turn from this Book of the Torah—meditate on it day and night.”

“I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”

Joshua commanded the officers:

“Prepare provisions. In three days, you will cross the Jordan.”

To the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh:

“Your wives, children, and livestock remain in the land Moses gave you—

but your fighting men shall cross over armed.”

The people replied:

“All that you command, we will do.

Only be strong and courageous.”

———

Joshua sent two men to spy out Jericho. They entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

The king of Jericho heard, and sent word:

“Bring out the men who have entered your house.”

But Rahab had hidden them and said:

“They left at dusk… pursue them quickly!”

Rahab’s Faith

She said to the spies:

“We have heard how YHWH dried up the sea…

The hearts of all melt before you.

For YHWH your God—He is God in the heavens above and earth below.”

“Swear to me that you will spare my family.”

They said:

“When YHWH gives us the land, we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”

She let them down by a rope.

They told her:

“Tie this scarlet cord in your window.

Gather all your family into the house.”

———

Early in the morning, they came to the Jordan.

Joshua said:

“Sanctify yourselves—tomorrow YHWH will do wonders among you.”

To the priests:

“Take the Ark of the Covenant and go ahead.”

To the people:

“As soon as the soles of the priests' feet touch the water,

the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters will stand in a heap.”

As the priests stepped in, the waters rose up in a heap far upstream at Adam.

The people crossed over on dry ground.

The priests stood firmly in the middle, holding the Ark,

until all Israel had passed through.

———

YHWH said:

“Take twelve men—one from each tribe.

From the riverbed, take twelve stones and set them where you camp tonight.”

Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan.

“These stones will be a sign:

When your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’

you shall say: ‘YHWH cut off the waters of the Jordan before the Ark…

so that all peoples may know the hand of YHWH is mighty.’”

———

When the kings west of the Jordan heard, their hearts melted.

YHWH said to Joshua:

“Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.”

All the males born in the wilderness had not been circumcised.

Joshua circumcised them at Gibeath-haaraloth.

YHWH said:

“Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt.”

So the place was called Gilgal (“Rolling Away”).

Passover Celebrated

On the 14th day of the month, Israel kept the Passover.

The next day, they ate produce from the land—unleavened cakes and parched grain.

And the manna ceased the day after.

They ate the fruit of the land from then on.

The Commander of YHWH’s Army

Joshua looked up and saw a man standing with sword drawn.

“Are you for us or for our enemies?”

He replied: “No—but as Commander of the Army of YHWH I have now come.”

Joshua fell facedown:

“What does my Master say to His servant?”

“Remove your sandals. The place where you stand is set-apart.”

———

YHWH said to Joshua:

“I have given Jericho into your hand.

March around the city once for six days with all the men of war.

Seven priests shall carry seven ram’s horns before the Ark.

On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the horns.”

“When you hear the long blast—shout.

The wall will fall down flat.”

They Obeyed

For six days, they marched once each day in silence, with the Ark following the horns.

On the seventh day:

They marched around seven times

The priests blew the horns

Joshua shouted:

“Shout! For YHWH has given you the city!”

“Only Rahab and her family shall live—because she hid the spies.”

“All silver, gold, bronze, and iron are consecrated to YHWH.”

The Wall Fell

The people shouted—the wall collapsed.

Every man went straight in—they took the city.

They burned the city with fire but spared Rahab and her household.

Covenant Faithfulness

“Cursed be the man who rebuilds this city—

at the cost of his firstborn and youngest son shall he lay its foundations and gates.”

YHWH was with Joshua, and his fame spread through the land.

———

But Achan son of Carmi took some of the devoted things.

YHWH’s anger burned.

Ai Resists

Israel went up to fight Ai with only 3,000 men—but they were routed.

36 died. The people’s hearts melted.

Joshua Mourns

Joshua tore his clothes and cried out:

“Why have You brought us across the Jordan only to fall before our enemies?”

YHWH replied:

“Get up. Israel has sinned.

They have stolen what is devoted, lied, and hidden it.”

The Sin Revealed

Tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family—until Achan was taken.

“It is true,” Achan said.

“I saw a beautiful cloak, silver, and gold—and I took them.”

They stoned Achan, his household, and burned them with fire.

“So YHWH turned from His burning anger.

The place is called Valley of Achor (Troubling).”

———

YHWH said:

“Do not fear. Take all the fighting men.

I have given Ai into your hand.

Set an ambush behind the city.”

Victory by Strategy

Joshua led Israel in front; 30,000 lay in ambush behind.

When the king of Ai attacked, Joshua and Israel pretended to flee.

Ai was drawn out.

Then the ambush rose, set fire to the city, and surrounded the men of Ai.

“Not one remained alive or escaped.”

The king of Ai was hanged.

Then taken down and buried under a heap of stones.

Covenant Renewed at Mount Ebal

Joshua built an altar of uncut stones.

He wrote the Torah of Moses on the stones.

Half the people stood before Mount Gerizim, half before Mount Ebal,

and Joshua read the entire Torah—blessings and curses—before all Israel.

———

The kings west of the Jordan united to fight Israel.

But the Gibeonites acted craftily.

They came with worn clothes and dry bread, pretending to be from a distant land:

“Make a covenant with us.”

Israel Believes Them

They asked no counsel from YHWH and made a covenant of peace.

Three days later, they discovered the truth—Gibeon was nearby.

They could not kill them because of the oath, but made them:

“Woodcutters and water carriers for the house of YHWH.”

———

Five Amorite Kings Attack Gibeon

Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem led five kings to attack Gibeon.

The Gibeonites cried out:

“Come quickly, save your servants!”

YHWH Gives Victory

YHWH said to Joshua:

“Do not be afraid—I have given them into your hand.”

Joshua marched all night.

YHWH threw the enemy into confusion.

“As they fled, YHWH hurled great stones from heaven—more died by hail than by sword.”

The Sun Stands Still

Joshua prayed:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon!

Moon, over the Valley of Aijalon!”

And the sun stood still, and the moon halted—

until the nation had avenged itself on its enemies.

“There has been no day like it—before or since—

when YHWH heeded a man’s voice so completely.

For YHWH fought for Israel.”

The Five Kings Executed

They were found hiding in a cave. Joshua said:

“Bring them out.”

He had commanders place their feet on the kings’ necks:

“Be strong and courageous—YHWH will do this to all your enemies.”

Then he struck them and hanged them on five trees.

Southern Conquest Continues

That day, Israel took:

Makkedah

Libnah

Lachish

Eglon

Hebron

Debir

“Joshua struck them all down. He left no survivor.

YHWH God of Israel fought for Israel.”

———

When Jabin king of Hazor heard of Joshua’s victories, he sent word to many kings in the north—

a vast army with horses and chariots, as numerous as sand on the seashore.

They assembled at the waters of Merom to fight Israel.

YHWH said to Joshua:

“Do not be afraid of them—tomorrow at this time I will give them into your hand.”

Israel Strikes Swiftly

Joshua and all Israel came upon them suddenly.

YHWH gave them into Israel’s hand.

Their horses were hamstrung, their chariots burned.

Joshua turned back and took Hazor, the head of all those kingdoms.

He struck its king and all the people with the sword.

“Hazor alone Joshua burned.”

Complete Obedience

“Joshua left nothing undone of all that YHWH commanded Moses.”

He took all the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills, and the Arabah.

“For it was YHWH who hardened their hearts to meet Israel in battle—

that they might be destroyed completely.”

Anakim Destroyed

“Joshua cut off the Anakim from the hill country—Hebron, Debir, Anab…”

“None remained except in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.”

“So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that YHWH had spoken to Moses.

And the land had rest from war.”

———

East of the Jordan (Moses’ victories):

Sihon king of the Amorites (Heshbon)

Og king of Bashan (Ashtaroth and Edrei)

West of the Jordan (Joshua’s victories):

31 kings total—among them:

Jericho

Ai

Jerusalem

Hebron

Jarmuth

Lachish

Eglon

Gezer

Geder

Hazor

Madon

Shimron-meron

Taanach

Megiddo

Kedesh

Jokneam

Dor

Gilgal

Tirzah

“Joshua defeated them all—one after another.”

———

“Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years.

YHWH said to him: ‘There remains much land to possess…’”

Territory Remaining:

All of Philistia

Geshurites

Sidonians

All Lebanon

Land of the Gebalites

All the hill country of Hermon

YHWH said:

“I Myself will drive them out.

Allot the land to Israel as an inheritance.”

Land Already Allotted East of the Jordan (by Moses):

Reuben

Gad

Half of Manasseh

Includes: Aroer, Medeba, Heshbon, Dibon, Gilead, Bashan

“Only the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance—

YHWH, the God of Israel, is their inheritance.”

———

The people came to Joshua at Gilgal.

Caleb son of Jephunneh said:

“You know what YHWH said to Moses about me at Kadesh-barnea.

I was 40 years old when Moses sent me to spy out the land…

I brought back a report from my heart.

The others made the people afraid—but I followed YHWH fully.”

“Moses swore: ‘Surely the land your feet walked on will be your inheritance.’”

Caleb’s Request

“Now I am 85 years old.

I am still as strong as the day Moses sent me.

Give me this hill country—where the Anakim are.

Perhaps YHWH will be with me to drive them out.”

Joshua blessed him and gave him Hebron as an inheritance.

“So Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb…

because he fully followed YHWH, the God of Israel.”

———

The boundary of Judah extended:

From the Dead Sea to the ascent of Akrabbim

Around to Kadesh-barnea, to Gaza

Then to the Brook of Egypt

The western border was the Great Sea (Mediterranean)

Caleb Conquers Hebron

He drove out the sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

He attacked Debir. Caleb said:

“Whoever captures it, I will give him my daughter Achsah.”

Othniel son of Kenaz took it.

Achsah asked for water—Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

Towns of Judah Listed

29 towns in the Negev

38 towns in the lowland

16 towns in the hill country

6 in the wilderness

Note on the Jebusites

“As for Jerusalem, the Jebusites lived there with the children of Judah to this day—

for they could not drive them out.”

———

The allotment for Joseph’s descendants began at the Jordan, east of Jericho.

It ran through:

The wilderness up to Bethel

Down toward Gezer

Ending at the Mediterranean Sea

Ephraim’s Portion

Ephraim received its inheritance within Manasseh’s larger territory:

Their towns were distinct, though surrounded by Manasseh

“But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer.

So the Canaanites have lived among Ephraim to this day, as forced labor.”

———

Manasseh, Joseph’s other son, received his portion.

The firstborn, Makir, a warrior, received Gilead and Bashan (east of Jordan)

The remaining clans received land west of the Jordan—alongside Ephraim.

Zelophehad’s Daughters

These five daughters (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, Tirzah) came to Joshua and Eleazar:

“YHWH commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our father’s brothers.”

Joshua obeyed.

Joseph’s Complaint

The people of Joseph said:

“Why have you given us only one portion, though we are many?”

Joshua replied:

“If you are many, go clear forest in the hill country of the Perizzites.”

They said:

“The hill country is not enough—and the Canaanites in the valleys have iron chariots.”

Joshua answered:

“You are a numerous and strong people.

You shall drive them out, even the iron chariots.”

———

“The whole congregation assembled at Shiloh,

and set up the Tent of Meeting there.”

Seven tribes had not yet received their inheritance.

Joshua said:

“How long will you delay to take the land YHWH has given you?

Choose three men from each tribe. Go, write a description of the land, and return to me.”

They did so.

Joshua cast lots before YHWH at Shiloh, and divided the land.

———

Tribe by tribe:

Simeon — received towns within Judah’s portion

Zebulun — territory stretched to Sarid, east of Jokneam

Issachar — included Jezreel, Shunem, and Mount Tabor

Asher — along the seacoast, including Acco

Naphtali — from Heleph to the Jordan, included Kedesh and Hazor

Dan — struggled to secure their territory, so they took Leshem and renamed it Dan

“When they finished dividing the land,

the Israelites gave Joshua the town he asked for: Timnath-serah,

in the hill country of Ephraim.

He built it up and lived there.”

———

YHWH said:

“Appoint the cities of refuge, as I commanded through Moses,

so that anyone who kills unintentionally may flee there.”

The Six Cities Appointed:

Kedesh in Galilee (Naphtali)

Shechem in Ephraim

Hebron in Judah

Bezer in Reuben

Ramoth in Gad

Golan in Manasseh

“These are for all Israelites and foreigners living among them—

so that anyone who kills without intent may flee,

and not die by the avenger’s hand before standing trial.”

———

The heads of the Levite families came to Eleazar, Joshua, and the leaders:

“YHWH commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with pasturelands for our livestock.”

Cities Allotted by Tribe (via casting lots):

Kohathites (Aaron’s descendants) received cities from Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin (including Hebron—a city of refuge)

Other Kohathites received cities from Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh (including Shechem)

Gershonites from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the other half of Manasseh (including Kedesh)

Merarites from Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun (including Ramoth and Bezer)

Total: 48 cities with surrounding pastureland

———

Joshua summoned the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh:

“You have kept all Moses commanded and have not forsaken your brothers.

Now YHWH has given rest. Return to your homes on the east side of the Jordan.”

“Only be very careful to love YHWH your God, walk in His ways, and keep His commands.”

They returned home with great riches.

The Altar at the Jordan

At Geliloth, the eastern tribes built a large altar.

The rest of Israel heard and prepared for war, fearing apostasy.

But the tribes replied:

“YHWH is God! We did not build it for burnt offerings, but as a witness between us—

that we also serve YHWH.”

“Let it be a reminder across generations,

so your children will not say ours have no share in YHWH.”

“Far be it from us to rebel against YHWH.”

The matter pleased the leaders.

They blessed the tribes and returned in peace.

———

After many years, Joshua, now old, called all Israel:

“You have seen all that YHWH your God has done—He has fought for you.”

“Be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Torah of Moses.

Do not turn aside. Do not cling to the nations among you.”

“One of you shall put a thousand to flight—YHWH fights for you.”

“If you turn back and marry the nations…

YHWH will no longer drive them out.”

“Know this: Not one word of YHWH’s promises has failed.

But just as He fulfilled good promises,

so He will bring judgment if you break the covenant.”

———

Joshua gathered all the tribes to Shechem.

He spoke on YHWH’s behalf:

A History of Redemption

“Long ago your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates—Terah, father of Abraham.

I took Abraham, gave him Isaac, then Jacob and Esau.

I brought your fathers out of Egypt.

I brought you through the sea, defeated your enemies.

You lived beyond the Jordan—I gave you the land.

You ate from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant.”

Joshua’s Call

“Now, fear YHWH and serve Him in sincerity and truth.

Put away the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt.”

“Choose this day whom you will serve…

But as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH.”

The people answered:

“Far be it from us to forsake YHWH!”

A Witness and a Covenant

Joshua said:

“You are witnesses against yourselves—you have chosen YHWH.”

They said:

“We are witnesses.”

Joshua wrote the words in the Book of the Torah of God.

He set up a great stone under the oak by the sanctuary.

“This stone shall be a witness—it has heard all the words YHWH spoke to us.”

Joshua died at 110 years old. He was buried at Timnath-serah.

Israel served YHWH all the days of Joshua and the elders after him.

They buried the bones of Joseph at Shechem, in the land Jacob bought.

Eleazar the priest died and was buried in the hill country of Ephraim.