Introduction+to+Joshua



The story of Joshua beg ins ashe is appointed by God to lead the people after the death of Moses.

The book of Joshua has four main sections: The early chapters describe the Israelites' preparations to conquer Canaan, and the first steps of the invasion (1:1–5:12). The central event in this section is the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River (3:1-17).

The next section details the warfare between the invading Israelites and the native Canaanites (5:13–12:24). The most important battles were against Jericho (5:13–6:27), Ai and Bethel (8:1-29), an alliance of southern cities (10:1-43) and an alliance of northern cities (11:1-15). The conquest of Canaan was an important event in Israel's history, it allowed them to describe themselves as the inhabitants of the land that God had promised their forefathers, Israel was no longer referred to as just a people, but a land.

The longest section is about the dividing of the land among the people (13:1–21:45). Even though much of the land had not yet been conquered, Joshua assigned each tribe the territory that would be its inheritance.

The book concludes with a series of postscripts (22:1–24:33). The tribes who wished to settle east of the Jordan returned to their lands (22:1-34). Like Moses, Joshua made a farewell address and gathered the people together to renew the covenant (23:1–24:27). Finally, Joshua's death is recorded, along with an appraisal of his distinguished career (24:28-33).