Context



The Book of Joshua continues the story of the Israelites after the exodus from Egypt. The book chronicles the approximately 20 years of Joshua’s leadership of the people after Moses anointed him at the end of Deuteronomy.

Joshua comes immediately after the Pentateuch and in many ways completes its story. The theme of the first five books of the Bible is the progressive fulfillment of the “patriarchal promise” made first to Abraham (Gen.12:1-3) and reiterated to him, his son Isaac (Gen 26:2-4), and his grandson Jacob (Gen 28:13-15). In addition, these blessings would be enjoyed in the context of a close covenant relationship with God.

By the end of the Pentateuch, Israel has been brought into the blessing of covenant relationship with the Lord and has become a great people. But they remain outside the Land of Promise, on the plains of Moab. Forty years before, the Lord had raised up Moses to lead his people out of bondage in Egypt and to bring them to the land he had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 3:6-8; 6:2-8).

Now, after so many years of wandering, Joshua, the “new Moses” (Josh. 1:1-9), is to lead God's people into the land, take it, and divide it among them as their inheritance from the Lord.