God commissions Joshua – After Moses dies, God renews His covenant for Israel with Joshua, His new faithful leader, saying, "You shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go." Joshua 1:1-9 

 

 Ready to possess the promised land – With Joshua in place, God is prepared for Israel to return to the land of Canaan to possess it, but they must first defeat seven nations to possess the land. Moses prepared them for these nations before he died, saying that "God would clear away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you, and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction." Deuteronomy 7:1-2

 

Note: The apostle Paul in the New Testament referred back to this promise in Acts 13:17-19, saying, "after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave Israel their land as an inheritance."

 

Spies sent to Jericho - The first city Israel must conquer is the city of Jericho. When Joshua sent spies to Jericho to spy out the land, they met a harlot named Rahab who hid the spies from the rulers of Jericho, saying that the people there had heard of the great works of God that He had done for His people and confessed how their hearts melted in fear of Israel. 

 

Rehab made a deal with the spies, and by showing kindness to them, she asked that her family be remembered by God and by Israel, and that they would be spared when Israel takes Jericho. The spies made a deal with her, guaranteeing her safety. Rehab was mentioned twice in the New Testament, stating that it was by faith that Rahab hid the spies and was spared. This example teaches us that God rewards faith and that no one is excluded from salvation if they believe in God. Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25

 

Israel crosses the Jordan - To get to Jericho and begin their conquest of Canaan, Israel must first cross the Jordan. God established Himself in Joshua and glorified the Ark of the Covenant by performing a great miracle by parting the Jordan River. The Jordan was this generation's equivalent of the Red Sea experience. Joshua 4:23-24 says, "For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever." Joshua 3-4

 

Circumcision and a covenant renewed - After crossing Jordan, Israel is now in Canaan, the land God promised. Upon arriving in Gilgal, God renewed His covenant with His people. They were circumcised, and the first Passover in Canaanwas observed. Joshua 5

 

Jericho falls - Jericho is the first city to be taken by Israel. Obeying God's commandment, they marched around the walls of Jericho seven times with the Ark of the Lord, singing and praising His name. After seven times, the walls fell, and Israel went in and possessed the city. 

 

The sin of Achan - After the victory at Jericho, an obstacle arose within the camp of Israel, as the sin of Achan plagued the people, and God's judgment was swift to keep them on track. After the sin is removed, Israel defeats Ai, and Joshua builds an altar on Mount Ebal and reads God's law to the people.

 

Many battles are won to possess the land of Canaan - Israel captures the southern region with victories at Gibeon, Makkedah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir.

 

Note: At the battle of Gibeon, God makes the sun stand still still so Israel can finish the battle. 

 

In the northern region, the kings of the north unite against Israel, but Israel defeats them at the waters of Merom. Hazor, the leading city of the northern region, which is the head of all the kingdoms, was burned down by Joshua. 

 

You can find a list of kings that Joshua defeated in Joshua 12. However, there were still enemies living in the land of Canaan that Israel would have to deal with at a later time.

 

Israel possesses the Promised Land - Through many battles, Israel conquers the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, including the great city of Jericho, and claims it for the Lord. These victories fulfill the word that Abraham received from the Lord that God would give them a land to inherit that they would call their own. 

 

Joshua divides the land - As a reward, territories are assigned to the twelve tribes of Israel, all recieving land to build on and grow their families, while certain lands were set aside for the priestly service and cities of refuge.

 

Peace in the land - Finally, Israel has achieved peace, as promised by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua, being led by God, conquered the land of Canaan and possessed it for God's people.

 

Joshua dies – As Joshua aged and was ready to die, he gave a farewell speech to Israel, reminding them to remain faithful to God. He warns against idolatry and unfaithfulness. At age 110, Joshua dies and is buried in the land that he inherited byGod.