Jericho & Conquering the Land
Joshua 1–10What happens in Joshua 1–10
The book of Joshua opens with the dramatic fulfillment of centuries of promise. After Moses' death, God commissions Joshua with repeated calls to strength and courage and promises to be with him as He was with Moses. Joshua sends two spies into Jericho, where Rahab hides them and confesses that Israel's God rules in heaven above and on the earth below. She and her family are marked out for protection.
The Jordan River, at flood stage, parts when the priests carrying the ark step into the water. Israel crosses on dry ground, and twelve memorial stones are set up so future generations will ask what they mean and hear again what God did at the river. The wilderness-born generation is circumcised, they celebrate Passover in the land, and the manna stops once they begin eating the produce of Canaan.
The conquest of Jericho follows a plan that makes victory clearly God's work rather than Israel's. The people march, the priests blow trumpets, and the walls fall. Rahab's household is spared. But victory is followed by defeat at Ai because Achan secretly takes forbidden plunder from Jericho. After Achan's sin is exposed and judged, Israel conquers Ai. Joshua then builds an altar on Mount Ebal and reads the law to the nation, as Moses had commanded. The Gibeonites later trick Israel into making a treaty, and God fights for Israel against a southern coalition with hailstones and an extended day.
Key takeaways
- God keeps His promises, after centuries of waiting, Israel finally enters the Promised Land.
- Rahab's story shows that faith, not ethnic background, determines who belongs in God's family.
- Obedience matters in details. Achan's sin affected the whole community.
- God fights for His people, from Jericho's walls to the sun standing still, victory comes from God's power, not human strength.
A verse to carry
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of Yahweh’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”Joshua 5:13-14 (WEB)
Joshua's question, 'Are you for us or against us?', received a stunning answer: 'Neither.' God doesn't take sides in our conflicts; He comes as commander. The real question isn't whether God is on our side but whether we are on his.
Something to sit with
God told Joshua to be strong and courageous three times at the beginning of his leadership. What situation in your life right now requires you to hear those words and believe them?
Did you know?
Rahab appears in Matthew 1:5, Hebrews 11:31, and James 2:25. Her story continues to matter in later biblical reflection on faith and welcome.
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