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I enjoy the Book of Joshua as it’s a story of God keeping His promises. God promised Abraham, 500 years before Joshua entered Canaan, that the land would be given to the descendants of Abraham.
We see God’s faithfulness in chapter 3 of Joshua. . .
Early the next morning Joshua and all the Israelites left Acacia Grove and arrived at the banks of the Jordan River, where they camped before crossing (3:1, NLT).
After 1500 years, it was time. Why wait longer? The Israelites approached the Jordan River to see what God would do next, and they weren’t disappointed.
A few days later, the Levites carried the Ark of the Covenant into an overflowing Jordan River, and similar to the Red Sea parting for Moses, when the priests carrying the Ark touched the waters of the Jordan, the water backed up, allowing the Israelites to cross.
God had told Joshua earlier. . .
Today, I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses (3:7).
The Israelites had confidence entering the Promised Land this time, as Joshua had sent two spies into the land who returned with the report, “The Lord has given us the whole land for all the people are terrified of us” (Joshua 2:24).
Soon after crossing the Jordan River, Joshua saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword. Joshua asked him, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” He replied, “I am the commander of the Lord’s Army, take off your sandals for where you are standing is holy” (5:13-15).
In other words, Joshua, you determine by your faith whether I’m friend or foe.
When Israel followed the Lord’s instruction, things went well. Fortunately, Joshua listened to God the entire time he led the Israelites, and the Book of Joshua describes the walls of Jericho falling, and in chapters 10 through 12, there’s a long list of kings and places conquered by the Israelites.
Read Joshua and be amazed — Rahab the Harlot was saved (and later is listed in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5); the sun stood still, giving Israel the time needed to complete a battle in chapter 10; and even the giant Anakim were defeated in chapter 11.
Admittedly, chapters 13 through 22 can be boring.
If you disagree with me, read them tonight at bedtime and see how quickly you fall asleep. But though long and tedious, these chapters describe in detail after detail after detail the land that every tribe of Israel received.
Mission accomplished, God’s pledge to Abraham fulfilled, which brings us to the most important passages in the Book of Joshua.
At the beginning of the book. . .
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (1:8, ESV).
And at the end of the book, when Joshua, on his deathbed, challenges the Israelites. . .
Choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord (24:15, NLT).
For Israel and all of God’s people throughout history, even to this day, is there better advice for following God?