Copyright © 2014 Josh Austin. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.

Published by Kingdom Warriors Publishing,

Zurich, Switzerland

Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1: Slave, Servant, Spy and Leader: Where was Joshua born?

Why did Joshua serve as a slave in Egypt?

What was Joshua’s first victory in battle?

When did Joshua become Moses’s minister?

When did Joshua serve as an Israeli spy?

When did Joshua become the leader of Israel?

Chapter 2: From Jordan to Jericho: What did Joshua plan before crossing Jordan?

How did Joshua’s spies spend time in Jericho?

What important information did the spies learn from Rahab?

What did Rahab request from the men in return for her kindness?

What conditions did the men agree to?

What report did the two spies offer Joshua?

How did Joshua prepare the Israelites to cross the Jordan River?

What did God tell Joshua about the preparation for the crossing?

How did the Israelites cross the Jordan River?

What did God command Joshua to do after the crossing?

How did the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant cross the river?

What did the Israelites do in Gilgal?

How did the Israelites survive in their new land?

Which of God’s angels did Joshua encounter?

Chapter 3: The Battle of Jericho: How accessible was Jericho to the Israelites?

What plan for battle did God reveal to Joshua?

How did Joshua action God’s plan?

What extra measure of protection did Joshua propose?

What did Joshua command the people regarding noise?

How many days did the Israelites circle the city?

How did the Israelites conquer Jericho?

What did Joshua command the Israelites about the spoils of the city?

Who breached this command?

What was Joshua’s curse on Jericho?

Did the inhabitants of Canaan hear the news of Jericho?

Did Jesus ever visit the new Jericho?

Chapter 4: The Battle of Ai: What was Joshua’s first action in this battle?

What report did the spies bring Joshua?

Did the Israelites conquer the city of Ai?

What did the Israelites think of the ambush?

What did Joshua pray to the Lord?

What did the Lord reveal to Joshua?

How did Joshua find the transgressor of God’s covenant?

What was Joshua’s response to Achan’s confession?

How was Achan executed?

Why was Achan judged so harshly?

What good news did God offer to Joshua?

How many men did Joshua send to battle?

How did the Israelites conquer the city of Ai?

Did the men of Ai survive the attack?

What did Joshua do with the king of Ai?

Was there anything left of the city of Ai?

What did the Israelites do to thank God for victory?

How did Joshua bless his nation?

Chapter 5: The Battle at Gibeon: What did all the kings of Jordan collectively decide?

How did the Gibeonites approach the Israelites?

What was the peace agreement between Israel and Gibeon?

Did the Israelites ever find out the truth about the Gibeonites?

Did the Israelites break the peace-agreement with Gibeon?

What did the Israelites plan for the Gibeonites?

Did the Gibeonites agree to slavery?

What sparked the battle at Gibeon?

How did Joshua and the Israelites get involved in the battle?

Did God support Joshua’s action against the Amorite kings?

How did the Israelites conquer the city of Gibeon?

What supernatural event occurred at the battle in Gibeon?

How did Joshua capture the five Amorite kings?

Chapter 6: The Inheritance of the Land: Did Joshua continue to battle after Gibeon?

What did God command Joshua about the inhabitants of the cities?

Where can I read about more of the battles in Canaan?

How can we inherit the Kingdom of God ?

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

This book serves to highlight the story of Joshua, with reference to the King James Holy Bible, 1611.

Joshua served as a slave, an assistant, a spy, a military commander and the leader of Israel in his time, all while maintaining his faith and obedience in the Lord.

Through his story, we are able to learn about the physical and practical implications of true leadership, which Joshua earned through many years of patience on Moses’s side. His tremendous courage earned him the position of placing the Promised Land into the hands of his descendants, which fulfilled God’s covenant with Abraham made almost 700 years prior.

These are some of the questions that you will be able to answer after reading through this concise book:

•        Where did Joshua serve as a slave?

•        Where did Joshua serve as an Israeli spy?

•        Who elected Joshua as the leader of Israel?

•        How did Joshua conquer the land of Canaan?

•        Which miracles did Joshua witness in his lifetime?

•        Which of the Lord’s angels did Joshua meet?

•        How old was Joshua when he died?

The Israelites perished in the desert after their forty year journey due to their disbelief in God and rebellion to His Word. However, Joshua and Caleb inherited the land of their destiny, revealing the power of faith and loyalty, despite being the extreme minority. This testimony serves as a reminder for all who await the destiny of eternal life, to continue in faith and obedience to God’s Word.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Thank you for your interest in this content; may your life be blessed in even the smallest way!

CHAPTER 1: SLAVE, SERVANT, SPY AND LEADER

Where was Joshua born?

Joshua, son of Nun, was born into the tribe of Ephraim in the land of Goshen in Egypt. Nun was a man from the tribe of Ephraim, who spent his life in Goshen. His mother is not mentioned in the Bible, which is not uncommon since genealogy lists only the males throughout the Bible.

Goshen was the land that was inherited by Jacob, who was renamed Israel, when Joseph became the ruler of Egypt.

Moses was also born in Goshen, but was later absorbed into the Egyptian Royal family, which became a testimony of God’s plans and purposes for His servants.

Why did Joshua serve as a slave in Egypt?

Genesis 15:13-14 "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance."

Many have asked why the Israelites were afflicted for four hundred years, incorrectly assuming that it was a time of punishment for a disobedient nation. However, when we study the story of Joseph and the beginning of the nation of Israel, we realize that slavery was somewhat self-inflicted!

Exodus 1:8-14 "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour."

The Israelites could have easily overpowered the Egyptians, but evidently failed to believe that this was possible, a theme repeated throughout the Books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Lesson: Through failure to consult with God, requesting victory through faith, the Israelites were subjected to slavery, remaining in bondage for four hundred years. Here we learn to always believe that victory is possible through God, that He is always willing to hear our prayers, and that our failures are not His fault, but rather, our own.

Joshua lived in Egypt in the last generation of slavery, which means that he too served as a slave before the Exodus. Throughout his victories in Canaan, he must have surely reflected on the lack of action of the Hebrew leaders in his time in Egypt, realizing that God’s destiny for His loyal servants includes victory, blessing and prosperity! It was God who eventually freed the Israelites from slavery, having a greater purpose for the nation that He had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

What was Joshua’s first victory in battle?

Exodus 17:8-9 "Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill."

This is the first time that we are introduced to Joshua in the Bible, which highlights his leadership and military qualities before he became Moses’s successor. He had the courage to act on the responsibilities given to him, irrespective of how overwhelming they may have been, and executed instructions with precision and command. It was in the battle in Rephidim that Joshua experienced Israel’s first victory.

Exodus 17:13-14 "And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."

God was clearly well pleased with Joshua, slowly training him to become the leader that he was destined to be by placing him on Moses’s side. Moses also evidently recognized Joshua’s potential as a leader, appointing him to command the first battle of Israel in a vulnerable setting.

When did Joshua become Moses’s minister?

Exodus 24:12-13 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God."

The Bible does not specify when exactly Joshua was appointed as Moses’s assistant, but we saw that he was already chosen for a purpose after the battle at Rephidim.

Many have pondered the possibility that Joshua was with Moses in the presence of the Lord when he received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai; whether Joshua spent six days with Moses, and then thirty four days in solitude, or whether Joshua was on Moses’s side throughout the forty days and forty nights, it is evident that he was extraordinarily patient, obedient and humble!

Consider the following scripture:

Exodus 33:11 "And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle."

While Joshua is only parenthetically mentioned in this scripture, the importance of his role in the Holy Tabernacle is emphasized, having been granted exclusive access to every step of Moses’s walk with God. It is from this that we can deduce that Joshua likely spent the entire forty days and forty nights with Moses, in the presence of the Lord, an incredible honor!

When did Joshua serve as an Israeli spy?

Numbers 13:16-17 "These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain…"

Joshua, first named Hosea, was given a special prophetic blessing through this name change, much like others had been given throughout the Bible. Hosea means ‘salvation’ and Joshua means ‘God is salvation’, and we immediately see the application of his faith in God when he sets out to spy on the inhabitants of the Promised Land.

The twelve spies searched the land for forty days, after which they returned to offer their perspectives about what they saw. It is interesting to note that the ten spies who relied on their own logic offered a report of fear, while the two spies who relied on God offered an encouraging one.

Numbers 14:6-9 "And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: and they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not."

We must acknowledge Joshua and Caleb’s bravery and faith in God, as the land which God had promised to His people was inhabited not by ordinary people, but by Nephilim giants, a hybrid race of humans which were the offspring of fallen angels and human females.

Numbers 13:33 "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

Lesson: Placing our full faith in God allows Him to use us in greater ways than our own physical capabilities and limitations will allow. Joshua and Caleb trusted in the bigger picture, one that they knew God had prepared them for, despite their size, strength or number. Let us be reminded to place our full trust in the Lord, who will always lead us to victory if we walk in His ways!

When did Joshua become the leader of Israel?

Deuteronomy 31:1-3 "And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said."

Joshua 1:1-3 "Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses."

God appointed Joshua to be Moses’s successor, and Joshua actioned his role as the leader without hesitation, addressing his nation with authority and instruction from God.

Joshua addressed the Israelites with the following:

•        He commanded that the officers of the people be prepared to cross over Jordon within three days in order to possess the land

•        He identified that it was God who was giving them the land

•        He commanded that the wives, children and cattle of the Reubenites, Gadites and Mannasehs remained outside of the borders of Canaan until the day of victory, offering the men a compelling reason to prepare for war.

•        He commanded team work and support from all men, commanding some to lead with armor, and some to follow diligently.

Joshua 1:16-18 "And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage."

It is evident that Joshua’s leadership style was effective, and that his spontaneous plan of action left the Israelites no time to doubt, fear or complain. Joshua proved a strong and capable leader within his first hours of leadership, having executed everything that he had learned from Moses with perfection and a brand new approach.

CHAPTER 2: FROM JORDAN TO JERICHO

What did Joshua plan before crossing Jordan?

Joshua sent two spies into the Promised Land, and instructed them to spy particularly on Jericho, which was the first city west of Jordan, which he planned to attack.

How did Joshua’s spies spend time in Jericho?

Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, kept the men hidden in her house, which was built on the wall of the city. When confronted by the guards of the king, she protected the Israelites by hiding them on her roof, defending herself by telling the guards that the men had left.

What important information did the spies learn from Rahab?

Rahab told Joshua’s spies that the entire city of Jericho feared the Israelites because of the news of God’s miracles and victories through His people.

Joshua 2:10-11 "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath."

What did Rahab request from the men in return for her kindness?

Joshua 2:12-13 "Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death."

What conditions did the men agree to?

The spies agreed to keep Rahab and her family safe in the upcoming attack on the city, provided that:

•        She distinguished her house from the others by binding a scarlet thread in her window on the day of the attack

•        Her family remained inside of her house during the attack

•        She keeps their interaction confidential

Joshua 2:21 "And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window."

What report did the two spies offer Joshua?

Joshua 2:23-24 "So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them: And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us."

Lesson: Joshua’s two spies were encouraged by their investigations, despite the high walls of the city or the threat from the king, much like Joshua and Caleb were in their days of spying, because they relied on God’s power and not on their own. They also identified that it was the Lord who had delivered the city into their hands, and not their own personal pursuits that had earned it. From this we are reminded to always rely on God for strength and to acknowledge Him as the source of our success.

How did Joshua prepare the Israelites to cross the Jordan River?

Joshua 3:5-6 "And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people."

The officers had also commanded the people, according to the word of the Lord, to follow the Ark of the Covenant when the priests entered the water with it, but to maintain a distance of approximately half a mile from it in order to observe which way to go.

What did God tell Joshua about the preparation for the crossing?

Joshua 3:7-8 "And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan."

Joshua shared God’s planned miracle with the Israelites with absolute certainty, highlighting the victory that awaited them on the other side, where the land would become theirs for an inheritance.

How did the Israelites cross the Jordan River?

Joshua 3:14-17 "And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

The Jordan River is known to be approximately 300 feet wide in flood stage, with waters flowing at a rapid 10 miles an hour; it must have taken incredible faith for the priests to take that first step into the water!

Notice that all of the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, obediently submitting to God’s plan, which eliminated Joshua’s previous strategy to leave the women, children and cattle behind and for only the men to enter the Promised Land, armed and ready for battle. In their most vulnerable position, the Israelites knew they had to trust God completely and collectively in order to inherit the Promised Land, which is a remarkable testimony of faith and overcoming logical fears. If the crossing was not a success, the Israelites knew it would be the end of them.

What did God command Joshua to do after the crossing?

Joshua 4:1-3 "And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night."

Joshua ensured that the twelve stones from the Jordan River were set up for a memorial for the children of Israel forever, just as God had commanded him, but also placed twelve stones in the river as an extra measure of testimony.

He pitched the stones in Gilgal, which is where the Israelites first camped after crossing the Jordan River.

Lesson: This likely symbolized a new start, with rough stones being placed in the river, and smooth stones being taken out of the river; Joshua went the extra mile for God, something that we can all learn from today. Let us not only do what He asks of us, but let us be willing to go the extra mile for Him, in any small way that we can.

How did the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant cross the river?

Joshua 4:14-18 "On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life. And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan. And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before."

What did the Israelites do in Gilgal?

•        The males who had been born in the wilderness, and had not yet been circumcised, got circumcised.

•        The Israelites kept the Passover

How did the Israelites survive in their new land?

Joshua 5:12 "And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year."

God provided manna and water for His people for just over forty years, and then He gave them the Promised Land, a land of abundance.

The land was filled with wheat, barley, grapes, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey (Deuteronomy 8:8-9).

Consider the following scripture:

Mathew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

Which of God’s angels did Joshua encounter?

Joshua 5:13-15 "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so."

The appearance of the captain of the Lord’s army and his message emphasizes the fact that battles are never our own, but rather belong to God. Victory and glory and honor belong to God, and when we surrender to His will, we make ourselves available to Him to serve His purposes. It is interesting to note that Joshua was by Jericho when the angel appeared to him, likely surveying the city and strategizing the attack. This encounter likely served as a source of encouragement, but was mostly to remind Joshua to rely on God’s strategies, which far outweighed any man’s.

CHAPTER 3: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO

How accessible was Jericho to the Israelites?

Joshua 6:1 "Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in."

The inhabitants of Jericho feared the Israelites because they had heard of the miracles that God had done through them, with the latest being the spectacular crossing of the flooded Jordan River.

What plan for battle did God reveal to Joshua?

Joshua 6:2-5 "And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him."

How did Joshua action God’s plan?

Joshua communicated God’s controversial plan to the Israelites with authority, which the Israelites received with enthusiasm and a sense of urgency to take action.

It is clear that this generation of Israelites had a strong leader and strong faith in God, never doubting or complaining like those who perished in the wilderness.

What extra measure of protection did Joshua propose?

Joshua commanded that his armed men would walk before the ark, and one behind the ark.

What did Joshua command the people regarding noise?

Joshua 6:10 "And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."

How many days did the Israelites circle the city?

For six days, as the Lord commanded, the Israelites circled the city once, with the seven priests blowing on their trumpets and the ark of the covenant protected by the men of war.

After each day of encompassing the city, they returned to camp and lodged there.

On the seventh day the Israelites encompassed the city seven times, beginning at sunrise.

How did the Israelites conquer Jericho?

Joshua 6:16 "And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city."

The Israelites shouted, and the walls of Jericho fell down flat, a clear message of God’s power!

They entered into the city and killed every inhabitant, including animals, with the exception of Rahab and her family. This clearly indicates that Rahab maintained her integrity, and was saved from death and destruction.

Joshua 6:24 "And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD."

The entire city of Jericho was destroyed with fire, a representation of purification. Consider the following scripture:

2 Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

What did Joshua command the Israelites about the spoils of the city?

Joshua 6:18-19 "And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD."

With Jericho being the first fruits of Canaan, it was commanded that the Israelites would take nothing but precious metals, which would then be wholly devoted to the Lord. This meant that they were to take nothing for themselves, and if they did, they would curse themselves and the rest of the camp.

Who breached this command?

Joshua 7:1 "But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel."

We will find out what the consequences of Achan’s actions were in the next chapter.

What was Joshua’s curse on Jericho?

Joshua 6:26 "And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it."

Joshua proclaimed a curse upon anyone who would ever rebuild the city of Jericho, because the destruction of it was designed and executed by God as a permanent memorial against idolatry, and immorality itself.  The curse entailed the death of the sons of any man who would rebuild it, which was fulfilled some five hundred and fifty years later:

1 Kings 16:34 "In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun."

Did the inhabitants of Canaan hear the news of Jericho?

Joshua 6:27 "So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country."

Did Jesus ever visit the new Jericho?

Mathew 20:29-34 "And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."

Luke 19:1-10 "And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

CHAPTER 4: THE BATTLE OF AI

What was Joshua’s first action in this battle?

Joshua sent out spies to view the country, and the men went to Ai, a Canaanite royal city.

What report did the spies bring Joshua?

Joshua 7:3 "And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few."

The royal city of Ai was delicate in comparison to Jericho, and the Israelites were confident that they required only 3000 of their men to conquer it.

Did the Israelites conquer the city of Ai?

3000 men went to battle against the city of Ai, confident that it would be easy to defeat such a small city in comparison to Jericho, however, on arrival at the gate of Ai, the inhabitants fought back and chased them, killing approximately 36 Israelites in the process.

What did the Israelites think of the ambush?

Joshua 7:5-6 "And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads."

What did Joshua pray to the Lord?

Joshua 7:7-9 "And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?"

Joshua knew that if the news about their defeat in Ai spread through Canaan, it would cause all Canaanites to believe that there was a possibility that they could conquer Israel.

Joshua was so driven by the victory in Jericho that he did not consult with the Lord before the battle of Ai. It is important to learn that we need to always consult with the Lord, no matter how much momentum we have gained in His favor.

What did the Lord reveal to Joshua?

The Lord revealed to Joshua that someone in the camp had broken His commandment by taking of the accursed thing from Jericho, and that if this was not removed from His people, He would no longer be with them in battle.

How did Joshua find the transgressor of God’s covenant?

Joshua got up early in the morning and searched the Israelites by tribe, by household and by man, according to the word of the Lord. This was God’s elaborate plan to reveal the offender to Joshua.

Once Joshua had found Achan, he requested that he give glory to the God of Israel, and to confess what he had done. Achan immediately testified to the truth of his transgression, revealing what he had coveted and hid in his tent, which included a Babylonish garment, 200 shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold.

What was Joshua’s response to Achan’s confession?

Joshua immediately sent messengers to raid Achan’s tent for the goods that he had stolen, and, once found, ordered his execution.

How was Achan executed?

Achan, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys and his sheep were stoned to death, and his tent and everything that he owned was burned with fire. The bodies of this family were also burned after death by stoning.

Why was Achan judged so harshly?

God commanded Achan’s fate because he had disobeyed His direct commandment, he had coveted, he had stolen from God, and he had cursed Israel, which resulted in the death of 36 Israelites in battle.

Achan was given a chance to repent (Joshua 7:13), but failed to do so.

The destruction of Achan’s family could have taken place for a number of reasons, one being that they likely had knowledge of the goods under their tent and did not repent, nor reveal the accursed things when given the chance. If they were completely innocent, it was Achan’s burden to bear to watch his family being destroyed by his side; his legacy was utterly wiped out from the Israelites for the sake of purity and unity of God’s people.

What good news did God offer to Joshua?

Joshua 8:1-2 "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it."

In their second battle, the spoils of the city and the cattle would be inherited by the Israelites, and God had promised victory, despite the temporary defeat.

How many men did Joshua send to battle?

Joshua chose 30 000 courageous men of war, and sent them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai.

How did the Israelites conquer the city of Ai?

Joshua chose 5000 men to attack the city of Ai and to simulate defeat by fleeing once attacked, mirroring their first attempt.  However, he had his 30 000 men of war lying in ambush, awaiting his instruction to take the city captive.

Joshua 8:14-19 "And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city. And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire."

Joshua 8:26 "For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai."

Did the men of Ai survive the attack?

Joshua 8:21-23 "And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape. And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua."

In a moment where the men of Ai presumed victory over Israel, their true vulnerability was revealed, and they were destroyed in the wilderness.

12000 men and women from Ai were destroyed that day, which included all the men of Ai.

What did Joshua do with the king of Ai?

Joshua 8:29 "And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day."

Was there anything left of the city of Ai?

The city was burned completely, with only ashes remaining. The Israelites took only the spoil of the city for themselves, as God had commanded Joshua.

What did the Israelites do to thank God for victory?

Joshua built an altar to God in Mount Ebal, according to the laws in the Books of Moses, and the Israelites offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.

How did Joshua bless his nation?

Joshua 8:34-35 "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them."

CHAPTER 5: THE BATTLE AT GIBEON

What did all the kings of Jordan collectively decide?

After hearing the news about the Israelites conquering both Jericho and Ai, the Amorite kings formed an alliance against them, which included:

•        The Hittites

•        The Canaanites

•        The Amorites

•        The Perizites

•        The Hivites

•        The Jebusites

The only people in the land who excluded themselves from this alliance were the Gibeonites.

How did the Gibeonites approach the Israelites?

The inhabitants of Gibeon decided to portray themselves as innocent men from a far land, approaching the Israelites with old sacks and wine bottles, old shoes, clothes and stale bread.

They approached the Israelites in their camp in Gilgal, and proposed a peace treaty with Joshua.

What was the peace agreement between Israel and Gibeon?

The Gibeonites proposed to become servants of the Israelites in exchange for safety, which Joshua agreed to without consulting with the Lord.

Joshua 9:14-15 "And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them."

Did the Israelites ever find out the truth about the Gibeonites?

Yes.

Just three days after the peace-agreement was made, the Israelites discovered the wealthy cities of the Gibeonites, which included:

•        Gibeon

•        Chephirah

•        Beeroth

•        Kirjath-jearim

Did the Israelites break the peace-agreement with Gibeon?

No.

Joshua 9:18-19 "And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them."

What did the Israelites plan for the Gibeonites?

Instead of killing them, they oppressed them, and made them their slaves as punishment for their deceit.

Joshua 9:22-23 "And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God."

Did the Gibeonites agree to slavery?

Yes.

Joshua 9:25-27 "And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose."

What sparked the battle at Gibeon?

When the king of Jerusalem heard news of the alliance between the inhabitants of the royal city of Gibeon and the Israelites, he notified the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachich and Eglon, and inspired them to join in battle against Gibeon.

Joshua 10:5 "Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it."

How did Joshua and the Israelites get involved in the battle?

Joshua 10:6-7 "And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour."

Joshua was a man of integrity, and maintained his agreement with the inhabitants of Gibeon. Once he had heard the news of the war on Gibeon, he launched his men into battle to conquer yet another war.

Did God support Joshua’s action against the Amorite kings?

Yes.

Joshua 10:8 "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee."

How did the Israelites conquer the city of Gibeon?

The Lord delivered the city of Gibeon into the hands of His people, which included a mighty battle and a thunderous hail storm from heaven. The hail killed more people than the Israelites killed with the sword, a powerful testimony of God’s victory over His enemies.

What supernatural event occurred at the battle in Gibeon?

Joshua 10:12-14 "Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel."

What an incredible account of faith, and what is possible through the Lord! The sun was kept stationary for a full 24 hours, a remarkable event in history, which evidently did not cause any cataclysmic events on the earth. The moon was also stopped in its orbit throughout the battle, which must have been a terrifying sight in the eyes of the enemies of Israel.

How did Joshua capture the five Amorite kings?

The five kings fled and hid themselves in a cave; when Joshua heard this, he ordered that the mouth of the cave be shut with great stones until the battle was over.

Once the city had been conquered, he ordered the five kings to be brought out of the cave to him, where Joshua ordered the captains of his men of war to place their feet on their necks.

Joshua 10:25-27 "And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day."

CHAPTER 6: THE INHERITANCE OF THE LAND

Did Joshua continue to battle after Gibeon?

Yes.

Joshua and the Israelites fought battles throughout the land, inheriting everything that the Lord had promised them, completing the fulfillment of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Joshua 11:23 "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war."

What did God command Joshua about the inhabitants of the cities?

God commanded that Joshua utterly destroy all that breathed in every city they conquered.

These cities included the inhabitants of the Nephilim giants, which were the seed of Satan, and therefore every inhabitant within those cities had to be utterly destroyed, including animals.

Where can I read about more of the battles in Canaan?

Joshua chapters 10, 11 and 12 contain the details of the area of the Promised Land, and all the kings and cities which Joshua conquered.

How can we inherit the Kingdom of God ?

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

Mathew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

Mark 16:6 "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

Luke 18:17 "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."

John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Revelation 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"

Revelation 3:21 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

Revelation 21:7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

CONCLUSION

We can all learn from the story of Joshua today, with him perfecting the balance between true leadership and humble obedience to God.

While he relied fully on God for victory, he was strong and courageous in every battle he faced, without ever being overwhelmed by his enemies. He faced giants, and kings, cities and valleys, and never failed to encourage others to believe in God’s magnificent power, successfully leading an entire nation into the land of their destiny.

Some of Joshua’s final words to the Israelites include:

Joshua 23:6-8 "Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day."

Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua died at the age of 110, after dividing the land between the tribes of Israel and delivering a powerful speech, giving all honor and glory to God for everything they had accomplished. He was buried in the border of the land of his inheritance, in Timnath-serah.

Through the study of Joshua’s story, be encouraged to study God’s Word and to become the Disciple that Jesus commanded you to be!

We are reaching an age of unprecedented, supernatural war, and it is our time to prepare for the greatest battle of all time, in which our victory has already been claimed!

Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Slave, Servant, Spy and Leader: Where was Joshua born?

Why did Joshua serve as a slave in Egypt?

What was Joshua’s first victory in battle?

When did Joshua become Moses’s minister?

When did Joshua serve as an Israeli spy?

When did Joshua become the leader of Israel?

Chapter 2: From Jordan to Jericho: What did Joshua plan before crossing Jordan?

How did Joshua’s spies spend time in Jericho?

What important information did the spies learn from Rahab?

What did Rahab request from the men in return for her kindness?

What conditions did the men agree to?

What report did the two spies offer Joshua?

How did Joshua prepare the Israelites to cross the Jordan River?

What did God tell Joshua about the preparation for the crossing?

How did the Israelites cross the Jordan River?

What did God command Joshua to do after the crossing?

How did the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant cross the river?

What did the Israelites do in Gilgal?

How did the Israelites survive in their new land?

Which of God’s angels did Joshua encounter?

Chapter 3: The Battle of Jericho: How accessible was Jericho to the Israelites?

What plan for battle did God reveal to Joshua?

How did Joshua action God’s plan?

What extra measure of protection did Joshua propose?

What did Joshua command the people regarding noise?

How many days did the Israelites circle the city?

How did the Israelites conquer Jericho?

What did Joshua command the Israelites about the spoils of the city?

Who breached this command?

What was Joshua’s curse on Jericho?

Did the inhabitants of Canaan hear the news of Jericho?

Did Jesus ever visit the new Jericho?

Chapter 4: The Battle of Ai: What was Joshua’s first action in this battle?

What report did the spies bring Joshua?

Did the Israelites conquer the city of Ai?

What did the Israelites think of the ambush?

What did Joshua pray to the Lord?

What did the Lord reveal to Joshua?

How did Joshua find the transgressor of God’s covenant?

What was Joshua’s response to Achan’s confession?

How was Achan executed?

Why was Achan judged so harshly?

What good news did God offer to Joshua?

How many men did Joshua send to battle?

How did the Israelites conquer the city of Ai?

Did the men of Ai survive the attack?

What did Joshua do with the king of Ai?

Was there anything left of the city of Ai?

What did the Israelites do to thank God for victory?

How did Joshua bless his nation?

Chapter 5: The Battle at Gibeon: What did all the kings of Jordan collectively decide?

How did the Gibeonites approach the Israelites?

What was the peace agreement between Israel and Gibeon?

Did the Israelites ever find out the truth about the Gibeonites?

Did the Israelites break the peace-agreement with Gibeon?

What did the Israelites plan for the Gibeonites?

Did the Gibeonites agree to slavery?

What sparked the battle at Gibeon?

How did Joshua and the Israelites get involved in the battle?

Did God support Joshua’s action against the Amorite kings?

How did the Israelites conquer the city of Gibeon?

What supernatural event occurred at the battle in Gibeon?

How did Joshua capture the five Amorite kings?

Chapter 6: The Inheritance of the Land: Did Joshua continue to battle after Gibeon?

What did God command Joshua about the inhabitants of the cities?

Where can I read about more of the battles in Canaan?

How can we inherit the Kingdom of God ?

Conclusion