The Book of Joshua marks a pivotal transition in the Exodus narrative, moving from the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites to their conquest and settlement in the Promised Land. As the successor to Moses, Joshua leads the twelve tribes of Israel across the Jordan River and into Canaan, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham regarding the land. The book chronicles military campaigns, the distribution of the land among the tribes, and Joshua’s final exhortations to remain faithful to the covenant with the Lord. It highlights themes of obedience, divine faithfulness, leadership, and the importance of covenant loyalty.
Joshua, the son of Nun, was from the tribe of Ephraim, as indicated in Numbers 13:8. Although little is known about his father, Joshua is a prominent figure in the Exodus narrative. He first appears as a military leader, commanding the Israelites in battle against the Amalekites shortly after their departure from Egypt (Exodus 17). He was also one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan, the first time Israel was at the cusp of their promised land. Over time, Joshua became closely associated with Moses, serving as his faithful assistant and accompanying him on occasions when Moses ascended the mountain to meet with God. Eventually, Joshua was appointed as Moses’ successor, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Faithful to the Letter
Though Joshua’s primary task would be military in nature—leading the Israelites in battle and securing the Promised Land—God begins His commission with a command not focused on strategy or warfare, but on obedience to His Law. With the passing of Moses, Joshua stands alone, stepping into a monumental leadership role without the guiding presence of his long-time mentor. Yet God assures him that he is not truly alone. The Lord Himself will be with Joshua, just as He was with Moses.
However, for Joshua to thrive in this new role, he needs more than courage and strength—he needs a solid spiritual foundation. God instructs him to keep the Book of the Law continually on his lips and in his heart, to meditate on it day and night, and to obey it fully. This is to be the anchor of his leadership. In essence, Joshua is called not only to fight battles but to remain rooted in God’s word, ensuring that his decisions, judgments, and leadership are shaped by divine instruction.
As Joshua transitions into this new role, God promises to equip him with everything required for the task: leadership and oratory skills, discernment in military planning, and the strength to govern a nation. God’s grace, which sustained Moses through every trial, will now sustain Joshua. The success of his leadership will not ultimately depend on human strategy or strength, but on his alignment with the will of God, made possible through faithful meditation on the Law.
Getting Ready for the Battle Ahead
After receiving God’s commission, Joshua begins to prepare the people for entering the Promised Land. He commands the officers to go through the camp and instruct the people to get their provisions ready, because in three days they would cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan, the land that God was giving to them.
Joshua then addresses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These tribes had previously requested to settle on the east side of the Jordan River, as the land there was suitable for their livestock (see map below). Moses had agreed to this request on the condition that their fighting men would still cross over the Jordan with the rest of Israel to help in the conquest of the land. Joshua reminds them of this obligation. Their families and livestock could remain behind, but their warriors were to lead the charge alongside the rest of Israel until all the tribes had received their inheritance and the Lord had given them rest.
In response, the leaders of these tribes express complete loyalty to Joshua. They affirm their obedience to his command just as they had obeyed Moses (though historically, their obedience to Moses had not always been consistent). They pray that God will be with Joshua as He was with Moses and solemnly warn that anyone who disobeys Joshua’s leadership will face death.
Joshua Sends Spies
As Israel prepares to cross into Canaan, Joshua sends two spies on a secret mission to scout the land, with a particular focus on Jericho—the first city they would confront. The spies enter the house of Rahab, a prostitute whose home is built into the city wall, offering both a place to stay unnoticed and a potential escape route.
When the king of Jericho learns of their presence, he sends a command to Rahab to surrender the men. However, Rahab hides them on her rooftop under stalks of flax and misleads the king’s messengers, claiming the men had already departed. Her bold decision not only protects the spies but also shows her allegiance to the God of Israel. Later, Rahab reveals to the spies that the entire city is gripped with fear because of the miraculous acts God performed for Israel—parting the Red Sea and defeating powerful kings like Sihon and Og.
Aware of Jericho’s impending destruction, Rahab pleads for the safety of her family in return for the kindness she has shown. The spies agree, on the condition that she does not betray their mission and that a scarlet cord is tied in her window as a sign. They promise that anyone inside her house when the attack comes will be spared. Rahab then helps them escape through the window and directs them to hide in the hills for three days.
Her actions were immediate and decisive. She clearly believed that the invasion was imminent and acted without delay to align herself with the God of Israel. Furthermore, the scarlet cord she was instructed to tie in her window functioned symbolically, much like the blood of the Passover lamb in Egypt, marking her household for protection when judgment came. Just as the Israelites were spared during the final plague, Rahab and her family would be spared during the fall of Jericho.
The Ignited Faith
While Rahab played a significant role in aiding the spies, it was not her actions that brought about the fall of Jericho. In fact, the Israelites would not even have to breach the fortified city by force—God Himself would bring its walls down. The conquest was entirely the work of the Lord, not the result of espionage or strategy. However, Rahab’s courageous confession of faith and the news that the people of Jericho were already melting in fear would have greatly encouraged the Israelite soldiers. Just a generation earlier, these same people had been paralysed at the thought of confronting the giants of Canaan. This time, Rahab’s testimony may have helped strengthen their resolve and confidence in God’s promise.
Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” – Joshua 1:23-24
The good report brought back by the two spies in Joshua’s time stands in stark contrast to the fearful and discouraging report of the ten spies brought back forty years earlier. Back then, the Israelites recoiled in fear at the sight of the giants in the land, doubting God’s promise despite all they had witnessed in Egypt. This time, however, the report is filled with confidence—Canaan is terrified, their defences are weakening, and the Lord has indeed gone ahead of Israel. What has changed? Not God’s promise, but the people’s perspective has changed.
It is often easy to trust God when circumstances are in our favour, but when the situation grows difficult or uncertain, our faith can waver. The real question is whether our trust is based on visible outcomes or grounded in the unchanging nature of who God is. For the Israelites, little had changed from their wilderness journey to their standing at the cusp of the Promised Land. They continued to experience moments of doubt and to question God. When things aligned with their expectations, they believed, but when faced with adversity, their faith faltered.
Are we like the Israelites—allowing our faith to waver along with our circumstances—or are we willing to remain deeply rooted in God through both the highs and lows of life? Are we still wandering aimlessly, spiritually lost in the wilderness, or have we begun to see clearly and discern the path that leads us toward our Promise Land?
Discussion Questions
- Why did God instruct Joshua to meditate on the Law, even though his task was military leadership?
- What was Rahab’s role in the conquest of Jericho?
- What changed between the two spy missions into Canaan, and what does it reveal about our tendency to trust God’s promises only when circumstances seem favourable?
The Division of the Land
The Jordan Valley 
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