Joshua — Introduction & Outline

Because Joshua is anonymous, liberal critics espousing the documentary theory have assumed Joshua is a composite of documents edited much the same as they say the Pentateuch was. A host of arguments refutes this assumption. There is uniform Jewish tradition that holds Joshua wrote the book. Indeed, Joshua is mentioned as one who was responsible for writing God's revelation at various times (8:32; 24:26). He would have been the best qualified to do so as Israel's leader and an eyewitness of the events of the book. Thus he naturally fits into the first person pronoun used in 5:1 and 5:6. Also, it is obvious the book was written shortly after the events occurred because, for example, Rahab was still living (6:25), the Jebusites still inhabited Jerusalem (15:63), and Canaanite cities are called by their ancient names (15:9,13). Furthermore, the narrative demonstrates a unity of style and organization. Only three portions were obviously added after Joshua's death by probably Eleazar or his son, Phinehas: 15:13-19 (cf. Judg. 1:1,10- 15,20); 19:47 (cf. Judg. 17-18); and 24:29-33.

Joshua was born a slave in Egypt. He rose to leadership in the nation as a military leader after the exodus (Ex. 17:8-16) and as a faithful spy at Kadesh Barnea (Num. 13-14). He was finally chosen to succeed Moses as Israel's leader and to take them into the promised land (Num. 27:15-23). The character traits that are evident in his life include faith, obedience, courage, and commitment to God and His Word.

Assuming the beginning of the conquest was about 1405 B.C. (see arguments for dating the exodus in the introduction to Exodus), and figuring the actual conquest took about 7 years (14:7,10), a date of 1399 is reached for the end of the events in Joshua. This means the book was written soon after 1399 B.C. or shortly before Joshua's death.

The book of Joshua resumes the narrative history of Israel from the plains of Moab as seen at the end of Numbers. There are three geographical settings for the book: chapters 1-5 at the Jordan river, 6:1-13:7 in Canaan, and 13:8-24:33 which concerns the division of the land on both sides of the Jordan.

The general designation "Canaan" referred to the western side of Jordan from Sidon in the north to Gaza and Sodom in the south. The population of this land was composed of mixed racial groups who evidently descended from Canaan, the son of Ham the son of Noah (Gen. 10:15-20). Egypt had controlled the territory of Canaan from about 1468 to 1400 B.C., when their power finally weakened. Canaanite religion was blatantly idolatrous and involved such corrupt and brutal practices as prostitution and infant sacrifice. The Canaanites worshiped a pantheon of gods including El, Baal, Anath, Ashtoreth, Asherah, Molech, and Milcom.

The name and title "Joshua" means "YHWH is salvation" and accurately describes what God used Joshua to do in the book by conquering the Canaanites and possessing the land. Theologically, this was in direct fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and his descen¬dants (Gen. 12:2-3; 13:15; 15:18-21; 17:19-21). Joshua shows how Israel possessed the land through obedient faith, the way to enjoyment of the covenant blessings.

The narrative of the book follows four major stages in Israel's possession of the land: the entry into Canaan, the conquest of Canaan, the division of Canaan, and the continuation in Canaan. The book continues the history of Israel from the plains of Moab where Moses had renewed the covenant with Israel.

The first section describes the events surrounding Israel's entry of Canaan (1:1-5:15). As Joshua is commissioned to be Israel's leader in place of Moses (1:1-18), God makes it clear that success depends upon obedience to His covenant of law (1:7-8). Two spies are sent ahead into Jericho where they find faith in Rahab and return with a report of faith (2:1-24). The event of the crossing of the Jordan (3:1-4:24) establishes Joshua's leadership over Israel (3:7; 4:14) and is memorialized to remind Israel to fear God (4:24). After the crossing, the nation is prepared spiritually for the conquest of the land by the circumcision of the new generation, the observance of the Passover, and an encounter with the Commander of the Lord's army which serves as an assurance of victory (5:1-15).

In the second major part of the book, Israel conquers Canaan using a "divide and conquer" strategy (6:1-12:24). The first campaign brings the conquest of central Canaan (6:1- 8:35). The destruction of Jericho is an illustration of the victory of faith (6:1-27) while the subsequent battle with Ai (7:1-8:29) pictures the failure caused by sin (Achan's) and the victory after its confession and cleansing. Joshua's renewal of the covenant at this point is a reaffirmation that the curses and blessings of the law were recognized by Israel (8:30-35).

The account of the invasion continues with a description of the conquest of southern Canaan (9:1-10:43) and the conquest of northern Canaan (11:1-15). In the deception posed by the Gibeonites (9:1-27), the certainty of God's promise of victory is reaffirmed in their expression of fear (9:24). The following victory over the Amorite coalition (10:1-27) is depicted as an example of God's miraculous power (10:12-14) working together with human obedience and is another assurance of success in the conquest (10:25). The theme of divine blessing and human obedience continues in the record of Joshua's victories over the southern kings (10:28-43) and the northern kings (11:1-15). These victories are alternately described by such phrases as "the LORD delivered" and "Joshua conquered." Joshua's obedience was complete, as indicated by the summary statements, "He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses" (11:15) and "Joshua took the whole land" (11:23). The section of conquest closes with summaries of conquered territories and kings (11:16-12:24).

The division of the territories of Canaan occupies a significant portion of the book and forms a third section (13:1-21:45). Vestiges of land remain to be conquered when God orders the division of Canaan (13:1-7), which indicates that Israel's obedience would be tested in the future. The division of the land (13:8-19:51) begins with territories east of the Jordan distributed to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (13:15-33). The division of the territory west of the Jordan (14:1-19:51) takes place in two stages. First, at Gilgal, land is distributed to Judah, including faithful Caleb, and to the tribes of Joseph: Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh (14:1-17:18). The second division takes place at Shiloh and distributes the "inheritance" to the remaining tribes and to Joshua (18:1-19:51). Finally, special cities are designated as cities of refuge and Levitical cities (20:1-21:42). The use of the term "inheritance" (18:28; 19:1,9,10,16, etc.) describes the division of the land in the context of the Abrahamic covenant, the fulfillment of which is noted in the summary statement (21:43-45).

The final section describes the settlement and continuation of Israel in the land (22:1- 24:33). The return of the eastern tribes and their construction of an altar at the Jordan provokes an angry response from the western tribes (22:1-34). The misunderstanding highlights Israel's determination to keep the covenant God made with them (22:16,29,31) and concludes the narrative of Israel's possession of Canaan without a blemish of disobedience.

The book closes with a description of the last days of Joshua (23:1-24:33). In his farewell address to the rulers, Joshua exhorts them to obedience and reminds of the consequences of both obedience and disobedience (23:1-16). Then, in his farewell address to the people, he reviews their blessings under God's covenant and leads them in a renewal of their commitment to the covenant (24:1-28). The death of Joshua (24:29-33) is eulogized by the notation that "Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua" (24:31), thus ending the book on a victorious note. In such a way, Joshua is the record of Israel's obedience to God and their consequent enjoyment of the blessings of the covenant in military dominance, inheritance of the promised land, peace, and prosperity.

1. Israel Enters Canaan. 1:1-5:15

   1. The commissioning of Joshua 1:1-18

      1. Joshua is commissioned by God 1:1-9
      2. Joshua prepares the people to cross the Jordan. 1:10-15

         1. The command to the tribes west of the Jordan 1:10-11
         2. The command to the tribes east of the Jordan 1:12-15
      3. Joshua is accepted by Israel. 1:16-18
   2. The spying out of Jericho 2:1-24

      1. The spies are rescued by Rahab. 2:1-7
      2. The spies promise to spare Rahab. 2:8-14
      3. The spies are sent away by Rahab. 2:15-21
      4. The spies return to Joshua. 2:22-24
   3. The crossing of the Jordan 3:1-4:24

      1. The miracle of the crossing 3:1-17
      1. The instructions for the crossing 3:1-13

         1. The commands of the officers 3:1-4
         2. The commands of Joshua 3:5-6
         3. The commands of God through Joshua 3:7-13
      2. The completion of the crossing 3:14-17
      2. The memorial of the crossing 4:1-24

         1. The erection of the memorial 4:1-9
         2. The exit from the river 4:10-18
         3. The explanation for the memorial 4:19-24
   4. The spiritual preparation 5:1-15

      1. The circumcision of the new generation 5:1-9
      2. The observance of the Passover 5:10-12
      3. The appearance of the Commander of the Lord's army 5:13-15
2. Israel Conquers Canaan. 6:1-12:24

   1. The conquest of central Canaan 6:1-8:35

      1. The destruction of Jericho 6:1-27

         1. The instructions to march 6:1-7
         2. The six days of marching 6:8-14
         3. The seventh day of victory 6:15-21
         4. The rescue of Rahab 6:22-27
      2. The battle with Ai 7:1-8:29

         1. The defeat at Ai 7:1-9
         2. The sin of Achan 7:10-26
         1. The Lord's instructions about the sin 7:10-15
         2. Achan's confession of the sin 7:16-21
         3. Achan's execution for the sin 7:22-26
         3. The victory over Ai 8:1-29
         1. The instructions for the ambush 8:1-8
         2. The execution of the ambush 8:9-23
         3. The conclusion of the battle 8:24-29
      3. The renewal of the covenant 8:30-35
   2. The conquest of southern Canaan 9:1-10:43

      1. The deception of the Gibeonites 9:1-27

         1. The practice of the deception 9:1-15
         2. The discovery of the deception 9:16-21
         3. The punishment for the deception 9:22-27
      2. The victory over the Amorite coalition 10:1-27

         1. The forming of the coalition against Gibeon 10:1-5
         2. The defense of Gibeon by Israel 10:6-11
         3. The commemoration of the sun standing still 10:12-15
         4. The execution of the enemy kings 10:16-27
      3. The victories over southern kings 10:28-43

         1. The record of Joshua's victories 10:28-39
         2. The summary of Joshua's southern victories 10:40-43
   3. The conquest of northern Canaan 11:1-15

      1. The forming of the coalition against Israel 11:1-5
      2. The defeat of the coalition against Israel 11:6-9
      3. The summary of Joshua's northern victories 11:10-15
   4. The summary of Israel's conquests 11:16-12:24

      1. The summary of conquered territories 11:16-23
      2. The summary of conquered kings 12:1-24
      1. The kings conquered by Moses 12:1-6
      2. The kings conquered by Joshua 12:7-24
3. Israel Divides Canaan. 13:1-21:45

   1. The instructions to divide Canaan 13:1-7
   2. The division of the land 13:8-19:51

      1. The land east of the Jordan 13:8-33

         1. The boundaries of the divided land 13:8-14
         2. The tribal boundaries of the division 13:15-33
         1. The boundaries of Reuben 13:15-23
         2. The boundaries of Gad 13:24-28
         3. The boundaries of half-tribe of Manasseh 13:29-33
      2. The land west of the Jordan 14:1-19:51

         1. The first division of land at Gilgal 14:1-17:18

            1. The explanation of the division 14:1-5
            2. The boundaries of Judah 14:6-15:63
            1. Boundaries of Caleb 14:6-15
            2. Boundaries of the rest of Judah 15:1-12
            3. Occupation by Caleb 15:13-19
            4. Territories of Judah 15:20-63
            3. The boundaries of the tribes of Joseph 16:1-17:18
            1. Boundaries of Joseph's children 16:1-4
            2. Boundaries of Ephraim 16:5-10
            3. Boundaries of half-tribe of Manasseh 17:1-13
            4. Additional land for Joseph's children 17:14-18
         2. The second division of land at Shiloh 18:1-19:51

            1. The survey of the land 18:1-10
            2. The boundaries of the tribes 18:11-19:48
            1. Boundaries of Benjamin 18:11-28
            2. Boundaries of Simeon 19:1-9
            3. Boundaries of Zebulun 19:10-16
            4. Boundaries of Issachar 19:17-23
            5. Boundaries of Asher 19:24-31
            6. Boundaries of Naphtali 19:32-39
            7. Boundaries of Dan 19:40-48
            3. The Boundaries of Joshua 19:49-51
   3. The designation of special cities 20:1-21:42

      1. The cities of refuge 20:1-9
      2. The Levitical cities 21:1-42
      1. The families to be assigned cities 21:1-8
      2. The assignment of cities 21:9-42
      1. The cities of the Kohathites 21:9-26
      2. The cities of the Gershonites 21:27-33
      3. The cities of the Merarites 21:34-42
   4. The settlement in the land 21:43-45
4. Israel Continues in Canaan. 22:1-24:33

   1. The return of the eastern tribes to their lands 22:1-9
   2. The conflict over the altar of witness 22:10-34

      1. The anger of the western tribes 22:10-12
      2. The message of Phinehas 22:13-20
      3. The explanation of the eastern tribes 22:21-29
      4. The appeasement of the western tribes 22:30-34
   3. The last days of Joshua 23:1-24:33

      1. Joshua's farewell address to the rulers 23:1-16
      2. Joshua's farewell address to the people 24:1-28
      1. The review of their blessings 24:1-13
      2. The call to covenant commitment 24:14-25
      3. The reminder of covenant commitment 24:26-28
      3. Joshua and Eleazar's death 24:29-33