Author: Traditionally attributed to Joshua himself, except for the final five verses (24:29-33), which describe Joshua’s death and legacy.
Date: Approximately 1375 BC.
In Ten Words or Less: The Israelites capture and settle the promised land of Canaan.
Details: With Moses and an entire generation of disobedient Israelites dead, God tells Joshua to lead the people into Canaan, their promised land. In Jericho, the first major obstacle, the prostitute Rahab helps Israelite spies and earns protection from the destruction of the city: God knocks its walls flat as Joshua’s army marches outside, blowing trumpets and shouting. Joshua leads a successful military campaign to clear idol-worshipping people - Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites - from the land. At one point, God answers Joshua’s prayer to make the sun stand still, allowing more time to complete a battle (10:1-15). Major cities subdued, Joshua divides the land among the twelve tribes of Israel, reminding the people to stay true to the God who led them home: “Now therefore put away…the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel” (24:23).
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.
