Dear 365 Bible Readers,

So 40 years have passed (Numbers & Deuteronomy) and again we have a band of refugees standing on the edge of the Promised Land.  They have no chariots, no horses, only primitive arms, and a brand new untested leader… Moses is gone.  The odds were overwhelmingly against them and they had panicked once before… what would they do this time?

Joshua 1:9 “Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The book of Joshua covers about 7 years, and there is very little discussion of rebellion or grumbling.  Joshua is a good news book, mostly a hopeful tale of success that follows obedience!  The few negative stories in Joshua highlight what happens when God’s will is not sought or is disobeyed.

Joshua had two main tasks:  First, to direct the military campaign to take control of the land God promised (chapters 1-11), and secondly to distribute the conquered land to the tribes (chapters 12-24).  To really appreciate all that is going on, please refer to the map of Joshua’s campaigns here Joshua Conquest Canaan!

As you read, consider the leadership example of Joshua – What did he do well?  What lessons did he learn from his mistakes?  And if you find the destruction that Israel brought to the land difficult to stomach, go back and re-read the instructions for war in Deuteronomy 7 & 20.

Keep on reading!