A review of the Old Testament
Joshua

A review of the Old Testament Joshua

Title

The Book of Joshua takes its name from the character in it.

The name Joshua means Yahweh is Salvation, and symbolized the fact that although Joshua was their leader, the Lord God was the "true Conqueror" in the conquest of Canaan.

Authorship

Moses is considered the author of this book.

Format

The Authorship of Joshua is not certain but it is clear that portions of it were written by Joshua himself (see Joshua 24:26). Some narratives in the book were added after Joshua's time and it is likely that the final composition was completed after Joshua's death.

Date

The events of the book take place between 1405 B.C. and 1385 B.C.

Outline

1. Entrance into the Land (1-4)

2. The Conquest of the Land (5-12)

3. The Allotment of the Land (13-21)

4. Renewal of the Covenant (22-24)

Plot

Joshua leads Israel's conquest of Canaan.

The setting of the first four chapters begins east of the Jordan River as Joshua replaces Moses as leader and Israel crosses the Jordan on dry land and prepares for war. Like a wise General, Joshua uses a divide and conquer strategy.

His campaign begins in Central Canaan (ch 5-8) and then he moves south (ch 9,10) and finally to the north to conquer that area (ch 11,12).

After the conquest of the land, the territory is divided and assigned to the twelve tribes of the nation (ch 13-21).

Major Characters

Joshua, Caleb, Achan, Eliazar the Priest

Major Events

1. The conquest of Jericho, Ai and Gibeon

2. The Division of the Land

3. Covenant renewal at Shechem

Purpose and Message

1. To convey how God kept His covenant promise to bring the Israelites into the Land.

2. The book shows clearly that faith and obedience to God brings victory but disobedience and lack of faith results in failure and loss.