Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel and led Israel into the Promised Land. It was beautiful but full of people who did not obey God. Therefore, God commanded Israel to defeat these people.
Israel’s first challenge was against the people of a strong, walled city called Jericho. God instructed Israel to march around the city one time every day for six days. He told them to walk around the city seven times on the seventh day. As they circled the seventh time on the seventh day they yelled loudly and the priests blew their horns. Then the walls fell down. Israel charged into the city and destroyed everything in it. God told them to offer to Him all of the gold and treasures. However, one man kept some of the treasures for himself. His sin caused Israel to be defeated in their next battle. Israel stoned him because of his disobedience.
After this, they continued to overtake the land and divide it between themselves until God gave them rest. Joshua reminded the people they ought to continue worshiping God alone and following the instructions he had given Moses.
Meaning: The three promises to Abraham of a people, a place, and a worldwide blessing are finally being realized. In the Moses Story we saw that Israel was a numerous nation, thus fulfilling the first promise. In this story, we see that Israel has finally entered into and conquered the Promised Land.
All that remains of God’s promises to Abraham is that final promise. Now that Israel is a large nation with their own land, will they be that blessing to the nations – an example of what love of God and love of others look like? Put another way, will Israel go the way of Adam and Noah by ultimately falling into sin, or will they serve God and obey his instructions? Will Israel, as a nation, defeat the serpent and save the world or will they, too, fall into sin?
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