It was time for the Israelites to enter Canaan, the Promised Land.
… the LORD commissioned Joshua, son of Nun, and said to him, “Be brave and steadfast, … I myself will be with you.” Deut 31:23 see also Num 27:15-23
You shall consume all the nations which the LORD, your God, will deliver up to you. You are not to look on them with pity, lest you be ensnared into serving their gods. Deut 7:16 see also Deut 7:1-4 Exo 34:15 Exo 34:10-12 Exo 34:16
“When you come into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of the peoples there. Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, … because of such abominations the LORD, your God, is driving these nations out of your way. Deut 18:9-12 Deut 9:4-5 Deut 18:12 Gen 15:13-16
The people struck their tents to cross the Jordan, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of them. No sooner had these priestly bearers of the ark waded into the waters at the edge of the Jordan, than the waters flowing from upstream halted … all Israel crossed over on dry ground, … Joshua 3:14-17
That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and thenceforth during his whole life they respected him as they had respected Moses. Joshua 5:14
… the Israelites gave [Joshua] their obedience… Deut 34:9 see also Deut 31:23
The first city they came to was …Jericho ! Joshua 6:1-2
God had given Joshua a very unusual battle plan
Joshua 6:1-5
… [Joshua] had the ark of the LORD circle the city, going once around it, after which they returned to camp for the night. Joshua 6:11
… for six days in all they did the same. Joshua 6:14
On the seventh day, … they marched around the city seven times … Joshua 6:15
The seventh time around, the priests blew the horns and … Joshua 6:16
… [the Israelites] raised a tremendous shout. The wall collapsed, and the people stormed the city in a frontal attack and took it. Joshua 6:20
By faith the walls of Jericho fell after being encircled for seven days. Hebrews 11:30
By faith! The Israelites had expressed their faith, then God had acted.
The Israelites proceeded to conquer Canaan. Deut 20:18; Exo 23:31-33 Deut 7:2-4 Exo 23:33 Exo 34:15-16 Josh 23:6-8 Josh 6:18-19
Many years later, after the LORD had given the Israelites rest from all their enemies round about them, … Joshua 23:1
[Joshua] … said to [the Israelites]: “I am old and advanced in years. Joshua 23:2
… I have apportioned among your tribes as their heritage the nations that survive (as well as those I destroyed) between the Jordan and the Great Sea in the west. Joshua 23:4
The LORD, your God, will drive … out [the people we have not yet conquered] and dislodge them at your approach, so that you will take possession of their land as the LORD, your God, promised you. Joshua 23:5
… decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15
After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten. Joshua 24:29
Joshua showed tremendous faith in God and a wonderful commitment to God, but, notice, even Joshua still did not recognize that there is only one God! The Israelites ignored God’s warnings and never got around to conquering all the people God had told them to. God had made progress, but still had far to go. The Israelites had faith in God based on experience. They were now ready to develop hope, trust in God. The Israelites were ready for the time of the Judges.