Book of Joshua Summary: Possess the Promise

Book of Joshua Summary: Possess the Promise

Intro for Beginners

The Book of Joshua is about movement. After 40 years of wandering, it’s finally time to enter the land God promised. But this isn’t just about geography—it’s about faith meeting obedience.

Under Moses, the people were delivered. Under Joshua, the people take possession. This book is about claiming what God has already given—and realizing that every battle is spiritual, not just physical.

Joshua is filled with victories, failures, repentance, and recommitment. It’s the story of what happens when God’s people believe His Word, trust His timing, and act with courage. If you’ve been set free but haven’t taken hold of your calling, Joshua is your next step.

Etymology & Background

Hebrew Title: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) — “The Lord is Salvation”

This is the full name of Joshua, originally Hoshea, which Moses changed (Numbers 13:16).

Greek (LXX): Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)This is the Greek rendering of Joshua’s name. Important note: While Iēsous is the same Greek word later used for Jesus, the New Testament Jesus is not named after Joshua. Rather, both share the same meaning (“Yahweh saves”) but are distinct in context and role.

Joshua is the sixth book of the Bible and the first of the Historical Books. It continues directly from Deuteronomy. Moses dies, Joshua takes leadership, and the conquest of Canaan begins. This is a transitional book—from wilderness wandering to land possession.

Chapter Movements & Key Moments

Chapters 1–5: Preparing to Enter

God commissions Joshua. The people prepare to cross the Jordan. Rahab hides the spies in Jericho and is promised salvation.

“Be strong and courageous… For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NLT)

The Jordan River stops flowing when the priests step in. Israel crosses on dry ground.

They set up twelve memorial stones and celebrate Passover in the land.

Chapters 6–8: Jericho, Ai, and Achan

Jericho’s walls fall after seven days of marching and a trumpet blast.

“When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed…” (Joshua 6:20, NLT)

Israel then fails at Ai because Achan steals from Jericho. After judgment and repentance, Ai is conquered.

Chapters 9–10: Gibeonite Deception and Southern Conquests

The Gibeonites trick Israel into a peace treaty. Despite the deception, Israel honors it. Five Amorite kings attack Gibeon, and Joshua comes to their defense.

“So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.” (Joshua 10:13, NLT)

Oddity: God halts the sun in the sky—cosmic intervention for covenant faithfulness.

Chapters 11–12: Northern Conquests and Summary

Joshua defeats a coalition of northern kings. A list of defeated kings is recorded—31 total.

“So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the Lord had instructed Moses.” (Joshua 11:23, NLT)

Tribes are assigned territory. Caleb, now 85, boldly claims the hill country.

“So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the Anakites living there in great, walled towns.” (Joshua 14:12, NLT)

Cities of refuge and Levitical cities are also assigned. At the end of this section, the author declares:

“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” (Joshua 21:45, NLT)

Chapters 22–24: Farewell and Covenant Renewal

The eastern tribes return home. Joshua gives a final speech. He reminds Israel to obey, remember, and choose.

“Choose today whom you will serve… But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15, NLT)

Joshua dies at age 110. The people bury the bones of Joseph, carried from Egypt for generations.

Conclusion & Bridge to Jesus

Joshua leads the people into the promise—but even his victories were temporary. Battles continued. Idolatry returned. And Joshua, like Moses, eventually died.

Jesus is the true and greater Joshua. He doesn’t just lead us into a patch of dirt—He brings us into eternal life. He doesn’t conquer with swords, but with the cross. And He doesn’t give us temporary rest, but eternal Sabbath.

How Joshua Points to Jesus (with New Testament Fulfillments)

1. Joshua Leads In → Jesus Brings Eternal Rest

“Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come.” (Hebrews 4:8, NLT)

Joshua gave them land. Jesus gives us rest for our souls.

2. Rahab Saved by Faith → Faith Justifies, Not Works

“It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God.” (Hebrews 11:31, NLT)

Rahab believed—and became part of Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5).

3. Covenant Renewed → New Covenant in Christ

“This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood.” (Luke 22:20, NLT)

Joshua led covenant renewal through obedience. Jesus sealed a new covenant through His sacrifice.

4. Conquest of Evil → Jesus Disarms the Powers

“He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” (Colossians 2:15, NLT)

Joshua’s conquest was earthly. Jesus’ is eternal and cosmic.

5. Joshua’s Name Means “Yahweh Saves” → Fulfilled in Christ

Both Joshua and Jesus share the meaning of “Yahweh saves.”

But only Jesus saves from sin and death.

Application – What Should We Do With This?

1. Don’t Camp Outside the Promise

God didn’t set you free to wander. He set you free to enter. Stop circling the same strongholds. Step in.

2. Fight in Faith, Not Flesh

Jericho fell by faith, not weapons. Your battles will too. Obey even when the strategy seems foolish.

3. Own What God Has Already Given

Joshua wasn’t about earning land—it was about taking what was promised. You don’t fight for victory—you fight from it.

4. Remember the Covenant

Joshua told the people to choose whom they would serve. So must we. Covenant doesn’t drift—it demands decision.

5. Follow the Better Joshua

The first Joshua couldn’t give eternal rest. Only Jesus can. Follow Him. Possess the promise. Don’t just visit victory—live in it.