Joshua Briefing

You've read the Pentateuch (5 books), and now you're ready to read Joshua. Some refer to the 5 books of Moses and Joshua combined as the Hexateuch (6 books), but we won't worry about that.

There are a few things to watch for as you're reading. Moses is dead and there's a new sheriff in town - Joshua. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness tending his father-in-law's sheep before taking leadership of the Hebrew people. Joshua had a 40-year apprenticeship under Moses. Now that Joshua is in charge, does he mentor anyone to fill the gap that will exist once he's gone?

There are three military campaigns detailed in the book of Joshua. The first is for the central kingdoms, the second for the kingdoms to the south, and the final campaign for the kingdoms to the north. Notice once the military campaigns are completed, Canaan is still by no means conquered. There are still plenty of enemies to be dealt with, and the work won't be done until the time of King David... if even then.

Notice the covenant at Shechem. This is a major step when Israel and all the people groups they have assimilated join together in pledging their faithfulness to Yahweh. We'll talk more about that in a week or so.