Introduction to Joshua

The time has come!

After centuries of promise, the children of Israel are about to take hold of their inheritance that God has sworn to them, the land of Israel. "Take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own. (Joshua 1:11). It is God's to give - it is ours to possess.

This is the first of the History books of the Old Testament, having now finished the Pentateuch, the first five books of Moses. It was named after its main character, Joshua, whose name means "The Lord saves" - the Hebrew version of the name "Jesus". He is the primary if not the sole author of the book that bears his name. Its events take place around 1405 BC.

We see God faithfully fulfilling His promises when His people obey Him in obedience. God makes sure we are keeping our part of our covenant with Him. When we don't, embarassing defeats can happen to us, such as those that happened at Ai. On the other hand, otherwise impossible situations can be overcome, as in Jericho.

Conquering the land meant entering into God's rests, as the people did when they conquered Canaan. May God grant you His rest as, with His help and leadership, you faithfully obey Him!