This post is all about an introduction to the book of Joshua, giving you background information and context so that you can read it with confidence.
Joshua is an exciting book fo promises fulfilled. Up to this point, we have heard of God’s promise to Abraham to deliver His people to the Promised Land. We saw the faithfulness of God in Exodus when He brought the Israelites out of slavery. Now we get to watch as God fulfills that promise and delivers them into the land of blessing by parting the Jordan River to bring them into Canaan.
Related post: Deuteronomy – A Brief Introduction

Introduction to Joshua
The book of Joshua begins with the call of Joshua. Three times in the first chapter, God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua then, in turn, relays that same message to the Israelites as he tells them that in just three days, they will cross over to the Promised Land.
This is an exciting and perhaps even frightening time for the Israelites. They knew nothing other than wandering in the desert, since all those who left Egypt had died. Because of the upcoming trials, temptations, and abundance of blessing in Canaan, God reminded the Israelites to carefully obey all of His law. If they did this, they would be prosperous and successful.
Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua sent two spies to survey the land. There, they encounter Rahab, a prostitute who hides them and proclaims faith in the God of Israel. Rahab later becomes part of Jesus’ genealogy, showing how God’s grace extends to all people.
The Israelites cross the Jordan as God parts the waters at flood stage – a miracle which echoes the Red Sea crossing. Once over the Jordan, the Israelites were instructed by God to march around the city of Jericho for 7 days. One of these seven days would have been the Sabbath, demonstrating the important concept that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
After Jericho
After Jericho fell, the Israelites set out to conquer Ai. However, they were unsuccessful because one man (Achan) kept some of the devoted things. Because of his sin, Achan and his family were put to death. Then the Israelites were able to defeat Ai. They also waged war with the surrounding nations, following God’s direction, before diving up the land according to the promise of God.
The book of Joshua ends with his death. But before he died, he gathered the Israelites together for a public reading of the law of God, instructing them to remain faithful to God.
Important themes in Joshua
Throughout this book, we see the promised of God fulfilled with the exhortation to live according to His law. There is a special emphasis placed on the fact that when the Israelites live in obedience to God’s law, they will have the presence of God with them, granting them victory. However, if they reject God or simply do not seek Him first, their endeavors will fail because God is not with them.
The reason for this is simple and demonstrated throughout the book. God’ does not grant the Israelites victory because of who they are, but rather to bring God glory. God loves to bless them’s glory will be demonstrated to all nations through Israel, regardless of their actions. If they chose to obey God, His glory will be seen through the abundance of blessings given to the Israelites. However, if the Israelites turn away from God, then He will get the glory as all nations will see that only the true God could keep the nation alive through all of the calamities they would bring upon themselves.

The W’s of Joshua
Who wrote Joshua
The book of Joshua is the first of the 12 historical books in the protestant cannon. And it continues the story where Deuteronomy left off. The authorship is most often attributed to Joshua, with possible later additions by Eleazar the High Priest or his son, Phinehas.
Joshua was commissioned by God through Moses as the next leader of Israel. His name means “Jehovah saves” or “the Lord is Salvation” and is the Hebrew correspondent of the New Testament name “Jesus.” Throughout the book, we see many parallels of Jesus in the life of Joshua.
What it’s about
The book of Joshua shows God’s faithfulness as He fulfills His promise to Abraham by leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and giving them rest. The journey of Joshua and the Israelites parallels the rest that Jesus gives us under the new Testament covenant.
When it was written
It is likely that Joshua wrote most of the book before his death in 1385. Some phrases such as “to this day” suggest that certain portions may have been added later to provide context for future generations
When the story takes place
The story begins in 1405 B.C. when Joshua took over leadership after Moses’ death. The book of Joshua spans about 20 years and ends with the death of Joshua in 1385 B.C. at 110 years old.
Where does it take place
The story takes place East of the Jordan River with the Israelites camped at Acacia. They cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land – the Land of Canaan, where they set up camp at Gilgal. Jericho is the first city in their list of conquests, followed by the towns south and then to the north.
Why Joshua is important to study
Joshua is essential for understanding God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It also helps us see the seriousness of obedience and the beuty of rest found in God’s presence. Additionally, the book reminds us that God is not for or against a nation. Rather, the nation (and individuals) should be for God and His glory.
How God demonstrates His character in Joshua
This book is all about the promises of God fulfilled. Not only do we see God’s faithfulness to the Israelites in bringing them to the Promised Land and giving them rest, but we also see the foreshadowing of Jesus through the life of Joshua. We see a glimpse of how God fulfills His promise to us through Jesus and how Jesus gives ultimate rest for those who believe.
Key verses in Josua
There are many powerful verses in Joshua that speak to the faithfulness of God and our need to serve Him in everything.
Joshua 1:7-9 commands us to be strong and courageous, knowing that the presence of God goes with us when we keep His commandments.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 21:45 (and 23:14) speaks of the faithfulness of God and His ability to always keep His promises.
Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
Joshua 24:15 exhorts us to choose if we want to follow God or follow other Gods. If we choose to follow God, we need to do so wholeheartedly.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
In Joshua, you will find (Reading Plan)
- Joshua 1-4: Joshua leads Israel to the Promised Land
- Joshua 5-8: The covenant restored and the fall of Jericho and Ai
- Joshua 9-12: Interactions with neighboring Kings
- Joshua 13-15: Survey and division of the land
- Joshua 16-20: More allotments and cities of refuge
- Joshua 21-24: Towns for the Levites and Joshua’s last message
Additional resources
Here are some of my favorite resources I used when researching the book of Joshua.
First, I love my NIV Journal the Word Bible for reading the entire book before digging into any resources. I also read the Bible book again after I have read commentaries. This helps ensure that I am focusing on scripture and God’s Word above mans’ thoughts on it.
My go-to resources for studying any book of the Bible include: How to read the Bible for all it’s Worth – this book breaks down why there are different translations and how to read different genres of the Bible. The Israel Bible is a Bible that places special emphasis on Jewish culture and Hebrew wording. The Old Testament Survey gives great Bible book introductions. Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines is a fun resource that gives an overview of various Bible topics and themes.
Some free online resources that I used for studying Joshua include: Blue Letter Bible’s Bible book introductions include different commentators notes on the books. Biblehub also offers many resources, including Willmington’s Bible at a glance, and the Ultimate Bible summary collection.
There are also a couple helpful youtube videos, including: the Book of Joshua Summary, a quick animated overview, and The Bible from 30,000 feet, a sermon by Calvary Chapel.
Final thoughts
The book of Joshua is not just a history telling of battles and land division. It testifies to God’s faithfulness. It gives a call to obedience. And it shows a beautiful picture of the rest that can only come through Jesus. As you read, ask God to show you what it means to live courageously in obedience, trusting that He will go with you wherever you go.
This post was all about an introduction to the book of Joshua. It aims to help you understand the overarching theme as you read through the Joshua Bible study.