The Book of Joshua: Historical Analysis

Historical purpose

Joshua serves is the historical link between Moses’ writing of the Pentateuch and the twelve historical books written in the Old Testament. From the previous books written before Joshua, the Israelites had learned many important truths of living under God’s blessing. Unlike the previous books, however, in Joshua God tests his people, tests that they pass and then receive his blessing by obeying the Word of God/ His commands (Jos. 1:8, 8:32-35, 23:6-16, 24:26-27.)[1]

History or myth?

Although that some may think that the book of Joshua may have myths in it such as Jos. 10 with the sun standing still, no one can say that it is not actual historical facts. The discovery of the el-Amarna letters in 1887 aids in much history accounts of the events in which took place during the time of 1400-1350 B.C.[2]

Historical Periods

Pivotal events

Joshua taking over Moses’ leadership of the Israelites, Jos. 1.

Joshua’s exodus that he would have done, leads the Israelites into the land, Jos. 9.

Joshua asking the Lord to keep the sun standing still, in order that he could continue to fight, Jos. 10.

Joshua dividing the land to the Israelites, Jos. 13-22.

Pivotal people

Joshua: the leader of the Israelites who lead the people to the promise land, Jos. 1-24.

Rahab: a prostitute from Jericho saved from death for obeying God, Jos. 2:6, 17, 22-23, 25.

Achan: disobeyed God by stealing from the plunder of Jericho, which made Israel lose a battle, Jos. 7:20.

Phinehas: a priest and a son of Eleazer which help prevent civil war of Israel, Jos. 22:13, 31-34, 24:33.

Eleazar: the son of Aaron who became the High Priest, Jos. 14:1, 17:4, 19:51, 21:1-3, 22:13-33, 24:33.

The Necessity of Joshua– after the death of Moses the people of the Lord were still waiting for their rest and their land that God had promised them. The book of Joshua demonstrates like no other book in the Old Testament that when the people of God’s covenant actually follow the Word of God they can and will be blessed by God. This book however, gives the historical link between two totally different sections of the bible closing a gap in the history of the Lord’s people living in covenant with him. This was to show both the conquest and the settlement of the Lord’s people in their given land and given rest which God promised. This was done by seeing that when God’s people stay true to him, no one can stand against Him.

The Conquest

The first five chapters of the book of Joshua record the people of Israel and their conquering the land of Canaan. Joshua being told by God to take the land sends out two of his spies who happen to come back with good report. Here in the conquest of the land, Israel shows their obedience and faith to God in crossing the Jordan River, Jos. 3:1-4:24.

The Dividing of the Land

Later in Joshua’s life, God tells him to divide the land between the twelve tribes, Jos. 13:8-21:45. Although at this time much of the land was still to be won, the Israelites knew that being obedient at this time and faithful to their promising Lord, God would give them all of the land.