Tag Archive | Conquest of Canaan

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 85

Mar26
Day 85.  Reading Joshua 12 – 15. 
 

Now … into the History of Israel – post-Moses.

Will the new leadership change the Nation?

What did you learn today about God’s faithfulness?

Joshua 12.

Taking stock after the conquest.

This chapter lists the victories of Israel over the kings and city-states, as they “took” the Land God gave to them, as per His covenant with Abraham.

On the East of the Jordan River, settled by 2.5 tribes, was the land from the edge of the River Arnon, clear north, past the Sea of Galilee to Mount Herman, and eastward to the Araba.  MOSES led the conquest of this territory.

On the West side of the Jordan River, JOSHUA led the conquest, beginning at Jericho, and including 31 kings, south from the Negev, along the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee clear north, to Mt Hermon and westward to Sidon on the Great Sea.

This amazing conquest was all due to the LORD’s faithful help and direction.

Chapter 13.

Although Joshua and Israel took all this land, there was some territory not completely conquered (which would later lead to their big problem of idolatry).

Also, the land of the Philistines (which would be a thorn in the side of Israel as a nation) should have been conquered. It included Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.  (Remember Goliath the giant and his four brothers were from Gath, and would taunt the armies of Israel under King Saul and King David.)

And up north the land of Lebanon and eastward, that hill country should have been taken.  There were areas on the edge of the 2.5 tribes’ territory also not settled.  God Himself would help to drive these out.  God told Israel to start living in these areas anyway. 

The rest of the chapter gives details on the land Moses gave to the 2.5 tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.

Joshua 14.

The land on the West of the Jordan River was divided up by lot by Eleazar the high priest, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes. (Levi received no land inheritance, but had cities scattered throughout the other tribes.)

During this time, Caleb (the other spy with Joshua who had given Moses a good report of the land 45 years ago) came to Joshua for his special inheritance in Judah.  He asked for the city of Hebron and the hill country surrounding it.  Joshua blessed him and gave it to him as his inheritance.  (This city was formerly know as Kiriath-Arba, (City of “Arba.” Arba was the greatest man among the giants.)

Joshua 15.

This chapter lists in detail the land and the occupants of the tribe of Judah, a very large land allotment. (Eventually this would represent the Southern Kingdom, after the Nation split in half after Solomon’s rule.)

Also, later, Simeon’s allotment would be absorbed into this area of Judah, as that tribe was small and weak.

But the Jebusites, who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, could not be driven out at that time.  So the Jebusites continued on there. 

(LATER, King David would take the city from them and make Jerusalem the Capital of Israel.  The tabernacle and later the temple which Solomon would build would be in Jerusalem, the place the LORD chose to dwell among His people and put His Name there.)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 83

Mar23

    Day 83—  Now that we’ve passed Day 66, we have established a “habit.” So CELEBRATE our habit of daily Bible reading! We are in the THIRD month so far! Praise God!

   Day 83 – Joshua 5 – 8  (Circumcision & Passover, Jericho, Achan, Ai, Sin)

Joshua 5 tells of the beginnings of the conquest of Canaan. But first first things, first. There were a few steps of preparation.  Not sharpening of swords, but of HEARTS.

God first puts fear into the hearts of the kings of Canaan because of Israel. Then He commands all of Israel to renew their Covenant with Him by circumcising all the males. (It seems that during the wilderness wanderings, that had not been done. Why?  Maybe the “old guard” who knew they would not be entering the Promised Land rebelled and didn’t circumcise their baby boys.  Who knows?)

Next, Israel celebrated the Passover, the first in the new Land.  And they ate of the produce of the land… so the Manna stopped. Lots of changes, lots of preparation.  Even Joshua’s heart had to be prepared, so God met him in much the same way as Moses before he began his work in Egypt. God, claiming to be the “Commander of the army of the LORD,” accepted Joshua’s worship, and reminded him to take off his sandals for he was on “holy ground.”

Thus prepared, Chapter 6 tells of the unusual conquest of Jericho.  Around the city, the Ark, the priests, and the army would walk once, silent except for the blowing of ram’s horns for six days, then seven times around on the seventh day. Then at their SHOUT as the LORD commanded, the walls all fell down. The army went in and completely destroyed the city and all in it – EXCEPT for Rahab and her household, whom the two spies took to safety outside their camp. ALL was destroyed accept for the silver, gold, bronze and iron vessels. Those would go into Israel’s treasury.

And Joshua curses the rebuilding of Jericho forever. (see later in 1 Kings 16:34, when the curse happened.)

Chapter 7 tells of the victorious Israel going on to the next city, Ai. (NOT Artificial Intelligence! haha). A small town, easily won, and yet Israel is soundly defeated and runs with their tails between their legs!  What’s up???  What has happened to the mighty Israeli army led by their mighty Commander?

Sin.  That’s what happened. When Joshua falls before the LORD, virtually blaming HIM for not helping them, God tells him to stand up, for there is SIN IN THE CAMP.  By process of elimination, the finger of God points to Achan of the tribe of Judah.  He coveted some of the wealth he saw in Jericho, stole it (from God’s destruction), hid it in his tent (with his family’s knowledge) and told no one.  But God saw and knew.

Achan and his family (after his confession of sin) were stoned to death, and all he had and stole were burned with fire.  And so Israel was cleansed… and learned an important lesson.

In Chapter 8, in their second attempt, the now cleansed Israel soundly defeated Ai, killed the inhabitants and took much loot (if only Achan would have waited!). Had they learned their lesson. One hopes.

And afterwards, Joshua built an alter to the LORD of uncut stones and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. And all the people stood on opposite sides of the Ark carried by the Levitical Priests, half on Mt. Ebal and half on Mt Gerizim while Joshua read the blessings and curses of obedience to the Law of the LORD. In fact, he read ALL the law to them, men, women, and little ones.