Joshua – People, Places, and Things
Author: winston lue
Date: 2026-04-09T17:24:07+00:00

Book of Joshua – People, Places, and Things

PEOPLE IN JOSHUA

Main Figures

• Joshua – Successor of Moses; leads Israel into the Promised Land

• Moses – Mentioned as predecessor whose leadership Joshua continues

• Rahab – Harlot who hides Israelite spies; becomes part of Israel

• Caleb – Faithful spy; receives Hebron as inheritance

• Eleazar – Priest who helps divide the land

Other Key Individuals

• Achan – Sins by taking devoted items; causes Israel’s defeat at Ai

• Phinehas – Priest involved in resolving tribal conflict

• Adoni-Zedek – King of Jerusalem; leads coalition against Israel

• Jabin – King of Hazor; leads northern alliance

• Five Amorite Kings – Defeated when the sun stood still (Joshua 10)

Groups of People

• The Israelites – God’s covenant people entering the land

• The Canaanites – Inhabitants of the land

• The Gibeonites – Deceive Israel into making a treaty

• The Reubenites, Gadites, half-tribe of Manasseh – Settle east of the Jordan

PLACES IN JOSHUA

Major Locations

• Jordan River – Miraculously crossed by Israel

• Jericho – First conquered city; walls fall

• Ai – Initial defeat, later victory

• Gilgal – Base of operations after crossing Jordan

• Shiloh – Religious center where land is divided

Regions and Territories

• Canaan – Promised Land

• Hill Country – Central highlands conquered

• Negev – Southern desert region

• Shephelah – Lowlands between hills and coast

Important Cities

• Hebron – Given to Caleb

• Jerusalem – Ruled by Adoni-Zedek at the time

• Hazor – Major northern city destroyed by Joshua

• Gibeon – Makes treaty with Israel

• Shechem – Place of covenant renewal (Joshua 24)

Special Locations

• Mount Ebal & Mount Gerizim – Blessings and curses proclaimed

• Valley of Achor – Where Achan is judged

• Cities of Refuge – Safe havens for accidental killers

THINGS (KEY THEMES, OBJECTS, EVENTS)

Major Events

• Crossing the Jordan River (miracle like Red Sea)

• Fall of Jericho

• Sin of Achan and judgment

• Sun standing still (Joshua 10)

• Conquest of southern and northern kingdoms

• Division of the land

• Covenant renewal at Shechem

🪨 Sacred Objects & Symbols

• Ark of the Covenant – Leads Israel into battle and across Jordan

• Memorial Stones (12 stones) – Reminder of God’s faithfulness

• Altar on Mount Ebal – Covenant obedience

• Book of the Law – Central to Joshua’s leadership

Key Spiritual Themes

1. Obedience

• Victory depends on obedience to God’s Word 2. God’s Faithfulness

• Fulfillment of promises made to Abraham 3. Judgment

• Canaanites judged for sin

4. Covenant

• Renewed commitment to serve God (Joshua 24)

5. Leadership Transition

• From Moses to Joshua

Warfare Concepts

• Holy war (God-directed conquest)

• Divine intervention (walls falling, hailstones, sun standing still)

• Total devotion (things devoted to destruction)

KEY VERSE (CENTER OF THE BOOK)

Joshua 24:15

“Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

QUICK STRUCTURE OF JOSHUA

1. Joshua 1–5 – Entering the Land

2. Joshua 6–12 – Conquering the Land

3. Joshua 13–21 – Dividing the Land

4. Joshua 22–24 – Covenant & Farewell

CHRIST CONNECTION

• Joshua (Hebrew: Yehoshua) = “The LORD saves” → same root as Jesus

• Joshua leads into earthly rest → Jesus leads into eternal rest

• Conquest of land → Christ’s victory over sin JOSHUA – CHAPTER BY CHAPTER, VERSE BY VERSE

Joshua 1 – Commissioning Joshua

Key Flow

• 1:1–2 – God speaks after Moses’ death

→ Leadership transition begins

• 1:3–5 – Promise of land and victory

→ Same promise given to Abraham and Moses

• 1:6–9 – Command: Be strong and courageous

→ Central command repeated 3 times

→ Success tied to the Book of the Law

• 1:10–11 – Preparation to cross Jordan

• 1:12–18 – Eastern tribes agree to help

Theme:

Success comes from obedience to God’s Word

Joshua 2 – Rahab and the Spies

• 2:1 – Two spies sent to Jericho

• 2:2–7 – Rahab hides them

• 2:8–11 – Rahab’s confession of faith

→ “The LORD your God, He is God…”

• 2:12–21 – Scarlet cord agreement

• 2:22–24 – Spies return with report

Theme:

Faith can come from unexpected places (Gentile inclusion)

Joshua 3 – Crossing the Jordan

• 3:1–4 – Instructions to follow the Ark

• 3:5 – “Sanctify yourselves”

• 3:7–13 – God exalts Joshua like Moses

• 3:14–17 – River stops; people cross on dry ground

Theme:

God makes a way where there is none

Joshua 4 – Memorial Stones

• 4:1–7 – 12 stones taken from Jordan

• 4:8–9 – Stones set up as memorial

• 4:14 – Joshua exalted

• 4:19–24 – Purpose: future generations remember

Theme:

Remember what God has done

Joshua 5 – Preparation for Conquest

• 5:1 – Nations fear Israel

• 5:2–9 – Circumcision renewed

• 5:10–12 – Passover observed; manna stops

• 5:13–15 – Commander of the LORD’s army appears

Theme:

Spiritual preparation before victory

Joshua 6 – Fall of Jericho

• 6:1–5 – God’s unusual battle plan

• 6:6–21 – Walls fall after obedience

• 6:22–25 – Rahab saved

• 6:26–27 – Curse on rebuilding Jericho

Theme:

Victory comes through obedience, not human strength

Joshua 7 – Sin of Achan

• 7:1 – Achan’s sin (taking devoted things)

• 7:2–5 – Defeat at Ai

• 7:6–9 – Joshua mourns

• 7:10–15 – God reveals the problem

• 7:16–26 – Achan judged

Theme:

Hidden sin affects the whole community

Joshua 8 – Victory at Ai

• 8:1–2 – God restores victory

• 8:3–23 – Ambush strategy

• 8:24–29 – Total defeat of Ai

• 8:30–35 – Law read at Mount Ebal

Theme:

Restoration follows repentance

Joshua 9 – Gibeonite Deception

• 9:1–2 – Kings unite against Israel

• 9:3–13 – Gibeonites deceive Israel

• 9:14–15 – Israel fails to seek God

• 9:16–27 – Treaty honored

Theme:

Failure to seek God leads to deception

Joshua 10 – Southern Campaign

• Joshua 10:1–5 – Five kings attack Gibeon

• Joshua 10:6–11 – God fights for Israel

• Joshua 10:12–14 – Sun stands still

• Joshua 10:16–27 – Kings defeated

• Joshua 10:28–43 – Southern cities conquered

Theme:

God fights for His people

Joshua 11 – Northern Campaign

• Joshua 11:1–5 – Northern coalition forms

• Joshua 11:6–9 – God assures victory

• Joshua 11:10–15 – Hazor destroyed

• Joshua 11:16–23 – Summary of conquest

Theme:

God fulfills His promises completely

Joshua 12 – List of Kings Defeated

• 12:1–6 – Kings defeated by Moses

• 12:7–24 – 31 kings defeated by Joshua

Theme:

Record of God’s victories

Joshua 13–21 – Division of the Land

Chapter Highlights:

• Joshua 13 – Land still to be possessed

• Joshua 14 – Caleb receives Hebron

• Joshua 15–19 – Tribal inheritances

• Joshua 18:1 – Tabernacle set at Shiloh

• Joshua 20 – Cities of refuge established

• Joshua 21 – Levitical cities given

Theme:

God distributes what He promised

Joshua 22 – Eastern Tribes Return

• 22:1–9 – Tribes return home

• 22:10–20 – Altar misunderstood

• 22:21–34 – Conflict resolved

Theme:

Unity and misunderstanding among God’s people

Joshua 23 – Joshua’s Farewell

• Warning against idolatry

• Reminder of God’s faithfulness

• Call to remain obedient

Theme:

Stay faithful after victory

Joshua 24 – Covenant Renewal

• 24:1–13 – God recounts history

• 24:14–15 – Choose whom you will serve

• 24:16–28 – Covenant renewed

• 24:29–33 – Joshua dies

Theme:

A decisive commitment to God

CORE MESSAGE OF JOSHUA

• God keeps His promises

• Obedience brings victory

• Sin brings defeat

• Faith leads to salvation (Rahab)

• Commitment must be intentional

CHRIST CONNECTION

• Joshua = “The LORD saves” → same name root as Jesus

• Leads into Promised Land → Jesus leads into eternal rest

• Conquest → Christ conquers sin, death, and Satan How Jesus Is Portrayed in Joshua 1. Joshua’s Name = Jesus’ Name

• Joshua (Hebrew: Yehoshua)

• Means: “The LORD saves”

• Jesus Christ (Greek: Iēsous)

→ Same name meaning: “The LORD saves”

Meaning:

Joshua is literally a name-picture of Jesus

2. Joshua Leads Into the Promised Land → Jesus Leads Into Salvation

• Joshua leads Israel into physical rest (Canaan)

• Jesus leads believers into spiritual rest (eternal life)

Hebrews 4 explains this connection:

• Joshua gave temporary rest

• Jesus gives true and eternal rest

Picture:

• Canaan = Promise

• Salvation = Fulfillment

3. Joshua Succeeds Moses → Grace Fulfills the Law

• Moses = The Law

• Joshua = The one who brings completion

Spiritual Meaning:

• The Law (Moses) cannot bring you into the promise

• Only Jesus (Joshua) can

John 1:17

“The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

4. The Commander of the LORD’s Army (Joshua 5:13–15) Joshua meets a mysterious figure:

• Not an angel

• Accepts worship

• Calls the ground holy

This is widely understood as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany)

Meaning:

Jesus appears as:

• Divine Warrior

• Leader of heaven’s army

5. Fall of Jericho → Salvation by Faith, Not Works

• Walls fall by obedience to God’s instruction—not military power

• No human explanation

Connection:

• Salvation is not earned by effort

• It comes through faith and obedience

6. Rahab → Salvation for Sinners and Gentiles

• Rahab was:

o A Gentile

o A sinner

o Yet saved by faith

• The scarlet cord = symbol of Christ’s blood

Jesus Connection:

• Jesus saves outsiders, not just insiders

• Rahab is in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1)

7. Achan’s Sin → Judgment for Sin

• Sin brings judgment and death

• Cannot be hidden from God

Fulfillment in Jesus:

• Jesus takes the punishment we deserve

• He becomes the substitute for sin

8. Cities of Refuge → Christ Our Refuge

Joshua 20 establishes cities where people can flee for safety.

Jesus Fulfillment:

• Jesus is our refuge from judgment

Hebrews 6:18

“We who have fled for refuge…”

9. The Ark Leading Israel → Christ’s Presence Leads Us

• The Ark goes before Israel in the Jordan and battles

Meaning:

• God’s presence leads the way

• Jesus is God with us (Emmanuel)

10. Sun Standing Still → Christ’s Authority Over Creation

• In Joshua 10, the sun and moon obey

Jesus Parallel:

• Jesus commands nature:

o Storms stop

o Seas obey

o Time and creation are under Him

11. Conquest of Enemies → Christ Defeats Spiritual Enemies Joshua defeats:

• Kings

• Armies

• Nations

Jesus defeats:

• Sin

• Death

• Satan

Colossians 2:15

He disarmed powers and authorities…

12. Covenant Renewal (Joshua 24) → Call to Choose Christ “Choose this day whom you will serve…”

Jesus Fulfillment:

• The same call exists today:

o Choose life or death

o Choose Christ or the world

BIG PICTURE

Joshua is a shadow—Jesus is the substance

Joshua Jesus

Leads into land Leads into eternal life Physical battles Spiritual victory

Temporary rest Eternal rest

Conquers nations Conquers sin & death

FINAL TRUTH

Joshua shows:

God keeps His promises

Jesus fulfills:

God’s ultimate promise—salvation

Table of Contents

Chapter Highlights: