Joshua Is Sent
-The Book opens with God's sending Joshua to take the land of Canaan
-Other laws in the book of the covenant strike us today as clearly unjust
-The story of Joshua reminded the exiled Jews in Babylon centuries later of their need to turn to God again.
Rahab and the Spies
-Joshua then sends two spies to scout Jericho, which is the first city across Jordan
-They go to a lodging house run by a prostitute Rahab who recognizes that they are Israelites
-The king questions her on the visitors so she sends spies
-After Dark she bargains with the spies to stay in secrecy
-Moses builds an altar with twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel
- She promises to help them escape as long as they can provide safety for her family
When Jericho is invaded
-The spies return to Joshua and tell him of their news
Crossing the Jordan River
-Now there is another story of miraculous crossing, reminding us of our friend Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea
-Joshua orders a march
-As soon as the feet of the priest reached the riverbed the waters will not flow
-Piling up to the north and disappearing to the south
-The people cross the river and one man from each of the twelve of the tribes carries a stone from the riverbed to build a memorial at the new camp.
The Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan (illust...
Joshua Tree
somewhere in Joshua Tree National Park-They call it Gilgal meaning circle and referring to the circle of stones