Joshua

Rahab and the fall of Jericho

/ Narelle Atkins

by Narelle Atkins

Joshua sent two spies into Jericho who were hidden from the king of Jericho by Rahab. Rahab understood that the Lord of the Israelites had given Jericho to the Israelites. She feared for her life and pleaded with the spies to show kindness to her family. She made an oath with the spies and tied a scarlet cord in her window so the Israelites would know to pass over her household and save her family.

In Joshua 6 the Lord spoke with Joshua and told him how Jericho would be delivered into his hands. For six days the Israelites marched one lap around the city of Jericho. Seven priests carrying seven trumpets marched before the ark of the Lord. Armed men went ahead of the ark and a rear guard followed behind.

On the seventh day they arose at dawn and marched around the city seven times. At Joshua’s command during the seventh lap, the trumpet sounded, the people shouted and the wall of Jericho collapsed. The Israelites charged straight into Jericho and took the city. The spies rescued Rahab and her family before the Israelites burned the city.

Rahab and her family were spared in the destruction of Jericho. They joined the Israelites and Rahab became an ancestor of King David and Jesus.

Joshua and Caleb explore the land of Canaan

/ Narelle Atkins

by Narelle Atkins

Under Moses’ leadership, God rescued the Israelites from the harsh rule of Pharaoh in Egypt. Moses led the Israelites into the desert on their journey to Canaan, the land God had promised to Abraham and his descendents.

In Numbers 13 and 14, Moses appointed a leader from each of the tribes of Israel and sent them to explore the land of Canaan. Joshua (from the tribe of Ephraim) and Caleb (from the tribe of Judah) reported that the land was flowing with milk and honey. Caleb told Moses and the Israelites that they could take possession of the land but the leaders from the other tribes gave false reports to the people and stirred up unrest among the Israelites. They claimed the people of Canaan were too powerful and they didn’t believe they could conquer the land. Joshua and Caleb appealed to the Israelites to not be afraid of the people in Canaan because the Lord was with them.

God punished the Israelites for their unfaithfulness. He said that all males over the age of twenty, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, would die in the desert and not enter the promised land of Canaan.

The Israelites spent forty years roaming the desert and Moses died before the Israelites conquered Canaan. God appointed Joshua to take over from Moses as the leader of the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 31:23 God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous and promised He will be with Joshua as he leads the Israelites into Canaan.