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The key moments of the book, in order, one picture at a time.
Joshua 2:1-21
The spies and Rahab
Joshua sends two spies to Jericho. They enter the city and stay at the house of a woman named Rahab. But the king learns of their presence. He sends soldiers to her house: "Bring out these men!"
Rahab has already hidden the spies under stalks of flax, on her roof. She answers: "They came, but I don't know where from. They left before the gates closed. Hurry, you'll catch them!" The soldiers rush off to chase them, for nothing.
Rahab goes up to the roof. She tells the spies: "I know your God is giving you this land. We are afraid of you. Swear to me that you'll save my family, as I have saved your lives." They agree. They let her down by a rope, outside the walls. "Tie this red cord to your window," they tell her. "That way we'll recognize you." Rahab ties the red cord.
Joshua 3:14-17
Crossing the Jordan
The people set out. The priests carry the sacred chest, the ark of the covenant, ahead of everyone. They move toward the Jordan River. It's springtime, the water overflows everywhere, the current is strong and dangerous.
As soon as the priests' feet touch the water, a miracle happens. The water flowing down stops completely, far upstream, near a town called Adam. The riverbed empties out. The priests stand still in the middle, carrying the ark, on ground that has become dry.
Then all the people cross, without rushing, facing Jericho. Everyone sees clearly that this is no accident. God acts for Joshua just as he acted for Moses at the Red Sea, long ago. That day, all Israel understands that Joshua is truly the new leader chosen by God, the one who continues the work Moses began.
Joshua 6:12-21
The fall of Jericho
In the morning, Joshua wakes the people. Before the city of Jericho, seven priests carry trumpets. Behind them, men carry the sacred chest, the ark of the Lord. The army follows in silence. For six days, they all march around the city walls, once a day, without a word.
On the seventh day, everything changes. Joshua tells the people: "March. Today, the Lord gives you the city." That day, they circle Jericho seven times. At the end, the priests blow a long blast on the trumpets. Joshua shouts: "Shout! The Lord has given you the city!"
The people shout with all their might. And the walls collapse, all at once, without any weapon touching them. The soldiers enter the city. Jericho falls, not by the strength of armies, but because the Lord has kept his promise.
Joshua 7:19-26
Achan's sin uncovered
Joshua calls a man named Achan. He looks him straight in the eyes and says: "My son, tell me the truth before God. What have you done?"
Achan lowers his head. "It's true, I have sinned. I saw a beautiful robe, some silver and a bar of gold, taken from the destroyed city. I wanted them. I hid them under my tent, the silver at the very bottom."
Men run to the tent. They dig and find everything, exactly as Achan said. They bring the objects before Joshua and before the assembled people.
Joshua takes Achan to a valley, with his family and his belongings. There, all the people throw stones. Then the bodies are burned and a great pile of stones is raised over them. The place is called the Valley of Achor. God's anger finally subsides.
Joshua 8:14-29
The ambush of Ai
The king of Ai sees Joshua's army and rushes out to fight, suspecting nothing. During the night, Joshua has hidden men behind the city. When the king attacks, the Israelites pretend to flee. The king shouts: "Chase them, they're afraid!" The whole city runs after them, leaving Ai empty.
Then God tells Joshua: "Raise your javelin toward the city." Joshua obeys. At once, the hidden men rise up and enter Ai. They set it on fire. Smoke rises into the sky. The soldiers of Ai turn around and see their city burning. They are caught between two armies, in front and behind. No one escapes.
Joshua keeps his javelin raised until the victory is complete. The king of Ai is captured and then put to death. The city becomes a heap of ruins forever. This time, thanks to the people's obedience and the plan given by God, defeat turns into great victory.
Joshua 9:3-15
The Gibeonite deception
The people of Gibeon hear about Joshua's victories. They are afraid. So they prepare a clever trap. They put on old clothes, worn-out sacks on their donkeys, dry and moldy bread in their supplies. They present themselves before Joshua and the men of Israel.
"We come from a distant land," they say. "Let's make an alliance with you." Joshua looks at their torn clothes, their bread hard as stone. "Who are you really?" he asks. The Gibeonites repeat their lie with confidence.
The leaders of Israel examine the supplies, touch the worn sacks. Everything seems true. But no one thinks to ask God for advice. Joshua makes a peace treaty with them. Three days later, the truth comes out: these people live right nearby! Israel has sworn, and a promise, even one obtained through trickery, must be kept.
Joshua 10:9-14
The sun stands still over Gibeon
Joshua marches all night with his soldiers. He comes from Gilgal to help Gibeon, a city attacked by five enemy kings. The attack catches the kings by surprise at dawn. Panic spreads through their troops.
The enemies flee on the road to Beth Horon. The Lord then hurls huge hailstones from the sky upon them. More soldiers die under this hail than under the swords of the Israelites.
Joshua wants to finish the battle before nightfall. Before all the people, he speaks to God: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon! Moon, stand still over the Valley of Aijalon!" And the sun stands still. The moon stays motionless too, until Israel completely defeats its enemies.
That day has never had its equal. Never has the Lord listened so closely to the voice of a man. For it is he who fights for Israel, visible to everyone's eyes.
Joshua 10:22-27
The five kings defeated
After the great battle, five enemy kings have hidden in a cave, at Makkedah. Joshua gives an order: "Roll a large stone in front of the entrance. Post guards." Then he continues the fight against the rest of the enemy armies.
When everything is over, Joshua returns to the cave. He tells his men: "Bring out these five kings." They are brought before him: the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. Joshua calls his war chiefs and tells them: "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." They obey. Joshua declares: "Do not be afraid! This is what the Lord will do to all your enemies."
Joshua puts the five kings to death and hangs them on trees until evening. Then they are taken down and thrown into the very cave where they had hidden. The entrance is blocked with large stones, which remain there to this day.
Joshua 14:6-13
Caleb claims Hebron
At Gilgal, the men of Judah divide up the conquered land. Caleb steps forward to Joshua. He is an old man of eighty-five, but he stands tall and strong.
"Remember," says Caleb. "Moses sent me to spy out this land. The other ten spies made the people tremble with fear. I spoke according to my heart, I trusted in the Lord my God. So Moses promised me a land for myself and my children, forever, because I followed the Lord wholeheartedly."
Caleb continues: "Look, I am still strong. I walk, I fight, just as on that first day. Now give me the mountain the Lord spoke of. Giants live there, the Anakim, in great fortified cities. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out."
Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him Hebron, the mountain, as his inheritance. The faithfulness of an old man finally receives its reward.
Joshua 24:1-27
Covenant renewed at Shechem
Joshua is old now. He gathers all the people of Israel at Shechem. The chiefs, the elders, the judges, all are there, before God.
Joshua recalls the whole story. He speaks of Abraham, called from afar. Of Jacob and his children who went to Egypt. Of Moses and the ten plagues. Of the Red Sea opened up. Of the desert crossed. Of enemy kings defeated. Of the promised land finally given. "It is the Lord who did all this," says Joshua, "not your swords nor your bows."
Then he asks the question that matters: "Choose today whom you will serve. The gods of Egypt? The gods of this land? As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."
The people answer with one voice: "We too will serve the Lord! He brought us out of Egypt, he protected us."
Joshua sets up a great stone under an oak tree, at Shechem. "This stone will be a witness," he says. "It has heard your words." Then everyone returns home, to the inheritance they have received.
Characters in This Chapter
Successor of Moses who led Israel in conquering and settling the Promised Land
Faithful spy who received Hebron as his inheritance at age 85
Canaanite woman who hid the spies and was saved with her family
Israelite who sinned by taking devoted things from Jericho, causing Israel's defeat at Ai
