Immerse: Kingdoms - Flipbook - Page 12
IMMERSED IN JOSHUA
how the tribes of Israel became a kingdom begins with
the conquest of the land of Canaan. God promised he would give this
land to Abraham’s descendants, and Moses brought them right to its
border. But Moses’ successor, Joshua, actually leads Israel into the land,
defeating the city-kingdoms that rule there. The book of Joshua describes how he did this.
Throughout the land there are walled cities, each ruled by its own
king. As long as these fortified “royal cities” remain in hostile hands, the
Israelites will be under constant threat. The biggest threat of all looms
immediately before them as they enter Canaan. Jericho is an imposing
fortress that controls the fords of the Jordan River. If the Israelites manage to cross over but then can’t defeat Jericho, the river will become a
barrier, trapping them where their enemies can destroy them.
The task is daunting, but God promises Joshua, “I will be with you
as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and
courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess
all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.”
THE STORY OF
Experience Immerse yourself
by reading the first accounts of Israel’s
conquest of the Promise Land in the book
of Joshua. Join the people of Israel as
they struggle with their fears, cross a swollen
Jordan River by faith, and face terrifying
enemies with fortified walls. Set out with
God’s people to conquer and settle the land
of Canaan on the way to establishing a
kingdom under God’s authority.
The book of Joshua has three major sections. Most of it is in the form
of a narrative, but at various places there are important lists, including
records of defeated cities and kings and of land allotments for Israel’s
tribes.
The book opens with a description of how God prepares Joshua
and the people for entry into the land and then guides them across
the Jordan River. It begins with God commissioning and encouraging
Joshua in his task, while also urging Joshua and the people to continually meditate on the instructions God has given to Moses. Joshua sends
spies into Canaan and then leads the people into the land, crossing
the Jordan River on dry ground. In their new land they celebrate their
freedom festival—Passover—and, for the first time, eat food from the
Land of Promise.
Next Israel invades the central region of Canaan and then spreads
out to both the northern and southern regions. Key to this section is the
realization that God himself is fighting for Israel, thus keeping his promises to Israel’s ancestors. The warfare Joshua conducts is brutal, but in
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