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Joshua is the first of 12 historical books. They begin with a man, Joshua, and end with a woman, Ester. They cover approximately 1,000 years in the life of Israel (1450 to 445 B.C.). They begin with the occupation of Canaan about 1250 BC. They went from a well organized clan or family form of government, led, with God's approval, by Moses, to a disorganized nation with no apparent form of government, "Every man doing as he pleased." Joshua ruled the Israelites from 1234 until 1211 BC. With the death of Joshua, the Judges ruled Israel from 1210 to 1045 BC. Finally they go to a government by kings from 1025 to 925 BC., first by Saul then David and lastly as a united kingdom, by Solomon. After the death of Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel divided into two kingdoms, Israel (10 tribes) to the north, and Judah (2 tribes) on the south. From 925 BC. until 700 BC., the Northern Kingdom of Israel had a series of 19 kings until its destruction about 722 BC. when it was destroyed by the Assyrians and the people scattered (722 - 700 BC.) all over the Middle East. From 935 until 586 BC., Judah had a total of 20 kings until its destruction by the Babylonians. All but the lame and elderly were taken into bondage to Babylon. After 70 years of captivity a remnant returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and the Temple.
Our first three books, Joshua, Judges and Ruth, cover a period of approximately 500 years. This was a time when Israel was ruled by Judges but the King was God so their government was a "Theocracy".
The Book of Joshua picks up with God's appointment of Joshua to lead the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan. Who was Joshua? Lets go back and look at the family tree. Jacob had 12 sons. His 11th son was Joseph by Rachel. Joseph, after being sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt, married an Egyptian woman by the name of Ase-nath. They had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim . Ephraim had three sons. In the linage of one of those three sons, was a man by the name of Nun. He was the father of Joshua. Thus Joshua was of the Tribe of Ephraim (Joseph). The name Joshua means, "Jehovah is Salvation". The Greek equivalent is "Jesus".
What else do we know about Joshua?
He was 46 years when they left Egypt. He was 86 years old when they prepared to cross the Jordan River and he died at the age of 110.
The Book of Joshua was probably not written by Joshua. His notes and memoirs were undoubtedly used along with other records of that time period. It was put into its present form under the leadership of the Holy Spirit about 500 BC.
Joshua can be divided into four parts:
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