Adam Clark states,

If we see the book of Joshua as the establishment of the children of Israel in the Promised land under the guidelines prescribed by Moses and the continuation of God’s covenant with his covenant people, then the connection between the first five books of Moses and the book of Joshua seems apparent.

The LDS Bible Dictionary states,

The LDS Bible Dictionary continues,

Adam Clarke states,

Moses is no longer Israel’s prophet. Joshua has been called as her leader. As previously noted, the Lord had instructed Moses to call Joshua and to then present themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation (Deuteronomy 31:14-15). The Lord gives Joshua a “charge,” meaning that he is anointed to serve as his prophet and then receives instructions.

Moses lays his hands on Joshua, acting in behalf of the Lord, and conveys a blessing upon him. Following the death of Moses, the Lord speaks directly to Joshua and gives him the following direction.

Following these directions, Joshua, as the Lord’s anointed prophet, is to go forth and lead the Israelites into the Promised land. The Lord now gives Joshua special instructions and blessings.

Here the Lord gives Joshua a formula for success as a prophet. These are the attributes he must refine: Be strong and not weak or vacillate as he carries out the Lord’s directions to the people; follow the law as given to Moses and do not deviate from it; study the law or read the scriptures and then follow them, and do not be afraid regardless of the obstacles you will face or how overwhelming the odds may be. In turn the Lord gives Joshua this reassurance: I will be with thee, whether so ever he is. I will strengthen you and guide you and never forsake you and you will prosper and have good success.

The first city on the other side of the Jordan River is Jericho. In preparation for the conquest of the land, Joshua sends spies. In our errand from the Lord, I believe, we are expected to do all we can to accomplish the Lord’s purposes. We must not sit back and expect the Lord to do his part without first doing all we can.

Incredulously, you might ask, was Rahab a harlot?

The Old Testament Institute Student Manual notes,

It appears to me that whether Rahab was a “harlot,” or “hostess,” is less important than her actions and subsequent life. Let her actions speak for themselves.

Preceding her hiding the two men in her house, when the king of Jericho learns there are two men at Rahab’s house, she denies the fact, and then sends the king’s men another direction (see Joshua 1:2-3, 5).

After hiding them, she comes to them and tells them the word that has come to the city regarding the Israelites.

It seems to me that Rahab’s heart has been softened, whatever her occupation, and she has been given a witness that these men are servants of the Lord and she is to assist them! Her only request is for the protection of her family.

Her request is granted.

Having received the promise for her family, she lets them down the wall and gives them instructions as to how to be protected from any who may pursue them. A sign is given to mark her home.

Both Rahab and the two spies have made an oath that her family will be spared during the battle of Jericho. This information is reported to Joshua.

Joshua received their report and honors their oath.

Rahab [Rachab] will remain with the Israelites –“and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day” (Joshua 6:25).

The Bible Encyclopedia states

If Rahab and Rachab are the same person, she will later become the mother of Booz (Matthew 1:5), which is part of the Jewish genealogy descending from Abraham to Jesus Christ. It is of importance to note that both Paul and James cite her as an example of faith (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25), lending yet further support to her spiritual conversion.

Spangler and Syswerda observe,

What is most important in each of our lives, I believe, is not our beginning, but our striving to become more like Jesus Christ each day of our lives. Rahab certainly qualified for great blessings as she befriended the two spies and positively impacts the attitude of the Israelites regarding conquering Jericho. She was instrumental in saving the lives of her family as well as her own after the fall of Jericho and there is evidence that supports her uniting with the children of Israel, including accepting the principles of God’s covenant with Israel.

The crossing of the Jordan River, during flood stages, must have presented a daunting challenge to Israel’s faith. How would the population of Israel surmount this obstacle would be indicative of how they will meet future challenges. What was impossible for Israel, was possible for the Lord if they would just exercise their faith and followed His directions with exactness.

Previously when the children of Israel were to sanctify themselves, they were, among other things, to “wash their clothes (Ex. 19:10).

The LDS Bible footnote (Joshua 3:5) states,

The priests are to bear the ark of the covenant which is to go before the people.

I can scarcely imagine the joy that must have come to the children of Israel as they watched the waters of the overflowing river being stopped in its forward movement. Surely they must have reflected upon the events their father’s had told them of how the Red Sea had parted, at Moses command, and how they had passed over on dry ground. It had happened again, reaffirming for them, personally, that just as the Lord had been with their fathers, He was now with them!

Joshua had previously asked each tribe to select one man (Joshua 3:12). These twelve men were to gather from the river twelve stones.

Ellis T. Rasmussen states,

What was the purpose of building the monument?

Always the Lord is trying to teach Israel to “remember.” To remember how merciful he is; how He is always with them regardless of the obstacles they might face; how they are weak, but He is strong and will fight their battles, if, they will only be obedient to His commandments and follow His prophet.

Once the children of Israel were safely across the river, Joshua commanded the priests.

Joshua, as one of the two remaining witnesses of the crossing of the Red sea, speaks further to the people regarding the memorial.

Once the children of Israel were on the other side, and the memorial had been dedicated, Joshua turned to an important ritual that had been neglected regarding the children who had been born– they had not been circumcised. It was important that sacred procedure be performed for it was symbolic of the covenant that God had made with Abraham (Geneses 17:10-11, 23-27).

You will remember Moses had told them during their forty years in the wilderness, that neither their clothes nor their shoes would wear out (see Deuteronomy 29:5). This, along with the manna they had received morning and evening with a double portion for the Sabbath, will end.

I share the following true story that brings the giving of manna and its discontinuance, as it were, to the present. It is told by Gerald Quinn.

It is striking to me that the same principle that was operative with the children of Israel, came into play in the life of Gerald Quinn’s family. They were blessed in a miraculous manner during a time of need and it also ended when it was no longer required.

Prior to the battle at Jericho, Joshua had an extraordinary experience involving a heavenly visitor.

The important information is that the heavenly visitor is a man who is seen holding a sword drawn ready for battle. Joshua is unsure if he has been sent to assist them in the coming battle or to hinder them. He states that he has come as the captain of the host of the Lord. Is the visitor an angel sent by the Lord as part of the Lord’s promise to provide him assistance or is this the same pre-mortal Lord who appeared to Moses out of the burning bush (see Exodus 3:4-6). The striking similarity is that Moses was told “put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Ex.3:5) which are the same instructions that Joshua received. While in Moses’ experience, the visitor identifies himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, there would be no need for a full introduction for Joshua as it was Moses’ initial experience with deity, his call to lead Israel out of bondage, while that is not case with Joshua. It is also noteworthy that following the visitor’s introduction as the “captain of the host of the LORD, Joshua falls on his face to the earth to worship him and the visitor did not prevent him! (see Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9, where John is forbidden by an angel to worship him). If the visitor is the Lord himself it would have surely given Joshua further personal confirmation that the Lord would be with him during the pending battle for Jericho.

Adam Clarke states,

If this particular division of the Bible into chapters is in error and chapter 5 were extended to include the first five verses of chapter 6, then the matter is resolved for in Joshua 6:2, the Lord is identified as speaking to Joshua.

Adam Clarks states his opinion regarding this matter,

The Lord, as captain of the hosts, gives Joshua specific instructions regarding the action of the Israelites for the pending destruction of Jericho. It is striking to me that later in history, Abijah, a righteous king in Judah who will go into battle against Jeroboam, refers to “God himself [who] is with us for [he is] our captain” (2 Chronicles 13:12), and “God smote Jeroboam and all Israel [who had become unrighteous] before Abijah and Judah” (2 Chronicles 13:15). In both instances, the Lord will serve as the military leader.

To anyone trained in the military, the plan to conquer Jericho must have seemed unusual at best. People marching around the city six times in silence with only the blast of ram horns and then on the seventh day, with the blast of the ram horns and the shout of the people, the walls of the city would collapse must have sounded preposterous just as it does to many today. What the doubters do not understand is this is not a usual battle nor is this military maneuver designed by a mere mortal. The head of Israel’s army is the Lord Jehovah himself and His power and knowledge is so much greater than mortal men it even puts the experts to shame.

The Old Testament Institute Student Manual reminds us,

What position does the Ark of the Covenant occupy as the children of Israel march around the city?

In other words, at the front of the people were the armed men, followed by the seven priests with the ram’s horns and then the Ark of the Covenant.

What is the symbolic importance of the Ark of the Covenant?

The Old Testament Institute Student Manual states,

This was not going to be just any military encounter. This battle was going to be led and fought by the Lord himself, under His terms and by His direction to His prophet. Man did not design the battle of Jericho nor stand at the head of her army. This position was filled by the Lord Himself.

Joshua gives the final instructions by the Lord to the people regarding the inhabitants of the city and their animals.

The children of Israel followed the directive of the Lord with exactness. The result of their obedience to the Lord’s plan is recorded.

The plan of the Lord was perfectly executed and the city and all her inhabitants, except Rahab and her father’s household, and their animals were destroyed. It was important the city of Jericho be destroyed as the inhabitants had become wicked in spite of their having been warned of the Lord to repent. Jericho represented the gateway city to the land of Canaan and her fall put the other inhabitants on notice that the promises of the Lord would be fulfilled.

Following the victory at Jericho, Joshua began his campaign by focusing upon the city of Ai. He again sent spies to evaluate the strength of the city and they brought back the following report.

Even though Joshua sent “about three thousand men,” (Joshua 7:4), they were soundly defeated. The reaction of the children of Israel to the news of the defeat was that “the hearts of the people melted, and became as water” (Joshua 7:5). Not only did the defeat have a detrimental effect upon the moral of the people, it also had a stunning effect upon Joshua.

Remember the Lord God is no respecter of His children. Each of His previous prophets had been tested in order to strengthen their personal faith in both His promises and in His power to fulfill them. It was now Joshua’s turn to be taught not to doubt.

It seems that the Lord is saying to Joshua, and even to us, when things go wrong don’t believe it is because I, the Lord, have broken my promise to you. Look within yourself and see if you have been diligent in keeping all my commandments. The reason for the defeat at Ai was that those who undertook the battle were disobedient and kept the spoils for themselves, contrary to my commandments. I will not be with Israel until the guilty are punished. The punishment is to be severe and immediate.

The guilty individual is identified and given the opportunity to confess his transgression.

How tragic the consequences when we fail to heed the directive of the Lord. Today the punishment would have been limited only to those who were found guilty of breaking the law. At this time in history, the breaking of a law also caused the same penalty to be applied to their family members. One might ask, why was it necessary for other members of the guilty family to also suffer death? Is it possible that some, if not all, were completely innocent? I don’t know the answer, but I do know all Israel were aware of the penalty for transgressions and the immediate action that would follow the breaking of their covenants. I also believe punishment will follow our unrepentant transgressions beyond this life and there our final judgment will be governed by justice as well as by mercy.

Moses had instructed Israel to go to mount Ebal and to build an altar of stones in remembrance of the covenants the children of Israel had made with the Lord (see Deuteronomy 27:1-8). Half the tribes were to go to mount Gerizim as representative of the blessings of the covenant and half were to ascend mount Ebal as representative of the cursings if they disobeyed the covenant. Following the directive of the Lord as given to the children of Israel through Moses, Joshua will implement the instructions.

The commandments that were given through Moses, the lawgiver, are implemented through Joshua. The instructions which the Lord had given to Moses, prior to Israel entering the land of Canaan, are precisely executed by Joshua. Joshua, like Moses, knows that one of the greatest problems that Israel, and many of us has, is remembering.

Spencer W. Kimball states,

Moses had previously chosen these two mounts which, due to their height, are visible throughout most of Israel as visual reminders to Israel of both the blessings the Lord has for them if they are obedient, and the cursing they will receive if they are not obedient to the covenants they have made. Just as Moses read to Israel before his death (translation) the law before they entered the Promised land, Joshua repeats the process while Israel is gathered on the specific mount. I trust Joshua believed that by renewing their covenants including the blessings and cursings, while on the actual mount that Moses had identified, would help them be obedient. These two mounts would serve as a daily reminder for them to choose the right when they were confronted with the temptations that would come upon them.

Upon hearing of the success the Israelites were having both in the land of Canaan and prior to their entrance, the princes of four cities [“Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim”–Joshua 9:18] devised a plan in order to spare their people from destruction. In disguise, they would go to Joshua and make an oath of allegiance with them.

Through deceit the princes were able to fool the people and the Israelites made an oath of peace with them. One might ask, why did the Lord let Joshua and the children of Israel enter into an oath with their enemies? Why didn’t the Lord disclose unto Joshua who they were? Moses had warned them not to make covenants with the Canaanites (see Deuteronomy 7:2). One simple answer is they “asked not counsel…of the Lord.” Israel must learn to rely on the Lord, and not act completely on their own, especially in matters of such importance as entering into an oath with strangers! The Lord accepted Joshua’s decision to honor his oath and to exercise the option of entering into contract of peace with the inhabitants (see Deuteronomy 20:10-12). If they are willing to become Israel’s tributary, the city need not be destroyed. In this instance, in spite of the original deceit, Joshua honored his oath, and did not destroy the city.

While the residents of the city are spared destruction, there is a penalty for the deceit of their leaders.

Ellis T. Rasmussen observes,

There are at least three lessons to be learned from this event. First, it is important, at all times, to be honest in your dealings with others. Second, if you will open communications with your adversary, you may learn there are other solutions than going to battle. Third, always counsel with the Lord regarding important decisions. Those we make on our own will not be successful and will work to our detriment.

Before we address this unusual phenomenon, let us understand the events that preceded its occurrence. Joshua had entered into a agreement of peace with the city of Gibeon. When Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem heard of the destruction of the cities of Jericho and Ai and had made peace with Gibeon, he was upset. He sent the following word to five other kings.

When the leaders of Gibeon learned of the planned attack on their city, they sought help from Joshua.

It is important for us to understand when the Lord agrees to fight our battles, in His battles, we may expect, He will use all of His power in order to accomplish his righteous objectives. This may include intervention beyond that which we might otherwise anticipate. This was the case for the battle with the Amorites as the scriptures record two extraordinary events. The first was great stones falling from the heavens.

There are those who doubt the report of great stones being cast down from heaven, but they will recall the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by brimstone and fire being rained down from the LORD” (see Genesis 19:24). This manifestation by the Lord is followed by a second event that may be considered even more miraculous.

The Old Testament Institute Student Manual states,

The Lord had stated he would fight Israel’s battles. Those who were killed in the battle had reached a point in their unrighteousness that repentance or peace was no longer an option and they were destroyed just as the Lord had said would occur (see Joshua 11:19-20). It is important to note this was the Lord’s battle and “there were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword” (Joshua 10:11).

As a brief note to those whose rational thinking is greater than their faith in the scriptures. Someday they too will come to know the truths as found in scriptures [the Old and New Testament], in spite of their seeming incredulous content, will someday be verified. May we both be patient until that future day.

While Joshua conquered many cities under the direction of the Lord, not all cities were conquered.

Victor L. Ludlow notes,

Why were not all the cities of Canaan conquered at this time? Two possible reasons come to mind for we know that the Lord had the power to destroy all the Canaanites, just as he destroyed the cities he did. Joshua had “waxed old and was stricken in age” (Joshua 22:1). He may have been unable to continue the battle and the Lord saw fit to end the conquest. Secondly, the weak link in God’s relationship with man is always man. God is prepared to keep his covenants with Israel, however, Israel may not have been prepared to keep her covenants with God. A result of Israel, living side by side with her non-Israelite neighbors, she is not to adapt to their ways and, thereby, demonstrate unto the Lord their complete obedience to their covenants.

The Old Testament Institute Student Manual notes,

All the cities-states of Canaan were not conquered by Joshua.

Victor L. Ludlow states,

Caleb, the other faithful survivor from the Exodus from Egypt, did not receive the honor or responsibility of becoming Israel’s prophet. He did, however, maintain a steadfast and immovable example to others. It is now time for the distribution of land to be given to the tribes. He will speak for the tribe of Judah.

Caleb is one of my heroes of the Old Testament. He was one of Israel’s common, uncommon men. From the very beginning, we learn of his complete devotion to the Lord and how in the face of disagreement from others, he held firm to his convictions in spite of the seeming overwhelming fortification of the cities in Canaan and the strength of their warriors. He tried to convince the other ten leaders that regardless of the circumstances, the Lord would keep his promise to Israel and they could conquer the land. He and Joshua stood alone. It would take forty years before his faith in the Lord would become knowledge. He had remained faithful throughout his years and was blessed with health and strength to the extent that he, at age eighty-five, felt as strong as he had at age forty. What is even more important to me is that in spite of all he had experience during his life time, he continued to believe that, if the Lord was with him, he could overcome all obstacles and achieve his righteous desire. He “wholly followed the LORD God of Israel” (Joshua 14:14). He did not doubt the Lord.

In Map 4, note division of land among the tribes of Israel.

Joshua served as Israel’s prophet for many years. He is old and stricken in age. As noted he was not able to conquer all the lands in Canaan (see Joshua 13:1-6). The Lord directs him to divide the land amongst the tribes and they will, of necessity, have to settle in the area yet occupied by the Canaanites. This will present in the eyes of Joshua, several problems for the children of Israel. Joshua outlines these in his first of two farewell speeches to them.

I must admit Joshua also stands out as one of my heroes of the Old Testament. He was a common man, who through his undeviating obedience to the Lord, became uncommon. He served his tribe as a spokesman when one from his tribe was selected to go to Canaan and bring a report back to Israel’s leaders. Only he and Caleb, another hero, brought back a report that in spite of the challenges and obstacles that confronted them, with the help of the Lord, they would succeed. The other ten allowed their fear of the inhabitants of the land and their strength to squelch their faith. As a result, they were only two of those who left Egypt who physically entered the land that was to be the inheritance the Lord had previously promised to Abraham and his seed.

With Joshua now as Israel’s prophet, they passed over the river Jordan which was then at flood stage “on dry ground” (Joshue 3:17), repeating the miracle that had occurred when the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea (see Exodus 14:16). This experience, followed by the appearance of the pre-mortal Christ to Joshua (see Joshua 5:13-15), were events that had followed the exercise of Joshua’s faith in the Lord. They were a visual reminder to all that the Lord was with Joshua. Joshua, the common man, was very uncommon in the eyes of the Lord.

As we, like Joshua, face our challenges and adversity both today and tomorrow, it will also be our underlying trust in the Lord we have gained day after day that will enable us to also pass over “on dry ground” whatever obstacles we may face. Someday, we too will enter the Promised Land, beyond the grave, and there we will find true rest and peace. Until that day, let us go forward, strengthening our faith in the Lord, who I believe, will never fail us.