Who Wrote This Book: It is believed that the book of Joshua was composed by Joshua himself. A few sections, such as 15:13-17 and 24:29-31, could not have been written by him. These were probably added by Eleazar the priest or Phinehas, his son.
Date of Writing: Joshua covers the period from the death of Moses to the Conquest of the Promised Land. The conquest of Canaan under Joshua took place around 1400 B.C. The later date for the Exodus places the conquest of Canaan around 1240, a date more difficult to harmonize with the slight mention in the book of Joshua (13:2-3) and the Philistines, who were strong around 1200.
The book contains several references which indicate that it was written not too long after the events. For example, the 12 memorial stones to commemorate the crossing of the Jordan "are there to this day" (4:9; see also 7:26; 8:28; 10:27), we just don't know for sure.
Why It Was Written: The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Bible. Its name is derived from the successor of Moses, with whose deeds it is principally concerned. The purpose of the book is to demonstrate God's fidelity in giving to the Israelites the land he had promised them for an inheritance (Genesis 15:18-20; Joshua 1:2-4; 21:41-43; 23:14-16).
Background: The book is named after its chief character Joshua, Moses' successor. Joshua's name means "the Lord is Salvation." Centuries later Jesus was given the same name.
Joshua was a witness to the most dramatic, miraculous time in Israel’s history. He had seen what God was capable of. He had devoted himself to following the law and meditating on it as no doubt Moses had done; and his faith was by all accounts unshakable. Not only was he ready to go over into Jordan, he’d been ready 40 years earlier.
The Book of Joshua may be divided as follows:
- Conquest of Canaan (Joshua 1:1-12:24)
- Division of the Land (Joshua 13:1-21:45)
- Return of the Transjordan Tribes and Joshua's Farewell (Joshua 22:1-24:33)
Key Verses:
Joshua 1:6-9, "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 10:40 "So Joshua smote all the country ... he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded."
Joshua 24:14-15, "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
