Introduction

Joshua's conquests refer to the military campaigns led by Joshua, the successor of Moses, as the Israelites entered and took possession of the Promised Land, Canaan. These events are primarily recorded in the Book of Joshua, which details the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7). Joshua's leadership and the subsequent victories are seen as acts of divine intervention and fulfillment of God's covenant with Israel.

Preparation and Crossing the Jordan

Before the conquests began, Joshua was appointed by God as the leader of Israel (Deuteronomy 31:23). The Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan River, which God miraculously parted, allowing them to enter Canaan on dry ground (Joshua 3:14-17). This event signified God's presence and power among His people, as the Ark of the Covenant led the way.

The Fall of Jericho

The first major conquest was the city of Jericho. God instructed Joshua to have the Israelites march around the city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day, with the priests blowing trumpets. On the seventh day, after the people shouted, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the city was taken (Joshua 6:1-20). This victory demonstrated God's direct involvement and the importance of obedience to His commands.

The Battle of Ai

Following Jericho, the Israelites faced a setback at Ai due to Achan's sin of taking forbidden items from Jericho (Joshua 7:1-5). After dealing with the sin, God gave Joshua a strategy to capture Ai, which involved an ambush. The city was successfully conquered, and the Israelites renewed their covenant with God at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (Joshua 8:1-29).

The Southern Campaign

The southern campaign began with the Gibeonite deception, where the Gibeonites tricked Israel into making a peace treaty (Joshua 9:3-15). When the Amorite kings attacked Gibeon, Joshua led a surprise attack, and God intervened by sending hailstones and stopping the sun in the sky, allowing Israel to achieve a decisive victory (Joshua 10:1-14). This campaign resulted in the conquest of several key cities, including Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir (Joshua 10:28-39).

The Northern Campaign

The northern campaign was marked by the coalition of kings led by Jabin of Hazor. God assured Joshua of victory, and the Israelites defeated the northern kings at the waters of Merom (Joshua 11:1-9). The capture of Hazor and the destruction of its inhabitants marked the end of major military campaigns in Canaan (Joshua 11:10-15).

Division of the Land

After the conquests, the land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel as an inheritance (Joshua 13-21). This division was conducted under God's guidance, with specific territories allocated to each tribe. The Levites, however, were given cities and pasturelands instead of a contiguous territory, as their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Joshua 13:33).

Significance

Joshua's conquests are significant in biblical history as they represent the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. These events underscore themes of faith, obedience, and divine sovereignty. The conquests also serve as a foreshadowing of the ultimate victory of God's people through faith and reliance on His power.