JOSHUA, JUDGES, RUTH

Eager expectation filled the air as Israel camped east of the Jordan River. This nomadic nation was poised to begin the next phase of God’s plan: the conquest and settlement of Canaan. The books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth chronicle this part of the Bible. In the context of these books, we find that geography is an important factor.

With recent victories in the Transjordan fueling confidence and trust in the Lord, Israel was ready to engage the Canaanites and Amorites in a series of world-changing battles over land ownership. The first obstacle Israel faced in its quest to enter Canaan was water, not warriors. When the Lord miraculously “piled up” (Josh. 3:16) the Jordan River, the Israelites were able to enter Canaan on dry ground. This miracle quickly led to another as the walls of Jericho proved as flimsy as swaying reeds before the powerful hand of God.

With the Jordan River and Jericho at their backs, the next battle at Ai gave the Israelites a powerful lesson in obedience. After Ai, Joshua did something unexpected. Rather than continuing in battle, he led the people of Israel to Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, a place selected to recapture the passion of their ancestors. There they read aloud God’s blessings and curses (Josh. 8:34). As the last amen sounded, it was time for war once again.

When the local Gibeonites succeeded in their crafty deception and tricked Joshua into forming an alliance with them, a five-city coalition rose up to test Israel’s resolve. They launched an attack that gave Israel and the Lord a further opportunity to surprise the land’s inhabitants. The Lord led Israel in another amazing victory in which his power was shown in a striking new way.

Joshua led the Israelites from victory to victory until the major centers of power were brought low. Then he divided the land among the twelve tribes of Israel and instructed each to secure its hold on the land they had been assigned.

After Joshua died, no one leader was chosen to replace him. Rather the Lord used a series of temporary leaders called judges, who rose to the occasion when crises called for tribal militias to fight local wars. It was through leaders like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson that the Lord restored peace to the Promised Land.

With each cycle of judges, we see the faith of the Israelites and their leaders deteriorate until it seems to vanish. Against this darkening horizon, we capture a glimpse of hope shining through the life of Naomi from the book of Ruth. Famine, death, and uncertainty had taken their toll on her faith. Just when all seemed lost, the Lord quietly worked behind the scenes to bring the message of rescue and restoration to her, her family, the nation, and ultimately his entire creation.

The conquest and settlement of Canaan happened just as God said it would, accompanied by challenges, disappointments, battles, and miracles. One event after the other draws us in and forward. And as we shall see, one event after the other happened where it did for a reason.

Looking west down the Beth Horon Ridge toward the Aijalon Valley, where Joshua led the Israelite army in pursuit of the Amorites (Joshua 10).

Sea peoples such as the Philistines used anthropoid coffins in their burial practices (ca. 1150 BC).
© Dr. James C. Martin. The British Museum.

Like Naomi and Ruth, this woman is harvesting grain near Bethlehem.

Mount Gerizim (left) and Mount Ebal (right). Joshua brought the Israelites to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where they proclaimed blessings and curses, as instructed by Moses (Deuteronomy 28; Josh. 8:33–35).

Jericho (view looking southeast). Joshua marched the Israelite army around the ancient city of Jericho prior to its fall.

Gibeon (view looking northeast). The rulers of five Amorite cities came against Gibeon after learning that the Gibeonites had made a treaty with Joshua.