Bible: Old Testament: English Standard Version

The book of Joshua continues the story of the Israelites as they cross the Jordan River and move into the land of Canaan. The Israelites are now led by Joshua, Moses’s appointed successor. Joshua was one of the only spies who encouraged Israel to enter the promised land when they first had the opportunity (Numbers 13-14). Joshua sends spies into the city of Jericho; a woman, Rahab, tells them that the Canaanites fear the Israelites because of their miraculous survival. She believes in their God, and asks for their protection. As the Israelites cross the Jordan River, God repeats his miracle from the Red Sea and makes the river stand still so that a dry pathway appears across it. The Israelites celebrate the miracle, eat from the land again, and perform ritual circumcision. When the people of Israel approach the city of Jericho to lay siege, God tells Joshua that, rather than bringing any weaponry to bear on the city, Joshua is to march around the city while carrying the Ark of the Covenant. After the Israelites march around the city every day for a week, the outer walls fall down, enabling their army to scramble over the rubble and seize the city.