The Conquest of Central Canaan

• Conquest of Jericho– One time each day for six days– Seven times around the seventh

day– Ark was to lead with priests

following– People were to follow walking in

silence• Don’t talk yourself out of a miracle

The Conquest of Central Canaan

• The people shouted, walls fell

• Every inhabitant destroyed; only Rahab and her family saved

• Jericho, first fruits of Canaan– No personal spoils to be taken– All metals were reserved as an

offering for the Lord’s service

• Joshua’s curse on Jericho and its rebuilders

Conquest of Ai• Failure at Ai

– The men of Ai defeated Israel– Israel had sinned

• Israel passes before Joshua• Achan answers to Joshua

– A Babylonish garment– Two hundred shekels of silver– A wedge of gold

• Stoned along with his family

Conquest of Ai• Triumph at Ai

– God gave victory, because they purged their sin

– The Battle Plan – turn previous defeat into victory

– They were free to take spoils• If only Achan had waited

The Altar at Mount Ebal

• Joshua read the law to the people

• Joshua never strayed too far from the thing that gave him success

Compromise with the Gibeonites

• The people of Gibeon…tricked Joshua into a treaty

• Joshua did not pray before making his decision - he relied on his senses and logic

The Southern Campaign

• Triggered by the Gibeon treaty

• Five local kings went to war against the Gibeonites

• Israel drawn into conflict

• Joshua, “sun, stand thou still”– One man’s prayer– God knows what we need– God fought for Israel with

hailstones

The Southern Campaign

• Joshua conquered all their cities (except Jerusalem) using speedy marches and surprise attacks

Victory over the Northern Confederacy• The collapse of the south to

Joshua spurred the powerful King Jabin to prepare

• Joshua demolished the enemy

• From there they rooted out the small pockets of resistance.

The Conquest Summarized

• Chapter 11:16 thru chapter 12:24

Unconquered Parts of Canaan

• First, we must remember that it was God Himself - not the Israelites

• Second - God avenges the righteous

• Third - exterminated for their wickedness

• Fourth - God hates sin

The Parralel

• Jericho - Trials in which we need God to tear down walls

• Ai - Trials due to our own sin

• Gibeon - Trials due to prayerlessness

• Five Kings - Trials in which you need God to move heaven and earth.

NEXT WEEK:

ISRAEL’S SETTLEMENT IN

CANAAN