The first five books of the Bible cover the period from creation to the arrival of the Israelites at the bor­ders of Canaan. The book of Joshua, named after its principal character and probable author, continues the story.

The book of Joshua describes how the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, entered the Promised Land, how the walls of Jericho fell down, and how God's people conquered their enemies.

Joshua is a book filled with encouragement for any­one who faces seemingly insurmountable problems. It presents God as One who especially cares for all who put their trust in Him. And it shows that nothing is impossi­ble if God is with us. He's a faithful God who fulfills His promises to all those who meet His conditions.

The last chapter of this inspiring book records an appeal Joshua made to an assembly of all Israel's lead­ers not long before his death. Verse 23 sums it up:

“Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.”