God called on Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River and take possession of the promised land. God made victory over the Canaanites possible and He promised to never leave the Israelites as long as they obeyed His laws. Joshua demonstrates to us that faith brings victory that overcomes the world.

Joshua sent two spies to investigate the land and when they entered Jericho, a prostitute named Rahab hid them in her home and mislead the city officials about the spies' presence. Rahab told the spies that the Canaanites were afraid of Israel and its miraculous successes. Rahab demonstrated great faith in God, and she asked for protection for her family when the Israelites destroyed Jericho. The spies pledged to protect Rahab and then they returned to Joshua and told him about the weak condition of Israel's enemies.

The Israelites crossed the Jordan River, led by a team of priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. As the priests entered the water, the flow of the river stopped and the Israelites crossed the river on dry land. On the other side, the Israelites commemorated the miracle with an altar.

As they neared Jericho, Joshua encountered a man who claimed to be the commander of God's army. Joshua led the Israelites in carrying the Ark around Jericho for six days. On the seventh day, the Israelites marched around the city seven times. Joshua rallied them to conquer the city and kill everyone except Rahab. At the sound their trumpets, the walls of Jericho collapsed and the Israelites destroyed the city and its inhabitants.

The Israelites were humiliated in their attempt to take the next city, Ai. God attributed the disaster to the disobedience of Achan, an Israelite who stole religious items from Jericho. After the people stoned Achan, their next attempt to defeat Ai was successful. The Israelites then erected an altar to God and publicly affirmed their commitment to God's law.

The people of Gibeon visited the Israelite camp in disguise, claiming to be travelers in the land and requesting peace with Israel. Joshua neglected to ask for God's guidance and made a treaty with the Gibeonites. The Israelites refrained from attacking the city, but five other kings attacked Gibeon for making peace with Israel. The Israelites came to Gibeon's aid and destroyed the five armies. Joshua asked God to make the sun to stand still during the fight and was the only time that God did such a think.

The Israelites destroyed both the southern and northern cities of Canaan and killed all living inhabitants, as God instructed. Much of the promised land remained to be conquered, but the people of Israel settled in the land and it was divided among the twelve tribes. Then God gave Israel rest from its enemies for many years.

Joshua bid farewell to the nation of Israel and admonished the Israelites to be strong, to obey all of God's laws, to discard any idols, and to refrain from marriage with the native people. The people pledged to Joshua that they would be faithful to the covenant.

Much of the book is devoted to describing the allotment of land to each of the twelve tribes.

While Moses led the Israelites out of their oppression in Egypt, Joshua led them into the promised land.