Joshua the Prophet
A final test
before entering the promised land
The Lord called Joshua to be the
new prophet after the prophet Moses was taken to
heaven.
While the Israelites camped near
the Jordan River, the Lord said it was time for them to move to
the promised land.
The promised land was in Canaan,
but wicked people lived there.
The Lord told Joshua to be strong
and have courage.
With the Lord’s help, the
Israelites could conquer the land of Canaan.
Joshua gathered an army.
The Lord told them to carry the
stone tablets of the Ten Commandments and other scriptures.
The priests carried these sacred
items in a box called the ark of the covenant.
Then the army prepared to cross
the Jordan River.
The river was deep and moved
quickly.
Joshua promised the Israelites
that the Lord would help them cross the river.
Joshua asked 12 priests to take
the ark of the covenant and walk into the water.
As soon as the priests stepped in
the river, the water parted.
The Israelites crossed the river
on dry land.
Joshua asked the Israelites to
take 12 stones from the dry riverbed.
He stacked the stones to remind
the Israelites of the Lord’s miracle that day.
Joshua led the Israelite army to
the land of Canaan.
They arrived at a city called
Jericho.
The city was very strong and had
high walls.
The Lord told Joshua how to
conquer Jericho.
He said the Israelites should
march around Jericho every day for six days.
Joshua obeyed the Lord.
Joshua told the priests to carry
the ark of the covenant in front of the Israelites.
Each day, the army marched around
Jericho, and seven priests blew their horns.
All the other Israelites were
silent.
On the seventh day, the army marched around
Jericho seven times.
As the priests blew their horns,
Joshua told the Israelites to shout.
Suddenly Jericho’s walls fell to
the ground, and Joshua’s army took the city.
The Lord helped the Israelites,
like He promised.
Joshua’s army continued to conquer
the land of Canaan, and the Israelites began
to live there.
Joshua reminded them of the Lord’s
miracles and promises.
He asked the Israelites to choose
to serve the Lord.