Deuteronomy 7:1 – “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou.”
FOLLOW THE MAP
Map of Joshua and the Promised Land. This map reveals the 7 nations mentioned in the Bible that existed in the land of Canaan before God gave the land to the Israelites. The Canaanites dwelt in the plains, the Amorites lived in the hills, some of the other nations were the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Moabites, the Edomites, the Philistines, and the Girgashites. These nations were descendants of Canaan, the fourth son of Ham who was cursed by Noah. Some of them were Giants.
Joshua and the Promised Land for Little Kids
This map shows the Promised Land and all the different people living there during the time Joshua was the leader of the Israelites.
Before Moses died, he chose Joshua to be the next leader of the Israelites. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Joshua and his people camped to the East of the Jordan River before heading in to the Promised Land. There were many groups of people living in the Promised Land before the Israelites got there. God told Joshua that he would take over the land that He promised Abraham, and encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous because He would be with him.
When it was time to cross the river into the Promised Land, Joshua had the priests go first and once their feet touched the river, the water parted so everyone could get across safely – just like what happened with Moses at the Red Sea!
Once the Israelites were safely across, Joshua chose 12 men to each pick a stone from the middle of the river and pile them up at their camp, so whenever they see the 12 stones they will be reminded that God helped them cross the Jordan River. That day, the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites, and for the rest of his life, they would respect him just as they did with Moses.
Do you know what happened to Joshua and the Israelites once they were in the Promised Land?
Joshua and the Promised Land for Big Kids
Moses. Moses was now 120 years old, for 40 years he was a prince in Egypt, for 40 years he was a Shepherd in the land of Midian, and for 40 years he led the Israelites through the wilderness. Although he was very old God kept him strong like a young man. The time had come for Moses to leave this world and to commission Joshua to conquer the promised land. Moses gave a speech and encourage the people, and then he sang a song of farewell. He walked up to the top of Mount Nebo and took one last look at the promised land, and then he died.
Joshua. Moses had given charge to his commanding officer Joshua. Joshua was a man of great courage, he was not afraid of the giants and the mighty walled nations that he saw when he was sent to spy out the land.
The Entrance to the Promised Land. The Israelites were camped on the east side of the Jordan River. Joshua commanded all the people to take up their tents and to journey down to the Jordan River. Joshua gave the word and as they marched toward the river Joshua commanded that they bring the Ark of the covenant to lead the way. As soon as they touch the Jordan River the waters parted and they enter the promised land on dry ground. They set up a memorial of 12 stones to remember this great event. God is faithful to his promises, and the day finally arrived for the Israelites to claim their inheritance.
The Land of Canaan. There were indeed mighty nations dwelling in the land of Canaan. They were races of giants also and powerful armies, yet the Israelites were following the commands of the great leader Joshua. They were determined to conquer the land. The mighty nations that dwelt there are seen in the map above: the Canaanites dwelt in the plains, the Amorites lived in the hills, some of the other nations where the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Hittites, the Jebusites, the Moabites, the Edomites, the Philistines, and the Girgashites. The people in the land of Canaan were descendents of Canaan, the fourth son of Ham who was cursed by Noah.
Archaeology. It is interesting that there have been numerous archaeological discoveries with cuneiform inscriptions that mention the nations in the land of Canaan during the time of Joshua. The most popular excavation sites have revealed letters called The Tell el-Amarna Tablets.
The study of Joshua is very important in the study of the Bible, let’s pray:
Dear Jesus, thank you for Joshua, he was such a man of strength and courage and yet he trusted in you for everything. He saw that the giants and the mighty walled nations were nothing in comparison to you. Thank you that when they took the promised land they did it in faith, and obedience to you. Thank you for your wisdom, and thank you for your protection. In Jesus name… Amen!
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