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5 chapters today but it's a pretty easy and action filled read.
The Israelites cross Jordan and enter the promised land. Joshua commemorates the event by preserving twelve stones (4:9), or did he (4:20)?
All young males are circumcised and the older ones re-circumcised (?) Why did they stop the tradition while wandering in the desert?
The first thing on their agenda after stepping foot on the promised land is to continue the massacre of the inhabitants. Jericho is first on the list.
The priests practice some psychological warfare against Jericho by blowing horns and marching around the locked up city. It must have been pretty scary for the inhabitants. But they didn't live in fear for long because the Israelites brought the walls down and killed every living thing inside except for Rehab the harlot and her family.
But Achan has to go and screw up by coveting. God's reaction? Sending a small army to Ai to get it's ass kicked. This humbles the Israelites.
They make things right by stoning and burning Achan, his family, cattle and possessions. Sounds reasonable.
The Israelites are then able to attack and destroy Ai (in a very clever move IMO).
The laws of Moses are once again written in stone.
Another happy ending.
