The kings of Canaan hear what has happened at Jericho and Ai. They understand that Israel is moving through the land, and they know that they cannot defeat Israel easily by themselves. So several kings prepare for war. But the people of Gibeon choose another strategy. They use deception.

Joshua 7 had revealed why. There was hidden sin in the camp. Achan had taken what God had forbidden, and the consequences had reached the whole nation. But Joshua 8 begins with a very different word. “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.” — Joshua 8:1 God was not finished with Joshua or with Israel.

A New Leader for a New Generation The opening words of the book are both solemn and hopeful. "Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun..." (Joshua 1:1) For forty years Moses had led Israel through the wilderness. He had stood before Pharaoh, received the Law at Sinai, and shepherded God's people despite their repeated failures. Now Moses was gone. But God had a replacement lined up.