Hurray for Rahab!

Near the end of the 40 years in the wilderness, God instructs Moses to appoint Joshua as his successor (Num. 27). With Aaron already deceased, the ceremony, involving the laying on of hands, is conducted by Eleazar, Aaron's son and new high priest. The Book of Deuteronomy adds Moses' words of encouragement to his successor: "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance" (Deut. 31:7). Moses continues to lead the Israelites into the country east of the Jordan River, where they win several military victories. Moses appoints Joshua and Caleb to begin the apportionment of tribal lands in Canaan. He then ascends Mount Nebo in the territory of Moab, sees the "promised land" for himself, and dies.
Joshua emerges fully at this point as his successor: "Now Joshua son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.^[1] So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses" (Deut. 34:9). The people encamp at Shittim when Joshua assumes the command before crossing the Jordan River. According to the Book of Joshua, God encourages him to be strong and to cling to the Law, which was never to "depart out of his mouth." This includes an admonition to engage in holy war, burning those cities captured and leaving no enemy alive.
After enlisting the cooperation of the kindred east Jordanic tribes of Gad and Reuben, his first concern was to spy out Jericho. His agents receive crucial aid in this task from a local harlot named Rahab. On receiving their report, Joshua instructs the Israelites to cross the Jordan. With the Ark of the Covenant carried by the priests in the van, the river miraculously divides, enabling the people to cross on dry land. In memory of this occurrence Joshua erects a monument of 12 standing stones. Here, at Gilgal, Joshua pitches his camp and remains for some time. In order that all might be able to participate in the Passover, he directs that every Hebrew male that had been born in the desert should be circumcised. Nearing Jericho, Joshua encounters a mysterious "man" who identifies himself as the "commander of the army of the Lord" and Joshua prostrates himself before him in worship (Josh. 5).