(a) How does the story of Joshua relate to the great promise that Abraham had been given in Genesis 12:1-3?

(b) The story of Rahab in Joshua 2 is the story of how a Gentile woman of dubious morals found that she mattered to God.  The Old Testament focuses on the Lord’s dealings with his chosen people, the Jews; but can you think of other instances where Gentile people find God’s favour?  And what do you make of Matthew 1:5?

(c) “The God of the Old Testament,” assert ‘new atheists’ such as Richard Dawkins, “is a moral monster.”  And they cite passages such as Joshua 6:21 in support of this.  What do you think a Christian response might be?