The life of St Joshua, Son of Nun
At eighty-five he took up Moses's place as leader of Israel.
Under his direction the people crossed the Jordan River on ground left dry when its waters were held back, and the walls of Jericho gave way after the Ark of the Covenant had been carried around the city for seven days running. In the midst of one decisive battle, he prayed that the sun be kept fixed in place long enough for his forces to secure their victory, and Scripture records that his prayer was answered. He governed Israel for twenty-five years in all, overseeing both the conquest of the promised land and its division among the tribes, and died at a hundred and ten years old, his final words to the people a charge to hold fast to the Law that Moses had given them.
