Deuteronomy — meaning 'repetition of the law' or 'copy of the law' — records Moses' final addresses to the second generation of Israelites in the plains of Moab, shortly before his death. Constable notes the book follows the pattern of ancient Hittite suzerainty treaties: a historical prologue, covenant stipulations, blessings and curses, and document provisions. Its theological message calls Israel to total loyalty to Yahweh based on His past faithfulness. The scope covers approximately three months, and the key theme is love: God's love for Israel expressed in election and redemption, and Israel's required love for God expressed in wholehearted obedience. Constable regards Deuteronomy as perhaps the most important book in the Old Testament for Christian living.

In his final addresses Joshua charges Israel to love the LORD, cling to Him, and drive out the remaining Canaanites — warning that compromise will be a snare. At Shechem he leads a solemn covenant renewal: reciting Yahweh's acts from Abraham to the conquest, calling the people to choose whom they will serve, and setting up a stone as a witness. Joshua dies at 110. The book closes with the burial of Joseph's bones — a promise kept since Egypt — and the death of Eleazar.

Joshua releases the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh to cross back to their Transjordanian inheritance with his blessing. When they build a large altar at the Jordan, the western tribes fear apostasy and nearly go to war. A delegation hears the explanation — the altar is a witness, not a place of competing sacrifice — and the crisis is averted. Unity within the covenant community is preserved.

With the major campaigns complete, Joshua and Eleazar the high priest divide the land by lot among the nine-and-a-half tribes west of the Jordan. Caleb at 85 boldly claims his mountain stronghold at Hebron. Boundaries and town lists are recorded for Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh, and the remaining tribes. Cities of refuge are established for unintentional manslaughter, and 48 cities are assigned to the Levites. The section closes with God's declaration: 'Not one of the good promises the LORD had made failed; all came to pass.'

Joshua defeats a coalition of southern Canaanite kings in rapid succession — Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir — then turns north to crush Jabin of Hazor and his allied city-states at the Waters of Merom. A summary lists 31 conquered kings west of the Jordan and confirms that Israel took the whole land as God commanded, leaving no one breathing who had been devoted to destruction.

Five Amorite kings attack Gibeon for making peace with Israel. Joshua marches through the night and launches a surprise dawn assault. God throws the enemy into panic, rains giant hailstones on them, and in response to Joshua's prayer famously causes the sun and moon to stand still — extending the day until the battle is won. The LORD fights for Israel more than Israel fights for itself.

The Gibeonites, fearing Israel's God, disguise themselves as distant travelers and trick the Israelites into a peace treaty sworn in the name of Yahweh. Israel's leaders fail to inquire of the LORD before making the covenant. When the deception is discovered, Israel honors its oath but reduces the Gibeonites to permanent servants — woodcutters and water carriers for the tabernacle. The lesson: always seek God before making binding commitments.

With sin judged, God directs a brilliantly executed ambush at Ai. The city is burned and its king hanged on a tree. Joshua then leads all Israel north to Shechem — the site of God's first promise to Abraham — where he builds an altar, writes the Law on plastered stones, and reads every word to the assembled nation. Obedience is renewed as the foundation for life in the land.