Joshua 11
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. Far away, in a big land, there was a king. His name was Jabin. King Jabin was angry. Very angry. He heard about Joshua and the people of God. And he did not like it.
So King Jabin called other kings. "Come!" he said. "We are going to fight!" And the kings came. Many, many kings. With soldiers. With horses. With big wooden wagons, called chariots.
They stood by the water. So many soldiers! As many as grains of sand on the beach. Can you count all those little grains? No. Nobody can.
Joshua saw them. That is a lot of soldiers. Too many. Way too many.
But then God spoke. God said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid. I am with you. Tomorrow I will help you." God said it so clearly. Joshua listened well.
And the next day? Joshua went. With all his men. And God did just what He said. God helped. And Joshua won.
What Does This Mean?
Joshua was maybe a little scared. All those soldiers! All those horses! But God said, "Do not be afraid." And Joshua believed God.
That is important. God says what He will do. And then God really does it. Always.
Joshua listened. Joshua trusted. And it was good.
The Common Thread
God had made a promise long ago. A very old promise. God said, "I will give this land to My people." And now God kept His promise. Slowly, slowly. Piece by piece.
God always keeps His promises. He does not forget. Never.
And later, much later, God sent Jesus. Jesus is the very biggest promise. God said, "I will send a Savior." And He did.
When God says something, you can count on it. Like a good daddy who says, "Tomorrow we go to Grandma." And then you really go. God is even better than that.
For You
Are you sometimes scared? Maybe of the dark. Or of a big dog. Or when Mommy is not there for a moment.
Then you may do what Joshua did. Just say, "God, I am scared." And listen. God says the same thing to you. "Do not be afraid. I am with you."
God is with you when you eat. When you sleep. When you play. God is always close by. You cannot see Him, but He is there.
You do not have to fight big kings. But you can trust God. Just like Joshua. Every day a little bit more.
Talk About It
When are you sometimes scared?
What did God say to Joshua? Can you say it too?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You are big. Thank You that You are strong. Sometimes I am scared. Then You say, "Do not be afraid." Thank You that You are with me. When I play. When I sleep. Always.
Amen.
Questions about Joshua 11
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Joshua 11 about?
What does Joshua 11 say?
What does Joshua 11 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Joshua 11?
Why is Joshua 11 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
The sentence ends where Joshua's whole life was anchored: "as Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded." Moses had been dead for years, yet his words still steered every decision. Joshua wasn't inventing a kingdom, he was obeying one. It is a hard chapter, and a hard obedience. What word from God are you still carrying that no one else is checking on?
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings." One sentence, but years hidden inside it. We often picture victory as a single moment, a shout, walls falling. Yet most of your battles will look like this verse: quiet, drawn out, unseen. Keep going. Faithfulness is measured in seasons, not scenes.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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