Joshua
Joshua 1-5:
Themes I picked up in these chapters:
(1) The elevation of Joshua as leader. How odd it must have been for Israel to even think about going anywhere without Moses! But he was gone and the mantle fell on the shoulders of Joshua. The "pep talk" in chapter one where God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous repeatedly tells me that Joshua had a little struggle with doubt. The people wanted Moses, and Joshua probably wanted Moses as well, but there was no Moses. In 4:14 we finally see that Joshua was elevated to "Moses" status among the Israelites. In fact, Joshua probably had less open rebellion and grumbling to deal with than his predecessor.
(2) The careful leading by God of the Israelites. Everything was laid out, step by step. Each step was to be an obedient one. Everything was to be done a certain way so that all would benefit. It was and they did.
After staying 1000 yards away from the Ark at all times, I wonder how the people felt when they had to pass by it while walking across the dry bottom of the flood-stage Jordan.
(3) The establishment of an ebenezer. God wanted a memorial set up so that the people would never forget what had happened. Twelve stones, one for each tribe, were pulled from the dry river bed and were set up at Gilgal to serve as a reminder and a teaching tool.
What kind of ebenezers do we set up today? Are they remembrances of God or of man? Many churches have inscribed plaques honoring past members. What do we have to honor God in the same way?
Another reminder was the renewal of the call to circumcision in chapter 5. You wouldn't think that the best way to prepare for battle would be cutting in private areas, but God had a purpose. Over and over again we are reminded of God's love and His activity. God wanted to make sure we (they) didn't forget. Of course, they did forget...
And what about Rahab and those spies. Here is a woman who had her prayer for deliverance answered unexpectedly. I wonder how much of the Jericho wall was left standing for Rahab's "house in the wall" to remain intact with her whole family inside.
Joshua 6-10:
A whole lot of bloodshed in these five chapters! We begin at Jericho with the march around the wall for seven straight days. I guess one of those days would have had to have been a Sabbath, right? I wonder if the Pharisees thought about all that "work" their ancestors performed.
Destoying cities everywhere. Jericho completely destroyed except for Rahab and her family, who were given a place to live outside the camp of Israel. Also Achan's stolen booty was from Jericho, although it was eventually found. Interesting detail that the silver was on the bottom and the gold and robe on top. I wonder what the significance of that was.
Ai wins one because of Israel's disobedience. Then Israel sets the ambush "behind" the city. Joshua's force came from the north, but the ambush force came from the west, not the south. I guess either Joshua didn't head for the front gates or there is something in the geography that would make west "behind" the city. Or possibly the ambush force went 90 degrees around the city to enter it. I doubt that one will ever be cleared up.
Joshua reinforces the Covenant after the victory at Ai. The people gathered before the two mountains and Joshua read every word of the Law. Repetition. Reminders.
The folks from Gibeon pull a fast one on Joshua and the elders. Still I wonder how they knew that Joshua would live up to his oath. Certainly someone who had apparently been so bloodthirsty wouldn't necessarily honor an oath made by deception. Probably the only chance they thought they had. The moldy bread was a nice touch.
Then comes bloody chapter ten. The five kings attack Gibeon and Israel comes to their aid. Probably a convenient reason to go off to take care of those nations. The armies are routed and only a few escape. The five kings who had been hiding in a cave were brought out to face Joshua. The Israelite army commanders were told to step on the necks of the kings in symbolic domination. Then Joshua repeats the instructions which he was given in chapter one. "Be strong and courageous." Joshua is passing along the wisdom. He has obviously found it useful.
The longest day passage reads like a heroic story with God as the mightiest warrior. As Joshua had summoned the sun to remain in the sky until the battle was over, I was reminded of Moses holding his arms aloft (and eventually held up by Joshua) as the Israelites were fighting before the crossing of the Jordan. Even the notation of Joshua's outstreached javelin in 8:26 runs this familiar theme.
Finally, the cities of the five kings are utterly destroyed as well as a few other nations before Joshua brings the troops home. Why would God want so many "innocent" people killed? Well, they were hardly innocent. This was God's judgment upon peoples who engaged in horrible practices like child sacrifice and other horrid things. These were not people who were essentially good. God used the armies of Israel in judgment just as He used foreign armies to bring judgment upon Israel and Judah years later.
Oh, and I'm guessing that Israelites didn't move a lot of rocks. How many notations of rocks "being there to this day" were in this passage. (Then add the rocks from the Jordan set up at Gilgal in the previous section. Ebenezers. Monuments. Remember. We cannot overlook the history of God's provision for Israel or for us.
Joshua 11-15:
Finally at chapter eleven, it seems that all the remaining nations team up to try to expel Israel from the land. The king of Hazor initiates the action as "head of all these kingdoms" according to 11:10. Joshua turned back to take out Hazor and kill the king. Again, the Israelites were used as the instruments of God's justice to exterminate the evil nations.
I wonder what the purpose of hamstringing horses would be. Would a hamstrung horse still be useful? For breeding perhaps, but beyond that it would seem easier to kill them along with everything else.
The land finally had peace at the end of chapter eleven, although it wasn't until Caleb did away with the people around Hebron that we see peace declared again at the end of chapter fourteen.
Caleb must have been quite the 85 year old! He asked for what he was promised. He seemed to even be asking for a challenge -- a place where the enemies were larger than normal. But conquer them, he did. The section of chapter 15 is odd in its inclusion. I suppose it is just a more detailed part of the land distribution.
The rest of this passage would be useful in making a map and is more understandable if you have a map sitting beside you. Even still, it's tough to get past all the names of towns which are long since gone or now carry different names.
Joshua 16-20:
This passage reads a little like someone is describing a detailed wall map. Land for Judah has already been allotted, then in chapter 16, the half-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are assigned land. These are to be the first two tribes set up on this side of the Jordan. The rest are drawn by lot by Joshua back at Shiloh.
Interesting that the Canaanites living among the two half-tribes of Joseph were never fully exterminated, although they eventually became slaves. The two half-tribes came complaining about the size of their allotments, but were told to conquer the forested hill country. The tribesmen pled for a break since the Canaanites had iron chariots, which I assume means they would be tough to conquer militarily. Joshua simply sends them back, telling them that they will be able to do it -- although he doesn't mention that the Lord would be the one fighting for them at this point.
A female named Noah? See 17:3.
In chapter 18, Joshua seems a little disturbed that the tribes haven't taken possession of the land to this point. He organizes the surveying crew, then brings the tribal chiefs back to cast lots for the plots of land.
Joshua took the town of Timnath Serah (Timnath Heres - Judges 2:9) for his allotment. Cities of refuge were Kadesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth and Golan. An interesting concept which assumes that families will be out for avenging dead loved ones, vigilante style.
I wonder how long the whole process took for the Israelites to conquer the land, to subdue the land, to split up the land, and to settle the land.
Joshua 21-24:
Now that the other tribes have been allotted land, the tribe of Levi are designated towns to live in, as prescribed by God. The are given towns and surrounding lands for pasture. Of all the towns given to the Levites, five of the six cities of refuge are included (all but Bezer). Perhaps it was best for those with priestly functions to also serve as protectors of those falsely accused.
Eventually the eastern tribes get to go back across the Jordan to the lands they had been given previously. Their families were already settled. The men were bringing back a part of the spoils of war to share with those who were not able to join the fight. These two and a half tribes built an altar as a monument to the unity in God between the twelve tribes. Rumors start to fly and the other tribes are convinced that Gad and Reuben are trying to break away and worship some other God. The "rest of the story" is finally related when the other tribes come for a showdown. If anything the incident seems to further bond the tribes together.
Fast forward to years later. Twenty-five years later if Joshua and Caleb were the same age. Joshua gives his farewell to the leaders, reminding them to stay the course without turning aside. Then all of the tribes are assembled as Joshua ends his leadership by issuing an ultimatum: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." He speaks about getting rid of the idols now within the nation, although it seems that this is more a precautionary warning than a situation similar to the confrontation with Achan back in chapter 7. This was a renewal of the covenant. Joshua issued the vow that he and his house had made their choice already for the Lord.
It almost reads like he is trying to talk the Israelites out of committing to the Lord, offering them warning after warning. "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God..." Indeed we cannot serve Him properly and Israel would prove Joshua right even though they promised they would not stray from the terms of the covenant.
Finally, Joshua goes home to die at the age of 110. Joseph's bones, brought from Egypt are finally buried. Then Eleazar the priest son of Aaron dies and the book of Joshua comes to a close. Then it all starts falling apart.
Themes I picked up in these chapters:
(1) The elevation of Joshua as leader. How odd it must have been for Israel to even think about going anywhere without Moses! But he was gone and the mantle fell on the shoulders of Joshua. The "pep talk" in chapter one where God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous repeatedly tells me that Joshua had a little struggle with doubt. The people wanted Moses, and Joshua probably wanted Moses as well, but there was no Moses. In 4:14 we finally see that Joshua was elevated to "Moses" status among the Israelites. In fact, Joshua probably had less open rebellion and grumbling to deal with than his predecessor.
(2) The careful leading by God of the Israelites. Everything was laid out, step by step. Each step was to be an obedient one. Everything was to be done a certain way so that all would benefit. It was and they did.
After staying 1000 yards away from the Ark at all times, I wonder how the people felt when they had to pass by it while walking across the dry bottom of the flood-stage Jordan.
(3) The establishment of an ebenezer. God wanted a memorial set up so that the people would never forget what had happened. Twelve stones, one for each tribe, were pulled from the dry river bed and were set up at Gilgal to serve as a reminder and a teaching tool.
What kind of ebenezers do we set up today? Are they remembrances of God or of man? Many churches have inscribed plaques honoring past members. What do we have to honor God in the same way?
Another reminder was the renewal of the call to circumcision in chapter 5. You wouldn't think that the best way to prepare for battle would be cutting in private areas, but God had a purpose. Over and over again we are reminded of God's love and His activity. God wanted to make sure we (they) didn't forget. Of course, they did forget...
And what about Rahab and those spies. Here is a woman who had her prayer for deliverance answered unexpectedly. I wonder how much of the Jericho wall was left standing for Rahab's "house in the wall" to remain intact with her whole family inside.
Joshua 6-10:
A whole lot of bloodshed in these five chapters! We begin at Jericho with the march around the wall for seven straight days. I guess one of those days would have had to have been a Sabbath, right? I wonder if the Pharisees thought about all that "work" their ancestors performed.
Destoying cities everywhere. Jericho completely destroyed except for Rahab and her family, who were given a place to live outside the camp of Israel. Also Achan's stolen booty was from Jericho, although it was eventually found. Interesting detail that the silver was on the bottom and the gold and robe on top. I wonder what the significance of that was.
Ai wins one because of Israel's disobedience. Then Israel sets the ambush "behind" the city. Joshua's force came from the north, but the ambush force came from the west, not the south. I guess either Joshua didn't head for the front gates or there is something in the geography that would make west "behind" the city. Or possibly the ambush force went 90 degrees around the city to enter it. I doubt that one will ever be cleared up.
Joshua reinforces the Covenant after the victory at Ai. The people gathered before the two mountains and Joshua read every word of the Law. Repetition. Reminders.
The folks from Gibeon pull a fast one on Joshua and the elders. Still I wonder how they knew that Joshua would live up to his oath. Certainly someone who had apparently been so bloodthirsty wouldn't necessarily honor an oath made by deception. Probably the only chance they thought they had. The moldy bread was a nice touch.
Then comes bloody chapter ten. The five kings attack Gibeon and Israel comes to their aid. Probably a convenient reason to go off to take care of those nations. The armies are routed and only a few escape. The five kings who had been hiding in a cave were brought out to face Joshua. The Israelite army commanders were told to step on the necks of the kings in symbolic domination. Then Joshua repeats the instructions which he was given in chapter one. "Be strong and courageous." Joshua is passing along the wisdom. He has obviously found it useful.
The longest day passage reads like a heroic story with God as the mightiest warrior. As Joshua had summoned the sun to remain in the sky until the battle was over, I was reminded of Moses holding his arms aloft (and eventually held up by Joshua) as the Israelites were fighting before the crossing of the Jordan. Even the notation of Joshua's outstreached javelin in 8:26 runs this familiar theme.
Finally, the cities of the five kings are utterly destroyed as well as a few other nations before Joshua brings the troops home. Why would God want so many "innocent" people killed? Well, they were hardly innocent. This was God's judgment upon peoples who engaged in horrible practices like child sacrifice and other horrid things. These were not people who were essentially good. God used the armies of Israel in judgment just as He used foreign armies to bring judgment upon Israel and Judah years later.
Oh, and I'm guessing that Israelites didn't move a lot of rocks. How many notations of rocks "being there to this day" were in this passage. (Then add the rocks from the Jordan set up at Gilgal in the previous section. Ebenezers. Monuments. Remember. We cannot overlook the history of God's provision for Israel or for us.
Joshua 11-15:
Finally at chapter eleven, it seems that all the remaining nations team up to try to expel Israel from the land. The king of Hazor initiates the action as "head of all these kingdoms" according to 11:10. Joshua turned back to take out Hazor and kill the king. Again, the Israelites were used as the instruments of God's justice to exterminate the evil nations.
I wonder what the purpose of hamstringing horses would be. Would a hamstrung horse still be useful? For breeding perhaps, but beyond that it would seem easier to kill them along with everything else.
The land finally had peace at the end of chapter eleven, although it wasn't until Caleb did away with the people around Hebron that we see peace declared again at the end of chapter fourteen.
Caleb must have been quite the 85 year old! He asked for what he was promised. He seemed to even be asking for a challenge -- a place where the enemies were larger than normal. But conquer them, he did. The section of chapter 15 is odd in its inclusion. I suppose it is just a more detailed part of the land distribution.
The rest of this passage would be useful in making a map and is more understandable if you have a map sitting beside you. Even still, it's tough to get past all the names of towns which are long since gone or now carry different names.
Joshua 16-20:
This passage reads a little like someone is describing a detailed wall map. Land for Judah has already been allotted, then in chapter 16, the half-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are assigned land. These are to be the first two tribes set up on this side of the Jordan. The rest are drawn by lot by Joshua back at Shiloh.
Interesting that the Canaanites living among the two half-tribes of Joseph were never fully exterminated, although they eventually became slaves. The two half-tribes came complaining about the size of their allotments, but were told to conquer the forested hill country. The tribesmen pled for a break since the Canaanites had iron chariots, which I assume means they would be tough to conquer militarily. Joshua simply sends them back, telling them that they will be able to do it -- although he doesn't mention that the Lord would be the one fighting for them at this point.
A female named Noah? See 17:3.
In chapter 18, Joshua seems a little disturbed that the tribes haven't taken possession of the land to this point. He organizes the surveying crew, then brings the tribal chiefs back to cast lots for the plots of land.
Joshua took the town of Timnath Serah (Timnath Heres - Judges 2:9) for his allotment. Cities of refuge were Kadesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth and Golan. An interesting concept which assumes that families will be out for avenging dead loved ones, vigilante style.
I wonder how long the whole process took for the Israelites to conquer the land, to subdue the land, to split up the land, and to settle the land.
Joshua 21-24:
Now that the other tribes have been allotted land, the tribe of Levi are designated towns to live in, as prescribed by God. The are given towns and surrounding lands for pasture. Of all the towns given to the Levites, five of the six cities of refuge are included (all but Bezer). Perhaps it was best for those with priestly functions to also serve as protectors of those falsely accused.
Eventually the eastern tribes get to go back across the Jordan to the lands they had been given previously. Their families were already settled. The men were bringing back a part of the spoils of war to share with those who were not able to join the fight. These two and a half tribes built an altar as a monument to the unity in God between the twelve tribes. Rumors start to fly and the other tribes are convinced that Gad and Reuben are trying to break away and worship some other God. The "rest of the story" is finally related when the other tribes come for a showdown. If anything the incident seems to further bond the tribes together.
Fast forward to years later. Twenty-five years later if Joshua and Caleb were the same age. Joshua gives his farewell to the leaders, reminding them to stay the course without turning aside. Then all of the tribes are assembled as Joshua ends his leadership by issuing an ultimatum: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." He speaks about getting rid of the idols now within the nation, although it seems that this is more a precautionary warning than a situation similar to the confrontation with Achan back in chapter 7. This was a renewal of the covenant. Joshua issued the vow that he and his house had made their choice already for the Lord.
It almost reads like he is trying to talk the Israelites out of committing to the Lord, offering them warning after warning. "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God..." Indeed we cannot serve Him properly and Israel would prove Joshua right even though they promised they would not stray from the terms of the covenant.
Finally, Joshua goes home to die at the age of 110. Joseph's bones, brought from Egypt are finally buried. Then Eleazar the priest son of Aaron dies and the book of Joshua comes to a close. Then it all starts falling apart.
posted by rev-ed @ 2:34 PM
1 Comments:
At August 03, 2007 3:56 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Great commentary! It was almost like having a study bible. Since bible reading is still relatively new to me, I especially appreciated the explanation of the practice of hamstringing horses.
blessings, AM
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