1. The Sun Stands Still
This passage describes the victory that Israel achieved over five Amorite kings. In particular, Adoni-Zedek, who was the king of Jerusalem, gathered the kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon to attack Gibeon after hearing about Israel's destruction of Ai and their peace treaty with Gibeon. The Gibeonites urgently requested Joshua's assistance, and he agreed to help them. The Lord then enabled Israel to achieve a great victory over the Amorite kings; during that battle, the Lord miraculously increased the hours of daylight and used large hailstones to destroy the Amorite forces.
Being assailed by large hailstones sounds terrifying. In fact, it is noted in Joshua 10:11 that hailstones accounted for more Amorite deaths than the swords of the Israelites. Not only does this highlight the Lord's role in Israel's victory, but it shows His power over nature.
2. Five Amorite Kings Killed
In this passage, the five Amorite kings from the previous passage fled to a cave at Makkedah. Unfortunately for them, the Israelites tracked them down, trapped them in that cave and destroyed their forces. The Israelites returned to the cave and brought out the five kings; Joshua had his army commanders stand on their necks, and then he killed them. After that, Joshua hung the kings' bodies on trees and then tossed them into the cave. After blocking up the cave entrance with large rocks, Joshua caused Makkedah to suffer the same fate that befell Jericho.
This passage further highlights the brutality of war in ancient times. It is evident that opposing the Lord had very nasty consequences.
3. Southern Cities Conquered
In this passage, Joshua and the Israelites laid waste to the southern part of Canaan. They defeated the cities of Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron and Debir; they also defeated the king of Gezer and his forces when he attempted to rescue Lachish.
While reading this passage I thought about the costs that Israel suffered - or didn't suffer - over the course of this campaign. Were any Israelites killed in these battles, or did the Lord miraculously preserve them from harm? Did the fact that the Lord fought for Israel in these instances imply that the Israelites were never injured, or did casualties actually occur?
4. Northern Kings Defeated
This passage describes the victories that Israel achieved over the northern cities of Canaan. Jabin, who was the king of Hazor, gathered several kings and formed a vast army with horses and chariots. This large host prepared to fight against Israel, yet the Lord told Joshua that He would give them the victory. Indeed, Israel defeated their enemies, hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots. Israel then laid waste to most of the northern part of Canaan, though they did leave Anakites alive in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod.
It is interesting that Israel did not completely destroy the Anakites, which essentially led to their future conflicts with the Philistines. This issue was raised in my NIV Study Bible, and it was noted there that the Israelites were probably weary of war after conquering the northern part of Canaan; thus, they would have refrained from wiping out the Anakites. Perhaps Israel did suffer losses during their battles, even though the Lord fought for them?
5. List of Defeated Kings
This passage lists all of the kings who Israel defeated as they entered the Promised Land, including Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and thirty-one other kings. It is reiterated that Moses gave the land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh.
This passage is essentially a long trophy list, and I was intimidated as I read through it.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Joshua 7-9
1. Achan's Sin
This passage focuses on the misdeeds of Achan, who disobeyed the Lord's command in Joshua 6:17-19. In particular, he took a Babylonian robe, about five pounds of silver and about 1.25 pounds of gold from Jericho when Israel conquered it. His sin led to the Israelites' defeat by Ai when they attempted to conquer that city. The subsequent outpouring of grief by the Israelites set the stage for God's revelation of Achan's deception. Achan, his family and all of his possessions were then destroyed by Israel.
While reading this passage, I could sense the rising tension that must have pervaded the Israelite camp while God methodically searched for the person who had caused their defeat by Ai. I do wonder why Achan failed to reveal himself immediately, given that God would inevitably reveal his sin.
2. Ai Destroyed
After rectifying the misdeeds of Achan, the Lord enabled Israel to achieve a great victory over Ai. The key aspect of this victory was an ambush that Israel set behind Ai; after the ambush was set, Joshua lured the fighting men of Ai away from the city by massing the bulk of his forces in front of it and then ordering this main body to retreat. When the men of Ai pursued the retreating Israelites, the ambushing force set fire to Ai. This led to the total destruction of Ai and its troops. The king of Ai was killed and hung from a tree (or impaled).
I must admit that being impaled sounds quite horrid. Now it is possible that the king of Ai was killed before he was either hung or impaled, yet it is evident that war was brutal even in ancient times.
3. The Covenant Renewed at Mount Ebal
After Israel had achieved a great victory over Ai, Joshua built an altar to the Lord on Mount Ebal. He assembled all Israel and had half of the people stand in front of Mount Gerizim, while the other half stood in front of Mount Ebal. He then read the entire Law of the Lord to the people while they faced the ark of the covenant that was being carried by the priests.
My thought is that this was an appropriate time for Israel to renew its covenant with the Lord. They had just seen the consequences of disobeying Him (defeat by Ai after Achan's sin) and the benefits of obedience (victory over Ai).
4. The Gibeonite Deception
Israel's victories over Ai and Jericho spurred the people of Gibeon to make a peace treaty with them. The Gibeonites knew that Israel would attempt to destroy all of their neighbors, so they resorted to deceiving the Israelites into thinking that they hailed from a distant land (mainly by how they presented themselves to Israel). Somehow Israel failed to ask the Lord for guidance in this regard, and they ratified a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. Their deception was then uncovered, yet Israel honored its treaty and subjugated the Gibeonites instead of destroying them.
After renewing their covenant with the Lord, one would think that Israel would immediately ask Him for guidance when they encountered the Gibeonites. Their actions highlight man's inherent sinfulness.
This passage focuses on the misdeeds of Achan, who disobeyed the Lord's command in Joshua 6:17-19. In particular, he took a Babylonian robe, about five pounds of silver and about 1.25 pounds of gold from Jericho when Israel conquered it. His sin led to the Israelites' defeat by Ai when they attempted to conquer that city. The subsequent outpouring of grief by the Israelites set the stage for God's revelation of Achan's deception. Achan, his family and all of his possessions were then destroyed by Israel.
While reading this passage, I could sense the rising tension that must have pervaded the Israelite camp while God methodically searched for the person who had caused their defeat by Ai. I do wonder why Achan failed to reveal himself immediately, given that God would inevitably reveal his sin.
2. Ai Destroyed
After rectifying the misdeeds of Achan, the Lord enabled Israel to achieve a great victory over Ai. The key aspect of this victory was an ambush that Israel set behind Ai; after the ambush was set, Joshua lured the fighting men of Ai away from the city by massing the bulk of his forces in front of it and then ordering this main body to retreat. When the men of Ai pursued the retreating Israelites, the ambushing force set fire to Ai. This led to the total destruction of Ai and its troops. The king of Ai was killed and hung from a tree (or impaled).
I must admit that being impaled sounds quite horrid. Now it is possible that the king of Ai was killed before he was either hung or impaled, yet it is evident that war was brutal even in ancient times.
3. The Covenant Renewed at Mount Ebal
After Israel had achieved a great victory over Ai, Joshua built an altar to the Lord on Mount Ebal. He assembled all Israel and had half of the people stand in front of Mount Gerizim, while the other half stood in front of Mount Ebal. He then read the entire Law of the Lord to the people while they faced the ark of the covenant that was being carried by the priests.
My thought is that this was an appropriate time for Israel to renew its covenant with the Lord. They had just seen the consequences of disobeying Him (defeat by Ai after Achan's sin) and the benefits of obedience (victory over Ai).
4. The Gibeonite Deception
Israel's victories over Ai and Jericho spurred the people of Gibeon to make a peace treaty with them. The Gibeonites knew that Israel would attempt to destroy all of their neighbors, so they resorted to deceiving the Israelites into thinking that they hailed from a distant land (mainly by how they presented themselves to Israel). Somehow Israel failed to ask the Lord for guidance in this regard, and they ratified a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. Their deception was then uncovered, yet Israel honored its treaty and subjugated the Gibeonites instead of destroying them.
After renewing their covenant with the Lord, one would think that Israel would immediately ask Him for guidance when they encountered the Gibeonites. Their actions highlight man's inherent sinfulness.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Joshua 4-6
This passage begins with the rather inspiring conclusion of Israel's crossing of the Jordan River. Here, the Lord instructs Joshua to select one man from each of the twelve tribes; each of these men must take a stone from the middle of the Jordan where the priests have been standing with the ark of the covenant. After they take the stones and cross the Jordan, the priests also cross the Jordan with the ark; the Lord then returns the river to its normal state. Israel camps at Gilgal, which is east of Jericho, and Joshua sets up the stones from the middle of the Jordan; this monument will serve as a reminder for future generations of the Lord's faithfulness.
1. Circumcision at Gilgal
The Lord commands Joshua to make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites. Apparently the current generation had not been circumcised during their time in the desert; this may have stemmed from the spiritual apathy of the previous generation, though this is unclear. After Joshua performs this mass circumcision, Israel celebrates the Passover by gathering food from the Promised Land; it should be noted that the Lord stopped providing manna for them at this time, as they now had no need for it.
2. The Fall of Jericho
The Lord then commands Joshua to lay siege to Jericho. For each of the next six days, the armed men of Israel are to march once around the city walls; during this daily march they are to be followed by seven priests blowing shofars. These priests are to be followed by other priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, and the latter group of priests are to be followed by a rear guard. On the seventh day this march is to be performed seven times, and then the priests with the shofars are to signal the people of Israel with a long blast; the people will then give a loud shout and the Lord will knock down the walls of Jericho, setting the stage for Israel's devastation of the city and its inhabitants. All of these events then occur as prescribed by the Lord.
While reading this familiar section I came across the following tidbits:
1. Circumcision at Gilgal
The Lord commands Joshua to make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites. Apparently the current generation had not been circumcised during their time in the desert; this may have stemmed from the spiritual apathy of the previous generation, though this is unclear. After Joshua performs this mass circumcision, Israel celebrates the Passover by gathering food from the Promised Land; it should be noted that the Lord stopped providing manna for them at this time, as they now had no need for it.
2. The Fall of Jericho
The Lord then commands Joshua to lay siege to Jericho. For each of the next six days, the armed men of Israel are to march once around the city walls; during this daily march they are to be followed by seven priests blowing shofars. These priests are to be followed by other priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, and the latter group of priests are to be followed by a rear guard. On the seventh day this march is to be performed seven times, and then the priests with the shofars are to signal the people of Israel with a long blast; the people will then give a loud shout and the Lord will knock down the walls of Jericho, setting the stage for Israel's devastation of the city and its inhabitants. All of these events then occur as prescribed by the Lord.
While reading this familiar section I came across the following tidbits:
- This question was actually raised in my NIV Study Bible: was the Sabbath ignored during war? This is something that I had completely overlooked during my previous strolls through Joshua; I'm not sure why the Sabbath was not observed in the usual manner at that time.
- In 6:23, we see that Rahab and her family were placed outside the camp of Israel after the sacking of Jericho. This shows that God's decrees regarding the purity of the Israelite camp were being observed, as none of Rahab's family members were Israelites; they would have been classified as aliens.
- In 6:26, we see that the Lord placed a curse on the unfortunate soul who would attempt to rebuild Jericho. In particular, it turns out that this curse was fulfilled over 500 years later in 1 Kings 16:34.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Joshua 1-3 "Entering the Promised Land"
Joshua 1 {Joshua takes control}
After Moses died, God told Joshua that he was now in charge of taking the Israelites across the Jordan to the Promised Land. God encouraged Joshua multiple time, saying "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, he reminded them of a promise God had made earlier to give them THIS land. Their wives and children could settle. However, the fighting men had to go along with everyone else to fight first and take possession of the Promised Land before they could return.
Joshua 2 {Rahab and the Spies}
A few men were sent out to spy on the land, especially Jericho. They stayed at the home of a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho found out that there were spies and tried to ask Rahab to reveal them. Rahab protected the men and hid them.
She then told the men how everybody had heard they were coming and they were really really scared. They had heard the stories about how God had parted sea for them, etc. They knew the Israelites were coming and they were terrified. She asked that they show favor on her and her family since she showed favor to them.
They agreed, telling her to tie a scarlet cord on the door so that they would know not to harm her or her family.
She agreed and the men eventually reported back to the Israelites, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”
Joshua 3 {Crossing the Jordan}
Early the next morning Joshua told everyone to follow the ark of the covenant. God told Joshua to tell the priests who were carrying the ark to step into the water of the Jordan. Miraculously, the water stopped flowing and built up somewhere else upstream. The ground was dry and the Israelites crossed the river on foot.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Deuteronomy 32-35
The Promised Land
Chapter 32
Moses teaches the Israelites a song whose lyrics appear in this chapter. In essence, the song exalts God, summarizes what the Lord has done for Israel, predicts how they will turn away from Him, and then details how they will suffer curses as a result of the Lord's "vindiction."
Moses uses this song to warn the Israelites to obey the Lord. If they do,
"By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
God then commands Moses to climb up the mountain to die. Moses will never be able to see the Promised Land because he and Aaron "broke faith with [God] in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin," and because they did not uphold God's holiness among the Israelites.
Chapter 33
Moses then blessed each of the tribes one by one:
Let Reuben live and not die
be Judah's help against his foes
Bless Levi's skills and strike down those who rise against him
Let the beloved of the Lord rest in Benjamin
Many many blessings, both material goods and battle strength, were bestowed upon Joseph
Zebulun will feast on the abundance of the seas
Gad chose the choicest land, and blessed is he who enlarges it
Dan is a lion’s cub, springing out of Bashan
Naphthali will inherit southward to the lake
Asher's strength will equal his days
Blessed are you, Israel!
Who is like you,
a people saved by the LORD?
He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Chapter 34
Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo and the Lord showed him all the land that the Israelites would inherit. Then, Moses died at the age of 120. The Israelites mourned his death for a month. Joshua, who was filled with the spirit of wisdom from the Lord, took over as leader.
I like the ending . . .
10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Deuteronomy 30-31
1. Prosperity After Turning to the Lord
Moses knows that the Israelites will turn away from the Lord and be thoroughly cursed, including being forced into exile. Moses then assures them that if they wholeheartedly return to the Lord and follow His ways, He will bless them abundantly regardless of their past sins. Moreover, He will then thoroughly curse their enemies.
2. The Offer of Life or Death
Now Moses tells the Israelites that he has just shown them how to honor the Lord and follow His ways. They did not need to ascend into heaven or cross the sea to determine how to obey God and receive His blessings; he had just told them how to live in that regard. To impress upon them the importance of obeying the Lord, he states that they are essentially choosing between life and death by either obeying or disobeying Him, respectively. Heaven and earth are called as witnesses against the Israelites to ratify their treaty with God and establish Moses' assertion that Israel now had an important decision to make in terms of following Him.
3. Joshua to Succeed Moses
Next Moses tells the Israelites that Joshua would lead them into the Promised Land. He exhorts them to be strong and courageous, as they would be attacking - and defeating - the heathen nations in their path with the Lord's help.
4. The Reading of the Law
Moses then instructs the priests, the sons of Levi and the elders of Israel to read the entire law of the Lord to the assembly of Israel during the (septennial) Feast of Tabernacles. This would ensure that Israel would be continually reminded of its perpetual obligation to live up to its covenant with the Lord.
5. Israel's Rebellion Predicted
Now the Lord tells Moses and Joshua that He knows that the Israelites will fail to live up to their covenant with Him. He would then bring all of His promised curses on them and cause them to remember Him. He tells Moses to teach the Israelites a particular song that would remind them - especially when they had been punished - of His ability and willingness to punish those who forsake Him. The Lord exhorts Joshua to be strong and courageous in leading His people into the Promised Land, since He will be with him. Moses then relays the Lord's prediction of Israel's apostasy to the Levites, telling them that the Book of the Law, heaven and earth would serve as witnesses against them in this regard - especially after the Lord begins to curse them for their disobedience.
6. The Song of Moses
Moses prepares to teach the Israelites the Lord's song of judgment.
Moses knows that the Israelites will turn away from the Lord and be thoroughly cursed, including being forced into exile. Moses then assures them that if they wholeheartedly return to the Lord and follow His ways, He will bless them abundantly regardless of their past sins. Moreover, He will then thoroughly curse their enemies.
2. The Offer of Life or Death
Now Moses tells the Israelites that he has just shown them how to honor the Lord and follow His ways. They did not need to ascend into heaven or cross the sea to determine how to obey God and receive His blessings; he had just told them how to live in that regard. To impress upon them the importance of obeying the Lord, he states that they are essentially choosing between life and death by either obeying or disobeying Him, respectively. Heaven and earth are called as witnesses against the Israelites to ratify their treaty with God and establish Moses' assertion that Israel now had an important decision to make in terms of following Him.
3. Joshua to Succeed Moses
Next Moses tells the Israelites that Joshua would lead them into the Promised Land. He exhorts them to be strong and courageous, as they would be attacking - and defeating - the heathen nations in their path with the Lord's help.
4. The Reading of the Law
Moses then instructs the priests, the sons of Levi and the elders of Israel to read the entire law of the Lord to the assembly of Israel during the (septennial) Feast of Tabernacles. This would ensure that Israel would be continually reminded of its perpetual obligation to live up to its covenant with the Lord.
5. Israel's Rebellion Predicted
Now the Lord tells Moses and Joshua that He knows that the Israelites will fail to live up to their covenant with Him. He would then bring all of His promised curses on them and cause them to remember Him. He tells Moses to teach the Israelites a particular song that would remind them - especially when they had been punished - of His ability and willingness to punish those who forsake Him. The Lord exhorts Joshua to be strong and courageous in leading His people into the Promised Land, since He will be with him. Moses then relays the Lord's prediction of Israel's apostasy to the Levites, telling them that the Book of the Law, heaven and earth would serve as witnesses against them in this regard - especially after the Lord begins to curse them for their disobedience.
6. The Song of Moses
Moses prepares to teach the Israelites the Lord's song of judgment.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Deuteronomy 28-29
In this passage, God lists the blessings (or curses) that Israel can expect if they obey (or disobey) His commands. Moses then exhorts Israel to hew to the Lord's covenant with them, because the consequences for failing in this regard are too horrible to be contemplated.
1. Blessings for Obedience
If the Israelites are careful to obey all of the Lord's commands, He will bless them as follows:
As a result of these blessings, all other nations will fear Israel - and by extension, the Lord. They will be in a dominant position relative to other nations.
2. Curses for Disobedience
Now if the Israelites fail to obey all of the Lord's commands, He will reverse all of the aforementioned blessings. In addition, He will curse them as follows:
3. Renewal of the Covenant
Now that the Lord has presented His new covenant with Israel, Moses reminds them of His faithfulness to them - which should motivate them to honor it. In particular, he reminds them of how God led them out of Egypt, how He sustained them during 40 years of wandering in the desert, and how He helped them to defeat Sihon and Og. He then establishes the fact that all Israel - including future generations - is entering into this new covenant with God. Now he reminds them that serving other gods will lead to disaster, so he warns Israel against this sin. Finally he reminds them that the Lord will punish individuals for their sins, so they cannot hide from Him in the midst of the community. Moreover, Israel should not sin corporately, as this will cause the Lord to strike their land for many generations to come. Other nations would see the resulting destruction and know that the Lord was punishing His people for their sins - especially that of idolatry.
1. Blessings for Obedience
If the Israelites are careful to obey all of the Lord's commands, He will bless them as follows:
- their blessings will not be limited by geography
- their children will be blessed
- they will not go hungry - in fact, they will have a surplus of food
- their livestock will be blessed
- their blessings will not be restricted by the time of day
- they will be blessed in their military endeavors.
As a result of these blessings, all other nations will fear Israel - and by extension, the Lord. They will be in a dominant position relative to other nations.
2. Curses for Disobedience
Now if the Israelites fail to obey all of the Lord's commands, He will reverse all of the aforementioned blessings. In addition, He will curse them as follows:
- they will be afflicted with all kinds of unpleasant diseases
- drought, blight, mildew, locusts and worms will strike their land
- they will be afflicted with mental illnesses and blindness
- they will lose their families and possessions, and other nations will be able to put them to good use
- they will be driven into exile and forced to serve their enemies and worship their gods
- they will be in debt to the aliens living among them
- they will resort to cannibalism during long sieges of their fortified cities
- they will lack peace of mind.
3. Renewal of the Covenant
Now that the Lord has presented His new covenant with Israel, Moses reminds them of His faithfulness to them - which should motivate them to honor it. In particular, he reminds them of how God led them out of Egypt, how He sustained them during 40 years of wandering in the desert, and how He helped them to defeat Sihon and Og. He then establishes the fact that all Israel - including future generations - is entering into this new covenant with God. Now he reminds them that serving other gods will lead to disaster, so he warns Israel against this sin. Finally he reminds them that the Lord will punish individuals for their sins, so they cannot hide from Him in the midst of the community. Moreover, Israel should not sin corporately, as this will cause the Lord to strike their land for many generations to come. Other nations would see the resulting destruction and know that the Lord was punishing His people for their sins - especially that of idolatry.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Deuteronomy 26-27
The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land!!
Through Moses, God instructs the Israelites "once you have entered the promised land and settle in it, take the first fruits of your crop and give it as an offering to God." This money shall then be used for the Levites (priests), the fatherless, and the widow "so that they may eat and be satisfied."
God truly cares about taking care of the priests (in our case, pastors, ministers, etc), the fatherless and the widow (poor, hungry, etc).
God then tells them to keep his commandments. In fact, he tells them to write the commandments on a stone. He asks them to build an alter without using iron tools! In fact, he asks them to build it out of fieldstones! Man, that's a lot more work!
Almost ominously, Moses then tells them that the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin will stand on Mount Ebal to bless the people while Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali will pronounce curses. (!)
Then the Levites will pronounce what kinds of curses will befall a member if he commits a series of sins (such as sleeping with your father's wife, setting up idols, leading the blind astray, killing your neighbor, moving a boundary stone, dishonoring parents, immoral sexual relations). He ends with
He ends with the following general statement:
“Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Deuteronomy 23-25
In this passage, God shows the Israelites how to address additional real-life situations.
1. Exclusion from the Assembly
The Israelites are given several commands regarding who could worship in the Lord's presence. In particular, God did not permit those who had emasculated themselves in the course of idol worship to worship Him. Others who were excluded in this regard included children who were products of "forbidden marriages" (whether this denotes those who were born out of wedlock and/or those who were products of affairs with shrine prostitutes is unclear), Ammonites and Moabites (based on their actions in Numbers 22-24). Edomites and Egyptians were to be punished less harshly, though, as the third generation of their descendants would be allowed to worship the Lord.
2. Uncleanness in the Camp
The Israelites are then given several commands regarding proper hygiene when maintaining their encampments during periods of warfare. Any soldier who had a nocturnal emission needed to leave the camp during the day - and could only return in the evening after washing themselves. If soldiers needed to relieve themselves they had to perform this function outside the camp, and they needed to cover their excrement afterward. This was done to preserve the holiness of the camp, as the Lord was not absent from His army during those times.
3. Miscellaneous Laws
In addition, the Lord gives the Israelites a veritable potpourri of commandments in this long section that spans the remainder of today's reading. The stated regulations can be lumped into several general categories:
1. Exclusion from the Assembly
The Israelites are given several commands regarding who could worship in the Lord's presence. In particular, God did not permit those who had emasculated themselves in the course of idol worship to worship Him. Others who were excluded in this regard included children who were products of "forbidden marriages" (whether this denotes those who were born out of wedlock and/or those who were products of affairs with shrine prostitutes is unclear), Ammonites and Moabites (based on their actions in Numbers 22-24). Edomites and Egyptians were to be punished less harshly, though, as the third generation of their descendants would be allowed to worship the Lord.
2. Uncleanness in the Camp
The Israelites are then given several commands regarding proper hygiene when maintaining their encampments during periods of warfare. Any soldier who had a nocturnal emission needed to leave the camp during the day - and could only return in the evening after washing themselves. If soldiers needed to relieve themselves they had to perform this function outside the camp, and they needed to cover their excrement afterward. This was done to preserve the holiness of the camp, as the Lord was not absent from His army during those times.
3. Miscellaneous Laws
In addition, the Lord gives the Israelites a veritable potpourri of commandments in this long section that spans the remainder of today's reading. The stated regulations can be lumped into several general categories:
- do not take unfair advantage of others
- set yourselves apart from the nations around you by not engaging in their evil practices
- honor the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind
- care for the disadvantaged among you
- strive to build up families.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Deuteronomy 20-22
In this passage, God shows the Israelites how to handle various real-life situations.
1. Going to War
The Israelites are commanded to stand firm in the face of an enemy that is numerically superior, since God has already given them the victory. To emphasize the Lord's role in the impending battle, the Israelite officers are told to discharge any soldiers who are not fully committed to dealing with their enemies. Also, when conquering enemy cities that are relatively isolated, the Israelites are allowed to take women, children and livestock as plunder while killing all of the enemy males - but only after presenting an initial offer of peace and laying siege to the city in question. In addition, when conquering enemy cities that are not relatively isolated, the Israelites are commanded to completely destroy them, lest they fall into sin. As an addendum, the Israelites are prohibited from using fruit trees for their siege works.
2. Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
Assume that a man has been murdered, and the identity of his killer cannot be determined. The elders of the town that is closest to the body of the dead man are commanded to take a heifer that has neither plowed a field nor been yoked and lead her to a pristine valley with a flowing stream. They must then break the heifer's neck and pray that the Lord will accept the heifer's death as an atonement for the murder in question. I do wonder why God wouldn't allow the identity of the killer to be ascertained via the drawing of lots, though.
3. Marrying a Captive Woman
Whenever the Israelites are permitted to take women as captives after their battles, they are also allowed to marry them. These brides-to-be must have their heads shaved and their nails trimmed; they must also put aside the clothes that they were wearing when they were captured. After a period of mourning for their parents that lasts one month, these brides-to-be can be married to their Israelite lovers. Divorce is allowed in these situations, though the divorced women cannot be regarded as slaves, which would be a mark of dishonor.
4. The Right of the Firstborn
Assume that a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other; moreover, the wife that he does not love has given him his firstborn son. In this case, the man must conform to the standard practice of giving his firstborn son a double portion of his possessions. I find this to be quite satisfying.
5. A Rebellious Son
A son who refuses to obey his parents must be dragged by them to the elders at the gate of their town. After the parents declare the facts regarding their son's behavior, the men of their town must stone the rebellious son to death. This is done in order to set a dramatic example for all Israel to note.
6. Various Laws
Here, the Israelites are presented with a potpourri of commandments, including: promptly burying a man who has been hanged for murder, properly dealing with an item that a fellow Israelite has lost, helping a fellow Israelite's fallen donkey or ox to get up, prohibiting cross-dressing, freeing a mother bird when taking her young or her eggs (which I found to be a bit strange), building a parapet around the roof of a new house as a safety measure, enforcing purity - as seen in commandments regarding seed planting and proper material for clothing, and making tassels on the corners of cloaks (which I also found to be a bit strange).
7. Marriage Violations
Here, the Israelites are presented with various regulations regarding marriage. First, assume that a man claims that his wife was not a virgin when they were married. This is a serious allegation, and so his wife's parents must go to the town elders at the gate of their town and bring proof of their daughter's virginity before her marriage. If the elders deem the evidence to be acceptable, the man must pay a hundred shekels of silver to his father-in-law, and he is prohibited from divorcing his wife. Now if the evidence is not deemed acceptable, the men of that town must stone his wife to death in front of her father's house. Second, adulterers must be put to death. Third, assume that a man has slept with a betrothed virgin within the limits of a town; both of them must be put to death. Now if this act occurs outside of a town, only the man must be put to death. Fourth, assume that a man has slept with a virgin who is not betrothed; they must then be married after the man has paid the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and divorce is not allowed for the duration of the husband's life. Lastly, a man must not commit adultery with any of his father's wives.
1. Going to War
The Israelites are commanded to stand firm in the face of an enemy that is numerically superior, since God has already given them the victory. To emphasize the Lord's role in the impending battle, the Israelite officers are told to discharge any soldiers who are not fully committed to dealing with their enemies. Also, when conquering enemy cities that are relatively isolated, the Israelites are allowed to take women, children and livestock as plunder while killing all of the enemy males - but only after presenting an initial offer of peace and laying siege to the city in question. In addition, when conquering enemy cities that are not relatively isolated, the Israelites are commanded to completely destroy them, lest they fall into sin. As an addendum, the Israelites are prohibited from using fruit trees for their siege works.
2. Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
Assume that a man has been murdered, and the identity of his killer cannot be determined. The elders of the town that is closest to the body of the dead man are commanded to take a heifer that has neither plowed a field nor been yoked and lead her to a pristine valley with a flowing stream. They must then break the heifer's neck and pray that the Lord will accept the heifer's death as an atonement for the murder in question. I do wonder why God wouldn't allow the identity of the killer to be ascertained via the drawing of lots, though.
3. Marrying a Captive Woman
Whenever the Israelites are permitted to take women as captives after their battles, they are also allowed to marry them. These brides-to-be must have their heads shaved and their nails trimmed; they must also put aside the clothes that they were wearing when they were captured. After a period of mourning for their parents that lasts one month, these brides-to-be can be married to their Israelite lovers. Divorce is allowed in these situations, though the divorced women cannot be regarded as slaves, which would be a mark of dishonor.
4. The Right of the Firstborn
Assume that a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other; moreover, the wife that he does not love has given him his firstborn son. In this case, the man must conform to the standard practice of giving his firstborn son a double portion of his possessions. I find this to be quite satisfying.
5. A Rebellious Son
A son who refuses to obey his parents must be dragged by them to the elders at the gate of their town. After the parents declare the facts regarding their son's behavior, the men of their town must stone the rebellious son to death. This is done in order to set a dramatic example for all Israel to note.
6. Various Laws
Here, the Israelites are presented with a potpourri of commandments, including: promptly burying a man who has been hanged for murder, properly dealing with an item that a fellow Israelite has lost, helping a fellow Israelite's fallen donkey or ox to get up, prohibiting cross-dressing, freeing a mother bird when taking her young or her eggs (which I found to be a bit strange), building a parapet around the roof of a new house as a safety measure, enforcing purity - as seen in commandments regarding seed planting and proper material for clothing, and making tassels on the corners of cloaks (which I also found to be a bit strange).
7. Marriage Violations
Here, the Israelites are presented with various regulations regarding marriage. First, assume that a man claims that his wife was not a virgin when they were married. This is a serious allegation, and so his wife's parents must go to the town elders at the gate of their town and bring proof of their daughter's virginity before her marriage. If the elders deem the evidence to be acceptable, the man must pay a hundred shekels of silver to his father-in-law, and he is prohibited from divorcing his wife. Now if the evidence is not deemed acceptable, the men of that town must stone his wife to death in front of her father's house. Second, adulterers must be put to death. Third, assume that a man has slept with a betrothed virgin within the limits of a town; both of them must be put to death. Now if this act occurs outside of a town, only the man must be put to death. Fourth, assume that a man has slept with a virgin who is not betrothed; they must then be married after the man has paid the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and divorce is not allowed for the duration of the husband's life. Lastly, a man must not commit adultery with any of his father's wives.
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