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.