Joshua:  Taking the Land

3 Victories; 2 Problems; War

On nature of heroes

Transition of Leadership difficulties

God:  the ever-present hero

Leader’s need for encouragement

Joshua the leader

Josh 1:6f:  be strong and very courageous

Comp Moses: as I was with Moses…

– Splitting waters Josh. 4:14

– God hardens hearts of enemies  11:20

– Holds up javelin to win 8:18 Ai

– Victories put side by side ch. 12

– Meets angel, take off sandals  5:15

Unity of Israel

All Israel (Josh 1:12f; 4:12) Reuben/Gad/ Half-Manasseh go with; 12 stones

Jericho

Why was the taking of Jericho such a big deal?Location of Jericho

Jericho

Rahab:  heroine: Josh. 2:1-5

Is it okay to lie if have good reason?  Where else have we seen this?

Rahab’s confession, Josh. 2:9ff

What do we learn about women and war? 2:15f

Jordan River

Width/depth

Crossing:  miracle or natural phenomena: Josh. 3:16

Why 12 stones?—unity 4:8

“There till this day”?  (Josh 4:9; 6:25)

3 Gilgal things: Passover, circumcision, manna stopped—etiology (5:9)

Walls of Jericho

Garstang– yes LB --1930’s

Kenyon – no LB only EB—1960-70’s

Bryant Wood – yes LB—1990’s

Archaeology = truth ?

Mount Ebal altar:   Josh 8:30  yes/no?

Southern Campaign

Gibeonites slickness (Josh. 9)

On marching all night and sun standing still (Josh. 10: 11ff)

What does the sun stood still mean? 

– Standing still --24 hrs extra (computer)

– Silenced (cooled down)

– Omen text (positioning)

What does it mean God listened to a man?  (Josh. 10:14)

What is the book of Jasher?

Josh 10:13?   Is the book of Jashar inspired? (cf. 2 Sam 1:18)

2 Problems:

Ai:   Situation (Josh 7-8) Arrogance, First Loss (7:6f)

Problems: Achan’s sin—family sin? —social structure 7:14

Corporate Personality versus Individual

God predictable ... habituation rather than choice

“God is with us” assumption

They sin then Joshua blames God: 7:7

One sin effects community

Gibeonite deception

Situation—ruse 9:4f

Be careful of no-brainers  9:14 did not inquire of the Lord

– Trust God in the uniqueness of each decision

Woodcutters and water bearers

Land division:

Four tribes to know

– Ephraim, Benjamin, Judah, (Dan)

– Six cities to know:   Jericho, Gibeon, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Beersheba

–

How can a holy God kill babies? 

Holy War:   Herem  (Deut 7; 20:1-20; Josh 6:21)—

Give peace a chance Deut. 20:10

Judgment on sin of Amorites (Gen 15:16; Deut. 9:5)—Lord hardened hearts so no peace treaty Josh. 11:19f

Leaving them in land would lead Israel into sin a la Judges –Deut. 20:18

Victory Rhetoric and hyperbole Josh 11:15, 23

God’s life/death prerogative—innocent parties?

Rarely practiced:  Jericho, Ai, Hazor…

Day of the Lord harbinger –warning

Not universal principle – special command by God

Prophet speaking for God directly