Joshua: Taking the Land 3 Victories 2 Problems War

On nature of heroes l Transition of Leadership difficulties l God: the ever-present hero l Leader’s need for encouragement

Joshua the leader l Josh 1:6f: be strong and very courageous l Comp Moses: as I was with Moses… –Splitting waters –God hardens hearts of enemies –Holds up javelin to win –Victories put side by side –Meets angel, take off sandals

Unity of Israel l All Israel (Josh 1:12f; 4:12)

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

Israel-Topographical

Ammon-PartA

Jericho l Rahab: heroine: Josh. 2:1-5 l Is it okay to lie if have good reason? l Rahab’s confession, Josh. 2:9ff l What do we learn about women and war?

Jordan River l Width l Crossing: miracle or natural phenomena: Josh. 3:16 l Why 12 stones? l “There till this day”? (Josh 4;9; 6;25) l 3 Gilgal things

Get Lost in Jericho

Walls of Jericho l Garstang-- yes l Kenyon -- no l Bryant Wood -- yes l Archaeology = truth ? –Mount Ebal altar: Josh 8:30 yes/no?

Benjamin

Southern Campaign l Gibeonites slickness (Josh. 9) l On marching all night and sun standing still (Josh. 10) l What does the sun stood still mean? –Standing still --24 hrs extra (computer) –Silenced (cooled down) –Omen text (positioning) l What does it mean God listened to a man? (Josh. 10:14)

What is the book of Jasher? l Josh 10:13? Is the book of Jashar inspired?

Northern Campaign l Josh 11:4ff

Israel-Topographical Hazor

2 Problems: l Ai: Situation (Josh 7-8) First Loss (7:6f) l Problems: Achan’s sin l Corporate Personality versus Individual l God predictable... habituation rather than choice l “God is with us” assumption l They sin then blame God: 7:7 l One sin effects community

Gibeonite deception l Situation—ruse 9:4f l Be careful of no-brainers 9:14 did not inquire of the Lord –Trust God in the uniqueness of each decision l Woodcutters and water bearers

Land division: l Four tribes to know –Ephraim, Benjamin, Judah, (Dan) l Six cities to know: –Jericho, Gibeon, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Beersheba

Tribal Map – Benjamin

Tribal Map-Judah

Tribal Map-Ephraim

Judah Benjamin Ephraim Philstines

How can a holy God kill babies? l Holy War: Herem (Deut 7; 20:1-20; Josh 6:21)— l Give peace a chance Deut. 20:10 l Judgment on sin of Amorites (Gen 15:16; Deut. 9:5)—Lord hardened hearts so no peace treaty Josh. 11:19f l Leaving in land would lead Israel into sin a la Judges l God’s life/death prerogative—innocent parties? Calling to the other side… l Rarely practiced: Jericho, Ai, Hazor…

War: What is it good for? l What do you think of war? Is it ever legitimate? l What would you be willing to die for? l For what would you kill someone?

War 4 views: Non-resistance l Mat 5:39: turn the cheek; l Peter uses sword rebuked Mat 26:52-54; l Love not = killing (?) [murder] l Separation of church and state (Jn 18:36 If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight) l Christ’s dying for others example

Problem with Non-resistance l Dualism: spiritual / natural world; do you eat? l Dual citizenship l Other Scriptural remarks: Matt 10:34; Lk 22:35-38—I did not come to bring peace but the sword… l What if you saw someone being raped, would you not act forcefully? Dialogue?

Pacifism: l Mic 4:3 beat swords into plowshares l Kingdom of God: lion laying down with calf (Isa 11:6-9) Shalom rules l Passive resistance: dying / self- sacrifice l Possibility of individual calling (diversity)

Just War theory l Go to war for good cause l What constitutes a good cause? l Joshua – some wars are right l Eccles 3:1ff -- a time for war l God portraying Himself as a warrior (Exod. 15:3; Ps. 18). l Jesus too (Revelation on Scripture twisting, Rev. 19:15, 21 ) —sword out of mouth=justice/peace?

Reasons for going to war l Biblical reasons for going to war: –land, –divine command, –moral violation, –insult, –defense, –oppression, –helping others

Preventive War l First strike to avoid latter conflict or prevent damage l What do you think? l Future problems: nukes in cities; blackmail, no national entity— ideological groups of individuals

Key verse: Josh 1:8 l Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.