Study 14: Conquering the Promised Land part B

The Book of Joshua can be divided into two: (1) The entrance of the people into Canaan and the conflicts. (2) The division of the land.

Joshua does not rely upon God and its consequence

Overview

• Conquest of Ai
• The Gibeonites and their victory (9:1-27)
• The victorious conquest (10-12)

Defeat of Ai (Joshua 8)

Note God speaking to Joshua in verses 1-2, and not the next time God speaks is in Chapter 10.

Spiritual matters considered (Joshua 8:30-35)

Joshua renews the Covenant at Mount Ebal (near current day Nablus in the West Bank 935 m above sea level)

Obedience of Joshua to the Law (Deuteronomy 27:1-8)

The Rabbinic writings sea Joshua's action as establishing the constitution (the Torah) on this foreign land

The Deception by the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:1-27)

Note the response of some – joined together to fight (Joshua 9:2 and compare with Joshua 5:1)

The deception Joshua 9:3-15

The transaction takes place in light of Joshua's reliance on self, rather than God. Note Joshua 9:14.

The deception laid bare and consequences (Joshua 9:16-27)

Allies can only set aside that single-eyed dependence upon God, and that purity of moral relationship which exist between God and His people, when it is His power alone that sustains them. These allies were not Israel. Israel spares the enemy; and the name of Jehovah, which had been brought in, obliges His people to retain a perpetual snare in their midst. (JND)

Consequence (v 26-27)

1. The covenant saved them from the wrath of Israel
2. The Gibeonites became slaves to Israel

The Gibeonites became a snare to Israel. Note:

1. King Saul tried to destroy then contrary to this agreement, bringing God's wrath (2 Samuel 21:1-9)
2. The Gibeonites became known as the nethimum or temple servants see Ezra 8:30; Nehemiah 7:60. They became vassals (servants) of Irael
3. Up to this point Israel chose her own military objectives; but with this covenant, the Canaanites began determining the pattern of conquests.

To be continued