Page 62 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

famine into the land and adults and children suffered alike. Every act of corporate judgment sustains
collateral damage.

So to answer the question, when God kills, is he a murderer? The answer is no. Sin against God
brought death into the world. Every person is going to die. Jesus holds the keys of death (Rev. 1:18).
Does that fact that everyone dies make God a murderer? No.

In the big scheme of things, God will save the righteous and God will hold the “unrighteous for the day
of judgment, while continuing their punishment” (2 Peter 2:9). He has promised eternal life to those
who choose to receive Him (John 1:14). There is a way to avoid God’s wrath against sin, supplied by God
Himself in sending His son to die for sinners. Jonah went to the evil society in Nineveh and warned them
of the wrath to come. They repented of their sin and God’s wrath was abated. It was not until years
later that Nineveh returned to their wicked ways that God’s judgment led to their destruction. God is
just in His judgment for sin.

Overview of Joshua: The conquest and division of the land fulfills God’s promise in proportion to the
nation’s obedience to God’s covenant! Chapters 1-5 focus on the final preparations for the people of
Israel before entering the land. In these chapters, YHWH prepares His people to enter His place, with
parallels to a previous generation. First, He prepares His new leader, urging Joshua, Moses’ successor, to
remember His mission- possess Canaan, His presence- I am with you as I was with Moses, and His law
meditate and obey (1). Second, the mission of spies recalls previous unsuccessful attempt- Num. 13-14,
but Rehab’s confession, conversion offer hope of better outcome (2). Third, as the Red Sea was parted
in the exodus, YHWH parts the Jordan, highlighting His greatness, with stones commemorating this
mighty deed (3-4). Fourth, while previous generation had covenant sign- circumcision, YHWH needed to
mark this new generation, rolling away their reproach. Fifth, the celebration of Passover marked Israel’s
departure from Egypt (Ex 12) and arrival in Canaan (5). Finally, just as YHWH’s angel visited Moses at the
bush- sandals (Ex. 3), he also appeared to Joshua on the edge of Canaan (5:13-15).

Chapter’s 6-12 focus on the conquest of the land upon entry into the land. The first portion of Israel’s
conquest of Canaan can be divided according to geography central, south, north. First, YHWH gives
instruction for Jericho’s defeat, stressing victory comes from Him and the spoils should be devoted to
Him (6). So, when Achan disobeys, taking things devoted to YHWH, He brings defeat against Ai; but after
Israel removes sin in the camp, YHWH gives victory. After entrance and victory, Israel renews its
covenant, as YHWH commanded (Chapters 7-8). Second, when the Hivites of Gibeon hear, they deceive
Israel to make a covenant- showing that without divine direction, Israel will stray (Chapter 9). When a
coalition of kings comes against Gibeon, they cry out to Israel suzerain, and YHWH grants victory with
hail in south (Chapter 10). Third, when another coalition forms in north- a great horde, YHWH again
gives victory. Other than Gibeon, Joshua devoted all the other cities to destruction (Chapter 11). A
summary of Joshua’s campaigns shows effective control, but much land was left to possess (13:1, not
being completed (cf. 11:23).

Chapter’s 13-21 focus on the division of the Land among the Children of Israel. These chapters also
account for the fulfillment of the promise. Though the conquest account is presented as a clean sweep
(11:23), stressing God’s faithfulness to fulfill His covenant promises, these chapters present a problem:
there remains much land to possess (13:1). YHWH has promised to drive out the local inhabitants, and
there are two different responses: (1) Israel’s unfaithfulness, failing to drive out various groups from
their midst (4x, cf. Judges), and (2) Frame of Faith- Caleb/Joshua, who wholly followed YHWH (Chapters
14-19). In the final two chapters, YHWH gives instruction to establish cities of refuge- three on each side
of Jordan, to protect a person in case of accidental death. (Chapter 20). Also, He appoints forty-eight
cities to be given to the Levites. Though Levi is not given a tribal inheritance (Deut. 18:2), they are given
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