Page 42 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook

Israel removes devoted things, YHWH gives victory. After entrance and victory, Israel renews covenant,
as YHWH commanded (7-8) Second, when the Hivites of Gibeon hear, they deceive Israel to cut a
covenant- showing that without divine direction, Israel will stray (9). When a coalition of kings comes
against Gibeon, they cry out to Israel suzerain, and YHWH grants victory hail, sun over cities in south
(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 (11). A summary of Joshua’s campaigns shows
effective control but much land to possess (13:1, not complete, 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 process,
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 (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. (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 cities, with fields to
pasture their flocks. The conclusion of this section is best understood as rhetoric to stress God’s
faithfulness to fulfill His covenant (21:43-45). Israel had effective control, not total possession.

Lastly, chapter’s 22-24 focus on the final words/plea of Joshua to the nation of Israel. The book
concludes with two events affirming Israel’s commitment to worship YHWH alone. First, after the
eastern tribes are sent home yet erect an altar on the way, having been urged to love YHWH and follow
His commands, the other tribes view this as a breach of faith. When they learn this altar is a witness to
their Israelite solidarity, judgment is averted and faith is affirmed (22). Second, with two final speeches,
Joshua urges the leaders toward covenant fidelity, contrasting the fruit of obedience and the curses of
disobedience. He gathers all Israel to Shechem for a covenant renewal ceremony (8:30-35). Highlighting
God’s repeated rescue in Israel’s history, Joshua calls for exclusive worship put away all the gods of your
fathers, again warning the nation of the consequence for disobedience. When Israel repeatedly affirms
their exclusive devotion to YHWH, Joshua renews their covenant, and they are faithful to YHWH all the
days of Joshua and his generation.

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