Thoughts on war...
Joshua was given these instructions: "Be strong and resolute, for you shall apportion to this people the land that I swore to their fathers to assign them. But you must be very strong and resolute to observe faithfully all the Teaching that My servant Moses enjoined upon you. Do not deviate from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Let not this Book of Teaching cease from your lips, but recite it day and night, so that you may observe faithfully all that is written in it. Only then will you prosper in your undertakings and only then will you be successful." (Joshua 1:6-8)
The L-rd never said go into the land and commit herem (complete destruction) against all the men, women, children, and livestock of Jericho. YHWH commanded Joshua to study Torah, and when he studied Torah he would, then, know what to do and what not to do. The entire "liturgical act" outside the walls of Jericho was just that...liturgical (led by the Priestly tribe of Levi and following the Ark of the Covenant...the very words, in which it held, "THOU SHALL NOT KILL"), this was not meant to be a military action. We know from Rahab's story to the spies that the people of Jericho were already terrified of the Israelites who were led by G-d out of Egypt! And, the trumpets and marching brought the city walls down...so, why the killing? Why the complete desecration of men, women and children? The L-rd promised the land....all Joshua had to do was study, meditate, recite Torah..."THOU SHALL NOT KILL"....he learned nothing from Moses (the man he so desperately wanted to follow). Joshua...a man of courage? Joshua...a man of faith? Joshua...a murderer?
2 comments:
To me it sounds like Joshua got a little power hungry, which happens to many leaders of our time. Once a person reaches a position that holds power they can forget what they were told/taught before they reached their great heights.
It's true...usurping more authority than is given is a hunger for power, fame, and is ultimately an idolatry of oneself. Joshua was, perhaps, guilty of this and certainly further tales of Joshua and Caleb bring some of this to light. Thanks for your comments Heather.
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