CHAPTER ONE
Joshua1
The Conquest of Canaan
Prologue The Fulfillment
The Hebrews - crushed in Egypt, hopeless slaves, were by Godly miracles saved. They were freed through Moses when hope fled, then were by the Lord God led through the hostile wilderness where they lived in much distress.
There, for forty long and weary years they were filled with fears, wept many tears. They were fed on hope and manna bread, and were by Moses taught God’s Laws, and His commandments, every clause.
When the elders passed away, the younger - made of different clay who’d learned the laws and how to pray were ready to obey.
For those Israelites of old
it was a time now to be bold.
They would have to fight with all their might, yet also live by what was right. The land to which they would be led now lay ahead.
T’was known as Canaan,
the land promised by God to Abraham, and to his seed, to meet their need. This was a Sacred covenant that was permanent, and now the time had come for it to be fulfilled, in ways according to God’s Holy will.
Inside Canaan lived many pagan tribes unclean, with evil practices, cruel and obscene. They worshipped idols made of clay, to which they would bow and pray, or idols carved from stone.
Living things were thrown
into a pit of flame till death them claimed. Humans too were sometimes burned alive, in the hope the pagan tribes would thrive, and the Ashteroth religious rites were a blight to those upright in God’s Sacred Sight. This was the land the Hebrews must take, conquer in wars that they must make.
Now it’s Joshua who is God’s choice, who hears His Holy Voice. Joshua - given Moses’ place by God’s grace.
Joshua - given full command to lead them to their promised land, where they’d be a people free and fulfill their destiny
if they would obey God’s laws and fight hard for their own cause.
They now have a leader new, devout, courageous, to God true. When his leadership began, he was a strong and hardy man, knowing the laws - knowing the right with skill to lead and strength to fight. He reflected Moses’ glory; this underlies his steadfast story; from Moses he learned to be wise, to see the world through Moses’ eyes.
Joshua heard God’s Sacred Word! Joshua - soldier of the Lord!To Joshua the Lord God said:
Moses, my servant now is dead.
You must do as I command
take the Israelites to their land.
Go over Jordan,1 go you all,
in Canaan land2 I’ll you install.
No one will stand up to you,
you will all your foes subdue.
AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO I’LL BE WITH YOU. Wherever you go, whatever you do. I won’t fail you, nor will I forsake
My promises I will not break.
Be courageous and be strong
as leader now you do belong.
To the Book of Laws3 adhere, be not dismayed and have no fear, then with confidence you’ll lead and you will succeed. Divide the land among the tribes as I prescribed.
My Blessings go with you!
Joshua, needing ears and eyes sent from Shittim two brave spies men who were resourceful, who were strong4 with memories excellent and long.
These spies would go to Jericho to scout the land and report back so he could plan his first attack.
After they had explored, hungry and footsore5 they found their way to Rahab’s door. They had learned she ran an inn and they sought to lodge therein.
Rahab let them in, into her inn. She wore a dress of crimson red,6 a crimson ribbon on her head, her dusky shoulders showing bare, through cascading jet-black hair. Her dark brown and gentle eyes showed her to be kind and wise. She helped the spies
3 The Torah.5
Author’s image.
sent them to her roof, where they were hid beneath a grid made of stalks of flax - there to relax, to be safe from fear lest their enemy appear.
Jericho’s king had been apprised that Rahab harboured Hebrew spies. His men now thundered at her door7
causing great furor.
Bring them out!
Bring out those scouts!
Bring out the men you’ve sheltered in your inn! They’ve come from the Hebrew high command to spy out our entire land!
We are here at the king’s behest to arrest those cursed Hebrew ‘guests’. Give them to us, we say
our king will make them pay!
Although Rahab had hid the spies now she told the kings men lies.
She said that
after dark the spies had gone, on the run; she knew not who they were nor whence they’d come. She said: pursue them quickly, overtake in order your arrest to make.
Rahab spoke then to the spies: I understand
that God has given you this land. We live in terror, faint with fear because we know that you are near, because of all we’ve heard of you: how the God to whom you’re true dried up for you the Sea of Reeds when from Egypt you were freed; how you have destroyed two kings8 and all they owned - everything!
When we heard all this our hearts did melt and terror is what our men felt, for in Heaven and Earth does your God reign all that is, is His domain.
Now, hear my plea,
by the Lord God, swear to me because I have been kind to you
that you will kindness show me too; for my family and for me it is my heartfelt plea
that you save us, let us live, your mercy give;
and all that we own, do let us keep that from my kindness we may reap.
The spies replied:
If you do not us betray,
then when comes our victory day on the day of our conquest we shall honour your request, and deal in a kindly way your own kindness to repay. On our own lives we do swear that you and your family we will spare.
To them she said:
Hide in the mountains for three days, and after that go on your way.
They answered her:
When we come back into your land with all of our fierce warrior band,
in your window bind this scarlet line and it shall be for us a sign;
this line with which you’ll let us down from this high wall around your town. All who stay within your inn will save their skin; those whose feet outside will tread will be found dead.
Thus - Rahab and the spies agreed how to proceed.
By the line she let them down9 from the high wall of the town . In the window Rahab placed the line
the scarlet sign.
In the mountains the spies stayed for three days
and were not found,
though the king’s men searched all round.
Then the spies went on their way to tell at home about their prey; how all of them were faint with fear that Israelites were now so near, and would soon to them appear. To Joshua they made report: The Lord has given all that land into our hand.
9 From a window in her inn, which was built on top of the wall. Joshua 2:15. A MiracleAnother miracle now takes place by God’s Will and by His Grace. Between the wilderness and Canaan the mighty Jordan river ran in harvest season swift and wide, hard to cross from side to side.
When the Hebrews to the river came they became inflamed,10 and turned on Joshua in blame: Why are we here? We fear! How are we to get across? We don’t trust you as our boss!
But Joshua had no fear he knew that God was near; knew that God would safely guide His people to the other side.
He calmly answered them, their anger and their fear to stem: In God I trust, He’ll give us aid; we’ll not the waters swim and wade. God will never us betray; He will the waters stay
in His Wisdom, in His Way. Do not fear, be not dismayed. I’ll let you know what God will say. Make yourselves sanctified and clean, tomorrow God will intervene.
‘Twas early in the morn just as day was born, as orange streaks lit up the sky Joshua’s hopes soared high.
He spoke to the priests: Take up the sacred Ark, carry it so it will show, so all the people know
exactly where to go. And they did as he had bid.And the Lord said to Joshua: I will raise you up this day that Israel will know I say
as I was with Moses, so I’ll be with you , always there and always true. To the priests you shall command when you come to edge of land where Jordan’s waters flow, know
it is God’s Will that you stand still. And Joshua said to the children of Israel: The living God is here ’mongst you the Lord our God who’s to you true. Approach and hear the words of the Lord Who will protect you with His sword. He will without fail, prevail, and Canaan’s pagan tribes11 throughout will be driven out.
Watch and see
the Ark pass over Jordan before you watch and see what God will do.
As soon as the soles of the Levites’1 feet the Jordan’s waters greet, God will stop the upstream river’s flow while it continues on below, so there will be dry ground which will all who watch astound. The priests will firmly stand in the middle, upon land, on ground that’s dry
as they upon Lord God rely; and then will all you people go where the waters ceased to flow walk beside the watery wall standing tall.
And so it came to pass
Holy Lord God had ordained a miracle again. So that the miracle would be forever known,
they built a little monument of Jordan’s stones.2 God raised up Joshua on that day, that people great respect him pay;
and for as long as he would live that respect would they him give.The Battle of Jericho3
The first fought for Canaan land, was directed by God’s Hand.
About forty thousand prepared for war4 to be the conqueror.
1 The priests
2 Joshua 4:8 Twelve stones, picked from the Jordan’s bed, one by a representative of each tribe.
3 The Israelites invaded Canaan in 1220-1200 BCE. Jericho was the key to southern and central Canaan.
4 Joshua 4:13
Jericho baked beneath the sun; the battle had not yet begun, and fear gripped its people - every one. The massive winding double walls, a barrier thick and tall,
were made of blocks of stone.
There, outside the walls of Jericho, stood Joshua alone,
before the unknown,
hair of white, shining in the bright sunlight,1 strong hands clasping tight, brow furrowed with care,
he stood, head bowed in prayer. His humble soul soared up to the Lord.
Now Jericho was shut up tight; behind its walls lay all its might.
Much determined it would win none went out and none went in.
When the Hebrews looked at Jericho’s walls so huge, so thick, ever so tall, appearing like they’d never fall they were appalled;
so insurmountable they seemed, of walls like this they’d never dreamed. They murmured loud among themselves: What’s been given us to do? What kind of battle to pursue? We need another miraculous deed for this venture to succeed.
And the Lord said to Joshua: Jericho is in your hand
by My command.
He told Joshua what to do, the enemy to subdue; how to march around the town to bring the great walls down
Then Joshua told the priests of all he heard of God’s instructions and His Word.
The procession was a sight to see ! They moved according to God’s decree. Beneath the early morning sun1 the procession had begun.
First, the soldiers’ strong and sandaled feet marched as one, as to a beat, making a loud and frightening sound, pounding on the hard baked ground. Each held his sword in steady hand ready to fight for his new land. The priests in robes, red, gold, and blue, their ram’s horns2 blew
making dreadful raucous sound which loudly echoed round and round. Then the sacred golden Ark,3 held up high devoutly raised up toward the sky, reflecting with a golden light Holy symbol of God’s Might. The rearguard came with shofars too which with all their might they blew. The people- thousands - walked behind, with unity of mind,
prepared to shout out with a roar so loud it would to heaven soar. In obedience to God’s orders sent to Joshua His instrument, the procession, in array
march round the walls for seven days. Early on the seventh day, without delay as priests circled the city round shofars making raucous sound, Joshua to the people said: Now loudly shout with all your clout. The Lord has given you the city! As the shofars blew and the noise grew, and the people’s shouting joined it too, the walls collapsed and fell down flat and the people entered for combat.
1 Author’s image.
2 Shofar, a wind instrument made of a ram’s horn.
3 Exodus 25:11
Joshua said to the two spies: Find Rahab’s inn, save all within. for our messengers she hid on her roof beneath her grid. So Rahab and her family were spared that fatal agony.1
Joshua commanded the people: In the city - take no objects that you see or you will have agony.
Only vessels of silver, brass and gold 2 find and hold
they are the treasures of the Lord, for His Sacred hoard.
They took the city without pity. All that was alive did not survive The city entire was destroyed by fire.
1 Joshua 6:23. Rahab lived on among the Israelites. 2 Also vessels of iron. Joshua 6:19.The idols of Baal1 burned in the flames, the groves of Ashtaroth,1 the same. Joshua forbade Jericho to ever be rebuilt; he that did so would carry heavy guilt, 2 for all his children would one by one die if such a man the great ban did defy.
God’s Will was fulfilled,and Joshua’s name was covered with fame.
The Sin of Achan3
A disastrous deed of greed a victory at Ai impedes. And when the sin has been atoned a victory by God was shown.
Before Jericho was burned Achan saw things for which he yearned.4 When them he took, he God forsook. God knew, and His anger grew.
Joshua’s spies who went to Ai had told him lies, so too few men were sent to the attack;5 routed, the men turned back,
and home they fled in dread.
When Joshua heard of the fright and flight he tore his garment in lament, then fell upon his face before the Lord to himself abase.
1 Pagan gods; Judges 2:13: groves; Judges 3:7.
2 Joshua 6:26, commentary “The children of the builder will die one by one ... Some five centuries later, Joshua’s ban was defied by Hiel of Beth-el, and the curse was fulfilled (1Kings 16:34).”
3 One of the soldiers who attacked Jericho. Joshua 7:1
4 50 shekels of gold, 200 shekels of silver, and a Babylonian garment. Joshua 7:21. The garment was accursed, Joshua 7:15, but the silver and gold were consecrated to God. Joshua 6:19
5 Joshua 7:3-6.
Joshua said to the Lord:
Alas, why have You brought us here? Canaanites will hear of our defeat and our retreat, and at us sneer and jeer.
They will us surround, and destroy us to the ground; to Your great and Holy Name
might it not bring shame, and You defame?
Answered the Lord:
Get up; why do you lie upon your face as if you’re in disgrace?
Israel has sinned and needed discipline. My covenant has been transgressed; an accursed thing has been possessed. Someone stole and lied
and the things he took did hide.
Disobedience I’ll not abide
I’ll not let this slide.
For this your soldiers turned their backs in the attack! For this they were accursed by Me, by My decree! I won’t be with you any more,
not in peace and not in war,
unless the cursed thing is gone from your domain and the guilty person slain.
Get up - and to the people say:
sanctify yourselves - for tomorrow is the day; for God says: Unless you take that cursed thing away you’ll never fight and win the day.
Find the man who broke my sacred ban; first find his tribe, then find the clan; his household next, then find the man. The sin aroused God’s great ire. He said: That man must be burned by fire, and his children, animals entire. Make an enormous fire where they will all expire with all he owns, his spoils and tent burn them as well as punishment, because My sacred ban he broke, and did Me, your God, provoke. Thus the Lord God spoke!
Achan was the guilty man,1 of the Zerah clan. Joshua gently asked him to confess what and how he did transgress.
Achan was penitent2
and spoke with piteous lament. He confessed what he had done spoke almost like a simpleton spoke of his sin with chagrin, seeking to explain
how he was tempted those things to obtain.
He seemed oblivious to future pain or that he might be slain.
He’d known what God did not permit so was he morally unfit?
or simply slow of wit?
Was he naive, believing he could God deceive? That he could punishment evade? That a high price would not be paid? Driven by covetousness and greed he did the blasphemous and foolish deed. His Lord God he disobeyed, betrayed, for he had known what Lord God spake that no spoils might they take. Yet he stole silver, gold, and a garment and buried it all beneath his tent.
Messengers were sent to his tent where they found them all thus did the tragedy befall.
God would not the sin condone. Achan and children all were stoned and were burned with all he owned.
So the transgression was atoned.Achan, covetous and greedy man who had defied God’s sacred ban, who had confessed his sin and shame, perished under stones and flames. The message now was clear; God was to be feared. Those who God defy must die!
A monument of stone was made in that glade and the valley given a name1 to commemorate its tragic fame.
The Ambush at Ai2This second battle was by God directed,
- He Who the Israelites protected using brilliant strategy
which assured their victory.
For the conquest of Canaan Joshua had made a plan after Jericho, conquer Ai
strategically sited very high on a ridge down the middle of the land; then, to the south and north expand.
The Lord said to Joshua:
do not be dismayed, nor fear - have cheer. Make an ambush behind Ai and their people will all die. The king of Ai and all his land I’ve given you into your hand. Go - do as you did at Jericho.1 Except, spoils and cattle are for you, after the people you subdue.
Joshua chose his bravest men2 to go to battle once again.
These he sent away by night that they make ready for the fight. He commanded them:
Behind the city, lie in wait; five thousand and I will be the bait, when they come out at us, we’ll flee and as they will heedless be we will draw them out
and you’ll come in and make a rout; from your ambush you will rise3 the city then will be your prize. The Lord has said to you what you must do set the city all on fire,
according to the Lord’s desire.
1 Meaning : kill all and burn the city.
2 Joshua 8:3: thirty thousand men.
3 A tactic used by many military commanders since. They may have learned from Joshua.
And so it came to pass. All the men of Ai, and Beth-el too left the city to pursue. Then the Lord said to Joshua: stretch out your spear to Ai and all within will die.
Those who ambushed then came in, set everything on fire,
and Ai became a flaming pyre consuming all who worshiped Baal. The men of Ai looked back, and saw the smoke which rose high and fear evoked. There was nowhere they could flee, no route out to being free.
They were caught within a trap for on no side was there a gap. All were killed by edge of sword1 as commanded by the Lord;
and Ai, destroyed by flame, desolate became, became a dusty heap in grim decay, and so it lies until this day.
The king of Ai was hanged upon a tree by Joshua’s decree.
Then, Joshua built an altar of stones2 and wrote thereon words by all known; ‘Twas the Laws of Moses he wrote there with great care and a silent prayer,3 that all could see and thus be blessed by all these holy words expressed.
There came a miracle of another kind one to stagger the human mind.
God made the sun and moon stand still by the power of His Will.
The evil Amorites1 were making war and were close to Gibeon’s2 door. The Gibeonites under threat that they would be beset went to Joshua seeking aid against the coming terrible raid.
God spoke to Joshua:
Be not afraid!
The Amorites will meet defeat!
By My command, they will Gibeon not withstand. Then God let loose His mighty Power!
First He confused the Amorites
so they ran around in fright, desperate in their plight. Then God sent a rain of hail,
stones of an enormous scale
from which they fled to no avail.
Many perished in that lethal rain
but still some enemies remained.
Then Joshua , desperate3 to complete the Amorite defeat his faith in God so powerful
his love for him so wonderful
before all the Israelite crowd
he shouted these words aloud:
“Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the valley of Aijalon”
and privately, he beseeched the Lord a miracle to award.
The sun and the moon did each submit stopped in their Divinely set orbits, and stood still in obedience to God’s Will. For one whole day they stayed that way, for the Hebrews’ sake,
for their revenge to take.
There’s been no other time
when such a deed was done by God Divine;1 when God changed his laws for a human cause because of a plan originated by a man.
Joshua, having reached old age, spoke like a teacher and a sage.
After a lengthy time of peace, Joshua aged, sensed his release. He knew his earthly time was spent his day of death was imminent.
He gathered the elders of the tribes and said: You’ve seen what God has done for you, fought for you, slain for you. By lot I’ve divided the land for you. Be courageous, keep all the Laws,2 follow them faithfully and read them with awe.
1 Joshua 10:14The conquest is not yet complete, some land still lies ’neath pagan feet; God will