Joshua May 2 2010

Notes on Joshua Chaps 9- 10

Sources are in bold (if any) and described at end.

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Consider the differences/similarities between Rahab and the Gibeonites as outsiders accepted by Israel,  vs Achan who is an insider who transgresses.

Lev 20:22-24

You shall faithfully observes all My laws and all My regulations, lest the land to which I bring you to settle in spew you out.  You shall not follow the practices of the nation that I am driving out before you.  For it is because they did all these things that I abhorred them and said to you:  You shall possess their land, for I will give it to you to possess..

Lev 20:26 

You shall be holy to Me, for I YHVH am holy and I have set you apart from other peoples to be Mine.

CHAPTER 9

A chapter about outsiders

It is the recognition of holiness, not one’s nationality, suggests this story, that identifies one with God’s people.  Rahab and Gibeonites are outsiders, whereas Achan and his family are insiders who do not recognize holiness.  Whereas Rahab, a Canaanite woman, saves her whole family, Achan, an Israelite man, is instrumental in destroying his (Jos 7).  (WBC – Fewell)

Look at Rahab and Gibeonites together – seems like an attempt to show that boundaries between Israelite and non-Israelite are more permeable than one might think. (WHC – Myers)

9:1-------------- “Heard thereof” - They hear of battles of Jericho and of Ai?

9:9-------------- We have heard the name and fame – re Egypt – note similarity to Rahab Jos 2:10 –

9:10------------- Refers to kings on the other side of the Jordan: Sihon (Num 21:21, Deut 2:24) and Og (Num 21:33, Deut 3)

9:14------------- The men did not take counsel from JHVH.

9:18------------- Note grumbling of community against leaders – chieftains

9:21------------- Hewers of wood and drawers of water – menial jobs – see Deut 29:10-11 (even the stranger... from woodchopper to water drawer) – even they are entered into the covenant – but apparently resident aliens perform these menial tasks

9:24------------- Gibeonites knew about Moses.  Extermination here (sh m d) = destroy ≠ herem – nothing about sanctity

CHAPTER 10

10:- 5----------- Adonai Zedek – Jerusalem appears for the first time by this name in Bible – herem – the kings decide to smite Gibeon, not Joshua

10;11----------- YHVH casts great stones down from heaven (miracles?)

10:12----------- Joshua speaks to YHVH

10:12-13------- On that occasion when YHVH routed the Amorites before the Israelites, Joshua addressed YHVH;  he said in the presence of the Israelites:

“Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon”  (shemesh b’givion dom)

O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.!”

And the sun stood still (vayidom hashemesh)

And the moon halted,

While a nation wreaked judgment on its foes

LEVITICUS 10: 1-3

1 Now Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before  יהוהalien fire, which יהוה had not enjoined upon them.  2 And fire came forth from יהוה and consumed them; thus they died before the presence of יהוה.  3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what  יהוה meant by saying:

Through those near to Me I show Myself holy,

And gain glory before all the people.

And Aaron stood stock still in silence.  (Vayidom Aharon)

AMOS 5:13

Assuredly,

At such a time the prudent man keeps silent (yidam),

For it is an evil time.

10:14----------- YHVH listens to Joshua’s voice

10:40----------- Reminder that this destruction of all that breathed was YHVH’s command.

10:43----------- Reminder that YHVH is fighting for Israel

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JSB = Jewish Study Bible.  Carol Meyers: “Joshua.” 

WBC = Women’s Bible Commentary: Dana Nolan Fewell: “Joshua.”