Journey Through Joshuaনমুনা

Southern & Northern Campaigns: In Front of the Text

It’s time to reconsider the topic of “holy war” or, better, “YHWH’s wars.” Here are some of the ways that the Bible, taken in context, limits the scope of what might seem like the annihilation of the innocent.

1. YHWH commands Israel to destroy the Canaanites, with additional emphasis on the destruction of their idols and other items involved in religious ritual. (See Deuteronomy 7 and 13:12–18, as well as Genesis 15:16.) This is a war of divine judgment on idolatry and immorality; Israel is his chosen agent of justice.

2. YHWH limits his judgment to the land of Canaan. The campaigns are designed to clear one place at the center of the world’s kingdoms to create an alternative community, a witness to the world about its royal creator.

3. Conquest literature was a historically recognized literary form that would invoke certain ways of thinking about divine intervention. It often uses hyperbole.

There is one other takeaway from this lesson that relates to the mix of human and divine activity in the Bible and in our lives.

Strategy & Miracles

Wrap-up

Nicole wraps up this video on how God works with sometimes-fearful people who make mistakes. God is so patient with human idolatry and injustice that he uses people like us to bring about justice and restoration. We’ve met a God who cares too much about his creation to remain passive.