CHAPTER FIVEPossessing the Promised LandSCRIPTURE COVERED: Joshua, Judges, Ruth TIME COVERED: ca. 1400-1 100 B.C. From their encampment northeast of the Dead Sea, the Israelites could view the land of Canaan across the River Jordan. Before Moses died, Joshua had been appointed to lead them in conquest and occupation. CONDITIONS IN CANAAN Politically, the land was under the control of people who lived in city-states. A walled city situated on top of a mound could resist an invading force for almost an indefinite period as long as their water and food supply lasted. Consequently, for Israel conquest and occupation seemed like a formidable and impossible assignment. The Canaanites were polytheistic in their religion. El was the chief god who was called "father bull" and creator. His wife's name was Asherah. Chief among their many offspring was Baal, meaning "lord" (I Kings 18:19). He was the reigning king of the gods who were believed to control heaven and earth and fertility. The brutality and immorality in the stories of these gods were unsurpassed in our present knowledge of Near Eastern gods during that period. This lack of morality was reflected in the religious rites and ceremonies of the Canaanites. Archaeologists have pointed out that the evidence of Canaanite culture of Joshua's time indicates that the people practiced child sacrifice, religious prostitution, and snake worship in their religious rites and ceremonies.' The conditions, however, were known to Moses and be warned the Israelites that if they did not destroy these wicked people, the Israelites would be ensnared in the sins of the Canaanites (Lev. 18:24-28; 20-23; Dent. 12:31; 20:17, 18). This divine judgment coming upon the Canaanites through the Israelites was preceded by a long period of mercy. The patriarchs while living in Canaan had erected their altars in numerous places, exemplifying the worship of the true God of heaven and earth. When God promised Abraham the land of Canaan for his descendants (Gen. 15:16), the Bible states that the iniquity of the Amorite was not yet full and that the Israelites would dwell in Egypt for four centuries. After this long period, the Canaanites had become worse so that the time for judgment was ripe as Israel entered to occupy the land.
THE CONQUEST UNDER JOSHUAJoshua came to this responsible position of leadership with a background of experience and training under Moses' tutelage. At Rephidim (in the wilderness) Joshua led the Israelites in victory, repulsing the Amalekite attack (Ex. 17:8-16) as Moses continued in intercessory prayer for him. As a spy he gained firsthand knowledge of Palestine and heroically, in f ace of opposition, asserted that by faith in God they would be able to conquer the land (Num. 13, 14). Thus he had witnessed God's power exercised in their behalf from Egypt to the borders of Canaan, even though an entire generation was denied the privilege of entrance because of unbelief. A. Entrance into Canaan In the first four chapters are narrated the events of Israel's movement into Palestine. These may be outlined as follows:
Joshua was assured of success if he would be careful to heed the instructions given in the book of the Law that had been given through Moses. Under God's command and with assurance of God's presence, be assumed this task of leading God's chosen nation. Two spies who were sent to Jericho learned from Rahab that the stories of God's mighty acts in behalf of Israel were circulating among the inhabitants of Canaan. The miraculous passage through the Jordan should have made every Israelite of this new generation conscious of God's intervention for them. Provision was made by erecting two twelve-stone memorials-one in or near the Jordan and another at Gilgal-to remind coming generations of this great event. B. The major campaigns
In six chapters the summary of Joshua's campaigns is given. Note the following developments:
Abraham the land of Canaan for his descendants (Gen. 15:16), the Bible states that the iniquity of the Amorite was not yet full and that the Israelites would dwell in Egypt for four centuries. After this long period, the Canaanites had become worse so that the time for judgment was ripe as Israel entered to occupy the land.
THE CONQUEST UNDER JOSHUAJoshua came to this responsible position of leadership with a background of experience and training under Moses' tutelage. At Rephidim (in the wilderness) Joshua led the Israelites in victory, repulsing the Amalekite attack (Ex. 17:8-16) as Moses continued in intercessory prayer for him. As a spy he gained firsthand knowledge of Palestine and heroically, in f ace of opposition, asserted that by faith in God they would be able to conquer the land (Num. 13, 14). Thus he had witnessed God's power exercised in their behalf from Egypt to the borders of Canaan, even though an entire generation was denied the privilege of entrance because of unbelief. A. Entrance into Canaan
In the first four chapters are narrated the events of Israel's movement into Palestine. These may be outlined as follows:
Joshua was assured of success if he would be careful to heed the instructions given in the book of the Law which had been given through Moses. Under God's command and with assurance of God's presence, he assumed this task of leading God's chosen nation. Two spies who were sent to Jericho learned from Rahab that the stories of God's mighty acts in behalf of Israel were circulating among the inhabitants of Canaan. The miraculous passage through the Jordan should have made every Israelite of this new generation conscious of God's intervention for them. Provision was made by erecting two twelve-stone memorials one in or near the Jordan and another at Gilgal to remind coming generations of this great event. B. The major campaigns
In six chapters the summary of Joshua's campaigns is given. Note the following developments:
Four events made the whole nation of Israel conscious of the fact that they were in the land of promise: 1. They erected two memorials of stones to perpetuate the memory of divine deliverance. 2. They observed the Passover, reminding the new generation of their deliverance from Egypt. 3. They observed the rite of circumcision, making them conscious of the fact that they were God's covenant people. 4. Manna ceased and their sustenance came from the land that they had entered. In addition, Joshua was personally reminded through a theophany (a physical manifestation of God) that he was but a servant and subject to the Commander of the army of the Lord (5:13-15). The central campaign was directed against Jericho and Ai. The former was a sample victory, making all Israel aware of God's supernatural power released in their behalf. Peculiar to this victory was the fact that the Israelites were not allowed to retain any spoils of conquest. (Ai was conquered according to regular military strategy after Achan's sin had been removed.) After this victory the Israelites were allowed the livestock and other property.' Following the occupation of central Canaan, the Israelites assembled between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim for a convocation to hear the reading of the Law of Moses. In the southern campaign the Amorite League was defeated. Through deception and insensitivity to divine guidance, the Israelites entered into a league with the Gibeonites. In consequence, the other cities of this league attacked Israel but through the divine intervention of hailstones, in addition to a surprise counter attack and extension of daylight, the Israelites were able to rout the enemy in a smashing victory.' Although such city-states as Gezer and Jerusalem were not conquered, the whole area from Gibeon down to Kadesh-bamea was under the control of Joshua. The northern campaign is briefly described. In a great battle near the waters of Merom, the Canaanites were defeated. The city of Hazor was utterly destroyed. Recent excavation under the Israeli expedition begun in 1955 indicates that this Canaanite city may have had a population of over 40,000 at this time. In summary, thirty-one kings are listed as having been defeated in the conquest of Canaan. Although the inhabitants of Canaan were not destroyed as extensively as Moses had instructed the Israelites, Joshua was able to allot the land. C. Division of the land The remaining chapters of Joshua describe the allotment of the promised land and the farewell advice of Joshua as follows:
After tribal boundaries were established, six cities were designated as cities of refuge-three on each side of the Jordan River. Forty-eight cities were assigned to the Levites who were scattered throughout the land in order to meet their responsibilities in religious service. Shiloh was designated as the religious center of Israel. Here the tabernacle was erected (Josh. 1:18). Before Joshua died, he assembled the Israelites at Shechem, reminding them that Abraham had been called from idolatry and admonishing them to fear the Lord.
LEADERSHIP OF JUDGESThe events in Joshua and Judges are closely related. The exact chronology of this era is very difficult to establish but for approximately two or three centuries the destiny of Israel is surveyed under the leadership of judges who rose to deliver their people from the oppressing enemies. Most of these leaders ruled locally and, consequently, the years allotted to each may have been synchronous with the preceding or succeeding judge.' A. Prevailing conditions A general description of the times of the judges is given in the opening chapters of Judges as follows:
II. Religious-Political Cycles 2:6-3:6 Fourfold cycles occurred repeatedly in Israel. Association with the pagan population led the Israelites into apostasy and idolatry. Judgment followed in the form of oppression by invading nations. In the course of time, the Israelites repented which resulted in divine deliverance. The religious-political cycles may also be characterized by the following words: sin, sorrow, supplication, and salvation. B. Oppressing nations and deliverers
The history of Israel during this period is recorded with special interest in the oppressing nations and the judges that were raised to free the people from the invaders. Below is a list as given in Judges:
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Most of these individuals apparently performed great feats in behalf of the Israelites, even though some of them are only mentioned by name. The oppressing nations came from the neighboring territories gradually invading various areas of tribal possessions, taking their crops, and occupying the land. Some of these nations would exact taxes that became a terrible burden to the Israelites.
The stories of a number of these judges deserve careful study. Five of them-Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, and Samuel-are listed among the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. Individual deeds and battles exhibiting supernatural strength restored to the Israelites the consciousness that God was intervening in behalf of His people. Some of the judges are merely mentioned by name, with very little information given concerning their activities.
C. Confused conditions
The last five chapters of the book of Judges and the four chapters of the book of Ruth relate the blessings and adversities of various groups and families. These may be briefly outlined as follows:
| I. Micah and His Idolatry | Judges | 17 |
| II. Migration of the Danites | 19 | |
| III. Crime and Civil War | 19-21 | |
| IV. The Story of Ruth | Ruth | 1-4 |
Historical details in these chapters are lacking so that at best these events can be dated in the days "when the judges ruled," and there was "no king in Israel" (Ruth 1: 1; Judg. 21:25). Certainly the national developments are not given and the statement "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judg. 21:25) characterized the plight of Israel during the times of the judges.