JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:1__ Chapter Joshua 7:1 tells how Joshua launches an unsuccessful attack on the city of Ai. There is no mention either of a divine order to do so or of anyone inquiring of the Lord about the proposed action. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:2 For a second time (see Joshua 2:1) JOSHUA SENT MEN to SPY OUT THE LAND. But this spying mission proves disastrous, and in the battle THIRTY-SIX OF THEIR MEN die. As a result, THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE MELTED AND BECAME AS WATER. This recalls earlier descriptions of Canaanite... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:6 After tearing HIS CLOTHES (a sign of distress and mourning; see Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:34), Joshua challenges God: If God’s promises fail, Joshua insists, it will damage YOUR GREAT NAME. On the issue of Israel’s fate and the Lord’s reputation, see Numbers 14:13; Deuteron... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:10 GET UP!... ISRAEL HAS SINNED. The Lord focuses on the real reason for Israel’s defeat. They have TRANSGRESSED MY COVENANT. They have TAKEN SOME OF THE DEVOTED THINGS (see note on 6:17–18), STOLEN, LIED, and PUT THEM AMONG THEIR OWN BELONGINGS. All of these things are expli... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:13 CONSECRATE YOURSELVES. See note on 3:5. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:14 TAKES BY LOT. It is likely that God indicated his choice by lot (or by Urim and Thummim; see note on 1 Sam. 14:41–42). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:15 The sinful one makes himself and ALL THAT HE HAS liable to the same treatment that the DEVOTED THINGS would receive. The “devoted things” are “all that is within” Jericho, which was to be “devoted” to the Lord for “destruction” (see Joshua 6:17 and note). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:19 Joshua’s demand that Achan GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD GOD and GIVE PRAISE TO HIM is probably not commanding worship but preparing Achan to TELL ME NOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. The word “praise” can imply _confession_ as well as _adoration_. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsB... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:21 The five pounds of silver and a pound and a quarter of gold that Achan SAW AMONG THE SPOIL is worth about what an average worker would have earned in a lifetime. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA—NOTE ON JOSHUA 7:24 The word THEM (vv. Joshua 7:24, Joshua 7:25) might well include Achan’s children, but this is uncertain. Verse Joshua 7:15 only says “all that he has” and this could be what “them” refers to. ALL ISRAEL STONED HIM. This execution involved the entire community because every... [ Continue Reading ]