John Quincy CABALLO SDB

BTh 1

November 8, 2015

BS023 Historical Books

Fr Joel CAMAYA SDB

Book of Joshua
I.

Synopsis
The Book of Joshua as a narrative immediately after the Book of the Law (the Torah) is
certainly an immediate continuation of it. With the era of Joshua, priest-assistant of Moses, the
conquest of the land continues.
According to the New American Bible Revised edition, on its introduction to the Book of
Joshua, simply divides the book into three parts: the Conquest of Canaan (1:112:24), the Division of
the Land (13:121:45), and the Return of the Transjordan Tribes and Joshuas Farewell (22:124:33).
The Conquest of Canaan begins with Chapter 1 making a rejoinder of the previous episode:
the Exodus experience of Israel under the leadership of Moses. This chapter builds the credentials of
Joshua as the one who, after Moses, will prepare to cross the Jordan to that land that I (God) will give
you (1:2). The Lord sternly reminds Joshua to never swerve from His Commands (1:7-9). The
Transjordan Tribes have become, for the time being, their foot soldiers by virtue of previous
agreement made with Moses.
In Chapter 2, Joshua begins the conquest with a reconnoiter mission mission where he
sent two spies. They were auspiciously sheltered and protected by the harlot Rahab while they were on
their mission. In return, Rahab begged that hew whole family be spared from the ban which was
generously granted her by Joshua. Chapter 3, narrates the incredible crossing of the Jordan which very
much brings to mind the crossing of the Red Sea, complete with all the awesome detail especially that of
the single heap (3:16).
To commemorate the momentous event in Israels history, Chapter 4 includes the account
of how twelve memorial stones were set up, carried by twelve chosen men from the different tribes just
as they were about to cross the river. In Chapter 5, circumcision of the men was imposed since, for the
past forty years, the men of the current generation have not yet been. The chapter ends with an
encounter with the Commander of the Lords army. Chapter 6 continues with the account of the
destruction of the walls of Jericho after seven days of trumpeting and after having the people yell.
Rahab and her family is spared.
In Chapter 7, against the Lords instructions (6:18-19), Achan takes for himself some spoils
from the siege of Jericho and has befallen the curse of defeat upon people Israel at the battle of Ai. At
this bitter defeat, Joshua and the elders mourn and at the Lords command, sought to find the culprit
who has caused their defeat. Achan admits his guilt and with his whole family and all their property,
they were destroyed by fire. Chapter 8 continues with a redemption moment for the Israelites when
they successfully execute a witty ambush on the people of Ai who once bullied them. In their siege of Ai,
the Lord wills that they take in spoils from the battle. Afterwards, Joshua has an altar built on Mount
Ebal made of unhewn stone.
Chapter 9 begins with how some tribes have ganged up to resist the Israelite forces (vv. 1-2).
Then it narrates how the Gibeonites wittingly earned for themselves survival by treachery but
unwittingly earned permanent servility towards the people of Israel. Chapter 10 continues its narrative
of how the united tribes intensified their forces against Israel and Gibeon. But to this, the also united
forces of Joshua and his allies, with Gods special intervention (vv. 1214), powerfully crushed their
bullying enemies. It was in this moment that, for the first time, it was known that the Lord obeyed the

John Quincy Caballo SDB | BTh [Year Level Here]

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November 8, 2015|BS023 Historical Books|2

command of a person. The Amorite kings were executed and the conquest towards Souther Canaan
continued (vv. 1643).
Chapter 11 ends his fighting with the conquest of the Northern Canaan (vv. 1015). The
chapter ends with the survey of the conquest (vv. 1623) and a detailed list of the Conquered Kings in
Chapter 12.
Part II, which is the Division of the Land, begins with Chapter 13 begin with God
mandating this division of the land until Chapter 21. And so in the following chapters and verses, the
particular specifications for the coverage and limits of each tribes territories. The accounts of Calebs
claim (14:615; 15:1319), the Josephite protest (17:1417), and the Levitical appeal (21:145) are
interspersed with the division details.
Part III, forms the most fitting conclusion of the book: the dismissal of the Easter tribes
(22:19) which brings us back to their initial forced enlistment into the Israelite army by virtue of
their agreement with Moses and Joshuas final plea (Chapter 23) with the Covenant rites (24:128) and
his eventual death (24:2933). The Easter tribes story was prolonged and somehow distracted by the
Altar episode (22:1034).
II.
Sentiments
Three things: first, I realized how memory is essential for every believer, for every Christian
for that matter, in order that we may fully live the loving commands of the LORD. As I have once written
on an Instagram post, One great sin is #forgetfulness. I believe this is a great sin because it
symptomatic of a progressing, if not well developed, lack or loss of LOVE for GOD. It may seem corny,
but to forget and easily let something and yes, some-one or something important to that person is all
too glaring a fact to prove ones falling-out-of LOVE. In friendships, for example, to chronically forget
the others birthday, set meet-up, act insensitively in relation to an already-known dislike, or utter
ignorance are just some signs of fall-out.
Second, fidelity to Gods commands can and will certainly rain down Gods blessings. But
this does not mean that we will be exempt from challenges. Remember, in spite of their fidelity, the
Israelites and their allies continued to encounter great trials.
And thirdly, but in all this, they did not completely fall because, no matter how confused
and distressed they might have felt, they always consulted the LORD and DISCERNED His will for them.
In life, a sure tool to a happy and meaningful (not necessarily successful) life is discerning GODs loving
WILL for us.
III.
Questions
1. What exactly has Moses agreed with the Transjordan tribes? (1:1218)
2. In at least two occasions (including 7:13), what does Joshua mean when he told the
Israelites to sanctify themselves as in the case of 3:5?
3. Why did God allow the Israelites to gather spoils in the siege of Ai (Chapter 8) but not in
Jericho (Chapter 6)?
4. Why did Joshue curse whoever will rebuild Jericho (6:26)?
5. Among the many shrines or sights that have been mentioned, did some of them
actually exist and further some could still be seen today as in 10:27?
6. When the Israelites return to Gilgal after a battle (as in the case of 10:43), is it just that
near or is it actually quite a distance? (Just as curious question!)

John Quincy Caballo SDB | BTh [Year Level Here]

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November 8, 2015|BS023 Historical Books|3

7. In the division of the land (Chapter 1321), there seems to have been mention of
manyI say, too many Israelite cities. With this biblical account, what is the Israelite
standard of how big a city is, more or less? Is it anything comparable to a modern city?
Was it actually possible then? Or is this all Israelite air-bending?
8. The daughters of Zelophehad were quite a concern in Chapter 17. How exactly were
Israelite women normally treated in those times especially in relation to the division of
land as inheritance? Do they normally get a share as a single woman? As a married
woman?
9. As had been repeated every so often in the section about the division of the land, what
exactly was meant by the saying that the Levites only had the Lord as their heritage
and nothing else such that they had to plead with Joshua for a land of their own?
10. Where exactly was this witnessing altar beside the Jordan mentioned in Chapter 22:10
located? Does it exist or could we still point out its exact location and, if there are, some
ruins?

John Quincy Caballo SDB | BTh [Year Level Here]

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November 8, 2015|BS023 Historical Books|4