The Book of Joshua: Conquest Quiz

Overview of the Book of Joshua

• The Book of Joshua chronicles the Israelites' entry into Canaan, marking the sixth book of the Bible.
• Joshua is recognized as a military leader and Moses' successor, honored in the military Hall of Fame at West Point.

Structure of the Book

• Divided into three main sections:
  • Chapters 1-12: Conquest of Canaan.
  • Chapters 13-21: Occupation and settlement of Canaan.
  • Chapters 22-24: Guidance on proper worship after settlement.

Joshua's Role as Leader

• Joshua is Moses' true successor but is often seen as less great than Moses.
• He performs miracles reminiscent of Moses to affirm his leadership, such as:
  • Parting the Jordan River, paralleling Moses parting the Red Sea.
  • Convincing God to make the sun and moon stand still in battle.

Miraculous Events

• Joshua displays God’s glory similar to Moses by destroying the Walls of Jericho with a blast of ram's horns.
• The divine command to Joshua echoes God's words to Moses, emphasizing holiness in leadership and encounters.

Strategy and Warfare

• Before attacking Jericho, Joshua sends in two spies to gather intelligence.
• Utilizes psychological tactics to confuse Jericho, resulting in minimal resistance during the attack.
• Achieves victory over AI through strategic ambush and defeats five enemy kings at Gibeon with a surprise attack after a nighttime march.
• Joshua leads from the front, demonstrating active involvement in military campaigns.

Military Accomplishments

• Conclusively defeats a total of 31 enemy kings during his campaign.
• Joshua is ultimately regarded as a military leader, contrasting Moses’ role as a lawgiver.

The Ban and Its Implications

• The “ban” practice involves killing all living creatures of defeated enemies to prevent the survival and potential integration of opposing cultures.
• The primary motive behind the ban is to avoid the risk of enemies influencing the Israelites with polytheistic beliefs.

Evolving Theological Perspectives

• The Bible authors seek to portray God as increasingly aligned with victims and oppressed individuals.
• This thematic development culminates in the New Testament, where salvation comes through Jesus, who embodies the victim.

Literary Characteristics

• The Book of Joshua is notably devoid of poetry or songs, focusing on factual accounts to avoid glorifying warfare.

Final Speech of Joshua

• Chapter 24 features a farewell address where Joshua recounts God's actions in leading them to the Promised Land.
• He calls the Israelites to reaffirm their faith and serve only the Lord.