Answers for a study in the book of Joshua” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.
Note: The answers will focus on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word. Scripture references here are taken from the NASB, unless otherwise noted.
The Goal for the notes, questions and answers: Share and reuse to lead your own Bible study!
Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.
Review and Bible Study
Joshua Attacks the Southern Kings
Chapter 9: Guile of the Gibeonites
This chapters begins the all-out campaign of Israel against the southern areas of the Promised Land, and all the leaders there banded together to fight. The Gibeonites, however, decided that since they knew they could not beat Israel, they could join them; and they did this through a deceptive maneuver, causing the Israelites to think they were from a far region, instead of a close one. We can take note of verse 14: They (the Israelites) “did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.” So, after the Israelite made a covenant with the Gibeonites, they found out their lie, but Joshua stayed true to his word and oath to the LORD to not harm them, and allowed them to live in the land as servants to Israel perpetually.
C = Joshua and the Israelite did not seek the counsel of the LORD concerning the Gibeonites and therefore had to abide by the oath they made to protect them (although they made them servants to the Nation) this was a loss of protection by God as specified in the Mosaic Covenant because the Israelite should have wiped out the Gibeonites with the other people groups under God’s command.
Note:
God had specifically instructed Israel to make no treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan (Exodus 23:32; 34:12; Numbers 33:55). Even though they were deceived they had to honor their oath according to God’s command that oaths must be kept (Leviticus 5:4; 27:1, 28). Ultimately, they should have consulted God first before making any decisions.
(from gotquestions.org) concerning the Gibeonites…
The end of this account notes, “That day [Joshua] made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day.” (Joshua 9:27). In other words, the Gibeonites survived, yet they served as slaves to the Israelites for generations to come. The land of Gibeon would later be allotted to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 21:17).
King Saul later broke the treaty that Joshua had signed and attacked the Gibeonites. Later still, during the time of King David, a famine occurred in Israel. When David asked the Lord about the famine, God said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death” (2 Samuel 21:1). To appease the Gibeonites and put an end to the famine, seven descendants of Saul were given to them to be put to death (2 Samuel 21:6). God healed Israel’s land after that (2 Samuel 21:14).
Though the Gibeonites were enemies of the Israelites, they teach us some important lessons today. The Gibeonites’ deception was effective because Joshua and his people did not first consult God for wisdom. Thus, Joshua 9 reveals the need for believers in Christ to pray concerning all major decisions and to seek His will before moving forward. Also, the fact that the Lord held the Israelites to their covenant with the Gibeonites shows that God requires faithfulness of His people. Breaking a covenant is a serious thing. Finally, the eventual incorporation of the Gibeonites into Israel shows the mercy and grace of God to all people.
Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:
- Who were the Gibeonites and how did they deceive Israel?
- Extra: What happened to the Gibeonites later in Israel’s history? (You can use gotquestions.org)
- Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?
Chapter 10: Five Kings Attack Gibeon; Victory at Makkedah; Joshua’s Conquest of the South
In this chapter we now read about the battle Israel has with five specific kings of the Amorites. These five kings came together to attack Gibeon and the LORD spoke to Joshua saying “do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” It is here in the battle against the Amorites that the LORD stopped the sun, and it stood still, and the moon as well, until Israel was victorious in this battle. The five kings were slaughtered and the campaign continued on to another six kingdoms and destroyed them from the hill country and the Negev and the lowland and the slopes, from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza and all the country of Goshen as far as Gibeon, just as the LORD had commanded, and the LORD was with them.
C = This continued the claiming of the Promised Land as part of the Abrahamic Covenant. The people were also protected in this campaign by God (Mosaic) by following all of His commands.
J = The LORD spoke directly to Joshua in verse 8 and Joshua spoke directly to the LORD in verse 12 – considered a Theophany (or may even be a Christophany).
Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:
- What happened in these battles and where did they occur (discuss some of the names and locations)?
- Discuss your thoughts on the “sun and moon standing still, or stopping.”
- Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?
Joshua Attacks the Northern Kings
Chapter 11: Northern territories taken; summary of the conquests so far
At this point, Joshua and the Nation of Israel turn toward the northern kingdoms who had arrayed themselves for battle. The LORD again spoke to Joshua and told him not to be afraid, and that He, the LORD, would deliver them into his hands. The end of this chapter summarizes the land and the kingdoms that had been conquered so far, and the land had rest from war at this point.
C = This concluded the claiming of the Promised Land, at this time, as part of the Abrahamic Covenant (although not all the land had been conquered). The people were also protected in this campaign by God (Mosaic) by following all of His commands.
J = The LORD spoke again directly to Joshua in verse 6 – considered a Theophany (or may even be a Christophany).
Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:
- What happened in these battles and where did they occur (discuss some of the names and locations)?
- Discuss the importance of obedience to God and His Law in this conquest so far.
- Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?
Chapter 12: Kings Defeated by Israel
In this chapter we get a summary of the first half of the book of Joshua. It lists the kings and nations conquered by Joshua to both the east and the west of the Jordan River. As long as the people trusted and obeyed God, one evil nation after another fell in defeat.
C = The Land part of the Abrahamic Covenant is in view here with a large part of the land being conquered (there were still remaining areas yet to be conquered).
Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:
- Summarize the conquest of the Land so far – use a Bible map of the area to compare and contrast with the modern-day middle east.
- Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter?
Please join us each week as we continue our case for the Bible and a study in the book of Joshua!
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Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15