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Joshua: Conquest

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Joshua (Joshua 1-5)
    23 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    The Central Campaign (Joshua 6–10:28)
    16 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Southern and Northern Campaigns (Joshua 10:29–12:24)
    23 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Allotments (Joshua 13–21)
    19 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Covenant Renewal (Joshua 22–24)
    14 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

Participants 38

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Joshua: Conquest Southern and Northern Campaigns (Joshua 10:29–12:24) In Front | Workbook: Answering the Issue of Holy War in Joshua
Lesson 3, Activity 20

In Front | Workbook: Answering the Issue of Holy War in Joshua

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

As you reflect on the treatment of holy war in Joshua, notice the following points: 

1) YHWH commands Israel to destroy the Canaanites, with additional emphasis on the destruction of their idols and other items involved in religious ritual. (See Deuteronomy 7 and 13:12–18, as well as Genesis 15:16.)
2) YHWH limits His judgment to the land of Canaan.
3) Conquest literature was an historically recognized literary form that would invoke certain ways of thinking about divine intervention.

Reference: Brent Strawn, The Old Testament Is Dying, 2017, pp. 93-94.

  1. In your workbook, respond to the following accusation: “The concept of holy war in Joshua pictures a vengeful God who does not really care for humanity.”