Notes on Joshua March 7 2010

I am here to introduce text and stimulate questions, but not to answer them all. Good questions – you can research and bring back answers.

These are rough study notes – meant to both remind and to stimulate further thought. Sources are in bold and described at end.

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As we go into the land – the people are set apart and defined: by covenant, Passover (memory), circumcision, proscribing the natives.

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Various events and traditions have been reworked very substantially over time and ultimately included in the Bible in order to substantiate a particular picture of God. Accounts were also changed by later tradents, authors and editors who revised in accordance with beliefs.

(JSB – Brettler)

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Circumcision and Passover mark entry into land and provide didactic value in emphasizing two traditions introduced in Torah that were to become defining practices of Judaism.

(JSB – Meyers)

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JSB = Jewish Study Bible. Carol Meyers: “Joshua.” Marc Zvi Brettler: “Nevi’im” and “Canonization”

HCBC = Harper Collins Bible Commentary. Walter E. Rast: “Joshua.”

WBC = Women’s Bible Commentary: Dana Nolan Fewell: “Joshua.”

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Joshua Chapter 3-5 in detail

READ: 3:1-6

3:3 – 4—— The Ark of the Brit (Covenant) advances – borne by levitical priests – so the people know the route to march. See cloud by day and fire by night which did not depart (Ex 13:21-22 and see Ex 14:19). What is the difference between Priests leading and God leading

READ 3:7-17

3:7———- God exalts Joshua

3:10——– God will dispossess

3:13——–

Jordan

waters will dry up when priests feet touch water

3:15 – 17– crossing of

Jordan

(see Ex 14:15-30 esp 21: Moses held out hand and YHVH drove..)

PARTS OF 4

4:6 – 7—— Stones and tell the children Ark cut off waters; repeated at Jos 4:20-22

4:14——– YHVH exalts Joshua and

Israel

reveres him like Moses

4:23——– YHVH dries up Jordan like Sea of Reeds (not priests here)

4:24——– Thus all peoples of earth will know YHVH’s might and fear YHVH

READ 5:1-11: Defining of the people

5:1———- Loss of spirit (because of Jordon, not like Reed Sea as with Rehab)

5:2 – 3—— Circumcision (see Gen 34 – Dinah)

5:4 – 6—— Never see the land because did not obey YHVH – see Numb 14:21-24 and 30-38, Deut 1:34-38

5:10——– Passover celebrated after recovery from circumcision

5:12——– The end of the manna – end of an era.

READ 5:13-15

5:13 -15— “Remove your sandals” Read with Jacob and angel (Gen 32:25-31) burning bush (Ex 3:1-10 – “Remove your sandals”) and Balaam (Num 22:22-23) What makes the ground holy?