Leaders of the people living in the land set out to destroy
the Israelis. They join forces together with one another in the hope of
defeating Israel. Joshua and his men respond by fighting, defeating, and
utterly destroying their opponents. Joshua’s obedience to Moses and Moses’
obedience to the Lord is exalted in the biblical text.
It is as if Israel’s enemies can’t help themselves. For
example, “For it was the Lord himself who
hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them
totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Joshua
11:20)
But God helps Israel.
Hailstones fall on the enemy (Joshua 10:11); and the sun stands still
(Joshua 10:13). This is all out war until “Then
the land had rest from war.” (Joshua 11:23b)
How are these events to be reconciled with God who is love?
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