O.T. Handout #18: Joshua, Ch 1-12, 23-24, locations,
Entitlement, Gibeonites, Kohathite, Merarites, 12 tribes, marching order, blessings of 12 sons, Sukkah May2014
The book of Joshua tells how the Lord helped the Israelites obtain the Promised Land, Israel. The book of Joshua can be organized into three main parts:
The conquest of Canaan (1–12).
The division of the land among the tribes of Israel (13-22).
Joshua’s final instructions and testimony before his death (23–24).
“Joshua, the son of Nun, of Ephraim, was first called Osheaor Hoshea, then Yehoshua= יהושע (Num 13:16) which signifies saved,a saviour,or salvation; but afterwards Moses, guided no doubt by a prophetic spirit, changed his name into Yehoshua or Joshua, which signifies he shall save, or the salvation of Jehovah.In other words, in Hebrew both Joshua and Jesus were the same name. There is no “J” in Hebrew. “Y” is used instead.
It is probable that it was written by multiple editors and authors far removed from the times it depicts.The earliest parts of the book are possibly chapters 2–11, the story of the conquest; e chapters were later incorporated into an early form of Joshua written late in the reign of king Josiah (reigned 640–609 BC), but the book was not completed until after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in a.d. 586, and possibly not until after the return from the Babylonian exile in a.d.539.
Biblical Israel is generally thought of as that region south and southwest of the Lebanon mountains, north and east of Egypt, east of the Mediterranean coastal plain, and west of the Arabian desert. In dimension, Israel was roughly 150 miles from Dan to Beersheba, and at its greatest width it was about 75 miles across. The Lord promised Joshua that the original extent of the land promised to Abraham was to be given to Israel (see Genesis 15:18; Joshua 1:4).
Ch 1: God commissions Joshua to take possession of the land and warns him to keep faith with the Covenant. (God’s speech foreshadows major themes of the book: the crossing of the Jordan and conquest of the land, its distribution, and the imperative need for obedience to the Law; Joshua’s own immediate obedience is seen in his speeches to the Israelite commanders and to the Transjordanian tribes, and the Transjordanians’ affirmation of Joshua’s leadership echoes Yahweh’s assurances of victory).
Ch 2-12: The Israelites cross the Jordan through the miraculous intervention of God and his ark and are circumcised at Gibeath-Haaraloth(translated as hill of foreskins), renamed Gilgal in memory (Gilgal sounds like Gallothi, I have removed, but is more likely to translate ascircle of standing stones). The conquest begins in Canaan with Jericho, followed by Ai (central Canaan), after which Joshua builds an altar to Yahweh at Mt Ebal (northern Canaan) and renews the Covenant.
The narrative now switches to the south. TheGibeonites trick the Israelites into entering into an alliance with them by saying they are not Canaanites; this prevents the Israelites from exterminating them, but they are enslaved instead. An alliance of Amorite kingdoms headed by the Canaanite king of Jerusalem is defeated with Yahweh’s miraculous help, and the enemy kings are hanged on trees. The hanging of the captured kings is in accordance with Assyrian practice of the 8th century.
Ch 23-24 Joshua charges the leaders of the Israelites to remain faithful to Yahweh and the covenant, warning of judgement should Israel leave YHVH and follow other gods; Joshua meets with all the people and reminds them of God’s great works for them, and of the need to love God alone. Joshua performs the concluding covenant ceremony, and send the people to their inheritance.
God’s war campaign in Palestine validates Israel’s entitlement to the land and provides a paradigm of how Israel was to live there: twelve tribes, with a designated leader, united by covenant in warfare and in worship of Yahweh alone at single sanctuary, all in obedience to the commands of Moses as found in Deuteronomy. Land is the central topic of Joshua.
The introduction to Deuteronomy recalled how Yahweh had given the land to the Israelites but then withdrew the gift when Israel showed fear and only Joshua and Caleb had trusted in God. The land is God’s to give or withhold, and the fact that he has promised it to Israel gives Israel an inalienable right to take it. The land was both the sign of Yahweh’s faithfulness and Israel’s unfaithfulness, as well as the centre of their ethnic (Hebrew) identity.
Rahab: a harlot (Heb: zonah) . Lived in Jericho, assisted Israelites in capturing city. Thought to be an ancestor to Jesus- living by faith she was of great value at that time. Mentioned in Hebrews 11. RA-the name of Egyptian god. An Amorite.
The 31 Canaanite cites Joshua were not all the Lord wanted purged. It was imperative that all idolatrous nations be destroyed. Joshua warned: Beware of socializing with them, refrain from worshipping their false gods, avoid intermarriage with them. Josh 23:21-29.
The Law that Moses negotiated for the Children of Israel was written on stone. Stones have always been symbolic for Jews. “On the breastplate were embedded 12 precious stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel, and the Talmud speculates that the oracular message was miraculously spelled out by the protruding of letters out of the tribal names inscribed on the stones.”
Sukkah-Tabernacle: The account of the fall of Jericho is regularly remembered in Jewish tradition as the holiday of remembrance of the fall of Jericho.
Sukkot is celebrated. Sukkot happens for eight days beginning with the first full moon after the first day of fall. It is a reminder of wandering through the wilderness and living in a “Sukkah,” “bowery” which is a temporary housing also called a “Tabernacle.” The festival of Sukkot is a sequel to the eight days of Passover (seven days preceded by a preparation day) which occurs at the first full moon after the first day of spring. Both of these spring
and fall holidays have Biblical instructions to gather all of Israel for Holy Convocations. Latter-day Saints gather twice a year for General Conference that for decades emanated from the “Tabernacle.”
Joshua had 12 tribes from 12 sons of Jacob, 70-72 disciples in reference to 72 elders, six from each of the 12 tribes united with Moses and Aaron to administer justice.
Joshua 13–19 – the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes is described in detail, beginning briefly with the 2-1/2 tribes East of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, and 1/2 of Manasseh), followed by greater detail about the 9-1/2 tribes West of the Jordan.
Josh 21:4-8 – each of the tribes of Israel gives several cities to the Levites, in four divisions: the Kohathite descendants of Aaron (from Judah, Simeon & Benjamin); the other Kohathite clans (from Ephraim, Dan & half-Manasseh); Gershonite clans (from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali & half-Manasseh); the Merarite clans (from Reuben, Gad & Zebulun). Drawing shows marching order of tribes.
In Torah we read how Jacob blesses his children, the twelve tribes, in his last days.
In these blessings lie many secrets foretelling events to come. As the verse tells us:And Jacob called to his sons, and said: “Gather together, that I may tell you what will happen with you in the end of days.” All these are the twelve tribes of Israel… every one according to his blessing he blessed them. (Gen. 49:28) What is the meaning of the words “every one according to his blessing?”
“Blessing” in Hebrew also means to ‘draw down’. Every one of the tribes has his particular journey, his specific energy which he must manifest in this world. Indeed, our Sages teach that the Re[e]d sea split into twelve paths, providing a separate path for each of the twelve tribes. To understand these twelve paths we must study the different ways that the tribes are described in the Torah. We find three descriptions for the tribes.
First, when they are named by their mothers, (Gen. 29-30; 35:18) each child/tribe is given a name with a particular meaning for a specific reason.
Second, when Jacob blesses them before he passes away. (Gen. 3-28) Third, when Moses blesses them at the end of the Torah. (Deut. 33:6-25)
In addition the tribes are named and specified many times in the Torah – when they enter Egypt, when they leave Egypt, during their 40 year journey through the Sinai wilderness they travel and camp as tribes, their Temple dedication offerings are repeated twelve times (though they brought the same offerings) to emphasize the twelve unique paths.
History and the future of the 12 tribes of Israel… There were promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God promised Abraham that his descendants would be numerous (Genesis 13:16; 17:2; 22:17) and that his descendants would eventually constitute “many nations” (Genesis 17:4-5).
He also promised Abraham that his descendants would “possess the gate of their enemies” (Genesis 22:17) and be “blessed” mightily by God (Genesis 22:16-18). God also said that his descendants would be identified throughout history by the name of Abraham’s son, “Isaac” (Genesis 21:12).
Reuben – first born – represents powerful energy of everything that comes first. Lost birthright blessing to Joseph. “Unstable like water,’ this power can go either way: Gave Leah mandrake fertility herbs. She produced Zebulon, Dinah..
Reuben, you are my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the Excellency of dignity and the Excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it. He went up to my couch. Gen 49:3-4
Simeon is aggressive, the soldier. Means ‘hearing”. Hostage in Egypt.
Simeon and Levi are brothers; tools of violence are their weapons. Oh my soul, do not come into their secret. Let not my honour be united with their assembly. For in their anger they killed a man, and in their self-will they hamstrung a bull. Let their anger be cursed, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Gen 49: 5-7
Levi is the cleric. The tribe chosen to serve Aaronic priests in Temple. “Levi” also means ‘attached’ or ‘joined’. Levi is the personality of dedicating your life to serving a higher calling, Num 18:20. Granted 48 cities, taught Mosaic Law, offered sacrifices. Teacher of Torah, collector of tithes, temple guard
Joseph: Given double inheritance and blessing of land of Israel, of heaven, the deep and of posterity. (1 Chron 5:1-2, Gen 49:22-26).
The powerful light that emerges from darkness in Joseph divides into two dimensions – his two sons: Menashe (Manasseh) and Ephraim. Joseph is a fruitful son, a fruitful son by a well, whose branches run over the wall. The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and an archer lurks for him. But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel); by the God of your father, who shall help you.
And may the Almighty bless you with blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father are above the blessings of my ancestors, to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him, the ruler, and the leader of his brothers. Gen 49: 22-26
Ephraim is the power to transform. It is not enough to just survive in an alien environment, but to thrive – to ‘be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ And become a multitude of nations”. Deut 33:17.
Received birthright blessing. Through his line came the Prophet Joseph Smith. See Gen 41:50-52, Jer 31:9, D&C 113:3-6, Ezek 37:15-19.Means “fruitful”. The 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom were known as Ephraimites. See Isaiah 7:8. Mission is restoration of Gospel, gathering scattered Israel (D&C 113:3-6), Must reunite with Jews, in repentance for the 200 years of war with Judea.
Menashe represents reconnection, the ability to not succumb to the powers of the Egypt ‘mitzraim -constraints’ that want to make you forget your spiritual roots. Manasseh inherited land. God’s promises realized through faith of Gideon. Judges 6:15. Told that he would become “a great people”. Gen 48:19. The Tribe of Manasseh was a part of a loose confederation of Israelite tribes. No central government existed, and in times of crisis the people were led by ad hoc leaders known as Judges.
Judah the leader. Means “praise” Acknowledgement. Name includes the four letters of the Divine name Havaya.
His descendants-the kings of Israel, King Saul, David, Solomon, concluding with Jesus the Messiah. Protector of the Gospel and the temple. The Scepter tribe whom God wants united with Ephraimites. Judah, may your brothers praise you. May your hand be in the neck of your enemies. May your father’s sons bow before you. Judah is a lion’s whelp.
My son, you have gone up from the prey. He stooped; he crouched like a lion; and like a lioness, who shall rouse him? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the peoples to him. Binding his foal to the vine, and his ass’s colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes shall be sparkling with wine, and his teeth white from milk. Gen 49:8-12
Dan is the judge, path of law and order. Objective justice is the heart of any civilization. The craftsman.
Strength. Ex 35:34, Judges 13. Father of Danites, burned Laish. “A serpent in the way, a viper in the path”. Gen 49:17, Jud 18:27-29. Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path that bites the horse’s heels, so that its rider shall fall backward. I have waited for Your salvation, O Jehovah. Gen 49: 16-18
Naphtali is the free spirit personality. Means “wrestling”. Breaking out of the status quo – independence is a necessary component in growth.
Yet, this free spiritedness must always take care to ‘deliver words of beauty.’ Eloquence with words. Naphtali is a deer let loose. He gives goodly words. Gen 49: 21
Gad is the warrior archetype. Expanding on the justice of Dan, Gad is ready to fight for his beliefs.
The warrior is
necessary to both defend our cherished values and to protect our freedoms. Good fortune. Gen 30:11, Deut 33:20-21. Gad, raiders shall attack him, and he shall attack their heel. Gen 49: 19
Asher- the prosperous one. Means “blessed”.
To be given more than what necessary for survival. Asher makes increase – getting what is needed. And more. Longevity Deut 33:24-25, Luke 2:36. See Ephesians 6: the Armour of God. Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. Gen 49:20
Issachar is the scholar. Scholarship provides wisdom, clarity and direction. It is the foundation of any system. Issachar: dedication to immerse in study and education. Had 4 sons who became kings and judges. Under subjection. Gen 49:1415.
Issachar is a strong ass crouching down between the sheepfolds. And he saw that rest was good and that the land was pleasant. And he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a tribute-slave. Gen 49:14-15
Zebulun is the merchant, the businessperson. His role is to enter the marketplace and redeem the Divine sparks within the material world (the ‘secret treasure hidden in the sand’ (Deuteronomy 33:19). Zebulun complements Issachar; they forge a partnership: Zebulun supports the scholar, loves navigation and the seas. Zebulun shall live at the sea shore. And he shall be a haven for ships, and his border beside Sidon. Gen 49:13
Benjamin is the consumer. Benjamin recognizes that his mission is to passionately seek out the Divine energy embedded in matter, devour it, consume and elevate it. Gen 49:27, Deut 33:12, Num 1:37, 26:41).
Inherited territory between Judah, other northern tribes. Benjamin is a wolf that tears in pieces. In the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Gen 49:27
Several points:
The Israelites evolved their concept of God, just as in the Book of Mormon, and those who come to the Church.
At first, just a hazy concept of God as a tribal deity, not concerned with any but the Chosen, no real personality outside of that. Samuel encountered almost universal opposition when he tried to teach the supremacy and character of a God who loved all people.
Israelites believed that Yahveh was the bringer of material prosperity. They had to learn that He loved the humble and less fortunate as well – non-Israelites as well. Concepts of God evolve – they are not static or unchanging.
The southern or wandering tribes looked upon land as inalienable – a gift of Deity to the clan, whereas the northern tribes freely bought or sold land. They looked at Ba-al (owner) as the god of fertility of soil It took Elijah – my god is Yahveh – to shift tribal understanding to a spiritual level.
The year 1200 marks the shift between the Bronze Age and Iron Age: collapse of Canaanite city-states and the arrival of the Philistines who arrived by sea. These wars were fierce military competitions for the land of Canaan.
We’ll find when we study Judges that the story we get in Joshua about the emergence of Israel is one of two records of that time frame. The essential fight was Yahveh vs Baal – see in your mind many thousands of wandering tribespeople, illiterate and living in desert conditions year round – with wandering prophets exhorting them to understand a concept of a Universal Creator when there were local representations of fertility symbols around to plead to for crops, rain, soil. They were not spiritual, but practical in their religiosity.
Marlena Baker
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