> This week, we delve into the significant period of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and their subsequent entry into Canaan. This phase in the Israelite narrative is marked by trials, faith, rebellion, and the fulfillment of divine promises. Through the topics of the wilderness period, the spy narrative, and the conquest of Canaan, we will explore the challenges faced by the Israelites and the lessons these stories hold for contemporary readers.
The Long Journey of Wandering in the Wilderness
After the Israelites received the Law at Mount Sinai, a significant chapter in their history unfolded as they journeyed through the wilderness towards the Promised Land, a period marked by trials, revelations, and divine interventions. This narrative captures the essence of faith, obedience, and the consequences of disbelief.
– From Sinai to the Edge of Canaan (Numbers 10)
The journey began with high hopes as the Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, set out from Mount Sinai. They carried with them the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, and the newly received laws that were to shape their identity as God’s chosen people. However, the journey through the wilderness, intended to lead them directly to Canaan, was fraught with challenges.
– Challenges in the Wilderness (Numbers 11-25)
Life in the wilderness tested the faith and patience of the Israelites. They faced physical hardships, such as scarcity of food and water, and spiritual challenges, including moments of doubt and rebellion against God and Moses. Despite witnessing miraculous provisions like manna from heaven and water from a rock, the Israelites frequently grumbled and questioned their leadership and God’s intentions.
– The Spy Narrative (Numbers 13)
Upon reaching the borders of Canaan at Kadesh-Barnea, Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to scout the land. After forty days, they returned with reports of the land’s fertility but also of the formidable strength and size of its inhabitants. Ten of the spies spread fear and doubt among the people, claiming the land could not be conquered. Only Joshua and Caleb showed unwavering faith in God’s promise, urging the people to trust in God’s support.
– Divine Judgment and Wandering (Numbers 14)
The people’s reaction to the spies’ report was one of despair and rebellion, leading to God’s judgment. God decreed that because of their lack of faith, the adult generation that left Egypt would not enter the Promised Land. Instead, the Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years until that generation had passed away, with only Joshua, Caleb, and the younger generation allowed to enter Canaan.
– Lessons in the Wilderness
During the forty years of wandering, the Israelites experienced moments of divine discipline and mercy. They encountered various hostile nations and natural adversities, each incident teaching them reliance on God.
He disciplined the Israelites in various ways for their disobedience and lack of faith. Some of the instances of discipline include sending a fire that consumed some of the outskirts of the camp (Numbers 11:1), sending a plague that killed many of the Israelites (Numbers 11:33), and sending snakes to bite the people as a punishment for their grumbling (Numbers 21:6).
Yet, God also showed mercy to the Israelites in various ways. One instance is when the Israelites complained about their hardships in the wilderness, and God provided them with quail to eat (Numbers 11:31-32). Another example is when the Israelites were bitten by snakes as a punishment for their disobedience, and God instructed Moses to make a bronze snake on a pole, so that anyone who looked at it would be healed (Numbers 21:8-9).
the Israelites faced several hostile nations on their way through the wilderness, including the Amalekites (Numbers 14:40-45), Canaanites (Numbers 21:1-3), Amorites (Numbers 21:21-32), Bashan (Numbers 21:33-35), Moabites (Numbers 22:1 – 25:18), and Midianites (Numbers 31:1-54). These nations posed a threat to the Israelites and often attacked them as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. From their experiences with these hostile nations, the Israelites should have learned the importance of trusting in God’s protection and guidance, remaining faithful to Him, and following His commandments. They should have also learned the consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God.
In spite of these challenges, however, Moses continued to lead them, providing guidance and laws to help shape them into a nation ready to inhabit the land promised to their ancestors.
– The New Generation (Numbers 26-36)
As the years passed, a new generation of Israelites grew up in the wilderness, one that had not experienced the slavery of Egypt and was prepared to live under the covenant with God. Before they entered Canaan, Moses delivered a series of farewell speeches, recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, reiterating the Law and urging obedience and faithfulness
The Conquest of Canaan
– Joshua Assumes Leadership (Joshua 1)
After Moses’ death, God appointed Joshua as the new leader of Israel. God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, promising that no one would be able to stand against him all the days of his life. Just as He was with Moses, God promised to be with Joshua. He instructed Joshua to adhere to the Law given to Moses and not to turn from it either to the right or to the left.
– Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3-4)
Joshua led the Israelites to the edge of the Jordan River, which was at flood stage. However, as soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant touched the water’s edge, the river stopped flowing, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. This miraculous event served as a sign that God was with Joshua, just as He had been with Moses.
– The Fall of Jericho (Joshua 5-6)
The first major city the Israelites encountered in Canaan was Jericho. God commanded Joshua to have the army march around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying trumpets in front of the Ark. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, and then the priests were to blow their trumpets. When the army heard the sound, they were to give a loud shout, and the walls of Jericho would collapse. The Israelites followed God’s instructions precisely, and Jericho fell as promised. They devoted the city to destruction, sparing only Rahab and her family, who had helped the spies Joshua sent earlier.
– The Sin of Achan (Joshua 7)
The Israelites faced a setback in their next battle, against the small town of Ai, because Achan, an Israelite, had taken some of the devoted things from Jericho, violating God’s command. This sin caused Israel to be defeated at Ai. After identifying Achan through a process directed by God, Joshua dealt with the sin as God commanded, and the obstacle to Israel’s success was removed. They subsequently captured Ai following God’s strategy.
– The Gibeonite Deception (Joshua 9)
The Gibeonites, fearing the Israelites, resorted to deception to make a peace treaty with them. They pretended to be from a distant land and convinced Joshua and the leaders to make a covenant of peace with them. When the deception was discovered, the Gibeonites were spared because of the oath but were made servants to Israel.
– Division of the Land (Joshua 13-21)
Much of the latter part of Joshua deals with the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. This allocation included specific cities of refuge and Levitical cities, ensuring the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs and the provision for the Levites and the administration of justice.
– Joshua’s Farewell Addresses (Joshua 23-24)
Toward the end of his life, Joshua gathered the people to remind them of God’s faithfulness and to exhort them to remain faithful to God. He warned them against idolatry and urged them to serve God alone. In a covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem, the people reaffirmed their commitment to obey God’s laws. Joshua’s famous declaration, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” underscores the choice Israel must continually make to serve God.
– Summary of the Book of Joshua
The book of Joshua narrates the transition from the nomadic life of the wilderness to the establishment of Israel as a nation in the Promised Land. It highlights the importance of faithfulness to God, obedience to His commands, and the consequences of both faithfulness and disobedience. Joshua’s leadership, marked by faith and obedience, serves as a model for the people of Israel and for readers today. The division of the land and Joshua’s final exhortations set the stage for the challenges Israel would face in settling and inhabiting the land.
