Studies in Old Testament History Part 5

1.) Caleb's rapture of Hebron, which had been re-occupied by the Amorites (Josh. 14; Judg. 1. 10-15).

2.) The Judahites' capture of Bezek, an unknown place between Jerusalem and the Philistine plain (Judg. 1. 1-8).

3.) The Danites' capture of Laish, in the extreme north, which afterward bore the name of Dan (Judg. 18).

But, after all these campaigns, a large part of the land was still unsubdued, and the war of the conquest did not end until the days of David, by whom every foe was finally placed under foot.

III. =GENERAL ASPECTS OF ISRAEL AT THE CLOSE OF THE CONQUEST.=

1. With regard to =the native races=. They were not destroyed nor driven away, as had been commanded.[E] They remained as subject people in some places, as the ruling race on the sea-coast and in the Jordan valley. We see their influence, always injurious, throughout all Israel's history (Exod. 23. 31-33; Deut. 7. 1-5); and some think that the present inhabitants of the country belong to the original Canaanite stock.

2. =The Israelites= did not occupy all the country. They possessed most of the mountain region, but none of the sea-coast plain on the Jordan valley. They were like the Swiss in modern times, living among the mountains. Even in the New Testament period the lowlands were occupied mainly by Gentiles.

3. =The landed system= was peculiar. Estates were inalienable. They might be leased, but not sold; and on the year of Jubilee (every fiftieth year) all land reverted to the family originally owning it.

Thus every family had its ancestral home, the poor were protected, and riches were kept within bounds.

4. =The government= was a republic of families without an executive head, except when a judge was raised up to meet special needs. Each tribe had its own rulers, but there was no central authority after Joshua (Judg. 21. 25). This had its evils, for it led to national weakness; but it had its benefits: 1.) It kept Israel from becoming a great worldly kingdom like Egypt and a.s.syria, which would have thwarted the divine purpose. 2.) It promoted individuality and personal energy of character. There would have been no "age of heroes" if Israel had been a kingdom like Egypt.

5. The =religious system= was simple. There was but one altar at s.h.i.+loh for all the land and for all the tribes, and the people were required to visit it for the three great feasts (Deut. 12. 11, 14; Josh. 18. 1).

This was the religious bond which united the people. If it had been maintained they would have needed no other const.i.tution, and even its partial observance kept the people one nation.

6. The =character= of the people was diverse. Throughout the history we trace the working of two distinct elements. There was the true Israel--the earnest, religious, G.o.d-wors.h.i.+ping section, the Israel of Joshua and Gideon and Samuel. Then there was the underlying ma.s.s of the people--secular, ignorant, p.r.o.ne to idolatry, the Israel that wors.h.i.+ped Baal and Ashtoreth, and sought alliance with the heathen. One element was the hope of the nation, the other was its bane.

Blackboard Outline.

=I. Canaanites.= 1. Var. 2. Ham. rac. 3. Idol. 4. Weak.

=II. Camp. Conq.= 1. Camp. Eas. Jor. 1.) Gil. Jah. 2) Bash. Ed.

3.) Mid.

2. Camp. Wes. Jor. 1.) Cent. Pal. Jer. Ai. She. 2) Sou. Pal. Beth-hor.

3.) Nor. Pal. L. Mer.

3. Supp. Camp. 1.) Cal. cap. Heb. 2.) Jud. cap. Bez. 3.) Dan. cap.

Lai.

=III. Gen. Asp. Isr. at Clo. Conq.= 1. Nat. rac. sub. 2. Isr. in mtn.

reg. 3. Land. sys. 4. Gov. rep. fam. 5. Rel. sys. 6. Char. peo.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW.

What was the political system of the Canaanites before the conquest?

How did this condition affect the result of the war?

To what race did the Canaanite tribes belong?

What was their religion?

What was the effect of their wors.h.i.+p on their character?

What had taken place shortly before the coming of the Israelites?

What campaigns of conquest were made before the death of Moses?

What battles were fought in these campaigns?

What tribes took possession of this territory?

On which side of the Jordan were Joshua's campaigns?

What traits as a military leader did he show?

What places were captured on the first of Joshua's campaigns?

What was the effect of this campaign on the enemies?

Against what section was Joshua's second campaign?

Where was the great battle fought?

What is said to have taken place at this battle?

What cities were captured at this time?

Where was the third campaign of Joshua directed?

Where was the battle fought in this campaign?

What were the three supplementary campaigns?

What city was conquered by Caleb?

What city was occupied by the tribe of Dan?

What king, long after Joshua, completed the conquest of Canaan?

What was the condition of the native races after the conquest?

What was the result of their continuance in the land?

What portion of the country was occupied by the Israelites?

What modern a.n.a.logy is given to them?

What was the system of land-tenure among the Israelites?

What were some of its benefits?

What was the form of government?

Wherein was this system defective?

What were its excellences?

What was the religious system of the Israelites?

What was the effect of this system?

What was the religious character of the people?

What was the condition of the ma.s.s of the Israelites?

Subjects for Special Papers.

JOSHUA AS A GENERAL.

BETH-HORON AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST BATTLES.

THE MORAL ASPECTS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CANAANITES.

THE RIVER JORDAN.

THE HISTORY OF JERICHO.

FOOTNOTES:

[D] The account of the sun and moon standing still is an extract from an ancient poem, and is so printed in the Revised Version. The subject is discussed in Geikie's _Hours With the Bible_, foot-note with chapter xiii.

[E] With regard to the destruction of the Canaanites: 1. Such destruction was the almost universal custom of the ancient world. 2. It was deserved by the Canaanites, who were among the most wicked of ancient peoples. 3. It was necessary, if Israel was to be kept from the corruption of their morals, and upon Israel's character depended the world in after ages. 4. As a result of failing to extirpate the Canaanites a vastly greater number of the Israelites were destroyed during the succeeding centuries.

FOURTH STUDY.

THE AGE OF THE HEROES.