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Explore the theological implications and implications of different models in Deuteronomistic sermons like Joshua, Judges, and 1 Samuel. Analyze the conquest, immigration, revolt models, and their impact on ancient Israel. Delve into the Dtr scheme, covenant unity, and more.
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Deuteronomistic Sermons • Deuteronomy 4; 29 • Joshua 1 and 23 • Judg 2:11ff • 1 Samuel 12 • 1 Kings 8 • 2 Kings 17
Deut 29:29 • The secret things belong to the LORD our God • but the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever • to observe all the words of this law
Theology in Joshua • Deut 31:7 Moses: promise of land to be carried out through Joshua • Joshua 2-12 fulfilled to a “T” • Josh 21:45 None of the promises failed (see also 23:14) • Josh 23:15-16 Judgment certain if covenant transgressed or if Israel would serve other gods
Theology in Joshua • 24:31 Israel served Yahweh all days of Joshua • Judg 2:10-11 The next generation did what was evil in eyes of Yahweh
Joshua: the Conquest Model • apparently faithful to the Bible • archaeological “confirmation:” Lachish, Bethel, Hazor, Tell Beit Mirsim, Eglon • Israelites? Philistines? natural catastrophes?
Conquest Model: Problems • Jericho--no city from 1300-1100 • Ai--gap between 2400-1200 • Gibeon--no LB city • also Hebron, Heshbon, Dibon, Hormah (Num 21:3), and Arad did not exist at the time of Joshua
Conquest Model: Presuppositions • Radical discontinuity between Israel and its Canaanite neighbors • Cultural change is caused by invasion of new people • Relationship between theory and imperialism? • Problems: Yahweh as warrior; land taken from Canaanites. If Jericho was not razed, is your faith vain?
Peaceful Immigration Model • Israel settled in area between older cities • Little continuity with biblical tradition; stories of conquest are etiological (Ai = “ruin”) • Move into land without theological significance; emphasis on promise of land to matriarchs and patriarchs • Embarrassing Holy Wars were not fought
Immigration Model: Presuppositions • Nomadism; but early Israelites raised crops and livestock; sophisticated ceramics • camel not domesticated until 1200 • Hence those who entered the land were not true nomads.
Peasants’ Revolt • Amarna (14c) Palestine ruled by city kings in class conscious society • These kings complained about lawless “Apiru” or “habiru” • Israelites in Exodus described as “mixed multitude”
Peasants’ Revolt • Fugitives from Egypt galvinized peasants into full-scale revolt (70 families became 250,000 people) • archaeological continuity between LB and Iron ages • Rahab the prostitute (lower class); cf. Judg 1:22-26 (informer from Bethel)
Results of Revolt Model • democratization of housing • equality of land distribution • hostility to kingship and hierarchy of every kind; harboring of runaway slaves encouraged (Deut 23:15-16) • but least like biblical picture
Theological implications of Revolt Model • Conquest was not imperialism but a mighty blow for justice • Connection of Yahweh with justice is central and original • unity of Israel is ideological or theological
More Theological Implications of Revolt Model • Yahweh is the one who puts down the mighty from their thrones • “Conquest” was more political than religious • Crimes against property are not capital crimes in the Bible; no class distinctions in law
Revolt Model: Weaknesses • Was covenant unity so early? • Why does the Bible indicate that majority came from outside the land • Are the Apiru really Hebrews? • Israel settled in hill country because they were unable to beat royal strongholds; ruralization and decline of city-states in LB • Egalitarian villages also outside the confines of premonarchic Israel
Dtr Scheme in time of Othniel • Sin 3:7 • Punishment 3:8 • Cry to the LORD 3:9a • Deliverance 3:9b-10 • Rest 3:11
Judges • Ehud • Deborah • Gideon • Jephthah • Samson • Minor judges in 10:1-5; 12:7-15
Judg 10:6-16 • Yahweh refuses to act until they actually dispose of other gods • They put away gods; Yahweh could no longer bear to see Israel suffer • Climactic sin: choice of king (1 Sam 12:19)