How does joshua end

In the book that bears his name, Joshua impresses us with his harshness: it depicts a violence, even a thirst for violence, that is found nowhere else. The conquest of the land of Canaan occurs with fire and blood. Too much destruction at every turn. The only moment of tenderness in this account is the story of Rahab in Jericho.

In exchange, legend gives her Joshua as bridegroom. This story is not in his official biography, which, moreover, is very meager. His father was a just man, but childless. Nun passed his days praying to God for a son, and his prayer was answered.

Moses was still alive, but very old, when Joshua was teaching the Law to the people. One day, Moses came to listen.

He remained standing with the crowd. Joshua saw him and, overcome by remorse, cried out in distress. Then a celestial voice was heard: The time has come for the people to receive the teaching of Joshua. Brokenhearted, Joshua submitted.

It is because he respected and venerated his Master; he loved him. Of all his qualities, it is his attachment to Moses that moves us the most. According to the legend, Joshua was then married. He had children : only girls. Having fulfilled the mission that God and Moses had entrusted to him, Joshua retired and lived in the isolation of memory.

He was old, the text tells us, and the country rested from the wars. He died alone and was buried in a place called Har gaash—a kind of angry mountain, a sort of volcano.

The Talmud comments that this illustrates the ingratitude of the people toward their leader. Why was the mountain angry? Because God, in his wrath, was ready to punish his people. Why the rage? Everyone was too busy. Some were cultivating their gardens, others their vineyards; still others watched over their fires. Unbelievable, but how true: In war, Joshua had been their leader. Afterwards, the people no longer needed him, to the point that no one came to pay him their final respects, to which all mortal men are entitled, whoever they might be.

The Book of Joshua presents the destruction of the city of Hazor. The author of more than 30 novels, plays and profiles of Biblical figures, Elie Wiesel received the Nobel Peace Prize in The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on August 9, We are pleased—and honored—to present our readers with the first of a series of insightful essays by Elie Wiesel, the world-renowned author and human rights advocate.

Wiesel is best known for his numerous books on the Holocaust and for his profiles of Biblical figures and Hasidic masters. In , he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His occasional series for BR will focus on characters in the Bible that do not occupy center stage—those who play supporting roles.

Aaron Aaron, number two in the epic that recounts the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. He is a man of peace. He succeeds at everything. Anyone who believes God made the sun stand still in the sky is unbelievably ignorant or gullible.

He is the archetypal of Christ the archetype. In Revelation we are told that when Christ returns He will be exactly like Joshua was in the conquest of Canaan. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.

And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Forty years have passed since millions of Israelites were delivered from Egyptian bondage under the mighty hand of Jehovah. The prophet Moses has taken the lead. Now at the age of , he views the Promised Land from a distance and then dies atop Mount Nebo. Following divine instructions, Joshua leads the Israelites in carrying the Ark around Jericho for six days.

On the seventh day, the Israelites march around the city seven times. Joshua rallies them to conquer the city and kill everyone except for Rahab. At the sound of the Israelite war cry, the walls of Jericho collapse, and the Israelites destroy the city and its inhabitants. God attributes the disaster to the disobedience of Achan, an Israelite who has stolen religious items from Jericho.

Fearful of the marauding Israelites, the people of Gibeon visit the Israelite camp in disguise, claiming to be travelers in the land and requesting peace with Israel. Joshua does not inquire with God and makes a hasty treaty with the men, only to discover later that the Gibeonites are natives of the land to be conquered. The Israelites refrain from attacking the city, but five other local kings attack Gibeon for making peace with Israel.

Joshua 1—6 The children of Israel miraculously cross the Jordan River and enter the promised land. They begin their conquest of the land by destroying the city of Jericho.

Joshua 7—12 Israel loses a battle against the people of Ai because of disobedience. After repenting of their disobedience, the Israelites prosper in battle as the Lord fights for them. They gain control of the promised land. At the end of Deuteronomy , Moses dies just before fulfilling his mission. At the end of Joshua, our hero dies before he can fulfill his mission as well. Remember, Joshua does not drive all the Canaanites out of the land.

Over this whole book, Joshua is given the chance to be Moses. By the end, he becomes Moses, right down to his failings. You betcha.