I love the humourous clips and the take-home message about not settling for less than God's best.
As for an academic look, it's certainly true that some tribes, such as Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali appeared to have conquered the Caananites but found it more practical to enslave them rather than kill them. However I see no indication that Manasseh, Dan and Joseph in particular spared any effort in getting rid of the Caananites, at least initially. For example, v 27 says that "the Cannanites were determined to live in that land" which I take to mean they put up a mighty good fight and would not be driven out. Verses 34-35 describe the Amorite strength by saying they 'confined the Danites to the hill country' and 'were determined' to stay despite Joseph's efforts.
Granted, Manasseh and Joseph were definitely given later chances to get rid of them completely. However, isn't there at least grounds for a question to God about why He didn't do a better job of helping the Israelites to expel the Caananites in the first place? Isn't it at least possible that the 'excuse' about chariots was supported by numerous failed efforts to engage them? If so, do we blame Israel for not trying or God for not pulling his weight?
A very good point Janta, and well founded. After re-reading your references, I wonder if perhaps it was God's intention that the tribes conquer as a whole and then divide to appropriated land? Perhaps it isn't the lack of trying but the lack of help - a sort of 'I can do it on my own' outlook.
BTW When referring to Manasseh and Ephriam, we can bundle them together as 'Joseph' since they were his sons and adopted sons of Jacob - or seperate them into the latter, but not both. Just a word of syntax more than anything, sorry if it sounds like I'm coming down on you :)
Incidentally the opportunity of Manasseh and Ephriam to pull their weight doesn't come until approximately 300 years later in the fight with Gideon, even though they were given the opportunity to fight with Barak and Deborah earlier, they did not take it.
But back to your comment - I wonder if the failed efforts to engage them happened because of a lack of trying or some other reason? Your point on God not pulling his weight in our eyes is well founded, but their lack of ability to take the land, combined with your though makes me ponder John chapter 9 when the blind man with the pharisees approach Jesus asking 'who sinned, this man or his parents?' and Jesus' reply being 'neither he nor his parents, this man was born blind that I may show the works of God in him'. Perhaps the lack of completely obliterating the Canaanites in the case of Joshua was to allow better deliverance and reliance upon the Lord in Judges, or even further in Saul's/David's campaigns.
On a lighter note, I often think of that futurama episode 'Godfellas' that says "The God Entity advises that the use of godlike powers requires a "light touch" so that those one intends to aid will neither lose hope in nor become dependent on supernatural intervention."
An excellent episode showing the abilities of God but the repercussions of certain actions.
Just a few thoughts rattling around up there. Comment if you like :)
2 comments:
I love the humourous clips and the take-home message about not settling for less than God's best.
As for an academic look, it's certainly true that some tribes, such as Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali appeared to have conquered the Caananites but found it more practical to enslave them rather than kill them. However I see no indication that Manasseh, Dan and Joseph in particular spared any effort in getting rid of the Caananites, at least initially. For example, v 27 says that "the Cannanites were determined to live in that land" which I take to mean they put up a mighty good fight and would not be driven out. Verses 34-35 describe the Amorite strength by saying they 'confined the Danites to the hill country' and 'were determined' to stay despite Joseph's efforts.
Granted, Manasseh and Joseph were definitely given later chances to get rid of them completely. However, isn't there at least grounds for a question to God about why He didn't do a better job of helping the Israelites to expel the Caananites in the first place? Isn't it at least possible that the 'excuse' about chariots was supported by numerous failed efforts to engage them? If so, do we blame Israel for not trying or God for not pulling his weight?
A very good point Janta, and well founded. After re-reading your references, I wonder if perhaps it was God's intention that the tribes conquer as a whole and then divide to appropriated land? Perhaps it isn't the lack of trying but the lack of help - a sort of 'I can do it on my own' outlook.
BTW When referring to Manasseh and Ephriam, we can bundle them together as 'Joseph' since they were his sons and adopted sons of Jacob - or seperate them into the latter, but not both. Just a word of syntax more than anything, sorry if it sounds like I'm coming down on you :)
Incidentally the opportunity of Manasseh and Ephriam to pull their weight doesn't come until approximately 300 years later in the fight with Gideon, even though they were given the opportunity to fight with Barak and Deborah earlier, they did not take it.
But back to your comment - I wonder if the failed efforts to engage them happened because of a lack of trying or some other reason? Your point on God not pulling his weight in our eyes is well founded, but their lack of ability to take the land, combined with your though makes me ponder John chapter 9 when the blind man with the pharisees approach Jesus asking 'who sinned, this man or his parents?' and Jesus' reply being 'neither he nor his parents, this man was born blind that I may show the works of God in him'. Perhaps the lack of completely obliterating the Canaanites in the case of Joshua was to allow better deliverance and reliance upon the Lord in Judges, or even further in Saul's/David's campaigns.
On a lighter note, I often think of that futurama episode 'Godfellas' that says
"The God Entity advises that the use of godlike powers requires a "light touch" so that those one intends to aid will neither lose hope in nor become dependent on supernatural intervention."
An excellent episode showing the abilities of God but the repercussions of certain actions.
Just a few thoughts rattling around up there. Comment if you like :)
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