Berit Olam: Joshua

by L.Daniel Hawk, David W. Cotter (Editor), Jerome T. Walsh (Editor)

What does Joshua hold to be the essential marks of Israelite identity? What distinguishes Israel from all other peoples? In tracking these themes, L. Daniel Hawk reveals in Joshua a profound struggle to define the people of the God of Israel. Hawk shows that the themes surrounding Joshua express fundamental markers of national religious practice (obedience to the commandments of Moses), ethnic separation (extermination of the peoples of Canaan), and possession of land ("the land that YHWH gives"). Through the medium of narrative, Joshua tests each of these markers and demonstrates that none clearly characterize the people of God. Instead, Joshua presents Israel as a nation fundamentally constituted by YHWH's choosing of Israel and Israel's choosing of YHWH. In the present day in which ideologies of religion, race, and territorial possession have given rise to countless expressions of violence, Hawk expresses the particular value of reading Joshua. The Joshua story holds a mirror up to all who regard themselves as the people of God. The reflection is both repelling and inspiring but until we confront it, what it truly means to be the chosen people of God will remain elusive. Chapters are "Rights of Passage (1:1-18)," "Who's Who in the Promised Land? (2:1-12:24)," "Strangers in the Night (2:1-24)," "Changing State (3:1-4:24)," "First Things First (5:1-15)," "Going in Circles (6:1-27)," "Ai Spy (7:1-8:35)," "Foiled Again (9:1-10:27)," "Conquering Canaanites (10:28-12:24)," "Organizing Israel (13:1-21:45)," "Altar Egos (22:1-34)," "Unfinished Business (23:1-18)," and "Decisions, Decisions (24:1-33)." Includes twelve charts that lay out structural features of the book.

Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Pam Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the Berit Olam commentary series, which focuses on literary analysis rather than critical or exegetical issues. I was unfamiliar with this approach, so it was slow going initially. The author's introduction was a good introduction to this type of analysis and well as to the book of Joshua. I really grew to appreciate this approach and not having to be bothered by what the critical scholars say. The author deals with the story told in the book of Joshua as a whole. He also relates Joshua back to Deuteronomy, pointing out the many places where Joshua repeats the language and themes of Deuteronomy. The main issue is, what constitutes Israelite identity? Is it kinship (descent from Jacob), the land, adherence to the Mosaic law? Ultimately it comes down to the issue of choice. Israel is made up of those who chose to serve Yahweh.
Note: Knowledge of Hebrew is not required. The author transliterates all Hebrew terms, pointing them out mainly so one can appreciate connections within the text.
Also note: Although published by The Liturgical Press, which is Catholic, the Berit Olam series is ecumenical. The author of this volume is a United Methodist minister.

[Nathan Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shoot, posted that on the wrong book. I'm stilling reading this one.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Hawk is hands down the best commentator on the book of Joshua when it comes to analyzing the literary features of the text. There are other commentators who are better at providing some of the cultural and historical background and analyzing the archeological data and seeing how it coheres with the book. But Hawk attends to the book, how it it put together, what the literary features are and what it is saying as a whole. As such, he is able to notice a number of things that other commentators miss (unless they read his doctoral thesis). I can't say this is a super exciting read (it is a commentary after all) but if you want to understand Joshua, this is quite helpful.