Joshua 13–24, 2nd ed. (Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 7b | WBC)

Top Highlights

“Yahweh’s uniqueness lies precisely in his jealousy over against his worshipers. He loves them so much that he wants their undivided love in return. He will not share them with any other god. God turns his jealous indignation against the unfaithful worshiper, not against the rival lover. He punishes the people who try to serve him along with some other god. God’s jealousy cannot tolerate this. He has given undivided love and wants the same from them (cf. Exod 20:5; 34:14–16).” (Page 325)

“The issue at stake in the entire chapter is the service of other gods, presented as a present reality for Israel. Their experience is that of the service of gods who make fewer demands than does Yahweh. Israel has been able to serve such gods. She could build images for them, dress them, perfume them, build a house for them, bring sacrifices to feed them, carry them in processions, even bury them in appropriate moments (Gen 35:4; cf. 31:34).” (Page 324)

“Joshua has detected this in the response of the people. They see God as the one who is bound to protect them along their way, so they can protect him by serving him. Joshua demands a service with deeper motivation. He wants service based on the nature of God himself.” (Page 324)

“Joshua forces Israel to understand the difference between their concept of god(s) and the true nature of Yahweh. He is the holy, jealous God who expects his people to be satisfied with nothing less than perfection. He is not a God whom men can bribe. He is not a God who waits around patiently while Israel flirts with other gods. He is not a God who governs one small part of the world while others take care of their shares. He is the only God, the one who has all power and all responsibility. More than anything else, he is the God who loves so much that he seeks the same whole-hearted love and devotion in return. People are incapable of such total devotion, but this is no excuse. God’s people are called to demand such devotion from themselves, to be satisfied with nothing less.” (Page 332)