Presentation
On
Justice, Peace and Overcoming Violence:
Biblical and Ethical Perspective (BID02)
Serampore College
(University)
Faculty of Theology
TOPIC:
Conquest of Canaan
Presented by
R. Ramtharnghaka
Bachelor of Divinity – IV
Presented to
Sir Rev. Dr. Dipankar Haldar
on
th
14 November 2022
Introduction
Israel conquest of the Canaanites begin in the late 2nd millennium BCE or perhaps earlier.1 The
conquest of Canaan by Israel can be found in the Book of Joshua and some in the Book of Judges
and Chronicles. In this paper, the background for the Conquest, Israel conquest of Canaan, what
miracles are done by God, its significance, ending with reflection and conclusion will be
highlighted.
Background for the Conquest
After the exodus from Egypt, Moses passed his leadership of the Israelites to Joshua. So, Joshua
job was to lead the people across the Jordan River into the land of Canaan that is, taking back the
land which God has promised to Abraham. At that time, the land of Canaan was occupied which
led to confusion for many readers since the word conquering was present. It is because of this
incident many questions arise like- How does killing the Canaanites fit in with Israel’s calling to
be a kingdom of priests and a blessing to all the nations? Is starting a war the opposite of blessing
the nations? In Leviticus and Deuteronomy there is a detailed contains of whom the Canaanites
were, that they worship demonic idols, taboo sexual acts and even the sacrifice of children to the
Canaanite gods. It is important to note that God make it clear to the Israelites that it is not because
of their righteousness or integrity that they are possessing the land but rather on the account of
wickedness of these nations (Deuteronomy 9:5). This clarifies that God does not want the Israelites
to be influenced by the Canaanites wicked practices and the cultural systems that fostered and
endorsed them and not because God wants the people of the Canaan people to be ordinarily killed.
It is because all remnants of the pagan culture had to be destroyed so that God can be worship,
known and be praised.2
Israel Conquest of Canaan
The first major target was the city of Jericho in the middle part of Canaan. The attacked of Jericho
was to be done in such a way so as to know that it was God who was giving Israel victory. Instead
of laying siege to the city, the people would simply march around it for seven days. This clearly
shows how God is the God of peace and not of violence. So, on the seventh day, the walls fell
down and Israel stormed the city, putting to death all the inhabitants except Rahab and her family,
though she was a prostitute, she was not condemned at all, rather she saved her whole family
because of helping the Israel spies run away. The Israelites were to take no spoils as everything
was to be dedicated to God during the conquest, which shows God’s justice over everything as
God does not just leave to humans to decide, instead God already ordered the Israelites in advance
declaring that everything comes from him and that everything belongs to him.3
1
Yehezkel Kaufmann, The Biblical Account of the Conquest of Canaan (Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1985),
10.
2
Abraham Malmamat, History of Biblical Israel (Boston: Brill, 2021), 67-69.
3
Sidney Brichto, The Conquest of Canaan: The Books of Joshua and Judges (USA: Sinclair- Stevenson,
2001), 32.
The second conquest was the city of Ai. Ai was a small city where the army of Israel felt that
victory would be won by them easily. Unexpectedly, the men of Ai defeated the Israel men. This
is because God was not with them since one men of Israel had taken some forbidden items from
Jericho. After, the problem was being settled; the Israel army won the battle with the help of God.4
It is important to remember that, at this time, Canaan was not a nation but a land area where kings
ruled over cities and territories. A group of five Amorite kings decided that they should align
themselves and attack Israel, but they were all defeated as found in Joshua 10. Later, another group
of kings in the northern half of Canaan also formed a confederacy to attack the Israelites where
they too were defeated which was found in Joshua 11. So, Joshua and the people of Israel continued
the conquest until all of Canaan was subdued. This shows that with the help of God the Israelites
are able to overcome all the problems which come in their way if they trust and obey in God.5
Miracles done by God during Israel conquest of Canaan
1. The fall of Jericho’s walls (Joshua 6:1-27)
2. The giant hailstones (Joshua 10:1-11)
3. The sun stand still so that victory can be won over the Amorites (Joshua 10:12-15)
Significance of Israelites conquest of Canaan
1) It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and can be viewed as a pointer to the great victory won
by Jesus over the enemies of sin and death, which secure us a lasting inheritance.
2) Obedience to God, that is, living righteously according in God’s way results in the
assurance that it will lead to blessings. We can find encouragement from Israel conquest to
Canaan.
3) A reminder of God’s power.6
Reflection and Conclusion
We can conclude by saying that the inhabitants of the Canaan were committing terrible sin even
though they know the true living God which causes the Israelites conquered the land since they
rejected God and His forgiveness, so God had to harshly judge them too. But in the whole process
we can see that God does not just lead the Israelites killed the people, rather God was the one who
reminds the Israelite again and again that obedience is the key relationship with God, so as for a
nation/person to overcome violence and achieve peace and justice in their/its life. It is a must to
remember that God’s justice is applied to everyone, including the Canaanites also, and that God
does not show favoritism. God is a sovereign God and has absolute right to exercise his power in
any way that he chooses. In our today’s context also, if we keep God as our first priority our hearts
and minds will always be the place where God ruled and it will never be occupied by idolatry,
corruption, adulatory and so on, like the people of Canaan.
4
Sidney Brichto, The Conquest of Canaan: The Books of Joshua and Judges.., 33.
5
Sidney Brichto, The Conquest of Canaan: The Books of Joshua and Judges…, 34.
6
Abraham Malmamat, History of Biblical Israel…, 72.
Bibliography
Brichto, Sidney. The Conquest of Canaan: The Books of Joshua and Judges. USA: Sinclair-
Stevenson, 2001.
Kaufmann, Yehezkel. The Biblical Account of the Conquest of Canaan. Jerusalem: Magnes Press,
1985.
Malmamat, Abraham. History of Biblical Israel. Boston: Brill, 2021.
