Bloodbath in the Promised Land

After God's provision of the Law (the Ten Words and underlying ordinances) in the Pentateuch (the first five books), the Bible enters a collection of books described as the Historical Books.


The first of these books is Joshua.


Which describes the Israelites' entry into the promised land.


And its conquest.


Joshua, as you may recall, was a Benjamite, and was originally named Hoshea until Moses changed it to Joshua.


Hoshea/Joshua was one of the initial spies into the Promised Land under Moses, who along with Caleb reported back that, although they were way outnumbered by humanly superior forces, the Israelites could take the native inhabitants.


Because God was on their side.


Unfortunately, the Israelites lost their nerve based on the reports from the other 10 spies that there was no possible chance of success.


And that ticked God off.


So much so that the "sinful generation" had to die off wandering in the wilderness for forty years until only Joshua and Caleb were left.


And Joshua learned his lesson.


When God says attack, you attack.


Be strong and courageous.


Joshua is shrewd enough to implement some simple rules for success in armed combat.


Which are:

     1) Infiltration and recon;
     2) Use only fearless troops;

Oh, and, most importantly:

     3) Always have God on your side.

The commander of the Army of the LORD appears to Joshua

Prior to bringing that Israelites across the Jordan, Joshua sends out spies to evaluate what they're up against in the Canaanite city called Jericho.

And the spies end up hanging out with a prostitute by the name of Rahab.

Rahab had heard about the way that the Amorites to the east of the Jordan through God's power had been "utterly destroyed."

Which is the Hebrew word "herem" when used as a verb.

Rahab is spared from utter destruction

And she believed in that power, and cuts a deal to help out the spies so long as she and her family escape God's herem.

Herem also can be used as a noun, meaning "devoted thing."

And right before the walls of Jericho come tumbling down, Joshua tells the Israelites to steer clear of the things devoted to God's destruction.

It's God's herem.

Perhaps it was all the marching around and horn blowing for a week, but one of the Israelites couldn't help himself.

Whose name was Achan.

And took some herem for his own from the spoils of Jericho.

Which comes back to haunt the Israelites at the city of Ai.

With the success of Jericho, the Israelites believe that the smaller city of Ai will be a piece of cake, and send in a smaller force in the initial attack.

And is quickly turned back in defeat.

On that day God was not on their side.

Due to the fact Achan had taken some of God's herem.

Achan ultimately confesses, and is thereafter promptly stoned to death for his sin.

The stoning of Achan

And the Israelites learn their lesson to stay away from God's devoted things.

And Ai and all its inhabitants are thereafter put to the edge of the sword and subjected to "utter destruction."

The herem of Ai

Because God is now on the Israelites' side.

The conquest of the Promised Land continues through the southern campaign, and then into the northern campaign, until the indigenous local peoples submit or wind up as herem.

The territory is thereafter split up by lots at a place called Shiloh (ironically, the "House of Peace") and allocated to the Twelve Tribes, which straddle the Jordan with two and a half tribes taking the land of their choice on the east bank. 

And the Israelites proceed into the time of Judges.