The Tanakh Podcast

This fourth campaign in Israel's military conquest is absolutely natural; no miracles at all. But why does God instruct Joshua to destroy the chariots and hamstring the horses of the enemy? What is God teaching the Israelites?

Joshua comes to the aid of his new allies, the Gibeonites, as they are attacked by five Canaanite armies. This provides him with a lucky opportunity to battle the enemy in the open, outside the protective walls of their cities.  This military campaign obliterates the Canaanite enemy in the South of the country.

The Gibeonites trick the Israelites into thinking that they are from a distant locale. Was peace an option with the Canaanite nation? The Gibeonites clearly thought that local tribes would be slaughtered wholesale. What does the Torah say about this?

Can we learn from our mistakes? Yes we can! In this chapter Israel successfully conquer the city of Ai, learning the lessons of their earlier defeat.  The chapter ends with a covenantal ceremony at Sh'khem. 

If one individual sins, should everyone be culpable? In this Chapter Achan takes from the spoils, and the entire nation suffer a military defeat! Is there a connection between one person's action and the nation at large?

In this podcast we give an introduction to Chapter 6-12 - the war chapters.We also discuss why everything about the Battle of Jericho is in multiples of seven. What does it mean?

Invade a country and then paralyze your entire army by circumcising them. Does it make sense? Well it does if you understand that here is the fulfillment of 400 years of Jewish history and the two foundational national covenants of Judaism. 

Why are so many elements of this chapter remeniscent of the Exodus? It seems as if God is trying to re-stage the original Pesach, the crossing of the Sea, and elements of Mt. Sinai as well! Why does God craft a second Exodus?

It's a miracle! To cross the Jordan River to enter Canaan, God splits the river! But the Jordan isn't particularly wide! Why did we need a miracle?

Why does Joshua send spies? It ended pretty badly last time the Israelites sent Spies! And as soon as they enter Jericho, they almost get caught! Is this the worst  spying mission in history? Or maybe not!