Monday 02 June 2008

Background

The book of Joshua concerns the invasion of the promised land bythe Israelites. Today's passage comes after the total destructionof the cities of Jericho and Ai and is followed by an account ofthe fear this stirred up in other settlements in the area. In themidst of all this shock and awe, Joshua builds an altar andritually reminds the people of their relationship with God.

I cannot read Joshua without thinking about the modern day MiddleEast, which to this day struggles with the legacy of Joshua'sbiblical invasion, whether or not it ever really happened in thisway. Israel exists in the midst of countries who wish it destroyed.Israel, in the name of security, often acts aggressively andproactively towards its neighbours. And here is where it allbegins. Even the location of this passage is poignant - on MountEbal near the present-day West Bank city of Nablus.

It is hard to detach Joshua's faith from Joshua's violence. Thealtar, the sacrifices and the ritual reading of the words of Mosesare all embedded in the destruction that is going on around them.The emphasis on Moses, whose name appears five times here, issignificant. Joshua took over command from Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1-8;34:9). But this is about more than Joshua asserting allegianceto his predecessor. This is about the need religious communitieshave to assert their identity by maintaining continuity with whatwent before.

The other striking element is who is present. From the greatest tothe least, all the Israelites are there. This is because everyoneis in this together. There can be no room for division. Theblessings and the curses ensure this solidarity of purpose. In manyways this picture is quite inspirational, until one remembers whatthe book is all about.

To Ponder

We live in an age of religiously-inspiredviolence. How can we offer thanks to God in its midst?

Is it ever right to lift 'inspirational' versesout of their original context? To what extent is this violence ofanother kind?

The word 'religion' means 'that which binds us'.Are we bound to our past and to maintaining continuity with it,even when it offends us?