Today's Scripture Reading (April 3, 2025): Joshua 12
Over the past few years, I have been trying to knock off some of my essential reads. Last summer (2024), I finally read Charles Dickins's "A Tale of Two Cities." The story is set before and during the French Revolution in London and Paris. It is a look at the conditions that set the stage for the French Revolution and an examination of one person who had spent eighteen years in the Bastille. This person is finally released into society and seeks to leave Paris for a life in London with his daughter. Of course, the situation of these two historical cities is contrasted in the novel.
The author of Joshua lists over thirty cities defeated by Israel when they entered Canaan. But not all of these cities were equal. Enter two of the most important cities in ancient Canaan: Jerusalem (also called Jebus) and Hebron. The two cities are listed together here, and while the contrast between the cities is likely unintentional, there is a comparison between the two places. Joshua defeated the kings of both important cities, but only one city fell: Hebron. Hebron was located about 40 km south of Jerusalem.
During the time of Joshua, both cities were ruled over by Amorite Kings. Both cities also, for a time, served as the Capital city of Israel. Joshua defeated both of these Kings in a battle fought in defense of the Gibeonites, a war that Israel was forced to engage in only because they had entered into an ill-timed diplomatic treaty with the city. The Kings of Jerusalem and Hebron, as well as the kings of Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, decided to move against Gibeon. The Gibeonites sent word to Joshua and requested help. "So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men" (Joshua 10:7).
Adoni-Zedek was the King of Jerusalem, and Hoham was the King of Hebron. When the battle was over, all five kings hid in a cave. Israel sealed the cave entrance while they mopped up the rest of their armies and then returned and arrested the kings. At that time, Joshua executed all five kings. However, the defeat of these five kings took place outside of their cities. The Kings died, and their armies were defeated, but there was no effort to take control of the cities they represented. Concerning Jerusalem and Hebron, Hebron fell to Caleb a little later as he worked to clear the area for the tribe of Judah. But Jebus, Jerusalem, survived not just during the days of Joshua and Caleb but throughout the Judges era and King Saul's reign. It wasn't until the reign of David that the city finally came under the control of Israel. Joshua had defeated the King of Jerusalem hundreds of years earlier but hadn't taken the city. As a result, Jerusalem remained a thorn in the side of Israel until David took the throne and made the city his own.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Joshua 13