Deck 7: The Deuteronomistic History: Joshua and Judges

Question 1

1. What are the overarching themes of the book of Joshua? How does Joshua fit into the overall program of the Deuteronomistic History?

Answer 1

Students should emphasize the triumphalist nature of Joshua and how the book emphasizes that as long as Israel is obedient, they will be granted the land no matter how outnumbered or overmatched. By contrast, disobedience and idolatry will be punished severely with great harm and military failure. These themes set the stage for the rest of the Deuteronomistic History, in which Israel's repeated disobedience progressively leads to the loss of the Promised Land and the scattering of Israel.

Question 2

2. Describe the figure of Joshua. What kind of a character is he? In what ways is Joshua the prototypical Deuteronomistic leader and hero?

Answer 2

Students should discuss Joshua's total dependence upon YHWH and insistence upon total obedience. His courage is defined by his faith in YHWH's guidance and protection, leading to the overwhelming victories of the conquest. Rather than pushing for his own benefit, he is persistently concerned with preserving YHWH's will and Israel's covenantal obedience.

Question 3

3. How have archaeological data influenced scholarly interpretations of the conquest of Canaan in the book of Joshua? What are some of the scholarly theories about the origins of Israel? Which do you think is best and why?

Answer 3

Archaeology has shown that the many of the cities mentioned in the conquest did not even exist as walled cities in the thirteenth century BC.E. (meaning they could not have been destroyed at that time) and that there was no major cultural shift in Canaan in that timeframe. Students should address the Conquest Theory, Immigration Theory, Peasant Revolt Theory, and Gradual Emergence Theory and which option they prefer, providing sound reasons for their answer.

Question 4

4. In what ways are many of the characters in Judges heroic? How are these heroes different from or the same as others (e.g., Jacob, Moses, Joshua) that we have seen in earlier biblical texts?

Question 5

5. How are both named and unnamed women depicted in Judges? How do they shape the narrative overall? Are there any patterns with respect to the power dynamics between men and women?

Question 6

6. The Deuteronomistic writer stresses the importance of a unified people living under one God and the laws of Moses. How do the books of Joshua and Judges demonstrate how these directives are observed? Give specific examples.

Question 7

1. The J, E, P, and D sources are all found in Joshua.

Question 8

3. The Deuteronomistic Historians often used sources from outside the Bible.

Question 9

5. The Former Prophets contain mostly narrative histories.

Question 10

7. Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings are traditionally called the Former Prophets.

Question 11

8. The Deuteronomistic History focuses on the political and military skills of the judges and kings as the primary reason for Israel's successes and failures.

Question 12

9. When Israel conquers a Canaanite city or region, they are to kill every man, woman, and child, showing no mercy.

Question 13

10. Many scholars today believe Israel emerged gradually from within the indigenous population of Canaan rather than from outside conquest.

Question 14

5) Which of the following does not happen in the book of Joshua?

A) destruction of Jericho
B) Balaam and the donkey
C) division of the land
D) Joshua's death

Question 15

6) Eleazar was a

A) king.
B) warrior.
C) prophet.
D) priest.

Question 16

9) The Deuteronomistic History covers approximately ____________ centuries.

A) four
B) five
C) six
D) seven

Question 17

10) What is the chief impetus for Samson's deliverance of his people?

A) Samson's anger against oppression
B) The command of an unnamed prophet
C) Philistine taunts against Samson and YHWH
D) Samson's libido

Question 18

14) Who sacrifices his own daughter to YHWH?

A) Jerubbaal
B) Abimelech
C) Eglon
D) Jephthah

Question 19

20) When Joshua encounters the angelic commander of the armies of YHWH while walking near Jericho and asks whose side he is on, the angel replies,

A) Israel.
B) Israel's enemies.
C) neither a nor b
D) both a and b

Question 20

21) Which of the following is not part of the repeated narrative cycle of Judges?

A) oppression
B) apostasy
C) prophetic appeal
D) rise of a deliverer

Question 21

22) Of the following, who is not one of the Judges?

A) Othniel
B) Jephthah
C) Deborah
D) Balak

Question 22

23) Jephthah is best known for his

A) defeat of Midian.
B) sacrifice of his daughter as a burnt offering.
C) trust in YHWH.
D) dalliances with Philistine women.

Question 23

24) The book of Judges concludes with which of the following?

A) civil war
B) the gang rape of a Levite
C) the appointment of a king
D) Israel's final apostasy

Question 24

25) Which of the following is the refrain occurring several times over the final chapters of Judges?

A) In those days, there was no king in the land.
B) In those days, God punished Israel.
C) And Israel did evil in the sight of YHWH.
D) And God raised up a judge for his people once again.