Land and Testament

In this week's Old Testament reading I came across an interesting concept, drawn from the book of Joshua. In the context of all the violence, all the war, and all the death associated with the conquest of the Promised Land, there are two narratives that stand out in stark contrast. First, the story of the prostitute Rahab, who alone was spared because of her fidelity to YHWH and the Torah, though she had not previously known them, when the Israelites sweeped through her land. Second if the tale of the Gideonites, who made treaty with Joshua and thus were also spared, though they lived in the land in subservience to Israel.

What can these two stories teach us about the current conflict over that same land? One item certainly is that it is not, and never has been, an either/or scenario. Even when the ancient Israelites conquered, there were those who were spared and allowed to continue in the land of their upbringing. Two, treaties can be struck, and adhered too; the history of the Israelites declares it. Three, even in the midst of war and violence, rational behavior can prevail, and in the history, does so. Though YHWH orders the conquest, he also directs the conquerers to mercy, albeit of a select few. Most of the rhetoric is of total destruction. But, even in that context, and in my eyes, hope springs eternal.

-R