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University of Alabama *
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023
Subject
Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by PresidentFinch2503
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Explain the significance of Deuteronomy 7:1-6 and 9:4-6 for understanding the conquest of Canaan
in the Book of Joshua.
In Deuteronomy 7:1-6, God re-emphasizes that Israel is set apart (holy) to their Suzerain (Ruler) God as a
special possession. He instructs the Israelites to eliminate the people who live in Canaan as well as their
corrupt culture. Then Israel must occupy the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 9:4-6, God warned Israel
against misinterpreting the victory God would give them over the inhabitants of Canaan. Although the LORD
would lead Israel's army to destroy the enemy, the Israelites should not conclude that the LORD gave them
the victory because they had some intrinsic superiority.
●
Explain the chiastic structure and big idea of the Book of Joshua.
The book begins with a hopeful message; God giving Joshua leadership and the people say they will follow
him, they cross the Jordan, Rahab helps them, the circumcision of the Israelites, and the walls of Jericho
fall.
The middle of the book shows a warning; Achan's sin, they didn't consult God and were deceived by the
Gibeonites’ incomplete conquest of the land.
The book ends again with a hopeful message; the faithfulness of Caleb, the Lord giving Israel rest/renewal
of the covenant, and Joshua being rewarded.
Joshua emphasizes that God is faithful and WILL bless us... but he is also a God of judgment and will not
tolerate disobedience.
●
Explain the decline of Israel in the Book of Judges using three specific, detailed examples of Judges
to illustrate your point.
During the book of Judges, Israel was constantly sinning. For example, Gideon placed a fleece on God and
the people were constantly messing up, then they would be punished, ask God for help and forgiveness,
God would help, they would worship Him, and start the cycle over.
After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel begin a downward spiral. Israel begins to adopt the corrupt
practices of the Canaanites they failed to drive out of the land. This leads to a repeated cycle of sin,
oppression, repentance, deliverance, and peace, which only eventually leads back into sin.
Repeated warnings from the prophets were ignored. The withholding of blessings failed to check Israel in
their mad rush to destruction. The Northern Kingdom fell before the attack of the Assyrian enemy, and its
people were taken to a foreign land as captives.
●
Explain the decline of Israel in the Book of Judges using three specific, detailed examples of
interactions between men and women to illustrate your point.
Samson gives into temptation and falls into a destructive relationship with Delilah. She betrays him by
revealing the source of his strength to the Philistine rulers in exchange for wealth. Samson's vulnerability to
Delilah's seduction reflects the moral ambiguity and lack of spiritual grounding among the Israelites.
The Levite's concubine is subjected to violence and abuse at the hands of the men of Gibeah,
demonstrating the pervasive moral corruption and disregard for human dignity common in Israelite society.
The Levite's decision to cut up his concubine's body and send the pieces throughout Israel serves as a
shocking indictment of the moral depravity and lawlessness that characterized the period of the Judges.
Jephthah makes a vow to sacrifice the first thing that comes out of his house if he wins in battle, expecting
an animal to emerge. However, his daughter is the first to greet him upon his return, leading Jephthah to
fulfill his vow by sacrificing her as a burnt offering. This narrative underscores the destructive impact of
misguided religious fervor and the disregard for the sanctity of human life, particularly the lives of women.
●
Explain one statement from the prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 2) which establishes the theme of 1 and
2 Samuel and how.
"The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up." (1 Samuel 2:6)
This statement establishes the theme of sovereignty of God over life and death, and his power to exalt the
humble and bring down the proud.
Hannah rejoices in the Lord's ability to control life and death, acknowledging that he has the power to both
bring life and to bring death, to lower to the grave (Sheol) and to rise up from it. This acknowledgment of
God's sovereignty over life and death underscores a key theological principle that reverberates throughout
the books of Samuel.
Throughout 1 and 2 Samuel, this theme is mentioned in many ways. For example, in the story of David's rise
to kingship, we see God's hand guiding events and elevating David from a humble shepherd to the throne of
Israel. We also witness instances where God brings judgment upon individuals and nations, such as Saul's
downfall due to his disobedience to God's commands.
●
Explain how and why the two unilateral covenants “bookend” the bilateral covenant.
This covenant with Abraham establishes the foundational premises upon which the rest of biblical history
unfolds. It sets the stage for the formation of the nation of Israel and the eventual fulfillment of God's plan of
redemption through the lineage of Abraham. The unilateral nature of this covenant emphasizes God's
faithfulness and sovereignty in fulfilling his promises, irrespective of human actions.
The covenant with David reaffirms and expands upon the promises made to Abraham, particularly regarding
the establishment of a lasting kingdom and the role of David's descendants in God's plan of salvation. This
covenant highlights God's commitment to preserving the Davidic line and underscores his faithfulness in
fulfilling his promises, despite human shortcomings.
The bilateral covenant serves as the focus of Israelite religion and identity, outlining the terms of the
relationship between God and his chosen people. It encompasses moral, civil, and ceremonial laws that
govern every aspect of Israelite life. However, unlike the unilateral covenants, the bilateral covenant is
conditional upon Israel's obedience. Blessings and curses are promised based on Israel's loyalty to the
covenant, emphasizing the importance of human action and obedience in maintaining the covenant
relationship.
●
Explain how David fails the bilateral covenant (2 Samuel 11) and the results according to the bilateral
covenant and the unilateral covenant.
By engaging in an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, who was married to Uriah, one of David's loyal soldiers,
David violates the sanctity of marriage and betrays the trust of his subjects. David's decision to have Uriah
killed in battle to cover up his sin further demonstrates his disregard for the commandment against murder
and his abuse of power as king.
As a result of David's transgressions, he incurs the consequences outlined in the bilateral covenant.
According to Deuteronomy 28, disobedience to God's commandments would lead to various curses,
including loss of prosperity, defeat in battle, and internal strife within the nation. David's sin not only brings
personal guilt and shame but also threatens the stability and well-being of the entire nation of Israel.
●
Explain how Solomon’s life in 1 Kings 10:14-11:6 contradicts the commands regarding kings in
Deuteronomy 17.
Deuteronomy 17:17 prohibits Israelite kings from taking many wives, as it may lead their hearts astray and
cause them to turn to foreign gods. Despite this command, Solomon forms political alliances by marrying
numerous foreign women, including Pharaoh's daughter and women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and
Hittite nations. These marriages are not merely for political purposes but also lead to Solomon's indulgence
in idolatry. His foreign wives introduce him to their pagan gods, and Solomon eventually builds high places
for their worship, disregarding the exclusive worship of Yahweh prescribed in Deuteronomy.
●
Explain how the events of 1 and 2 Kings reflect the warning in Leviticus 18.
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