Literary Techniques Used in Joshua 7:1-26 - Assignment Example

Literary Analysis of Joshua 7 26 Question Literary forms /techniques used in Joshua 7 26 The books of both the Old and the New Testament make use of several stylistic devices or forms to rely their messages to the people. Since the two testaments are wholly or partly written in a story form, narrative is the essence of the biblical revelation. It is for this reason that understanding narrative makes it significant for the interpreters of the bible. Due to the fact that the largest part of the bible is written in literary forms, a literary approach is rather imperative in understanding of the bible. Literary approach assist in the correct interpretation of narratives as well as appreciating the rich artistic beauty found in these narrations of the bible. The book of Joshua as a narrative story ought to be viewed as a literature in its study. This paper will go through a literary analysis of Joshua chapter seven and verses one to twenty-six, (Joshua 7:1-26). It is worth noting that the analysis that will be done is not exclusive and is not limited to further examination of the same. When one reads the whole chapter, one get to site a number of literary forms that have been used to spice up the narrative and to attract the attention of the reader. To start with, there is the presence of a catalogue. This is generally a list of enumeration of names, persons or even things and normally arranged alphabetically. In reference to this chapter, the first verse shows this where it shows the names of close relatives of Achan, for instance, Achan son of Carmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah.The names are alphabetically arranged. Secondly, the chapter has a number of dialogues. A dialogue is basically a literal work whereby two or more characters are represented as conversing. This is evident from the chapter where Joshua converses with men he had sent to go and spy over Ai (7:3). Another example is a dialogue between Joshua and God especially when they were defeated by men from Ai. There is also a dialogue between Joshua and the sinful Achan. Acrostic is yet another literary form found in this chapter. This is a statement expressing grief and mourning. This form is seen when the Israelites were defeated by men of Ai and thirty-six men were killed. A monologue is still another literary form used in this chapter. This is whereby a sole speaker normally directs his/her remarks to one audience or an individual. This is justifiable in verses 19 -20 between Joshua and Achan. Additionally, oracle is yet another literary form as found in this chapter. In general terms, an oracle is a divine communication which is evident in verses 13-14 of this chapter. Simile has been used whereby it is comparing two entities as performing the same function. For instance, in chapter 7:5, after the Israelites were defeated by men of Ai, they melted like water. The people are compared to how ice melts after receiving the news that they had been defeated in the battle and their men killed. There is also the use of metaphors in this chapter of the bible. A metaphor is basically a language used to add descriptive meaning and the meaning have little connotative similarity with the actual meaning. This can be exemplified from Joshua 7, 8 "Israel has turned their backs to their enemies" and in the following verse (9) ".cut off our name from the earth". These are just but a few of the literary forms found in this chapter. Question two: One interpretive issue or problem from the narrative of Joshua and provide an explanation of the problem and a resolution Joshua complaining to God (Joshua7:7-8) After the Israelites were defeated by men of Ai and thirty-six men killed, Joshua was dismayed. Earlier in the previous verse we see him going to the ark and tearing his clothes, fall face down and putting dust on his head. Later he is seen pausing three questions and two statements to God. The second question looks at these questions and statements as an issue derived from the narrative. Verse seven pauses the first question," Alas, O Lord God, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan " The word "alas" as expressed by Joshua shows a strong interjection perhaps of despair. According to this paper, by Joshua asking God, "Why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan" he (Joshua) was acting as if God was not in control or had made a fatal mistake. This was not the right reaction for Joshua to do. He viewed the defeat negatively thus seeing God in a negative perspective. The first statement appears in verse 7b "If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan" Just like Joshua, we always Fall short of focus when we loss sight of God. Joshua perhaps felt that his people would never move forward since they were defeated by people of Ai and perhaps it could have been better if he did not tell his people to go for war. Verse 8 holds the second question for God from Joshua. "O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies" Joshua asked God this question since he felt that his people would not follow him again due to the defeat. This was not right for him to ask God whom at the first place appointed him to lead His people and had in chapter six given him victory. In Joshua 7:9, Joshua gives a statement that reads as follows, "For the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will surround us and cut off our name" Joshua could have uttered these words, since he was more concerned with the negative impact of the defeat. He feared that his people would be attacked by their enemies. The third question Joshua asked God is found in verse 10, "And what will You do for Your great name Despite Joshua being filled with fear, we see his love for God manifesting in him. He feared that people would disregard Him as the mighty God and the creator and provider all things. To avoid asking God such questions in our day today living, we should trust in God no matter what one is going through. God never lets His people to walk alone. Question Three: Discuss the timeless theological and application principles in the passage After critical analysis of Joshua 7; 1-26, it is rather surprising to note that the sins of one person affected the whole nation. One may learn so many lessons from this chapter and be in apposition to apply whatever one learns in his daily living. This paper begins the application of the learnt lessons from the previous chapter. In chapter six, Joshua and his people are accorded victory from their enemies in contrast to what one reads, in this chapter which represents a number of failures. The victory of the battles in the previous chapter is suddenly replaced with morning and agony among the people of Joshua. This instance could probably teach us a big lesson in our daily life. It happens to most of us that in one moment we are victors and in the next minute in defeat. It is worth noting that there is only one step in the distance between victory and great failure. It is not a mirage whatsoever to be riding high on the clouds of spiritual success and the next couple of moments to find yourself in a valley of spiritual hopelessness. In relation to the context read, Ai was the next nation in the line of conquest while at the same time, the defeat of Israelites was fundamental to the conquest of the whole nation. Verse one of chapter seven shows that many are the times Christians are in great jeopardy of falling after an achievement. In most cases they forget that it was God who made them victors and start trusting and relying on themselves other than God. This paper is quick to note that one victory is never a guarantee for another but only comes when God wills since the basis of success is God alone. It is worth noting that God should always be made happy by respecting him at all times to avoid God's bitterness that may cause punishment on us just same way he help the whole nation of Joshua responsible for the sins of Achan. This resulted to God failing to bless the people of Jericho since God He took them as one and that whoever went against Him, made the rest to suffer. From the behavior of Achan, believers may learn that when individuals have hidden agendas of selfishness, this may ruin the whole group since such negative desires may cause trouble to the rest to the believers. Joshua and his men could have been defeated due to the overconfidence they had after a series of successful battles. According to verses 2-5, Joshua did not consult with his God to seek His blessings. Due to this, they assumed that God was always with them, they also took for granted the strength of their enemies as well as overestimating their own strength. Just like Joshua and his people, because of our wish to do things that bring great success, there is normally a predisposition to rush over without consulting or acknowledging the presence of God. This is unwise for believers since we do things in our own strength against God's wishes. Verse 5b of this chapter that reads, "So the hearts of the people melted and became as water" This shows that the people of Israel felt demoralized by the defeat. This showed that the people of Israel had lost hopes in their God rather than seeing themselves as the cause of the defeat. They started wondering whether God had deserted them and asking why they had to cross river Jordan. Like Joshua and his people, we are the same. Many are times when we become frustrated and disoriented due to small issues that affect us. We even try to come up with several reasons for defeat forgetting ourselves. More often than not, we try to blame other people assuming that we could not be the problem.This chapter also shows the leadership of Joshua being put to test. Just like many of God's leaders, the leadership roles of Joshua had to be tested. After the defeat by the people of Ai, Joshua felt guilt, self-pity and additionally, he doubted his capability to continue leading his people. He realized that he could not make any progress without the hand of God. Like Joshua, we sometimes expect great achievements but when they do not come we often doubt ourselves. Although we do not tear our clothes like Joshua, some of us kneel down, place our hands on the forehead and start sobbing. In conclusion, in as much as God is aware of our problems and fears, it is quite important for us to acknowledge Him. It is fundamental for us believers to search ourselves and look for the causes that defeat our life and most importantly the lessons that God wants us to learn from Him. Like Achan, it is important to learn that even if one confesses, one may not be forgiven without repentance. Work cited Donald Campbell, Joshua, Leader Under Fire, Victor Books, 1999, p. 65-9. Read More