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Two themes have dominated scholarly interpretation of the book of Joshua within the past century: the literary "discovery" of the Deuteronomistic History and the archaeological detection of evidence related to Israel's occupation of Canaan. In this newest volume in the series Reading the Scriptures, Rachel M. Billings addresses the fragmentation often brought about by these developments and offers a more holistic reading of Joshua, which joins theological sophistication with an emphasis on its meaning and purpose as a literary work.
Through a hermeneutical and literary lens, Billings analyzes the story of Rahab and Achan, the stories of the Gibeonites and the Transjordanian altar, and the theme of the completeness of Israel's taking of the land of Canaan. She argues that the way in which the book of Joshua presents these materials reminds Israel of the dynamic nature of its identity as YHWH's people—an identity that demands a continued response of obedience parallel to YHWH's ever-unfolding work on Israel's behalf. The book of Joshua portrays Israel's obedience as not merely an unattainable ideal or a thing of the past, but a living reality that unfolds when YHWH's people acknowledge His claim upon them and strive to serve Him.
“This welcome, well-written, and well-argued book reconciles various literary tensions within the Book of Joshua. It is a positive contribution to furthering knowledge of Biblical studies, Biblical theology, and the literary study of the Hebrew Bible . . . Billings’s keen interpretation awakens the reader to the mercy that is divinely given in the book.” —Catholic Library World
“Rachel M. Billings’s impressively composed and focused book . . . is a valuable addition to the University of Notre Dame Press’s Reading the Scriptures series, as it offers a learned study of a significant yet understudied text from the Hebraic canon. . . . Billings makes a viable contribution to recent scholarship directed at unearthing the theological, political, and hermeneutical imports available in the Hebrew scripture.” —Comitatus
"Rachel M. Billings rejects both historicist and ironic readings of the text. In her hands Joshua becomes instead a powerful statement of a theological ideal, an ideal that is self-critical as well as aspirational. Her reading represents one of the best examples I have seen of what can be called 'canonical' interpretation: a literarily sensitive reading of the received form of the text in relation to its canonical context, its historical 'depth dimension,' and its theological subject matter." —Stephen B. Chapman, Duke Divinity School
"Rachel M. Billings reads the book of Joshua in a theologically complex manner that acknowledges the various literary tensions within the book to illuminate the larger theology of Joshua. This book makes an engaging contribution to the field of biblical studies in the area of biblical theology and the literary study of the Hebrew Bible." —Joel Kaminsky, Smith College
"In exceptionally clear and accessible language, Rachel Billings uncovers a rich and sophisticated vein of theological thinking in the book of Joshua that has eluded other scholars. Her book is learned, instructive, and often moving as well. I recommend it highly." —Jon D. Levenson, Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies, Harvard University
Rachel M. Billings is an independent scholar in Holland, Michigan.
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Fragmentation of the Book of Joshua
1. “Israel Served the Lord”: A Hermeneutical Key
2. The Stories of Rahab and Achan
3. The Gibeonites and the Transjordanian Altar
4. The Extent of Israel’s Occupation of the Land
Conclusion: Israel Did Serve the Lord in the Book of Joshua
Notes
Bibliography
Index