How we cite our quotes:
Quote #4
As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no courage left in any of us because of you. The LORD your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. (NRSV 2:11)
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. (KJV 2:11)
Oh no, Rahab's heart melted! Not really, that would be really weird. Rahab is using metaphorical language to discuss how the people of Jericho are terrified of the Israelites and their God. Do you think Rahab really described her fear this way, or was the writer taking some creative license?
Quote #5
Joshua said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all, to hand us over to the Amorites so as to destroy us? Would that we had been content to settle beyond the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned their backs to their enemies! The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will you do for your great name?" The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! Why have you fallen upon your face? (NRSV 7:7-10)
And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? (KJV 7:7-10)
In Joshua 7, the Israelites lose what should have been an easy battle against a small army at Ai, but because of outlying reasons, God is not with them in battle. Joshua moans and groans, but God essentially tells him to "buck up." Is God always about the tough love?
Quote #6
They answered Joshua, "Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; so we were in great fear for our lives because of you, and did this thing. And now we are in your hand: do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us." (NRSV 9:24-25)
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. (KJV 9:24-25)
The Gibeonites, being crafty, decide to dress up like weary travelers to infiltrate the Israelites. This scheme requires quite a bit of courage considering Israel's sterling battlefield reputation. We're not sure if this is true bravery, or complete foolishness. Sometimes it's hard to tell them apart.