Inheriting the Land (Part 1)
and wiping out Canaanite attitudes
Sometimes I think I live with a bunch of Canaanite children, and by that I mean people who have yet to come under the rulership of God in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Maybe that’s why I can’t seem to stop reading the book of Joshua. I’ve been stuck there for weeks. Whenever I pick up the Bible, I’m drawn to Joshua’s first few chapters again and again. There, God tells Joshua:
Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them . . . Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Joshua 1:2, 6, NIV)
Perhaps God’s words to Joshua might encourage us who are trying to lead our churches, homes, and lives in the hope of spreading God’s kingdom. If this is the case, it seems only wise that we understand more about this metaphorical land we’ll inherit, as well as the people who live in it.
The Historical People of the Land of Canaan
Several ethnic cultures occupied the Promised Land during the time of the Judges. According to archaeology, these cultures were the Canaanites, Edomites, Moabites, Amonites, Arameans, and the Philistines (as well as other sea people from the Aegean and Anatolian regions).1
Each of these cultures represented a certain branch of humanity in the Old Testament.
Canaanites were descendants of Ham, who looked at his drunk father’s nakedness.
The Edomites were descendants of Esau, who sold his birthright when he was hungry.
The Moabites and Ammonites were the descendants of Lot, who was made drunk and slept with by his daughters.
The Philistines were the people group that terrorized the Israelites during the times of the judges and early monarchy.
The Arameans were the descendants of Shem, one of Noah’s sons, who acted honorably when Noah was drunk. Rebekkah, Leah, and Rachel came from Aram. And the Aramaic language comes from this people group as well.
Let’s pretend that each of these ethnic groups represents certain belief systems or trends in our churches, homes, and selves. And that we are to drive these attitudes and beliefs out of us. What might these beliefs be? Let’s explore some possibilities.
Because this blog ended up rather long, I’m splitting this study into several parts to be published on Sundays. Click the link after next Sunday to keep reading.
Mazar, Amihai. Archaeology of the Land of the Bible: 10,000-586 B.C.E. (Doubleday: New York, 1990).