Re: [asa] Re: asa-digest V1 #6228

The point that wiping them all out is often hyperbolic also applies to
interpretation of the Flood. It destroyed all that breathed, which is
invoked as proof that it was a global flood killing all breathing animals
that weren't on board the ark. However, the only other use of the phrase is
in Joshua, asserting that the invasion of Canaan killed all who breathed.
Not all the Canaanites were killed (Rahab's family, Gibeonites, and whoever
wasn't in the battles and were left behind for the mop-up operations
enjoined in the latter chapters of Joshua but not done as evident from
Judges). Apart from a few sites that were totally destroyed, livestock were
not killed, and there was no effort at wiping out breathing wildlife.

The fact that Saul gets in trouble for failing to destroy the Amalekite king
and livestock illustrates a difference between the holy war in the OT and
that of the crusades or jihads. In the latter, one earned merit by
participating in the fight; in the former, one was still fully accountable
and could be transferred to the "to be destroyed" category through
disobedience, e.g. Achan or, much later, the nations of Israel and Judah.

-- 
Dr. David Campbell
425 Scientific Collections
University of Alabama
"I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"
To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.