Chapter 9 explains the presence of an indigenous minority in the Kingdom of Israel. The Gibeonites, who we all know as wood cutters and water carriers, tricked the Israelites into believing they were from a far away kingdom as Joshua troops advanced from Jericho. So, Joshua entered into a treaty with them–without consulting with God, p.s.–and when it was discovered they were practically neighbors, it was too late to reverse the treaty. That’s why Gibeonites are there even today.
Chapters 10 & 11 detail Joshua’s military victories. Notably, that time when the sun stood still for almost a day. “There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when YHWH listened to a human being. Surely YHWH was fighting for Israel!” Josh. 10:14. So, I guess those football prayers are worth a shot.
By the end of Chapter 11, Joshua has completely destroyed the Northern and Southern rulers of the land between the Jordan and the Mediterranean. This period features uncharacteristic obedience on the part of the Israelites and their ruler.
These stories demonstrate a longing for cultural, maybe even racial, “purity” that is pretty troubling. Particularly in light of the fact that unlike those telling these stories who never possessed the power fantasized about here, modern Israelis and their American allies do have the power to completely wipe out the occupants of the “Promised Land.” Is that happening now?