Synopsis:
This unique commentary generates a conversation between the biblical narrative of conquest, related biblical themes, and the American master narrative of Manifest Destiny. Writing in an accessible style and format, Hawk offers an exegesis of the biblical text with special emphasis on the ways the narrative of conquest shaped ancient Israel's identity as a people. A second level of commentary lifts key themes from the text (e.g., the land as divine gift and promise, mass killing, Israel's distinctive attributes, the construction of the Indigenous Other) and sets them within their broader biblical context. A third dimension reflects on corresponding elements in America's narrative of "westward expansion" (e.g. the conviction of America's unique character and destiny, total war and ethnic cleansing, the dehumanization of Native peoples, patriotism and homeland, the idea of the American Dream). As a whole, this book offers Joshua as a biblical resource for reading the American experience, challenging readers to reflect on how conquest shaped America's identity and how it continues to influence American attitudes and actions.

Endorsement:

"An informative, provocative commentary on Joshua by a master interpreter. Hawk brings the ancient book to life as the narrative about Israel's identity. But that's not all: Hawk creatively gives us 'Joshua for today'--'old' Joshua's perspective on America's national identity narratives. If you're asking, 'What does it mean to be a Christian in twenty-first century America?' this is the book for you. I commend it highly."
--Robert L. Hubbard Jr.
Professor of Biblical Literature
North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago

Author Biography:
L. Daniel Hawk is Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. He is the author of Every Promise Fulfilled (1991) and Joshua (Berit Olam, 2000).