by cameo-d 10 Replies latest watchtower bible
What does this mean?
Judges 1:19 And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
Chariots of iron sounds like they had Dodge Ram trucks or something. Or maybe armored tanks. What is your take on this?
I think you got this from the Atheist Bible quiz, yes? ;-)
Good point... it is intriguing that Almighty God is sweeping away one nation after another to fulfill his promise to his chosen people... but he runs into military technology and is simply baffled. He may consider the nations as a film of dust on the scales, but he seems to have some severe dust allergies...
It is worth noting that the period of the judges corresponds to the transition between the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age I in the ANE. Those who had the resources of having iron weapons and vehicles would have had a decided advantage in conflicts.
The theological view of Yahweh being hindered by the superior technology of the enemy is quite par for the course in the henotheism of the period. Yahweh is simply one god out of many and must confront the gods supporting the other nations in conflict with Israel; his success rises and falls with the success of the Israelites. Check out Judges 11:24 and compare with what King Mesha of Moab says about Chemosh and Yahweh in his own inscription.
Thanks, Leolaia.
Then what does it REALLY mean when it says "And the Lord was with Judah"?
It apparently didn't matter if the Lord was with him or not as the account clearly states that the superior technology of the enemy was the deciding factor.
"Then what does it REALLY mean when it says "And the Lord was with Judah"?"
Perhaps that is like the more modern phrase, "I'm behind you." (waaaaaaaay behind you...)
Regards,
Jim TX
Interesting isn't it? God's being is in a way comparable to that of a mortal man both in power and characteristics. Makes you think of only two possibilities Either "god" is mere reflection of human thoughts and wishful thinking in interpreting everything they see as works of god. (Something dubs do regularly). Hence sometimes things work out favorably and sometimes they don't. Or "god" was some sort of a living creature whose physical constraints are comparable to those of ordinary humans...alien perhaps? lol ;)
In connection with the apparent failure to overcome superior military technology, the New American Commentary (Judges, Ruth; p.100) says
However, the significance of the author's reference to the Canaanites' iron chariots lies in the theological implications of Judah's inability to overcome superior technology. In the light of Deut 7:1 - 3 and after the miraculous conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6), no one, no matter how technologically superior to the Israelites, should have been able to withstand Judah's attack. This verse must be read in the light of Josh 17:16 - 18, according to which Joshua had encouraged Ephraim and Manasseh by specifically declaring that the Canaanites' superior strength and their possession of iron chariots would be no hindrance to the Josephite tribes' conquest of the river valleys and plains. In our text (v.18a) the narrator explicitly attributes Judah's successes in the hill country not to equivalent military power but to the presence of Yahweh. Then why could they not take the lowland? Why is Yahweh's presence canceled by superior military thechnology? The narrator does not say, but presumably the Judahites experienced a failure of nerve at this point, or they were satisfied with their past achievements.
[End of Quote]
I can think of other examples that have a similar MO: The disciples inability to cast out a demon (Mt 17:14ff), Peter's inability to continue walking on water (Mt 14:28 - 31). Compare also Ex 15:25b - 26; 16:4, 5; Deut 8:2 - 5; 13:1 - 3; Jdg 3:1 - 6.
because they had chariots of iron.
I'd hate to be one of the horses that had to pull that puppy.
