Problem: The text declares that “these are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated.” However, many of these cities were not captured until later (cf. Josh. 15:63; 17:12; Jud. 1:22, 29).
Problem: This verse declares that “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.” But earlier (in Joshua 10:42) it affirms that “all these kings and their land Joshua took at one time.”
Problem: During the battle with the kings of the land, God gave Israel the power to overcome their enemies. As the armies of the people of the land fled from before Israel, Joshua sought the Lord to cause the sun to stand still so that they might have sufficient daylight to complete the destruction of their enemies. But how could the sun stand still in the midst of the heaven for a whole day?
Problem: Joshua 9 records how the Gibeonites deceived Israel into thinking that they were not actually people from the land which God had commanded Israel to destroy, but were from a far country. Thus, Joshua and all Israel entered into a contract not to destroy them. However, when they discovered that the Gibeonites had deceived them and were actually people whom God had commanded Israel to destroy, why did Israel not ignore this contract and exterminate the Gibeonites as God had originally commanded?
Problem: Joshua 8:30 records that Joshua built an altar to the Lord on Mt. Ebal and offered burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings upon that altar. However, many passages indicate that the construction of high places was condemned by God (1 Kings 12:31; 15:14; etc.). How can Joshua’s altar be justified in light of God’s condemnation of high places?
What do we need in America? More Government? More freedom? What will stop our decline? Do we need a strong leader. I answer no to all this questions. The following is taken from a book called “Ordinary People, Extraordinary things” by Dr. Bruce Ballast. The following happend in 1857 in a country about to torn apart with civil war.
Problem: When Achan committed a capital crime against God, the Bible says the children were stoned along with their parents, and then “they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones” (v. 25). Yet the Scriptures insist that God does not punish the children for the sins of their parent (Ezek. 18:20), nor destroy the righteous with the wicked (Gen. 18:23).
Problem: This passage states that the Israelites “utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.” But how can such a ruthless destruction of innocent life and property be justified?
Problem: Joshua 6 records the conquest and destruction of the city of Jericho. If this account is accurate, it would seem that modern archaeological excavations would have turned up evidence of this monumental event. However, haven’t these investigations proven that the account in Joshua is inaccurate?
Problem: According to Joshua 3:17, the people crossed over the Jordan on dry ground. However, 4:5, 10–11 indicate that they had not yet crossed the river. How can these verses be reconciled?