It is written:
“9 She said, “I know that the LORD has given this land to your people. You frighten us. Everyone living in this country is afraid of you. 10 We are afraid because we have heard about the ways that the LORD helped you. We heard that he dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt. We also heard what you did to the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og. We heard how you destroyed those kings living east of the Jordan River. 11 When we heard about this, we were very afraid. And now, not one of our men is brave enough to fight you, because the LORD your God rules the heavens above and the earth below! 12 So now, I want you to make a promise to me. I was kind to you and helped you. So promise me before the LORD that you will be kind to my family. Please tell me that you will do this. 13 Tell me that you will allow my family to live—my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all their families. Promise me that you will save us from death.” 14 The men agreed and said, “We will trade our lives for yours. Don’t tell anyone what we are doing. Then, when the LORD gives us the land, we will be kind to you. You can trust us.” (Joshua 2:9-15)
The people of Canaan had heard about the power of God, and they were terrified of the Hebrews. Incredibly, the Amarna Tablets (which chronicle the Hebrew invasion of the land of Canaan), provide corroboration of these things as well. Cooper (Bill Cooper, The Authenticity Of The Book Of Joshua, 255-294, Kindle Edition) tells us of some of the concern that the Canaanite kings and leaders had about the Jewish people:
“Now he is like the Hebrew, a runaway dog…’ (EA 67:17).
“The war of the Hebrew hosts against me is most severe…”. (EA 68:18).
“Through the Hebrews his auxiliary force is strong!….Let him not gather together all the Hebrews….”. (EA 71:21 & 29).
“Kill your lord and join the Hebrews…and all the lands will be joined to the Hebrews….” (EA 73:29 & 33).
“They were won over following his message, and they are like Hebrews….that the entire country be joined to the Hebrews.” (EA 74:29 & 36).
“The war, however, of the Hebrews against me is severe…The Hebrews killed Aduna, the king of Irqata, and so they go on taking territory to themselves.” (EA 75:10 & 27).
“He has just gathered together all the Hebrews against Sigata and Ampi, and he himself has taken these two cities.” (EA 76:18).
“…speak to your lord so that he will send you at the head of the archers to drive off the Hebrews…” (EA 77:24 & 29).
“….all the Hebrews…have turned against me…If there are no archers, then all lands will be joined to the Hebrews. Listen!” (EA 79:10 & 20).
“He said to the men of Gubla, ‘Kill your lord, and be joined to the Hebrews like Amiya.’” (EA 81:13).
“All the Hebrews are on his side…he is strong.” (EA 82:9).
“The Hebrews have taken the entire country!” (EA 83:17).
“…the Hebrews have gone to Yapah-Hadda in Beirut so an alliance might be formed….the lands have been joined to the Hebrews…lest he gather together all the Hebrews and they seize the city.” (EA 85:41, 73 & 78).
“Let an elite force, together with chariots, advance with you, that I may drive the Hebrews from the gate.” (EA 87:21).
“But if the king my lord does not give heed to the words of his servant…all the lands of the king as far as Egypt will be joined to the Hebrews.” (EA 88:34).
“You yourself have been negligent of your cities, so that the Hebrew dog takes them.” (EA 90:25).
“Why have you sat idly by and done nothing, so that the Hebrew dog takes your cities?…I hav just heard that he has gathered all the Hebrews to attack me!” (EA 91:5 & 24).
“They would attack me and I would be unable to get out, and Gubla would be joined to the Hebrews. They have gone to Ibirta, and an agreement has been made with the Hebrews.” (EA 104:49-54).
“If this year there are no archers, then all lands will be joined to the Hebrews. Behold, members of the (Hebrew) army have entered Akka…” (EA 11:21).
“I paid 13 shekels of silver and a pair of mantles as the hire of the Hebrews…” (EA 112:46).
“…all my towns have been joined to the Hebrews…”. (Ea 116:38).
“There is treachery against me…all the lands will belong to the Hebrews…What am I to do? May the king send a garrison and men from Meluhha to guard me. May the city not be joined to the Hebrews!” (EA 117:58 & 94).
“Behold…the Hebrews will seize the city!” (EA 118:38).
“…the sons of Abdi-Asiata have said to the Hebrews and the men who have joined them…”. (EA 121:21).
“Should Gubla be joined to the Hebrews…” (EA 127:22).
“They have won the lands for the Hebrews…”. (EA 129.94).
“They are like dogs, and there is no one ho wants to serve them. What am I, who live among the Hebrews, to do?” (EA 130:38).
“Now Aziru has gathered all the Hebrews…” (EA 132:21).
“All the cities that the king put in my charge have been joined to the Hebrews…a man that will lead the archers of the king to call to account the cities that have been joined to the Hebrews, so you can restore them to my charge….”. (EA 144:26 & 30).
“The king of Hasura has abandoned his house and has aligned himself with the Hebrews…He has taken over the land of the king for the Hebrews.” (EA 148:43 & 45).
“He has made Amurru an enemy territory, and has turned over all the men in the cities of the king….to the Hebrews.” (EA 179:22).
There are, indeed, many other references that could be cited.
Yet these are sufficient to remind us that, through this venue, archaeology has again helped to verify the narrative of the Bible. When skeptics of the Scriptures tell you that the Book of Joshua is fake, remind him of the Amarna Tablets and their detailed confirmation of this incredible Book of the Bible!
“It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries. They form tesserae in the vast mosaic of the Bible’s almost incredibly correct historical memory.” (Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert: A History of the Negev (New York: Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, 1959), 31).
This also reminds us that God will be merciful to all who will turn to Him. Why not obey His plan of salvation today (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Acts 2:38)?
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