We all know the story – the Exodus, the wandering in the desert, and finally, the moment to claim their inheritance. But it wasn’t just a simple walk in the park. There were nations already there, powerful and not exactly thrilled to see the Israelites arriving. And Joshua, ever the strategist, knew that words could be just as important as swords.
According to Legends of the Jews, compiled by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, Joshua sent a letter ahead to these nations, a kind of "heads up" before they arrived. It wasn't just a polite invitation; it was a powerful declaration. He reminded them of all the miracles God had performed for Israel, a history of divine intervention that should make anyone think twice before messing with them. And he ended with a bold statement: "If the hero Japheth is with you, we have in the midst of us the Hero of heroes, the Highest above all the high."
Can you imagine receiving that letter? The reaction of those "heathen" nations must have been a mix of fear and disbelief. And it only intensified when Joshua's messenger started talking about the Israelite army's discipline, the sheer size of Joshua himself – reportedly five amot (ells) tall! — his regal attire, and a crown inscribed with the very Name of God. It was a full-on intimidation tactic.
But words can only go so far. After seven days, Joshua appeared with twelve thousand troops. And that’s when things got really interesting.
Enter the mother of King Shobach, described as a powerful witch. Not one to back down from a challenge, she used her magic to trap the Israelite army within seven walls. Talk about a magical checkmate! What could Joshua do?
He sent a carrier pigeon – yes, a carrier pigeon! — to Nabiah, king of the tribes east of the Jordan, urging him to come quickly with the priest Phinehas and, crucially, the sacred trumpets, the shofarot (plural of shofar).
Nabiah didn't waste any time. But before he even arrived, Shobach’s mother, the witch, realized her magic was failing. She saw a star rising in the East, a sign that her power was useless against the divine force backing the Israelites. In a fit of rage, Shobach threw his own mother from the wall! He didn't last much longer himself, falling to Nabiah in battle.
Finally, Phinehas arrived with the shofarot. And here's where the story takes a truly wondrous turn. At the sound of those trumpets, a blast of sacred sound, the walls toppled! Just like that.
A pitched battle followed, and according to the legend, the heathen were completely annihilated.
What does this all mean? It's more than just a war story. It's a reminder that even when we feel trapped, walled in by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, there's always hope. Joshua's story reminds us of the power of faith, of strategic thinking, and of the unwavering belief in something greater than ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, the right sound at the right time can bring down even the strongest walls.