Editing Book of Joshua (section)

=== Obedience ===

Obedience versus disobedience is a constant theme of the work.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Curtis|first=Adrian H.W|title=Joshua|publisher=Sheffield Academic Press|year=1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6pCu7R5ubdwC|isbn=978-1-85075-706-1}}</ref>{{rp|79}} Obedience ties in the Jordan crossing, the defeat of Jericho and [[Ai (Canaan)|Ai]], circumcision and Passover, and the public display and reading of the Law. Disobedience appears in the story of [[Achan (biblical figure)|Achan]] ([[Stoning|stoned]] for violating the ''herem'' command), the [[Gibeon (ancient city)|Gibeonites]], and the altar built by the Transjordan tribes. Joshua's two final addresses challenge the Israel of the future (the readers of the story) to obey the most important command of all, to worship Yahweh and no other gods. Joshua thus illustrates the central Deuteronomistic message, that obedience leads to success and disobedience to ruin.<ref name=Nelson />{{rp|20}}