The People Israel and the "Promised Land"

"The Promised Land" - A biblical history of the Hebrew people and their struggle for land.

The Hebrew people had their faith and their history intertwined. Much of how they struggled for land can be seen in biblical history. Other sources of their history are based on archaeological evidences. This article will focus on the former: their struggle for land according to the Scriptures.

The Fertile Crescent

From the earliest times, the Fertile Crescent was already the scene of a fierce struggle for land. This coveted area was periodically invaded by peoples from Arabia, Asia Minor, the Caucasian highlands, or Egypt - peoples who sought a strip of the good earth to call their own, or who fought to expand their territory, at the expense of others. Palestine by virtue of its geographical location was inevitably drawn into this incessant conflict. This little country, sometimes called Canaan, was the place where small nations fought for living space, and where big nations fought their wars. It was in this little country that the Hebrews came. Like other people in the ancient world, they were at first a landless people. Their faith in Yahweh, their God, led them to conquer land in order to fulfill their historical destiny. This led them to engage in conflict with many Canaanite natives. It was their faith in Yahweh that helped them win.

The Conquest of Canaan

In the book of Deuteronomy, the elevation of Joshua to leadership was a factor in the conquest of Canaan (see Deuteronomy chapter 34 and the book of Joshua). In Joshua 1:1-9, we see Yahweh summoning Joshua to lead Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land - a land extending from the southern wilderness to the high Lebanon ranges to the north...even beyond to the river Euphrates (see Genesis 15:18). Joshua is told that this segment of the Fertile Crescent will be Israel's land if they follow one condition: that the "book of the law" (the Deuteronomic Law) must be obeyed and studied diligently (Joshua 1:7-9). This is the key to success. Obedience to Yahweh's commands will be rewarded with victory and prosperity; but disobedience will bring the divine judgment of suffering and failure.

The Geography of Canaan

Canaan was the original name of the land that was in dispute between many peoples. (Palestine became its later name.) The most striking topographical feature of this land is the central backbone of hill country lying between the deep cleft of the Jordan and the coastland of the Mediterranean. The hill country is cut, in the area of Mount Carmel, by a valley known as Jezreel (or Esdraelon), which gives access to the Jordan Valley. In ancient times, the main military and commercial highway from Egypt to Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) ran along the coast, then turned into the Valley of Jezreel and veered northward to Damascus (in present day Syria). Important fortified cities were located along this route - notably Megiddo, which guarded the pass leading from the southern coastal plain into the Valley of Jezreel. Many decisive battles, both ancient and modern, have been fought for the control of this strategic pass and for the fertile valley.

Israel's Conquest of Canaan

Joshua 1-12 sets forth the dramatic story of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. In this story, we see how Joshua, through the help of Yahweh, won the land in three swift, decisive military campaigns. The whole land was given to the invading Israel tribes in a holy war "because Yahweh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel" (Joshua 10:42). The thoroughness of the conquest is detailed in Joshua 11:16-23. This story is the view of the Deuteronomistic historian, from which the traditions of this bibical narrative are sourced from. The writer uses these traditions: tribal stories, cultic legends, and maybe material from the Old Epic tradition that is also found in the other books of the Bible - Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers.

Evidence from Archaeology

With regard to the situation in Canaan (Palestine), the archaeological picture is blurred. On one hand, there is clear evidence that some fortified cities were violently destroyed, as indicated by layers of ash. On the other hand, some fortified cities that Joshua took, according to what the bible says, were not destroyed. This archaeological period is said to be the transition from the Late Bronze period (c. 1550-1200 B.C.E.) to the Early Iron period (c. 1200-900 B.C.E.). According to Joshua 6:24, Jericho was burned to the ground. However, archaeological investigation shows that the wall which supposedly "came tumbling down" actually dates back to the third millenium B.C.E. (before the Common Era) and was destroyed in the middle of the sixteenth century. Though this archaeological evidence may blur our knowledge of what the bible says of Israel's conquest of Canaan, we must see that archaeological evidences are meant to shed light on the truth and not to prove or disprove the biblical record.

Related resources:

"Understanding the Old Testament", by Bernhard W. Anderson

Memorial of Saints (November 13)

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini tried to enter the convent twice, but was declined admission for health reasons. She became a schoolteacher instead. But when the local bishop encouraged her to become a missionary, Frances organized a small community of sisters in 1880 A.D. She received papal approbation for her community in 1887 A.D. (her Rule would be approved years later). Her community took the name Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Upon seeking an audience with Pope Leo XIII, her community was commissioned to take care of some 50,000 Italian immigrants in the USA. They started their work in New York, and then extended it to Chicago, New Orleans and other USA cities. Frances and her communities also extended their work and foundation to France, Spain, Italy and in the other parts of the Americas (died 1917 A.D.).

St. Stanislaus Kostka walked from Vienna to Rome to plead his case with the Pope, because the Jesuit provincial in Vienna refused to admit him to the novitiate. On his way to Rome, Stanislaus encountered St. Peter Canisius, who encouraged the young man in his desire for a Jesuit vocation, but tested him by assigning him to menial tasks. Eventually, the master general of the Jesuits, St. Francis Borgia, accepted the young man. Stanislaus became a Jesuit novice, but died nine months after his admission to the novitiate. Stanislaus was known for his studious ways, deep religious fervor, and mortifications (died ca. 1568 A.D.).

St. Homobonus was a tailor and a cloth merchant in Cremona, Lombardy, in northwest Italy. He was so generous to the poor that he was called the "Father of the Poor". Of a middle-class family, he was canonized a saint only two years after his death - and during a time when almost all canonizations were for bishops, monks, martyrs and royal personages. St. Homobonus is the patron saint of tailors, shoemakers, garment workers, merchants and business people (died ca. 1197 A.D.).

St. Didacus lived as a recluse in his youth under the guidance of a priest. He then became a Franciscan lay brother at Arrizafa. He was sent to the missions in the Canary Islands, and then spent his last years in Franciscan friaries in Seville, Salcedo and Alcalā. St. Didacus was noted for his healing powers and miracles (died ca. 1463 A.D.).

St. Arcadius was a married man with children. He and his children were all exiled to Africa by Arian King Genseric, when they refused to adhere to the Arian beliefs. The Roman Martyrology records that they were tortured and the put to death. Listed among the children of St. Arcadius were: Paschasius, Eutychian, and Paulillus (died ca. 437 A.D.).

St. Brice was brought up by St. Martin of Tours. Before his change of heart, Brice became vain, overly ambitious, and held Martin in contempt. Despite this attitude, St. Martin was very patient with Brice. In time, Brice felt remorse and asked Martin's forgiveness. Eventually, he succeeded St. Martin as bishop of Tours in 397 A.D., but upon taking office, he reverted back to his old self. Because he neglected the needs of his diocese, Brice was exiled. He went to Rome and in the years of his exile there, he repented and mended his ways. Brice was able to return to his diocese and ruled it with such humility and holiness that he was venerated by the people at the time of his death (died ca. 444 A.D.).

St. Eugenius of Toledo became a cleric in the cathedral of Toledo, Spain, under St. Helladius. He then decided to become a monk at Saragossa. When he was appointed bishop of Toledo in 647 A.D., it was against his wishes, but he had to accede. He administered the see very well and was also known to be a good musician and poet - with writings that are still preserved to this day (died ca. 657 A.D.).

St. Maxellendis fled into hiding when her father insisted that she marry Harduin of Solesmes. It was against her wishes because she planned to enter a convent. Harduin and several of his friends sought her. When Maxellendis was discovered, she fought and struggled strongly against them. In his rage, Harduin killed Maxellendis. In an instant, Harduin was struck blind. When Maxellendis' body was brought to Caudry, Harduin begged forgiveness before Maxellendis' coffin and suddenly his sight was restored (died ca. 670 A.D.).

St. Kilian was a relative of St. Fiacre - an Irish hermit who was given large tracts of land for him to develop and build a hospice for travellers. Nothing much is known of Kilian save for his being born in Ireland and becoming a missionary to Artois, in Gaul (died ca. 7th century A.D.).

St. Nicholas I was elected pope in April 22, 858 A.D. and exhibited the courage and energy by which he became known. He insisted on the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage. Aside from concerning himself with the politics of his time, Nicholas also encouraged missionary activities. He sent St. Anskar as a missionary to Scandinavia and also sent missionaries to Bulgaria. But his noted achievement as pope was to restore the papacy to its highest prestige, without neglecting also the apostolates to the poor, matters of justice, and the reforms needed in the Church (died ca. 867 A.D.).

St. Abbo of Fleury entered the monastery of Fleury-sur-Loire, in present-day France. In 986 A.D., he became director of the monastery school in Ramsey, Huntingtonshire, England. When he returned to Fleury, he was elected abbot. St. Abbo became a diplomat - settling disputes and mediating between warring factions. Because of his zeal for peace, he was killed. Abbo was also widely known as a scholar and a writer (died ca. 1004 A.D.).

Sts. Nicholas Tavelic, Adeodatus Aribert, Stephen of Cueno and Peter Narbonne were Friar Minors. Nicholas was sent as a missionary to Bosnia and evangelized the people there for 20 years. Then he was sent to Palestine for another mission. It was here that he was arrested and imprisoned for preaching the Christian faith to the Moslems. Arrested together with him were: Adeodatus, Stephen and Peter. The four were hacked to death in Jerusalem (died ca. 1391 A.D.).

Sts. Aloysius Versiglia and Callistus Caravario were Salesians of Don Bosco. Aloysius led the first Salesian mission to China. After 15 years, he was consecrated bishop. Callistus was also sent to China as a missionary. Bishop Aloysius ordained Callistus and appointed him Vicariate of Shiu Chow in 1929 A.D. When the two missionaries defended the safety and virtue of three young Chinese women, they were arrested and put to death (died ca. 1930 A.D.).

St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church

St. Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor: ca. 400-461 A.D.

Feast day, November 10

Birth, diaconate, and election to papacy
There is no exact nor reliable information about the birth of St. Leo. But it was around the year 400 A.D. that he was probably born in Rome of Tuscan parentage. He served as a deacon under Pope Celestine I and Sixtus III, and achieved a certain eminence. He acted as peacemaker between Aetius and Albinus - imperial generals whose quarrels endangered Gaul from attacks by the barbarians. While in Gaul, Pope Sixtus died, and a deputation was sent to inform Leo that he had been elected to the papacy. St. Leo thus returned to Rome for his consecration on September 29, 440 A.D.

The Eutychian controversy
St. Leo at once began his pastoral duties with a series of ninety-six still extant sermons on faith and charity. He strenuously opposed Manichaeanism, Pelagianism, Priscillianism, and Nestorianism. In 448 A.D., he was faced with the Eutychian problem. Eutyches, an archimandrite in a monastery at Constantinople, denied the two natures of Christ in one person. St. Leo was able to resolve this Eutychian problem through the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. In the Council, St. Leo confirmed the doctrine of the Incarnation against Eutyches, who erred by professing and teaching that Christ had only one nature - His divinity. The bishops of the Council then endorsed the letter of St. Leo as regards this controversy and said: Peter has spoken through Leo.

Invasions by the Huns and the Vandals
In 452 A.D., Attila and his Huns, after overrunning Greece and Germany, invaded the northern cities of Italy, and were about to attack defenseless Rome, when he was dissuaded by Leo in a face-to-face meeting at Peschiera. St. Leo managed to convince Attila to spare Rome by offering him an annual tribute. Three years later, St. Leo was not as successful with the Vandal Genseric from Africa, who plundered and pillaged Rome for fifteen days, but agreeing not to burn the city. On his part, St. Leo ministered to the stricken populace and worked to rebuild the city and the churches. He also sent missionaries to Africa to minister to the captives Genseric took back with him.

Declared Doctor of the Church in 1754 A.D.
The reason St. Leo was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV in 1754 A.D., was because of his writings and sermons. Chief among the writings was his Tome, a famous letter he wrote to the Archbishop of Constantinople, Flavian, that expressed the Christian doctrine that Christ had two natures in one person: the human and the divine.

Aside from his major work the Tome, St. Leo produced also one hundred forty-three letters. It was his sermons that the Church prizes so much that it included them in the Office of Readings for such main feasts as Christmas and Epiphany. Five sermons of Leo on the Beatitudes are also included in the Office of Readings. A total of twenty-six of his sermons are thus excerpted in the Office of Readings - the same number as that of St. Ambrose's, and second only to St. Augustine's eighty-two sermons.

St. Leo died in Rome on November 10, 461 A.D., and his relics are now preserved in the Vatican Basilica.

References of this article

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• The Doctors of the Church vol 1, by John F. Fink
• A Year With the Saints, by Don Bosco Press, Inc.