Religious intolerance, as depicted in the Bible, often involves the rejection or suppression of religious beliefs and practices that are contrary to the worship of the one true God. The figure of Joshua, a central character in the Old Testament, exemplifies this concept through his leadership in the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of Israelite worship in the Promised Land.

Joshua's Role and Mission

Joshua, the successor of Moses, was appointed by God to lead the Israelites into Canaan, a land inhabited by various pagan nations. His mission was not only a military conquest but also a spiritual cleansing of the land from idolatry and false worship. The Lord commanded Joshua to destroy the Canaanite nations and their religious practices to prevent the Israelites from being led astray. This directive is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where the purity of worship was paramount.

Biblical Commands and Actions

The Book of Joshua records several instances where religious intolerance is evident through divine commands and Joshua's actions. In Joshua 6:17-21, the fall of Jericho is described, where the city and its inhabitants were devoted to destruction, except for Rahab and her family, who were spared due to her faith in the God of Israel. The text states, "The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to destruction for the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the spies we sent" (Joshua 6:17).

Similarly, in Joshua 10:40, the comprehensive nature of Joshua's campaign is highlighted: "So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded" (Joshua 10:40). These actions were not merely acts of war but were seen as fulfilling divine commands to eradicate idolatry and establish a land dedicated to the worship of Yahweh.

Theological Justification

From a theological perspective, Joshua's actions are justified within the narrative as necessary for the preservation of Israel's covenantal identity. The Canaanite religions were characterized by practices that were abhorrent to the God of Israel, including child sacrifice and ritual prostitution. The eradication of these practices was seen as essential to prevent the Israelites from adopting them and thus breaking their covenant with God.

The intolerance towards Canaanite religions is further underscored by the warnings given to the Israelites about the dangers of syncretism. In Joshua 23:6-8, Joshua exhorts the people to remain faithful to the Law of Moses and to avoid associating with the remaining nations: "Be very strong, therefore, to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you do not turn aside from it to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you. Do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. Do not serve them or bow down to them" (Joshua 23:6-7).

Legacy and Impact

Joshua's legacy of religious intolerance, as depicted in the biblical narrative, serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the purity of worship and the dangers of religious syncretism. His actions, while harsh by modern standards, are portrayed as acts of obedience to divine commands, aimed at establishing a society centered on the worship of the one true God. This narrative underscores the biblical theme of God's holiness and the call for His people to be set apart from the surrounding nations.Numbers 11:24-28
And Moses went out, and told the people the words of the LORD, and gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them round about the tabernacle.
Nave's Topical Index

Memoir of John Bunyan
... habits, were ill suited to the religious restraints of ... 58] 'after his wonted manner.'
He exemplified the character ... the tiny blast of rams'-horns (Joshua 6:20 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... Though Israel had a sharp voyage through the wilderness, yet Caleb and Joshua, men
of excellent spirits, had their eye upon the good land they were going to. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

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