What were the Israelites doing when Joshua heard the noise from the camp?
When Joshua heard the noise from the camp, the Israelites were shouting and singing in a celebration of worship around the golden calf. They were not being attacked; Moses corrected Joshua, saying the sound was not cries of defeat but the noise of singing, accompanied by dancing before the calf.
Les teaches that when Joshua heard the noise of the people, he thought there was war in the camp, assuming the people were being attacked and were screaming and yelling, running for their lives. But Moses told him to listen and said it was not the sound or voice of them that cry for being overcome, but the noise of them that sing. Moses then came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing. So the Israelites were having a celebration in the worship of the golden calf, not a battle.
And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
More Questions
Why did Joshua think there was war in the camp at the golden calf?
When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he told Moses there was noise of war in the camp, because he thought the people were being attacked and were screaming and yelling, running for their lives.