The nation of Israel is now inside the Promised Land.  They are poised to begin the conquest and take possession of the land God had promised them.  But then God asks them to do some silly things.  What would they do when God asked them to do something silly?  The same question might be asked of us today.  What do we do when God asks us to do something silly?  (By silly, I mean silly from a human perspective).  The requirement is the same as expected of Israel – obedience.