Joshua 10:16-43 - Israel's Southern Campaign

Joshua 10:16-43

Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.” (verse 25)

Message: Israel's Southern Campaign

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: At this point in seizing the land of Canaan or gaining what God has promised them, they have achieved about 50% of the land. 5 Amorite kings joined together to attack Gibeon, a city that had a treaty with Joshua. Gibeon summoned Joshua and they came and with God on their side, the 5 kings were conquered. They not only were slayed but they were pursued, chasing after them and their armies after they fled. 

The 5 kings fled to a cave at Makkedah (v.16-17). Joshua told the men to roll large stones in front of the cave, to keep them in there and to guard the cave (v.18). Meanwhile, the people that fled from the battle with Israel, fled to their cities, but Joshua says to the people of Israel, "pursue your enemies and attack them in the rear. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand. (v.19)" Most were conquered. 

Then Joshua returns to the cave at Makkedah and brings out the 5 kings (v. 22-23) and invites the commanders/chiefs of Israel's armies to "put your feet on the necks of these kings (v.24)." And Joshua assures the people of Israel "Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight (v.25)." We are not simply strong and courageous out of self motivation or a self-challenge to stand tall above the rest of people, we are strong and courageous because the Lord is on our side, because the Lord is going to conquer our enemies. This is the overriding lesson from the book of Joshua thus far - with the Lord on our side, no one has a chance against us. God will win in the end, but it may look differently on this earth, at times. It may look like others are out in front. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and this movie I watched recently about his life. Bonhoeffer is hanged after standing up for Jesus. He dies a martyr and I suppose that is my point, martyr's do die at times but these are people that lived their lives for principles that are eternal. 

In the Bible the imagery is present of conquering of placing one under the sole of their feet. I Kings 5:3, "You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet." Psalm 47:3, "He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet."

Thus Joshua was making a point to the commanders and the people of Israel that God is on our side and when this is present our enemies fall. 

Summary: The five Amorite kings end up in a cave, and Joshua has the commanders of the army put their feet on their necks of these kings showing God is on their side and they will defeat their enemies.

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We may not go into battle against other cities, but if we are complacent or neglectful, the world, the flesh, and the devil can rise up again to attack us even if we seem to have conquered them."

Prayer: God you are good. You are holy and true. Your ways are right and perfect. You are a God of order and a God that provides for your people and protects them. Thank you for holding us safe. It is sad to see so many choosing a different path and following different ways. You are to be praised and glorified and I do that. Thank you for going into battle for Israel and help me to always trust in You for everything. 

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Joshua 10:1-15 - The Sun Stands Still

Joshua 10:1-15

Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai...and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were within their land, that he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. Therefore this king sent word to (4 other) kings to attack Gibeon...and they camped by Gibeon and fought against it.

The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua...saying, “Do not abandon your servants...and the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” So Joshua came upon them suddenly...and slew them...and pursued them...and as they fled...the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them...and they died.

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord...

“O sun, stand still at Gibeon,

And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.”

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,

Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies.

Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. There was no day like that before it or after it, when the Lord listened to the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel (excerpts).

Message: The Sun Stands Still

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: I continue to walk through these passages in Joshua - and the story of the Lord delivering the house of Israel into the land of Canaan, a land He had promised them. Moses had not been successful in taking them here, so Joshua completes that conquest of the Promised Land. In these passages, I notice the Lord speaking and providing the means to conquer situations that look daunting. I think these are miracles (parting waters of Jordan, falling the walls of Jericho) and following these is the people celebrating or commemorating these works of God. 

In this reading today, Adoni-zedek hears that Joshua had captured Ai and so Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, calls his allies together, four neighboring Amorite rulers, to resist Joshua and instead attack Gibeon. Verse 12 speaks of "delivered up the Amorites" and so the Amorites are a people group of Canaan. Some say Canaanites are interchangeable with Amorites, or the Amorites are a people group of Canaan. 

Israel controls about half the land of Canaan. With these kings arriving as a group and now attacking Gibeon, the men of Gibeon send word to Joshua asking for help, stating, "Do not abandon your servants, come quickly." Joshua responds and the Lord promises, "I have given them into your hands." And they were conquered by Joshua and his men with the Lord throwing large stones from heaven on them. With God by their side, they are overcomers. 

And then a miracle occurs whereby the sun stands still for an entire day and does not go down. What occurs here is hard to define. But we know God intervened. 

Summary: Allies King of Jerusalem and Amorite Kings go to Gibeon to attack, but Joshua comes to slay them with stones from heaven and the sun appearing to stand still. 

Promise: God does not leave us alone and continues to fight for us today. 

Prayer: O God, your mercy and your protection for your people, your called one's, is a wonder. Thank you for showing through Your word Your protection of Your people. Thank you for these stories that can encourage me today. That you are with me and continue to fight for your people. Help us to remember this and not be focused on our setbacks. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Philippians 1:28-30 - Living for Jesus

Philippians 1:28-30

Message: Living for Jesus, Living Like Jesus Part 2

Time: AD 62. One of the 4 prison epistles. 

What the Lord is Saying: This was the sermon yesterday. We showed up late for church, went in and sat against the back wall in 2 seats by ourselves. He was doing the message, making his points. His points were from 28 about the opposition that we face in the world and that it is not a reason for fear, is evidence of an approaching judgment, and is proof someone is a genuine disciple. All good thoughts. And then with 29-30 the idea of Salvation is a gift, Suffering is a privilege and Trials are to be expected. All good thoughts, but to get into it I took the verse and wrote them out myself. 

28 

in no way alarmed by [your] opponents 

    opponents are present and that is a reality, but we are not alarmed by their opposition as it is expected; makes me think that the evil and this world is contrary to the gospel and it is so; we are to keep being    a people of integrity

which is a sign of destruction for them

    their persecution is the sign of their response to the gospel; in the KJV it speaks of leading to their  perdition or their loss or separation from God for all eternity

but of salvation for you, and that, from God 

    let their alarm be to me confirmation of the truth I have and being saved and this salvation is from God; their hostility is a confirmation to me of the gospel  

29

For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake 

    Salvation is for me and persecution; the gospel is for me, on behalf of Christ and what he has done. And it has been granted so it is a privilege; Acts 5:41, Peter and John "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." 

not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. 

    I am not merely a believer. There are many that think the Christian life is about believing, but rather it is about suffering. I suffer for Christ, on behalf of Christ, and with Christ. 

30

experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me

    There is a conflict between believing and suffering; Paul experienced this

and now hear in me.

Summary: It is a privilege to suffer, to join with Christ in His suffering and this clearly shows the separation between those called and those not called. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for your great words of truth and they beauty of these words. And how I am to submit to You and your ways. I see Lord that what I want in faith is sometimes contrary to this. I want everyone to end up in heaven and for there to be just different levels. But help me to not make your truth simply something that I want it to be, but help me to surrender to You and submit to You. I want to glorify You, not me. 

 

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Joshua 9 - Grace for the Gibeonites

Joshua 9

All the kings who were beyond the Jordan...gathered together with one accord to fight with Joshua and with Israel...They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”...Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live...they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land...and the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders...“Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you are living within our land?"..."Because...we feared greatly for our lives because of you."...Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. 

Message: Grace for the Gibeonites

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far, my study of Joshua: After Moses' death, the Lord calls Joshua to lead Israel to the land of Canaan, promising to be with them every step of the way. The Lord encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous as he goes across the Jordan toward Canaan, remembering God's law, and being careful to follow it. Joshua commands the people to prepare to cross the Jordan and possess Canaan. The people respond in obedience to his words. Joshua sends spies to Jericho and Rahab hides them, protects them and states her faith and belief in God and wants to be protected in the future from any wrath coming.  The Lord sends the ark of the covenant (His presence) ahead of Israel in crossing the Jordan to Canaan and stills the water of the Jordan to show them His power now and in the future. The Lord asks Joshua to have 12 stones brought from the Jordan to Gilgal for a memorial of God providing his people the means to cross the Jordan. The people of the land of Canaan are amazed at God's provision. The sons of Israel are circumcised and Passover is held for the 3rd time and then the manna ceases to be provided by God. Joshua encounters a man with a sword and realizes he is Lord and this man's servant, captain of the host of the Lord, who resides on holy ground. The Lord provides the fall of Jericho, a city where people do detestable things, sinning against the Lord and with a shout, the walls of Jericho fall. The people of Israel next go to Ai, but here they take in casualties due to one family disobeying God at Jericho and not being obedient to the Lord and ultimately their lives are taken. The Lord leads Joshua on the people back to Ai to conquer it, showing them a way to ambush the people, with the end result of the king of Ai being cursed, hanging on a tree. Joshua leads Israel to build an Altar at the Mount of Ebal, at Shechem as commanded previously, to worship the Lord, renewing our commitment to Him. 

Chapter 9 - Here we have a group of kings that surround the area where Joshua is at now, ready together to fight him. In verse 3, Gibeonites are on the scene. They would like to make a covenant with Joshua. Undoubtedly, they have heard about how the Lord has led Joshua and in the process kings have fallen, towns have been overtaken and the people killed and these people are obviously sensing what might happen to them. Israel had a need to make covenants with people outside of the land of Canaan, but 3 days later it is discovered they are not outside of Canaan but in fact are current neighbors to Israel, "living within their land." Joshua spares them. They had already made an oath to them (verse. 15) so despite the news they would not go back on their words and they would let them live, but they did receive a curse (verse 22). 

Summary: The Gibeonites are spared by Joshua and Israel despite deceiving but Joshua had already made a covenant promise with them. 

Promise: The Israelites were deceived because they did not ask counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14). 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be an honest person. Forgive me for my dishonesty and making it out often that I am someone I am not. Thank you for your grace that you show me each day. 

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Joshua 8:30-35 - Covenant Renewal on Ebal

Joshua 8:30-35

Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord...just as Moses had commanded...of uncut stones...and they offered burnt offerings....and sacrificed peace offerings, and he wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses...and all Israel....half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal...he read all the words of the law. 

Message: Covenant Renewal on Ebal

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: As expected, after the Lord has led the people to conquer Jericho and Ai, performing a significant work for the Lord, an altar is built to commemorate the event and memorialize this event. Lives had been lost at Ai unfortunately, but now a time of worship was in order. Moses is referenced as the one that directed or commanded this. And they read from the word of the Lord at this event. 

From Tabletalk, "The worship occurred in the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (v. 33). This valley lay twenty miles north of Ai, in the hill country, and the city of Shechem was located there. God appeared to Abram at Shechem centuries earlier, promising to give his descendants the land (Gen. 12:6–7). Jacob later owned land and dwelled near the city of Shechem (33:18–20). God was indeed keeping His promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, for Joshua and the nation stood in the very place pledged to the descendants of the patriarchs.

This event at Mount Ebal was commanded previously in Deuteronomy 27:1-8, "1 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. 2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. 3 And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4 And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; 6 you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut1 stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

Each Sunday we gather at our churches - to recommit ourselves to the covenant of the Lord, hear the curses for rejecting the Cross, and agreeing with the blessings for obeying it. We are to worship the Lord and be in covenant responsibility toward the Lord always. Each week we commit again to the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, trusting Him for eternal life. We think about where we have failed Him and we commit once again to live lives in obedience to Him. 

Summary: Joshua leads Israel to build an Altar at the Mount of Ebal, at Shechem as commanded previously, to worship the Lord, renewing our commitment to Him. 

Promise: All of God’s people—children and adults—should participate in the corporate worship of our God

Prayer: Thank you Lord for reminding me what church is about. It is a time for me each week to gather with other believers and renew my commitment to the Lord. I am to see that You have saved me, that there is a consequence for not committing my life to the Lord and each week I am renewing my covenant before You - to live in a way that honors You. I am reminded of truths and there are many of these truths given to me. At times Lord, I admit feeling overwhelmed by my responsibility to love and honor You. I have trouble grasping it all but keep me centered on your Grace and while I need to remain committed, you shower me with grace and forgiveness and it is you that are working. You began the good work in me and you will complete it. Thank you for living in me and reminding me each week of how you are working. 

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Joshua 8:1-29 - The Israelites Conquer Ai

Joshua 8:1-29

Now the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. (v.1)

Message: The Israelites Conquer Ai

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 7 was a little setback in their conquest of Canaan. Because of the sin of Achan and his desire to take from some of the loot that was seized through the falling of Jericho, there were men lost in the battle at Ai. This time then the Lord says to Joshua to take everyone with you to Ai (v.1) and Ai will be like Jericho, taking only its spoil and cattle as plunder (v.2). 30,000 went (v. 3).  They will bring the people out of the city and once that is done will set the city on fire (v.4-8). The people came up and camped on the north side of Ai (v.11). Joshua set some people in front of the city, about 5,000 and the king of Ai saw this, not realizing that there were more on the other side: an ambush (v.12-14). All of Ai pursued those in front leaving the city unguarded (v.15-17). What resulted was a setup or trap of the people of Ai, with Israel killing all of the inhabitants of Ai after setting fire to Ai. All the people of Ai numbered 12,000 (v.18-25). The king of Ai was hung and then threw it to front of the City among stones (v. 16-29). 

The Tabletalk reading today infers several ideas from the king hanging on the tree.

1. It was a sign to the Israelites that God’s curse was on the Canaanites and that the Lord remained determined to expel them from the land, since a body hanged on a tree was cursed by God. 

2. It was a warning to any other Canaanites who might have seen it that they would meet the same fate if they did not leave the land. 

3. It was a reminder to Israel of the severe consequences of resisting the Lord. Persistent, impenitent disobedience leads to death whether or not one is part of God’s covenant people. After all, the Israelite Achan, no less than the king of Ai, was killed for breaking God’s law.

Death is the result of every person. The image of Jesus hung on a tree for us is a reminder now to all people everywhere that death is the outcome of each person. And yet God conquers death if we trust in Him and walk in His ways. We are to be a people trusting in God. 

Summary: The Lord leads Joshua on the people back to Ai to conquer it, showing them a way to ambush the people, with the end result of the king of Ai being cursed, hanging on a tree. 

Promise: The way to have the comfort of what God allows us, is, to keep from what he forbids us. 

Prayer: Lord, I was encouraged by my friend Bobby yesterday as he took what was troubling him before you. Today, what I am struggling with is getting the work before me completed. There are many things before me and I am struggling to get them done, but rather want to focus on what is the immediate or even things that do not matter much. Help me dear God to take the time to write out a plan, to document the path. I need to get things done and I need your strength to get it done. I do not have a good attitude about things. Help me to have better direction in my life. Strengthen me. Show me the path you would have me walk and let me trust You in obedience. 

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Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin at Ai

Joshua 7

So the Lord said to Joshua, "Rise up! Why is that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have been taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things. Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you any more unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. - (v. 10-12)

Message: Achan's Sin at Ai

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: At Jericho, the Lord God tells Joshua that Jericho will crumble and within the City the goods or treasures of the City will be devoted to the Lord (v. 17), to be burned and only the treasures (bronze, gold, silver, and iron) will be spared and again go into a treasury (v. 19) - thus for the use of the tabernacle. In Chapter 7, it states that Achan from the tribe of Judah took some of the things that were devoted to the Lord, under the ban or accursed (v. 1). Joshua sends spies to the land of Ai (v.2) and they said only to send 3,000 men for the people of Ai are few (v. 3). But the men of Ai struck down 36 of their men (v. 5). Joshua is broken by this and wonders now before the Lord why He has led them to this when they could have stayed near Jordan (v. 6-9). The Lord show Joshua that the sons of Israel sinned and so turned their backs on their enemies (v. 10-12). They are to destroy the items taken under the ban. Achan (family of Zerahites) does not come forward but only admits he has sinned against the Lord (v. 20) after Joshua had found him out. Joshua went and retrieved the items taken and he all of Achan's family is stoned and burned with fire and the "Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger." Sin was dealt with at this place now called the Valley of Achor (v.26). 

The Lord provides direction to his people as to how they are to fight the battle and he does amazing things in the process. But in that process he tells them things they are to do and not to do. This story is similar to even the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. God provides everything they need but tells them to not eat of the tree of garden. They disobey and mankind is cursed. In this situation, not all people are cursed, but only those that commit the offense - Achan but there is also a defeat at Ai that occurs, in the killing of 36 men. The moral seems clear - accept God's providence which includes his directions and stay close to them. I think of the Jewish people and they seem to stay close to God's laws and yet don't accept the Messiah he provides. Christians accept the Messiah and yet many continue to live their own ways. We are to be a people that accepts the gift of God, but also adhere to his rules. 

The Lord did not fail to keep His promises. The people failed to be obedient and failed to keep their promises. 

Summary: The people of Israel next go to Ai, but here they take in casualties due to one family disobeying God at Jericho and not being obedient to the Lord and ultimately their lives are taken. 

Promise: Our private sins have an impact on others. Be quick to turn from all sin. 

Prayer: Lord, I admit I hide at times in my sin and think that it is only affecting me. But I have seen my anger hurt others and cause lasting problems not only to me but those in my family's path. Obedience to Your ways is what matters and I need to simply live my life in obedience. I am to honor You in all I do. Thank you for your amazing providence and all that You provide for me. Help me God to be good stewards of what You have provided and continue to provide. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.