DBG - March 15 - Joshua 10-12

In this chapter Israel conquers southern Canaan.

vs. 1-6 – Adonizedek (“lord of justice”), Amorite king of Jerusalem sees the victories of Israel and leads a confederacy of Amorite kings against Gibeon.  These kings rule cities that are in southern Canaan, in areas that will be later settled by Judah and the Philistines.  They are seeking to punish Gibeon for allying with Israel.  Gibeon appeals to Joshia for aid.

vs. 7-11 – God promises and delivers a great victory for Israel.  The Amorites are routed and chased over 20 miles southwest.  God contributes to the rout by sending great hail upon the enemy.

vs. 12-15 – Not wanting to lose momentum, Joshua prays that the sun and moon stand still, and God heard and performed the miracle.  This mighty and singular miracle has long been the target of critics.  There are sometimes reports that someone like NASA proves there is missing time that accounts for this, but those stories are simply not true.  Mentioned here is a lost historical “Book of Jasher”.  It is mentioned as corroborating the report of the sun standing still.  It was never part of Holy Scripture, but was a real historical document that is sadly lost to time.

vs. 16-21 – The five Amorite kings sought refuge by hiding in a cave.  Joshua has the entrance sealed and guarded while continuing the sweep of the armies.  All that remained alive had hidden in fortified cities that would have to be besieged. 

vs. 22-27 – The five Amorite kings are brought from the cave.  The military leaders of Israel in procession place their feet on the subjugated kings, a sign of their utter humiliation.

vs. 28-43 – Joshua defeats the remaining fortified cities and kings in southern Canaan.

In this chapter we read of Joshua’s campaign in norther Canaan.

vs. 1-5 – The tribes of northern Canaan now unite against Israel and gather near the Sea of Galilee.  Here chariots are mentioned for the first time in Joshua.  Chariots were the tanks of their day and greatly feared.  They were not mentioned in the southern campaign because the territory was too hilly to use them effectively.  The ground here is much flatter and chariots can make good use of it.

vs. 6 – God encourages Joshua by assuring him of the coming victory.

vs. 7-14 – Joshua attacks and sweeps the enemy from the field, driving them northward in retreat.  He makes an example of Hazor by taking and burning the city.  Other fortified cities are not taken.

vs. 15-23 – Joshua’s work continued until he had faithfully obeyed God’s commands and Israel held control of the land.  This included a special campaign to drive out the giants of Anak that had found refuge in the hills of Judah.  The war of conquest is now over, and Israel prepares to settle the land.  It must be noted that in 13:1-6 that some areas on the borders of the land were not defeated     

In this chapter we have a summary of the victories of Israel in conquering the Promised Land.

vs. 1-6 – A record of the victories of Israel under Moses.

vs. 7-24 – A record of the victories of Israel under Joshua.

God surely kept His promise to give the land of Canaan to Israel.  Yes, Israel had to take it, but God gave them overwhelming victory after overwhelming victory.  We can trust in His Word that when we follow His command no power on heaven or earth can stop His mighty hand.

Our hymn today is “Dare to Stand Like Joshua”, written by C.M. Robinson in 1898.  It takes a broad view of Joshua’s life and encourages us to stand like he did for the Lord.

1 We are bound for Canaan land,
Tenting by the way;
Who shall lead us on the road?
Choose your king today.

Refrain:
Dare to stand like Joshua,
Dare to say the word;
As for me and for my house,
We will serve the Lord.

2 Many trials we have seen,
Thus far on our way;
He hath led us safely thro’,
Shall he lead today? [Refrain]

3 When the dark Red sea of doubt,
Billow’d in our way;
Then he parted ev’ry wave—
So he will today. [Refrain]

4 Can we safely trust a guide
Who knows not the way;
God hath traveled ev’ry foot,
Shall he lead today? [Refrain]

5 Just before us Jordan rolls,
Right across the way;
We can safely trust the Lord,
He shall lead today. [Refrain]