Friday, May 3- Joshua 9, 10 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 47, “League With the Gibeonites”
Study Questions:
1. What great miracle occurred when Joshua prayed to God during the dispatch of the five kings and their nations? Joshua 10:12-14
2. What did God say to Joshua as he and his army came from Gigal to defend Gibeon? Joshua 10:8
3. In the heat of the battle, where were the five kings, and what subsequently happened when they were found? Joshua 10:16-27
4. What was the reason for the success of Joshua and the nation of Israel? Joshua 10:42
Commentary and Reflection:
Jericho was conquered. The tiny nation of Ai was eventually destroyed after a serious lesson in obedience to God. Joshua then faced the Gibeonites in chapter 9 and an alliance of five kings in chapter 10. If you are squeamish about violence and bloodshed look away from chapter 10 because it gets real. Know, though, that even in that, God was at work.
After discovering that they were tricked by the Gibeonites, who acted as ambassadors from a faraway country, Joshua enslaved them. Israel and Joshua were bound by an agreement that was made with these so-called ambassadors. Therefore, they were obliged to make them servants instead of killing them. The Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers “for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord (Joshua 9:26, 27).” Indeed, it was another conquest despite the unusual set of circumstances leading up to its realization.
Joshua was riding high in his leadership. The nation was experiencing the move of God. Even amid mistakes such as the Achan fiasco (chapter 7) and the trickery of the Gibeonites (chapter 9), God’s presence was there to reprimand, forgive, and guide His people. God listened when they called. God accepted their repentance. God fought for them.
In Chapter 10, the King of Jerusalem heard about Joshua’s conquest of Jericho, Ai, and that Gibeon was subservient to Joshua. Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, being fearful, formed an alliance with four other kings of the region to go up against Gibeon because they had made peace with Israel. These five kings went into military formation “and camped before Gibeon and made war against it (Joshua 10:5).”
The people of Gibeon sent Joshua a desperate plea for help (Joshua 10:6). Joshua immediately went to their rescue, and God assured him that he would be victorious. The five-kingdom alliance would be defeated. Joshua 10:10 reports, “So the LORD routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.”
The Lord also caused hailstones to come down on the enemy as they were fleeing. Israel finished them “with a great slaughter (Joshua 10:20).” Similarly, Joshua brutally executed the five Amorite kings in defense of the people of Gibeon. Finally, verses 28-43 of Joshua 10 record the battles with and brutal conquests of other nations—cementing Joshua in Israel’s history as one of its most accomplished leaders.
Wars are one of the consequences of sin in this world. Understand, though, that “God keeps a reckoning with nations, with churches, and with individuals, and when a certain amount of guilt is reached, the sum is made up, and retribution is visited upon the transgressors. Mercy steps down from the golden throne, and judgment is meted out without mercy; and the rejecters of God’s love learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of heaven (8LtMs, Ms 105, 1893, par. 9).”
Sometimes, it might not be easy to digest, but honoring God is always the best course of action.
God fulfills His promises. Way back in chapter 1:9, God told Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” You can take God at His, even today.
The name Joshua means “Yahweh is deliverance” or “God is salvation.” God’s biggest and best promise was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, the One who brought salvation to this sinful world. He is Immanuel—God with us—just as He was with Joshua.
Connect with Christ today and receive His peace and rest. May your steps be ordered by the Lord on this new day.
Pastor John Mills