Joshua
chapter 11 demonstrates the results of mature obedience to God. It
is always refreshing to see the enthusiasm and blind faith of new
believers. When we first experience the joy of salvation our
excitement may be unrestrained. As in all of life, youthful
exuberance can lead to unexpected consequences. At this point in the
book of Joshua the Israelite Army has become battle-hardened, but
more importantly, they have a mature confidence in the ability of God
to accomplish His goals. The chapter begins, “When
Jabin king of Hazor heard of this
(the mighty victories of Israel),
he sent word to Jobab king of Madon, to the kings of Shimron and
Acshaph… and the Northern kings who were in the mountains… to the
Canaanites in the east and west“.
We also read, “All
the kings joined forces and made camp together… to fight Israel“.
And they were well armed, “They
came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and
chariots-a huge army, as numerous as the sands on the seashore“.
The enemy, seeing the effectiveness of Israel, is poised for attack.
Let that be a warning to us as believers. When you are being highly
effective in the spiritual battle against Satan, expect a more
powerful attack from the enemy. Remember the warning Jesus gave to
Peter before he denied Christ? “Simon,
Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for
you, Simon, that your faith may not fail“.
The
chapter continues, the Lord said to Joshua, “Do
not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow, I will hand all
of them over to Israel, slain“.
The Word of God gives us hope like no place else! “So
Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly… they defeated
them and pursued them… until no survivors were left“.
It is important to point out that Joshua was not alone; he was with
the entire army. In the spiritual battle, ALONE is a bad place.
“Joshua
took all the royal cities and their kings and put them to the sword…
Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all the things the Lord
commanded Moses.”
The chapter ends with a really cool point. “Joshua
went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country of Hebron…
Joshua totally destroyed them… no Anakites we left in Israelite
territory“.
Remember it was these same descendents of Anak that caused the 12
spies to give Moses a bad report back in Numbers chapter 13. “All
the people we saw were of great size… we can’t attack the people;
they are stronger than we are.”
Yet after experiencing God’s victories, even the giants in the
land were no longer a fear.
The
chapter makes another important point. Often those who resist God
have hardened hearts. As much as we grieve for those who refuse to
accept the grace of God, God is still in control. Sadly, there are
those that will not repent. The chapter explains that some of those
that fought against Israel, “The
Lord Himself hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so
that He might destroy them totally, exterminating them without
mercy“.
There are evil, wicked people in the world that will be judged.
There are those who are deceived and those who are blinded to the
truth. Stop believing the lies of Satan that you are not worthy.
Understand, 1 Timothy 2:4 explains, “God
wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth“.
Ephesians 1:4 declares, “For
He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and
blameless in His sight“.
The Holy Spirit can soften even the hardest heart. All God asks is
that we believe His promise. “God,
who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ, even when we were dead
in our transgressions- it is by the grace of God you have been saved”
(Eph 2:5).