Day 86, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Joshua 10–12 Winning If you've watched winning teams, you know that not only do the players play well together, but the breaks of the game all seem to go their way. If we are obedient, following God's will with our hearts and actions, the LORD will also help us. Although we may not always win by the world's way of looking at things (we may lose or bad things may still happen to us), we win God's favor. What does that mean? Moses told Israel, The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. (Deuteronomy 28:13, NIV) In yesterday's Bible reading, Israel made a misstep. The Gibeonites were a nation near the Israelite camp in the land of Canaan. They feared the Israelites because they heard about their recent victories. They also heard about their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. Then the Israelites destroyed Jericho and Ai. When the Gibeonites heard about the LORD's plans to wipe all of them out, in fear, they resorted to a ruse. Pretending to be from a distant land, they sought a peace treaty with Israel. The Israelites failed to inquire of the LORD (Joshua 9:14),and the Gibeonites' false narratives convinced them. In today's Bible reading, some good comes to the Israelites despite their unwise treaty. The Apostle Paul would later write that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called by his name” (Romans 8:28, NIV). Israel is God's people, called out by his name, and they seek to please him. Here is how God works things out. Gibeon's trickery brings five kings of the Amorite hill country together to fight against her for making peace with Israel. This is providential because Jeshurun (the righteous nation of Israel) comes to her rescue and destroys all five armies at once. Complete Elimination After this battle, Israel continues to wipe out everyone in every nearby nation as the LORD instructed Joshua. Although at first blush, this may sound cruel, we should keep in mind these Canaanite nations are evil! They are violent and morally devoid of anything good. They even offer their children as burnt sacrifices to their gods. The LORD had already extended his mercy to them for 800 years after he promised to give their land to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 15:13-16). They had time to turn from their evil ways and seek the LORD, but none of them did. All nations are accountable to our Sovereign God. He ordered the destruction of Israel's enemies so she would live in peace and prosperity, experiencing God's blessings. Just a note here for those who are zealous—we need to be completely obedient to God, but he doesn't instruct us to exterminate our enemies. This was a holy war for the Israelites during that time and situation. Today, God teaches us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27-28). If there is revenge to be taken, the LORD will handle it (2Thessalonians 1:6-9). The LORD fights for Israel in three ways against these kings (Joshua 10:9-14). First, he throws them into confusion before Israel. Second, the LORD hurls large hailstones on them from the sky, killing more in this manner than by the sword. Third, God listens to the zealous request of Joshua—he delays the descent of the sun and the ascent of the moon for an entire day! He does this so that the Israelites will have more time to defeat these kings and their armies. Many theories have been proposed to explain how this could have happened. The Bible seems to suggest that the LORD slowed the rotation of the earth so that day was forty-eight hours instead of twenty-four (Joshua 10:12b-13a). If he did it this way, God also miraculously stopped the sea’s resulting tidal waves and everything from flying around. The Bible Knowledge Commentary points out that the Sun and Moon were principal deities of the Canaanites. When they saw their gods subject to Israel's God, they testified, “Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!” (Joshua 10:14b, NIV). If we are zealous to do God's will, he will help us win in such a way that he is glorified. After the battle with the five kings, Joshua's conquest of Canaan continues. In a blitz, Joshua conquers all the southern and northern kingdoms in Canaan. Joshua shows his total obedience to the LORD's will in these campaigns by destroying these wicked, unrepentant nations (Joshua 10:28–11:15). Complete obedience leads to complete victory God tells Joshua to hamstring the northern territorial kings' horses and burn their Chariots. Why? Because the Canaanites used horses in their pagan worship, and horses and chariots were a sign of their military strength (Psalm 20:7). Again, the LORD shows his strength over their pagan gods and military might, and he receives the glory. The LORD hardens the hearts of the kings of Canaan. So, Joshua and his army exterminate all of their troops (Joshua 11:19-20). Thirty-one kings and their armies are destroyed. Endnotes: The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p. 351 Ibid , p.353 Discussion If we have trusted in God, what are some ways that even our mistakes can be used for God’s glory and our good? What are some examples from Bible characters or someone we know? Why is total elimination of bad habits or contact with harmful people necessary? Contrast how complete obedience helps people win versus incomplete obedience. Again, what are some examples from the Bible or someone we know? Focus Verse Deuteronomy 28:13 (NIV) The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Here is a video that goes with today's Bible study. Start at 12:52 and stop at 13:07.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study: Enter your prayer here: Sample Prayer Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author Looking Ahead: The major conflicts end, and Canaan finally has peace from any significant opposition. God is faithful to keep his promise, allowing the Israelites to possess their land. Join us for our next lesson and learn how Our Faithful God Motivates Us. Previous Lesson  |  Next Lesson Back to top of page Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page Go to Scriptures main page Go to Topics main page Go to Home page re-edited 5-15-23

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