YEAR 2, WEEK 23, Day 5, Friday, 6 June 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Joshua+11

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 6 June 2025:

Joshua 11:1–5 — When Jabin king of Hazor heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, and to the kings who were in the northern hill country… and they came out with all their troops, a great horde… all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

Once again, the unity of the enemies of God’s people is on full display. Like the alliance in Joshua 10, these Canaanite kings are determined to resist God’s plan. The size of the opposition was massive—“a great horde”—but it was no match for the God of Israel. The enemy may be numerous and well-organized, but victory belongs to the Lord.

• Psalm 33:16–17 — “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.”
• Romans 8:31 — “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Joshua 11:5, 6 — And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel. And the Lord said to Joshua, ”Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel.”

While Christians find unity in the love of Jesus (John 17:22-23), the world will find unity in hatred toward Jesus and His disciples. God says not to worry as more and more people turn against Jesus and His followers. Victory is in His hands.

This echoes God’s earlier promises (Joshua 1:5; 10:8). God’s people are repeatedly reminded not to fear. Fear is the default response to overwhelming odds, but God reassures us with His presence and sovereignty. The command to destroy the horses and chariots is significant—Israel is not to trust in military power but in God alone.

• Psalm 20:7 — “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Joshua 11:7–9 — So Joshua and all his warriors came suddenly against them by the waters of Merom and fell upon them. And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel… until he left none remaining.

Joshua obeys God’s command without delay or compromise. The result is total victory. God’s power and Israel’s obedience are again linked. Victory comes when we move forward in faith, trusting and acting on God’s word.

• James 2:26 — “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

Joshua 11:10–15 — And Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword. For Hazor formerly was the head of all those kingdoms… he left none who breathed.

Hazor was the dominant city-state in northern Canaan. Its destruction represents a decisive blow. God’s judgment is complete, just as He commanded through Moses (v. 15). Joshua’s full obedience is stressed again—he did “all that the Lord had commanded.” God honors total obedience.

• John 14:15 — “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
• Luke 6:46 — “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Joshua 11:15 — Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

God honors obedience. Like Moses, Joshua understood that partial obedience is disobedience. Joshua was wholly obedient and God worked far beyond Joshua’s obedience to reveal Himself by doing only what God can do: “For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:20) Only God can work in the hearts of people and control circumstances. As we walk in obedience, we will see God working far beyond our activities to accomplish His purposes, to reveal Himself, and to bring glory to Himself.

Our job is to be obedient, regardless the personal cost, for reasons we cannot even understand. If we are simultaneously attempting to fulfill our own personal agenda, we will end up being partially obedient which, again, is disobedience. Disobedience is working through the flesh, not the Spirit. Disobedience is why the churches lose their lampstands and real spiritual power, operating on the talents and abilities of men which is ultimately meaningless. Pray for repentance and revival in the church.

Joshua 11:16–20 — “So Joshua took all that land… just as the Lord had commanded Moses… For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle… in order that they should be devoted to destruction.”

God’s sovereignty over even the hearts of His enemies is affirmed. Just as Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, the Canaanites are stirred to resist to their own destruction. This is a sobering display of divine justice. God’s patience had long endured their evil (Gen. 15:16), but judgment had come.

• Romans 9:18 — “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.”
• Proverbs 21:1 — “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

Joshua 11:20 — For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

God hardens hearts by giving the wicked what they really want, along with the inevitable consequences, all for His good purpose. The practical implication for us is that we will face opposition and persecution from the wicked as God’s plan for both the righteous people (righteous through the blood of Jesus) and the unrighteous people unfolds over time. This calls for perseverance and persistent fidelity. Trust and obey through your circumstances. God knows what is happening to you and will work it all together for a greater good you cannot possibly imagine.

Joshua 11:21–22 — “And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim… None of the Anakim were left in the land of the people of Israel.”

The Anakim, associated with the giants feared by the earlier generation (Num. 13:33), are finally defeated. The very obstacle that once inspired fear and unbelief is overcome by faith and obedience. What once seemed impossible is now reality. Faith has triumphed where fear once reigned.

• Numbers 13:33 — “And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak)… and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers.”
• 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Joshua 11:23 — So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war.

This verse is a capstone of the conquest narrative. God’s promises are fulfilled. Joshua’s obedience has led Israel to peace. Yet this rest is not final; it foreshadows the deeper rest found only in Christ.

• Hebrews 4:8–9 — “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”
• Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 6 June 2025: “Do not be afraid of them.” (Joshua 11:6) God’s command is repeated often because fear is a daily temptation. Are you facing a situation that seems impossible? Are the enemies of your peace encamped around you like a great horde? March forward anyway—obedient, confident, surrendered. God will fight for you, but He will also fight through you. Burn the chariots. Don’t cling to the world’s weapons. Trust in the Lord. And rest in His victory. Pray: “Lord, help me to fear nothing and no one but You. Teach me to obey fully and quickly, even when the odds are against me. Thank You that You go before me and that You fight for me. May my life reflect the faith and obedience of Joshua, and may I know the deep rest that comes from walking in Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.”