March 17
Read Joshua 11 -- 13
Everyone in Jericho knew the reputation of Israel's God as did Rahab who confessed: The Lord your God, He is God in Heaven above, and in earth (Joshua 2:11). Rehab alone put her faith in the God of the Hebrews and was not only saved but was included in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). All the Canaanite kings had known what the Gibeonites knew, but they decided to defend their heathen gods and their own wickedness in defiance of the One True God.
After the Israelites had slain the five kings who had attacked the Gibeonites, news of Joshua's invasion quickly spread throughout Canaan. Jabin, King of Hazor in the north, enlisted the kings and their soldiers from farther into the northern mountains, beyond Lake Chinneroth (the Sea of Galilee) and north of Lake Huleh, all the way to the influential pagan worship center of Banias on the southern slope of Mount Hermon. This alliance also included all the people as far east as Damascus in Syria, as far south as the Dead Sea, and as far west as Zidon (in modern-day Lebanon), the capital of Phoenicia on the Mediterranean Sea (Joshua 11:2,8).
Joshua's comparatively small army received a report that they were facing an army even as the sand that is on the sea shore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots. . . . And the Lord said to Joshua, Be not afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver them up all slain before Israel. . . . So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him (and suddenly attacked them) . . . by the waters of Merom. . . . And Israel smote them, until none were left alive (11:4-8). Obedience to the Word of God was always the key to Joshua's victories.
Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel. . . . And the land rested from war (11:23). Thirty-one kings (12:24) had been defeated and executed. Joshua established military control over all of the Promised Land without the help of one horse or one chariot. But the individual tribes were to complete the destruction of the Canaanites, along with their idols and worship centers (Deuteronomy 7:22; Exodus 23:29-30).
Long before Joshua's victories, when Abraham had journeyed through the land, we read that the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full (Genesis 15:16). Centuries had passed since that time without a sign of repentance from the Amorites. Not until the cup of iniquity was filled to overflowing did God say: The nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled (Leviticus 18:24-25). Later, Moses reminded the people: Because of the wickedness of these nations the Lord your God does drive them out (Deuteronomy 9:5; 18:10-12).
The judgment of the Canaanites foreshadows the final judgment of all mankind who continue in their sins: The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven . . . in flaming fire taking vengeance on those that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Christ Portrayed: By Moses, the servant of the Lord (Joshua 12:6). Jesus was the servant of God (Matt. 12:18).
Word Studies: 11:9 houghed means hamstrung, crippled; 11:13 stood still in their strength means fortified on hills; 12:3 Chinneroth also called Sea of Galilee; salt sea also called Dead Sea; 12:4 coast means territory border; 13:22 soothsayer means fortune-teller.
Government Official: Rep. Cynthia McKinney (GA) · Pray for Dr. Paul R. Gupta, President, Hindustan Bible Institute, Madras, India; Coordinator for Bible Pathway in Indian languages · Country: Barbados (259,000) on the island farthest east in the West Indies · Major language: English · Religious freedom · 79% Protestant; 8% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Your prayers should be lifted up with confidence in God (Psalms 56:9,11).
Optional Reading: John 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 2:9