Joshua 10
Today’s Passage: Joshua 10
Word of Israel’s success in battle had spread to the King of Jerusalem and he was terrified. The cities that Israel had conquered were not weak and Gibeon, who had just made peace with Israel, was also known for its warriors. Why would Gibeon give themselves over to Israel?
The king heard of Israel’s strength, but instead of trying to make peace themselves, the king sought to make his army stronger. He gathered four other kings to attack Gibeon, probably assuming that that would be easier than attacking Israel directly.
But had Gibeon really been welcomed by Israel? Was their agreement really valid?
The Israelites were deceived into peace with Gibeon. It would have been easy for Joshua to ignore his promise to Gibeon and allow them to be destroyed in order for the Israelites to be released from their duty to Gibeon. Or Joshua could have fulfilled the oath half-heartedly, but he passionately rallied his best troops to defend them.
Gibeon had been brought into Israel, and now the Israelites would be as faithful to Gibeon as the Lord had been to them.
This battle was not one for the faint of heart, they were still going up against five kings and their armies, but God commanded the Israelites, “Do not fear, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”
For the Israelites entering battle, to fear was to lose sight of who God is and not trust in God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise.
The Israelites marched all night, faithfully trusting with every step that they were not fighting alone. The mighty Israelite men that Joshua had enlisted barely lifted a finger as the Lord fought for them. God confused their enemies and sent down hailstones killing more by His hand than by the Israelites’ swords.
Upon seeing the Lord’s power over hearts and hail, Joshua had the boldness to ask for a miracle: that the sun would stand still giving the Israelites enough time to finish the battle before sundown.
Joshua made his request to God in the presence of the Israelites. He was not worried about being embarrassed if God did not grant his request. Joshua truly believed that the Lord would fight for them as He had promised, and He did. The sun stood still and Israel won the battle.
The Lord truly fought for the Isrealites by displaying his power over all of creation, including the people that He created. However, the Israelites were not just passive consumers of God’s promise. They had an active role to play in God’s plan. God extended the day, but the Israelites still fought passionately. In fighting for and with God they grew closer to Him and their faith was strengthened.
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life? How have you diligently prayed in faith for God to work in your life? Have you been diligently living your life faithfully for God?
Written By: Paulette Black
Word of Israel’s success in battle had spread to the King of Jerusalem and he was terrified. The cities that Israel had conquered were not weak and Gibeon, who had just made peace with Israel, was also known for its warriors. Why would Gibeon give themselves over to Israel?
The king heard of Israel’s strength, but instead of trying to make peace themselves, the king sought to make his army stronger. He gathered four other kings to attack Gibeon, probably assuming that that would be easier than attacking Israel directly.
But had Gibeon really been welcomed by Israel? Was their agreement really valid?
The Israelites were deceived into peace with Gibeon. It would have been easy for Joshua to ignore his promise to Gibeon and allow them to be destroyed in order for the Israelites to be released from their duty to Gibeon. Or Joshua could have fulfilled the oath half-heartedly, but he passionately rallied his best troops to defend them.
Gibeon had been brought into Israel, and now the Israelites would be as faithful to Gibeon as the Lord had been to them.
This battle was not one for the faint of heart, they were still going up against five kings and their armies, but God commanded the Israelites, “Do not fear, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”
For the Israelites entering battle, to fear was to lose sight of who God is and not trust in God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise.
The Israelites marched all night, faithfully trusting with every step that they were not fighting alone. The mighty Israelite men that Joshua had enlisted barely lifted a finger as the Lord fought for them. God confused their enemies and sent down hailstones killing more by His hand than by the Israelites’ swords.
Upon seeing the Lord’s power over hearts and hail, Joshua had the boldness to ask for a miracle: that the sun would stand still giving the Israelites enough time to finish the battle before sundown.
Joshua made his request to God in the presence of the Israelites. He was not worried about being embarrassed if God did not grant his request. Joshua truly believed that the Lord would fight for them as He had promised, and He did. The sun stood still and Israel won the battle.
The Lord truly fought for the Isrealites by displaying his power over all of creation, including the people that He created. However, the Israelites were not just passive consumers of God’s promise. They had an active role to play in God’s plan. God extended the day, but the Israelites still fought passionately. In fighting for and with God they grew closer to Him and their faith was strengthened.
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life? How have you diligently prayed in faith for God to work in your life? Have you been diligently living your life faithfully for God?
Written By: Paulette Black
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