Joshua 10

Joshua 10

When we study the history of Israel we notice that they always seem to be holding on by a thread. All through out history nations are rising against them or conquering them in one way or another. We see Egypt and Babylon rule over them and later Rome. We find them battling all the surrounding armies. They were chased out of Egypt. In fact, they were not even a nation for 2,000 years. All of this happened because of sin. Now let’s observe them when they are following the Lord.

Imagine, here you are as a nation. You have been living peaceably for quite some time. You have heard rumors of this nation which has broken free of Egypt, the world empire at the time. They are coming into your land at rapid speed and they are conquering in the name of God! Rivers and seas are parting for them. They finally reach your proximity and take down the largest walled city in the area. As this chapter tells us, the great city of Gibeon becomes their slaves in just the fear of what may happen to them. You better believe you would be making some alliances.

“So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the men of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And Jehovah said to Joshua, Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. There shall not a man of them stand before you.” (Joshua 10:7-8).

When God is on your side it does not matter what comes against you. These verses just get me stoked. Joshua’s army brutally overtakes the armies of these five nations. As Joshua comes in from the front with his “men of valor,” God throws “great” hailstones down at the enemy armies. We often read in history about how one army uses the terrain as an advantage against the other army. Israel had God fighting for them. Finally, the point comes where the only way for the enemy to escape is darkness. Joshua says before the Lord and says:

Then Joshua spoke to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun! Stand still on Gibeon! And, moon, stand still in the valley of Aijalon! And the sun stood still, and the moon stood still, until the people had avenged themselves on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? And the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens, and did not hasten to go down about a whole day. (Joshua 10:12-13)

The following verses tells us that this is the only time in history that the Lord heeded the voice of man. “for the Lord fought with Israel.” God was with Israel. Do not get in Israel’s way.

The Lord was with Israel. Do you remember what the angel told Mary to name the baby? The name was to be, “Immanuel,” or “God with us.” Do we truly believe this? Do we truly live in such a way that God is with us and He is just as much on our side as He was on Israel’s during this great conquering? I am challenged. How often I act as if God cannot conquer the smallest battles in my life. I need only look at Joshua 10.