JOSHUA’S OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD’S COMMANDS

Jos_11:1-15



The scene is removed to the waters of Merom, near the sources of the Jordan. Hazor was the capital of the region; Jabin, like Pharaoh, was an hereditary title, Jdg_4:2. All the northern nations combined. Joshua’s heart might well have failed, had it not been for the divine promise on the night before the battle, Jos_11:6.

His attack under cover of night was like the falling of a thunderbolt. The effect was immediate. The huge host dissolved. The hocking of the horses disabled them, so that Israel was not tempted to trust in chariots and horses, Deu_17:16; Isa_31:1. God’s will was literally carried out. But what a noble record is given of this simple-minded soldier! “He left nothing undone,” Jos_11:15. It is only as we literally obey that we can count on such success as his. See 2Ti_4:7.



MUCH LAND YET TO BE POSSESSED

Jos_11:16-23; Jos_13:1-7



We do not know how long the war lasted. Probably about seven years, Jos_14:10 (forty-five less thirty-eight). It was only in David’s reign that the Canaanites were finally subdued. Note that Joshua took the land and then gave it to Israel. So Christ received the fullness of the Spirit and all spiritual blessings as the Trustee of those who believe; but we must claim and appropriate our heritage. So at last there will be rest, Jos_11:23.

With Jos_13:1 begins the second division of this book. A Doomsday Book! How significant is the sentence, “Much land to be possessed.” This is true of tracts of the Bible, seldom read by ordinary Christians; of regions of experience, such as those alluded to in Col_3:1-4; and of countries in the world which have never been trodden by the feet of the missionary!

Read also Jos_13:13. What pathos it contains! Either they did not believe in God’s assurances, or were too indolent to claim them!