How should Christians respond when facing united opposition, as seen in Joshua 9:1? The Setting: A Coalition Against God’s People “Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things, those in the hill country, in the lowland, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—” (Joshua 9:1) - Israel’s recent victories at Jericho and Ai alarmed every surrounding king. - Pagan rulers—normally at odds with one another—set aside differences to oppose God’s covenant people. - Scripture records this literally to show that hostility can unite unbelievers whenever God’s purposes advance (cf. Psalm 2:1–3). Expect Opposition When God Is at Work - Jesus forewarned, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18). - Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). - Opposition validates, rather than nullifies, God’s leading; it often appears precisely when His people walk in obedience. Responding With Confidence in God’s Sovereignty - “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). - The Lord orchestrated Israel’s conquest; no coalition could thwart His promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18–21). - Recognizing that every event sits under divine authority breeds courage, not fear. Guarding Against Compromise - Immediately after Joshua 9:1, the Gibeonites employ deception; Israel fails to consult the Lord and is trapped in a treaty (Joshua 9:14). - When enemies join forces, pressure to negotiate or soften convictions increases. - Believers safeguard purity by: - seeking God’s counsel first (Proverbs 3:5–6) - measuring every proposal against Scripture (Acts 17:11) - refusing alliances that dilute obedience (2 Corinthians 6:14). Standing Together in Faith - Israel’s tribes advanced as one nation under God’s command; unity around truth strengthened them. - New-covenant application: - “Stand firm in one spirit, contending together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). - Mutual encouragement counters the isolating effect of widespread hostility (Hebrews 10:24–25). Practical Steps for Today - Remember past victories—God’s faithfulness yesterday fuels faith today. - Saturate minds with Scripture before confronting culture’s objections. - Pray with fellow believers, as the early church did when faced with unified opposition (Acts 4:24–31). - Demonstrate Christlike love while refusing to compromise truth (Ephesians 4:15). - Equip with spiritual armor daily (Ephesians 6:10–18). Encouraging Promises to Remember - “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). - “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). - “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). |
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