How does Joshua 10:28 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? The Verse in Focus “On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword—its king as well; he devoted to destruction everyone in it, leaving no survivors. And he treated the king of Makkedah as he had treated the king of Jericho.” (Joshua 10:28) Remembering the Broader Promise • God pledged the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:7; 15:18–21). • Centuries later, Moses reminded Israel that God would drive out mighty nations “little by little” (Deuteronomy 7:17-24). • Joshua personally received the charge: “Every place where the sole of your foot treads, I have given you… No man shall be able to stand before you” (Joshua 1:3-5). Joshua 10:28 sits inside that covenant storyline. When Makkedah falls, another square of the divine promise-quilt is stitched into place. Key Observations from Joshua 10:28 • Swift victory—“On that day”: God’s promise wasn’t deferred; He acted immediately when the time arrived. • Total conquest—“leaving no survivors”: exactly the kind of complete triumph God foretold (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). • Consistent pattern—“as he had treated the king of Jericho”: God’s faithfulness isn’t a one-off event but a steady, repeated demonstration. • Human obedience meets divine power: Joshua’s actions align with God’s instructions; God honors that obedience with success (Joshua 6:2-5; 8:1-2). Tracing God’s Faithfulness Through the Conquest 1. Jericho falls (Joshua 6) 2. Ai is captured (Joshua 8) 3. The southern coalition is shattered (Joshua 10:5-11) 4. Makkedah, the first city after the miraculous “sun-stand-still” battle, is destroyed (Joshua 10:28) Each step fulfills the headline promise: “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled” (Joshua 21:45). Why This Matters Today • God’s track record: Numbers 23:19 declares He doesn’t lie or change His mind. Joshua 10:28 is a concrete case study. • Assurance in battles we face: If He kept His word about bricks-and-mortar cities, He will keep His word about forgiveness (1 John 1:9), presence (Matthew 28:20), and future glory (John 14:1-3). • Call to active trust: Joshua didn’t sit back; he marched, fought, and relied on God’s pledge. Faith expresses itself in obedient action. Personal Takeaways • Review the promises God has made—write them down. • Recall past “Makkedahs” where God has already proved faithful. • Step into current challenges with confidence: the God who finished what He started in Joshua’s day will finish what He started in yours (Philippians 1:6). |
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