What does Joshua 11:9 teach about trusting God's guidance over human wisdom? Key Verse “Joshua treated them as the LORD had told him: he hamstrung their horses and burned up their chariots.” (Joshua 11:9) Setting the Scene • The Canaanite coalition arrived with horses and iron chariots, the pinnacle of military technology in Joshua’s day. • Israel, a nation of wilderness wanderers, had no cavalry and no chariots. • God’s instruction was radical: cripple the horses, destroy the chariots, remove every chance to re-use these prized weapons. The Divine Strategy vs. Human Logic • Human wisdom would say, Keep the horses, study the chariots, upgrade Israel’s arsenal. • Divine wisdom said, Eliminate the temptation to depend on captured technology and keep trusting the LORD alone. • Joshua obeyed immediately and completely, without modification or delay. Lessons on Trusting God’s Guidance • God’s commands often run counter to conventional wisdom, because He sees what human eyes cannot (Isaiah 55:8-9). • Obedience secures victory; partial obedience invites future compromise. • Removing fallback options strengthens reliance on God’s ongoing provision. • Faith is proved genuine when action follows instruction, even at personal or tactical cost. Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” • 1 Corinthians 1:25: “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” • Judges 7:2-7: Gideon’s army reduced so Israel could not boast. • 2 Chronicles 14:11: Asa leaned on God rather than numbers and weaponry. Practical Takeaways Today • Submit every plan to Scripture and prayer before leaning on expertise or resources. • When God’s Word counters accepted norms, choose the Word. • Cut off avenues that entice self-reliance or compromise spiritual integrity. • Celebrate victories by acknowledging God’s guidance, not personal savvy. • Keep short accounts with obedience; immediate response deepens faith and keeps momentum. |
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