What can we learn about obedience from Joshua's actions in Joshua 11:12? Setting the Scene • Joshua is in the midst of the northern campaign of the conquest. • Decades earlier, God had spoken to Moses about how Israel was to deal with the Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). • Moses then passed those commands on to Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23). • Joshua 11:12 shows what Joshua did with those commands. Joshua 11:12 “Joshua captured all these kings and their cities and struck them with the sword. He devoted them to destruction, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded.” Key Observations about Joshua’s Obedience • Immediate and complete – Joshua “captured,” “struck,” and “devoted … to destruction.” There is no hint of delay or partial compliance. • Rooted in God’s prior word – His actions trace directly back to “what Moses … had commanded,” which in turn was God’s instruction (cf. Joshua 1:7-8). • Costly – Obedience required warfare, risk, and the uncomfortable task of total destruction. Joshua did not shrink back. • Public and leadership-shaping – Joshua’s obedience set the tone for the entire nation. By acting, he modeled what wholehearted allegiance looks like (Joshua 24:15). Timeless Principles for Us Today • Obedience means doing all that God says, not merely what feels manageable (1 Samuel 15:22). • God’s commands are not suggestions; they carry divine authority because they come from His holy character (Psalm 119:4). • True obedience rests on trusting God’s wisdom even when His directions challenge cultural norms or personal comfort (Proverbs 3:5-6). • The consistency of Scripture encourages us: God’s people are blessed when they walk in His ways (Deuteronomy 28:1-2; James 1:25). Encouragement to Walk in Obedience • Remember the Source: like Joshua, anchor your actions in the written word (Joshua 1:8). • Act promptly: delayed obedience often turns into disobedience (Luke 6:46). • Rely on God’s presence: “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). • Keep the aim clear: obedience expresses love for Christ (John 14:15) and invites His ongoing work in and through us. |
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