What can we learn about obedience from Joshua's actions in Joshua 11:7? The Setting Joshua 11:7: “So Joshua and all his troops came upon them suddenly at the waters of Merom and attacked them.” • Context: A massive northern coalition forms to crush Israel (11:1-5). • God’s command and promise come first (11:6): “Do not be afraid... tomorrow at this time I will hand them all over to Israel, slain.” • Joshua’s response: immediate, unhesitating action. Prompt, Decisive Action • Obedience does not stall: Joshua “came upon them suddenly.” • No committee, no delay—he moves at once after God speaks. • Compare Genesis 22:3; Abraham “rose early” to obey. • True obedience is time-sensitive; procrastination is a subtle form of disobedience. Obedience Anchored in God’s Word • Joshua acts because God has spoken (11:6). • Psalm 119:60: “I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.” • The authority of the Word, not circumstances, drives the strategy. Obedience Fueled by Faith, Not Fear • The enemy’s numbers, horses, and chariots dwarf Israel (11:4). • God’s command “Do not be afraid” (11:6) links courage to obedience. • Hebrews 11:30-34 shows faith expressing itself through obedient acts, not passive belief. Complete Obedience Brings Complete Victory • Joshua does exactly “as the LORD had commanded” (11:15). • Partial obedience would have spared horses and chariots; instead he hamstrung them per God’s directive (11:9). • 1 Samuel 15:22 warns that selective obedience is rebellion; Joshua models the opposite. Lessons for Today • Act immediately on clear Scriptural commands. • Let God’s promises, not odds, shape decisions. • Replace fear with faith by rehearsing God’s previous faithfulness (Joshua 6; 10). • Aim for thorough, not convenient, compliance—God values completeness (James 1:22). • Remember: obedience aligns us with God’s power, producing victories that testify to His glory (John 14:21). |
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