What lessons on obedience can we learn from Joshua's actions in this verse? Setting the Scene Joshua 10 records Israel’s southern campaign. After victories at Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon, Joshua advances to Debir. The Lord has clearly commanded total destruction of the wicked Canaanite strongholds (Deuteronomy 7:2). Joshua’s response in verse 39 shows unflinching, literal obedience to those commands. Text “And they captured it and its king and all its cities; they struck them with the edge of the sword and devoted to destruction everyone in it; he left no survivors. They did to Debir and its king as they had done to Hebron and to Libnah and its king.” (Joshua 10:39) Observing Joshua’s Obedience • Immediate — “They captured it … that day.” No delay. • Thorough — “Devoted to destruction everyone in it.” Nothing left halfway done. • Consistent — “As he had done to Hebron.” Each battle is handled with the same standard. • God-directed — Joshua acts only because God has spoken (Joshua 10:8). • Corporate — “All Israel with him.” Obedience is modeled and shared by the community. Key Lessons on Obedience Today • Prompt action honors God’s timing. (Psalm 119:60) • Partial obedience equals disobedience. Compare Saul’s failure in 1 Samuel 15:21-23. • God’s Word, not culture or emotion, sets the standard. (Joshua 1:7-8) • Consistency reveals genuine faith. (James 2:17-18) • Corporate obedience strengthens the whole body. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Supporting Passages • Deuteronomy 20:16-18 — God’s original instruction to remove idolatry completely. • Numbers 30:2 — Vows to the Lord must be carried out without fail. • John 14:15 — Jesus links love for Him with keeping His commandments. • James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Romans 15:4 — These accounts were written for our instruction. Putting It into Practice • Seek clarity from Scripture before acting; then obey without hesitation. • Remove lingering compromises that dull spiritual effectiveness. • Maintain consistency—small tasks deserve the same obedience as large ones. • Surround yourself with believers who pursue God’s commands together. • Trust God’s faithfulness; He equips those who obey (Philippians 2:13). |
    |