How does Joshua 10:31 connect with God's commands in Deuteronomy? The Verse in Focus “Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish; they camped against it and fought against it.” (Joshua 10:31) Deuteronomy’s Battle Blueprint God had already spelled out how His people were to deal with the Canaanite cities: • Deuteronomy 7:1-2 — “When the LORD your God brings you into the land… you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show them no mercy.” • Deuteronomy 20:16-18 — “You must not leave alive a single thing that breathes… so that they cannot teach you to imitate all the detestable things they do.” • Deuteronomy 7:22 — “The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you little by little.” • Deuteronomy 20:1-4 — “Do not be afraid… for the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you and give you the victory.” • Deuteronomy 31:3 — “The LORD your God Himself will cross over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land.” Joshua’s Step-by-Step Obedience Joshua 10:31 shows Israel carrying out those very commands: • “All Israel with him” mirrors Deuteronomy 20’s call for the whole nation to stand together in faith. • “Moved on from Libnah to Lachish” illustrates Deuteronomy 7:22’s “little by little” strategy—city after city, no shortcuts. • “They camped against it and fought against it” lines up with Deuteronomy 20:16-18’s directive to lay siege and leave no survivors in the designated cities. • The verse comes immediately after v. 30, where “the LORD delivered [Libnah] into the hand of Israel,” fulfilling Deuteronomy 20:4 and 31:3 that God Himself would fight for them. Promises Realized in Real Time By the time Israel reaches Lachish: • God’s pledge to “destroy these nations” (Deuteronomy 31:3) is visibly unfolding. • The repeated mention of “all Israel with him” underscores national covenant obedience, just as Moses mandated. • Each successful siege confirms that God’s word is reliable, reinforcing the pattern begun at Jericho (Joshua 6) and continued through Libnah (Joshua 10:29-30). Takeaway Themes • Faithful obedience links Joshua 10:31 directly to Deuteronomy’s commands; Israel is not improvising but following God’s revealed plan. • God’s victories are cumulative. One city conquered strengthens confidence for the next, embodying Deuteronomy 7:22’s gradual but unstoppable advance. • The historical details validate God’s earlier promises, testifying that His word is both accurate and literal—what He said in Deuteronomy is exactly what He performs in Joshua. |
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