How does Joshua 10:35 connect to God's commands in Deuteronomy? Verse Spotlight: Joshua 10:35 “They captured it on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword. He devoted to destruction that day every person who was in it, according to all that he had done to Lachish.” What Happened in Joshua 10:35? • Israel’s forces, led by Joshua, seize Libnah in a single day. • The text emphasizes “devoted to destruction” (Hebrew ḥērem)—total annihilation of the population. • The action mirrors the treatment of Lachish, highlighting a consistent pattern of obedience. Linking Back to Deuteronomy’s Commands God had already laid down clear wartime directives before Israel crossed the Jordan: “When the LORD your God brings you into the land… and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.” “However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive a single creature. You must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—just as the LORD your God has commanded you.” • Deuteronomy 13:12-15 (regarding idolatrous towns) “You must…investigate it thoroughly. If it is true…the inhabitants are to be put to the sword; you must completely destroy the city and everything in it.” Joshua 10:35 directly fulfills these explicit instructions: 1. ḥērem was not an impromptu wartime policy; it was God’s prior mandate. 2. The total destruction at Libnah shows Joshua’s careful adherence to the covenant terms. 3. The verse’s phrase “according to all that he had done to Lachish” confirms a systematic, Deuteronomy-based approach. Why Such Radical Measures? Deuteronomy gives God’s rationale: • To eliminate idolatry and spiritual corruption (Deuteronomy 7:4). • To prevent Israel from adopting Canaanite practices (Deuteronomy 20:18). • To safeguard Israel’s singular devotion to the LORD (Deuteronomy 12:29-31). Thus Joshua 10:35 is not merely a record of conquest; it is evidence of covenant obedience designed to secure Israel’s holiness. Faithfulness on Display • Joshua follows God’s word without alteration. • The people witness tangible proof that blessing follows obedience (cf. Deuteronomy 28:1-2). • Each victory reinforces confidence in God’s promises (Joshua 21:45). Takeaways for Believers • God’s commands, though sometimes challenging, are purposeful and protective. • Obedience brings alignment with God’s larger redemptive plan. • Scripture’s continuity—from Deuteronomy’s law to Joshua’s narrative—underscores the reliability of God’s word for every generation. |
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