How does Joshua 11:14 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 7:2? Setting the Scene Joshua 11 records Israel’s northern campaign under Joshua. Deuteronomy 7 is Moses’ earlier instruction before the conquest. Linking the two shows God’s faithfulness and Israel’s obedience. The Original Promise and Command (Deuteronomy 7:2) “‘…and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.’” Key components: - The LORD Himself would “deliver” the nations. - Israel must “defeat” them. - People were to be “devoted to complete destruction” (ḥerem). - No treaties, no mercy—total removal to protect Israel from idolatry (cf. Deuteronomy 7:4; 20:16-18). The Fulfillment (Joshua 11:14) “The Israelites plundered all these cities and carried off the livestock and spoil for themselves. But they put every person to the sword until they had destroyed them; they left no one who breathed.” Notice: - God had delivered the kings and cities (Joshua 11:6-8). - Israel acted “just as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Joshua 11:15). - Every human occupant was destroyed; the livestock and goods became spoil, consistent with other commands where only people were placed under ḥerem (cf. Deuteronomy 20:14; 21:10-14). Point-by-Point Connection • Divine Initiative: – Deuteronomy 7:2 anticipates the LORD “delivering” the nations. – Joshua 11:6 records the LORD promising to “hand them over to Israel,” fulfilled in vv. 8-12. • Total Destruction of Peoples: – Deuteronomy 7:2: “devote them to complete destruction.” – Joshua 11:14: “they left no one who breathed.” • No Treaty, No Mercy: – Deuteronomy 7:2 forbids treaties or mercy. – Joshua 11:19-20 notes no city made peace except Gibeon earlier; the LORD hardened their hearts so they would be “devoted to destruction.” • Protection from Idolatry: – Deuteronomy 7:4 warns intermarriage would turn hearts to idols. – Joshua 11:12-13 mentions burning Hazor, the center of Canaanite worship, removing a future snare. • Obedience under Joshua Mirrors Moses’ Instructions: – Joshua 11:15 explicitly ties Joshua’s actions back to “all that the LORD had commanded Moses.” Theological Takeaways - God’s promises are precise; He both foretells (Deuteronomy 7) and brings to pass (Joshua 11). - Obedience brings realization of divine victory (cf. Joshua 1:7-8). - God’s judgments, though severe, protect His covenant people from spiritual ruin (cf. Romans 11:22). - The narrative reinforces trust that the LORD keeps every word He speaks (Numbers 23:19; Joshua 21:45). Living Application - Just as Israel was to purge influences that would draw them from the LORD, believers today are called to “put to death” sin (Colossians 3:5) and refuse compromise (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). - God’s faithfulness in ancient conquest assures us He will complete His promises of ultimate victory in Christ (Revelation 19:11-16). |
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