What is the meaning of Joshua 11:1? Now when Jabin king of Hazor heard about these things “Now when Jabin king of Hazor heard about these things…” (Joshua 11:1) • “These things” points back to Joshua’s recent southern victories—Jericho, Ai, the long-day battle at Gibeon, and the sweeping conquest summarized in Joshua 10:40-42. Word of God’s unstoppable advance is spreading fast, just as Exodus 23:27 foretold. • Hazor was “the head of all these kingdoms” (Joshua 11:10); its king carried weight. Hearing how the Lord fought for Israel (Joshua 10:14) should have prompted repentance, like Rahab’s response in Joshua 2:10-11, yet Jabin hardens his heart—echoing Pharaoh in Exodus 14:4. • The verse reminds us that God’s works are public. Isaiah 45:23 shows every knee will ultimately acknowledge Him; the only question is whether that acknowledgment comes in humble faith or defiant resistance. he sent word to Jobab king of Madon “…he sent word to Jobab king of Madon…” (Joshua 11:1) • Instead of surrendering, Jabin initiates a northern coalition. Psalm 2:1-2 pictures kings who “take their stand…against the LORD,” and here we see it in real time. • Jobab’s name surfaces only here, underscoring how even forgotten rulers can join forces against God’s people—yet their plans vanish (Isaiah 41:11-12). • Earlier, the southern kings allied against Israel (Joshua 10:3-5). That coalition fell; now the north tries the same strategy, proving humanity often repeats its mistakes when confronting divine authority. • For believers facing fresh opposition, Romans 8:31 offers perspective: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The size or fame of the adversary does not change God’s promise. to the kings of Shimron and Achshaph “…to the kings of Shimron and Achshaph.” (Joshua 11:1) • Jabin widens the net, contacting further city-states. Next verses list even more allies (Joshua 11:2-5), culminating in “an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore.” From a human angle, the odds look impossible. • Scripture often pairs overwhelming enemy numbers with God’s decisive victory—Gideon’s 300 vs. Midian (Judges 7:12-22), Jehoshaphat’s choir vs. three nations (2 Chronicles 20:1-22). The pattern prepares us to expect the Lord’s triumph in Joshua 11:6-8. • Note the progression: hearing, summoning, uniting. James 1:15 shows how desire grows into sin and death; similarly, unbelief grows into organized rebellion. • Yet God’s covenant promise in Deuteronomy 11:25—“No one will be able to stand against you”—stands untouched. The larger the coalition, the brighter the contrast with God’s sovereign power. summary Joshua 11:1 records the first ripple of a massive northern conspiracy against Israel. Jabin, king of the foremost Canaanite city, hears of God’s mighty acts, chooses defiance over surrender, and recruits neighboring kings to resist. The verse sets the stage for a show-down illustrating Psalm 33:10—“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations.” In practical terms, it reminds us that opposition may escalate as God’s work advances, but every coalition formed against His purposes is already doomed. |
    |