Topical Encyclopedia The history of the Israelites, as chronicled in the Old Testament, is marked by numerous instances of warfare, particularly during the conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. This period is vividly detailed in the Book of Joshua, chapters 6 through 11, where the Israelites, under divine mandate, engage in a series of military campaigns to claim the land promised to them by God.The Conquest of Jericho (Joshua 6): The campaign begins with the miraculous fall of Jericho, a fortified city that stood as the gateway to Canaan. The Israelites, following God's specific instructions, marched around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, after the priests blew their trumpets, the walls of Jericho collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city. This victory is attributed to divine intervention and obedience to God's commands. "When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they raised a great shout, and the wall collapsed. So each man charged straight into the city, and they captured it" (Joshua 6:20). The Battle of Ai (Joshua 7-8): Following Jericho, the Israelites faced a setback at Ai due to Achan's sin, which led to their initial defeat. After addressing the sin within the camp, Joshua led a successful ambush against Ai, demonstrating the importance of holiness and obedience in achieving victory. "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you and go up and attack Ai, for I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land'" (Joshua 8:1). The Southern Campaign (Joshua 10): The Israelites continued their conquest with a campaign against the southern coalition of Canaanite kings. The miraculous event of the sun standing still at Gibeon, as recorded in Joshua 10:12-14, underscores the divine support for Israel's military endeavors. "So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies" (Joshua 10:13). The Northern Campaign (Joshua 11): The final major campaign described in these chapters is against the northern kings led by Jabin of Hazor. The Israelites, once again under divine guidance, achieved a decisive victory, effectively securing control over the land. "And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who defeated them and pursued them as far as Greater Sidon, Misrephoth-maim, and the Valley of Mizpah to the east. They struck them down, leaving no survivors" (Joshua 11:8). Throughout these campaigns, the Israelites' engagement in war is portrayed as an act of obedience to God's command to possess the land He had promised to their forefathers. The narrative emphasizes the themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention, illustrating that the success of Israel's military endeavors was contingent upon their adherence to God's instructions and their reliance on His power. These accounts serve as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His sovereignty over the nations. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 14:30And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 15:7,16 Library The Historical Books. An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Paul's Departure and Crown; The Old Testament and Archeology [Endnotes] Introduction to Oration ii. Footnotes The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Memoir of John Bunyan Resources What does the Bible say about killing in war? Is killing in war a sin? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Bible prophecy predict that there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible say anything about holy war? | GotQuestions.org War: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics War with Endurance of Hardness War with Steadfastness in the Faith War without Earthly Entanglements War: Be Clothed in White Clothing War: Be Confessed by Christ in the Presence of God the Father War: Be Pillars in the Temple of God War: Called "The Armor of God" War: Called "The Armor of Light" War: Called "The Armor of Righteousness" War: Called the Good Fight of Faith War: Eat from the Tree of Life War: Enemy Harangued by the General of the Opposing Side War: Frequently Long Continued War: Frequently Sore and Bloody War: God: Gives the Victory In War: God: Scatters Those Who Delight In War: God: Strengthens his People For War: God: Taught his People the Art of War: Have a White Stone, and in It a New Name Written War: Have Power Over the Nations War: Have the Name of God Written Upon Them by Christ War: Large Armies Frequently Engaged In War: Mere Professors do not Maintain War: Not be Hurt by the Second Death War: Not Have Their Names Blotted out of the Book of Life War: Often Arises from the Opposition of Friends or Relatives War: Often Attended by Cruelty War: Often Attended by Devastation War: Often Attended by Pestilence War: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin War: Originates in the Lusts of Men War: Over all That Exalts Itself War: Preceded by Great Preparation War: Saints are all Engaged In War: Sit With Christ on his Throne War: Strengthened by Christ In War: Symbolized by a Red Horse War: The Breastplate of Righteousness War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church War: The Contest of Saints With the Enemies of Their Salvation War: The Jews: Frequently Engaged in (See Joshua Chapters 6 Through 11) War: The Malignity of the Wicked War: The Preparation of the Gospel War: Those Who Overcome In, Will Eat of the Hidden Manna War: To be on the Right Hand and Left, an Idiom Meaning: "To Attack and to Defend." War: Under Christ, As Our Captain Related Terms War-carriages (76 Occurrences) |
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