A summary of Joshua’s Battles
February 2, 2020
Commentary
The first ten chapters have been an exciting adventure story of God calling Joshua to lead the Israelites in military conquest of the land of Canaan, which God had given them. The conquest of much of the land of Canaan seems to have happened quickly but it actually took seven years. The book of Joshua covers twenty-five years of real history in the life of the people of Israel and is an important part of the inspired Word of God. The first fifteen verses of chapter 11 recount the final decisive battles in the northern part of Canaan. In this passage Joshua highlights a few new details of these years of persistent battle (vv. 16-23).
That phrase “a long time” (v. 18), refers to the fact that the conquest lasted seven years, from the crossing of the Jordan to the final battle at the waters of Merom. This is an important detail that warfare isn’t quick and easy. Opposition doesn’t just go away because we pray about it. This also highlights a wonderful aspect of Joshua’s character. Joshua was a man who understood that he was in it for the long haul. He demonstrated patience and persistence. Joshua did not muster up these qualities on his own. These qualities developed through all the years of leadership, battle after battle.
There have been times when I want to give up. I’m sure you feel the same way. One of the things that makes me want to give up is the character of the opposition. In this case it was the hardness of heart of the Canaanite opposition (vv. 19-20). For seven years the Canaanites mounted tough resistance to God and his people, driven by an increasing hardness of heart. They were violently and angrily opposed to everything Israel represented. God hardened the hearts of the Canaanites (v. 20). Then it speaks of the rest that God gives: “And the land had rest from war” (v. 23).
Application
It is easy to grow impatient with God and feel like giving up hope because things seem to be moving too slowly. In this passage I am reminded to be persistent because I’m on the Lord’s side.
Joshua 11:16– 23 (NET)
16 Joshua conquered the whole land, including the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the foothills, the rift valley, the hill country of Israel and its foothills, 17 from Mount Halak up to Seir, as far as Baal Gad in the Lebanon Valley below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and executed them. 18 Joshua campaigned against these kings for quite some time. 19 No city made peace with the Israelites (except the Hivites living in Gibeon); they had to conquer all of them, 20 for the Lord determined to make them obstinate so they would attack Israel. He wanted Israel to annihilate them without mercy, as he had instructed Moses.
21 At that time Joshua attacked and eliminated the Anakites from the hill country —from Hebron, Debir, Anab, and all the hill country of Judah and Israel. Joshua annihilated them and their cities. 22 No Anakites were left in Israelite territory, though some remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. 23 Joshua conquered the whole land, just as the Lord had promised Moses, and he assigned Israel their tribal portions. Then the land was free of war.
Illustration: Almost disaster to the Olympic gold
American Gail Devers won the 100-meter dash by only 6/100 of a second over her four top competitors in 1992. Gail suffers from Grave’s disease. Just one year before she won the Olympic gold, Gail came within two days of having both feet amputated. After surviving that scare, she began to train and push herself toward her goal. Her determination and persistence won the day. Who would have thought the fastest woman in the world was the same woman who almost lost her feet. This showed the triumph of the Olympic spirit. (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary).