Joshua Captures Towns in the North
July 28, 2022
Commentary
Joshua was a man who exemplified this character. He followed every detail of God’s commands to Moses. It is usually difficult to complete someone else’s project, but Joshua stepped into Moses’ job building upon what Moses had started. With the southern campaign over he was ready to conquer the cities of the North. The northern Canaanite kings had heard about Joshua’s victories in the south and had organized a desperate attempt to stop the conquest of their land. Although there was no love between these kings of the north, the threat of annihilation forced them into an alliance. They joined forces at the waters of Merom, a lake 11 miles north of the Sea of Galilee (v. 5). This combined army looked very impressive. It is estimated by Josephus, the historian, that there were 300,000 soldiers and 20,000 chariots. The odds against the Israelites seemed overwhelming.
Then God spoke. The promise he gave to Joshua was clear: “Do not be afraid because of them: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel” (v. 6). Once more Joshua destroyed the opposing armies. Joshua’s victory in the North was just as decisive as it had been in the South. Again, obedience to God was the reason for victory.
Joshua followed every detail of God’s commands to Moses (v. 15). It is usually difficult to complete someone else’s project, but Joshua stepped into Moses’ job, building upon what Moses had started, and brought it to completion. True servants will step in and continue or complete the good work that others have begun. Joshua carefully obeyed all the instructions given by God. The theme of obedience is repeated frequently in the book of Joshua.
Application
If I ever get weary in doing service for the Lord and want to quit I need to remember that the Lord has promised to be with me and I should, never, never, never give up!!
Joshua 11:1– 15 (NET)
1 When King Jabin of Hazor heard the news about Israel’s victories, he organized a coalition, including King Jobab of Madon, the king of Shimron, the king of Acshaph, 2 and the northern kings who ruled in the hill country, in the rift valley south of Kinnereth, in the foothills, and on the heights of Dor to the west. 3 Canaanites came from the east and west; Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites from the hill country; and Hivites from below Hermon in the area of Mizpah. 4 These kings came out with their armies; they were as numerous as the sand on the seashore and had a large number of horses and chariots. 5 All these kings gathered and joined forces at the Waters of Merom to fight Israel.
6 The Lord told Joshua, “Don’t be afraid of them, for about this time tomorrow I will cause all of them to lie dead before Israel. You must hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.” 7 Joshua and his whole army caught them by surprise at the Waters of Merom and attacked them. 8 The Lord handed them over to Israel, and they struck them down and chased them all the way to Greater Sidon, Misrephoth Maim, and the Mizpah Valley to the east. They struck them down until no survivors remained. 9 Joshua did to them as the Lord had commanded him; he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.
10 At that time Joshua turned, captured Hazor, and struck down its king with the sword, for Hazor was at that time the leader of all these kingdoms. 11 They annihilated everyone who lived there with the sword —no one who breathed remained—and burned Hazor.
12 Joshua captured all these royal cities and all their kings and annihilated them with the sword, as Moses the Lord’s servant had commanded. 13 But Israel did not burn any of the cities located on mounds except for Hazor; it was the only one Joshua burned. 14 The Israelites plundered all the goods of these cities and the cattle, but they totally destroyed all the people and allowed no one who breathed to live. 15 Moses the Lord’s servant passed on the Lord’s commands to Joshua, and Joshua did as he was told. He did not ignore any of the commands the Lord had given Moses.
Illustration: Churchhill Never never give up
Near the end of Sir Winston Churchill’s career as leader of Great Britain he was invited to speak at a preparatory school for young men. Being known as one of the greatest orators of all time the students were challenged to listen to his every word and take extensive notes. The day arrived and after a long introduction Mr. Churchill stepped to the podium and began to speak. He said, “Young men, never give up. Never give up. Never, never, never, never give up.” Then he sat down. (Source unknown).