Finishing the Fight: How God Gives Us Complete Victory

Joshua 10:15–21 KJV 1900

15 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. 16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. 18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: 19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand. 20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. 21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Sermon Abstract:

Joshua 10:15–43 reveals the Lord’s unmatched power and purposeful strategy in delivering total victory to His people. As Joshua follows God's commands, we see the enemy silenced, slain, and subdued—not by military genius but by divine intervention. This passage teaches us that spiritual battles are not won halfway; they require faithful obedience to God’s voice, unwavering trust in God’s hand, and a firm commitment to finishing the fight He started in us. When we align ourselves with the Lord’s purposes, He doesn’t just give us partial peace—He brings total triumph, from the cave to the conquest.

Sermon Introduction (Polished and Refined):

There is something within each of us that resists leaving things unfinished. Whether it's a sink full of unwashed dishes, an unanswered email, or a half-painted wall—we are often unsettled by incomplete tasks. And if we are honest, some of us have been living in spiritually unfinished places. We started strong. We have seen God move. We have even made progress. But we have not finished the fight. There’s still fear hiding in the corners of our hearts. There is still unforgiveness tucked away in our memories. There are habits that have retreated but haven’t been removed.

I recently read a story that speaks powerfully to this reality. In 1974, a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda was discovered hiding in the jungles of the Philippines—thirty years after World War II had ended. The world had declared peace, the battle was over, and the enemy had surrendered, but Onoda refused to believe it. He kept fighting a war that was already won.

And that’s exactly where the enemy wants many believers today—caught in cycles of stress, fear, and striving, long after God has already declared victory. The war is over, but we are still swinging at shadows. The stronghold has been broken, but we are still running from its memory.

The book of Joshua reminds us: God does not deal in partial deliverance. He does not bring us out of Egypt to leave us stranded in the wilderness. He is the God who completes what He begins. Joshua 10 reveals the character of a God who not only intervenes in battle, but also empowers His people to walk in total victory.

This passage is not just about ancient warfare—it’s about spiritual perseverance. It’s about the believer who is tired of spiritual stalemates. The parent who is desperate for peace at home. The man or woman still battling habits they thought were gone. The servant of God wondering if their best days are behind them.

Let this be your assurance: If God initiated the fight, He intends for you to finish it. He gives complete victory. In Joshua 10, we see Him silence the enemy, slay the opposition, and show His power. And if He did it then, He can do it now.

Let’s walk through this Word and see how the Lord equips us not just to endure—but to finish the fight.

I. Silence the Enemy (Joshua 10:15–21)

God knows how to silence what has tried to subdue you. In this opening portion of the conquest narrative, the Lord shows us how He orchestrates the silencing of the enemy—not merely with weapons of war, but through the weight of His will. 

What begins as a military campaign becomes a divine demonstration of God's ability to shut the mouths and mute the momentum of those who rise against His people.

There are two key movements in the text that highlight how God silences the enemy:

A. Fear Immobilized the Enemy (Joshua 10:15–17)

“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.” (Joshua 10:15–17)

At the very beginning of this section, Joshua returns to Gilgal—the place of covenant, and the place of consecration. And while Joshua is secure in the presence of God, the enemy is hiding in a cave. These are the same kings who came with bravado in verse 5. They assembled a coalition. They threatened Gibeon. They dared to stand against God’s people. But now, those loud voices have gone silent.

What silenced them? Fear. But not just any fear—the fear of God’s undeniable hand. What military might could not accomplish, the presence of God did. These kings fled—not because Israel shouted louder, but because God had already made Himself known in battle.

Theological Insight:

Fear, when rooted in the flesh, always leads to retreat. The wicked flee when no man pursueth (Proverbs 28:1), because unrighteousness cannot stand in the presence of God. These kings, full of arrogance before, are now full of fear—because God’s glory dismantles human pride.

When God is fighting for you, He knows how to quiet the chaos around you. You don’t have to answer every critic, chase every lie, or respond to every attack. Sometimes the greatest proof of victory is when your enemies go silent—and they will—because God has a way of dealing with voices that rise against His children.

B. Faith Muted the Enemy (Joshua 10:18–21)

Joshua 10:21 KJV 1900

21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

“And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave… and stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them… And it came to pass… that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.”

Joshua refuses to waste time with fear-filled enemies who are already contained. Instead, he commands his men to keep moving forward. This is not a time to pause and admire progress—it’s a time to press on toward complete obedience.

He says, “Don’t stop. Don’t slow down. Pursue.” While the kings are locked behind stones, Israel is chasing after the rest of the enemy’s army. And the result? The Bible says, “None moved his tongue” against Israel. That’s biblical language for saying—nobody dared to speak against them.

Theological Insight:

When God’s people act in faith, He silences the mouths of the enemy. Their momentum is broken. Their slander is silenced. Their intimidation is rendered ineffective—not because of our strength, but because of His power working through our obedience. God's people are called to walk by faith, not stand in fear (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Application:

Some of us are stuck staring at what’s already been defeated. The kings were already trapped. The battle was already shifting. But God says—keep going. There’s more ground to take. There's more peace to possess. There's more victory ahead. The voices of intimidation may still echo in your mind, but faith keeps moving while fear hides in caves.

Transitional Exhortation:

Beloved, the silence of the enemy is not a coincidence—it is the consequence of God’s intervention. When God fights for you, He doesn’t just give you rest—He gives you reverence in the presence of your enemies. And if He can silence them, then you can keep moving.

Cross References

Psalm 46:1 “1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Proverbs 28:1 “1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion.”  

2 Corinthians 5:7 “7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”  

Hebrews 6:1 “1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”

Philippians 1:6 “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”  

Galatians 6:9 “9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  

II. Slay the Enemy (Joshua 10:22–27)

When God grants us victory, He doesn’t do it halfway. He expects His people not only to confront the enemy but to completely carry out His command—to follow through in faith and finish what He has started. In this section, Joshua models courageous leadership and obedient execution. What began as a divine promise now becomes a defining moment of obedience and closure.

A. Bring the Enemy Out (Joshua 10:22–24)

Joshua 10:22–24 KJV 1900

22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. 23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

“Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.” (Joshua 10:22, KJV)

Joshua gives the command to expose what had been hidden. These five kings—who once dared to stand against the people of God—are now brought out from the cave where they fled in fear.

Joshua calls his commanders forward and says to them: “Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings.” This is not a moment of pride—it’s a moment of proclamation. There is something powerful about this: what once stood over Israel is now under Israel’s feet.God is making a public declaration through His people: what once intimidated you now lies beneath you.

Pastoral Insight:

When God brings your enemy out into the open, it’s not to humiliate—it’s to liberate. God exposes strongholds so they can be handled, not hidden. Whatever the enemy is—fear, shame, addiction, insecurity—it loses its power when brought into the light of God's presence and dealt with by faith.

Cross-References (KJV):

Proverbs 28:1 “1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Malachi 4:3 “3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet In the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.”

Romans 16:20 “20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Ephesians 1:22 “22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”

Isaiah 54:17 “17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”

Preaching Exhortation:

Don’t just thank God for keeping you—you’ve got to trust Him to help you put your foot on it!

That fear you’ve been running from? Step on it.

That addiction that tried to hold you? Step on it.

That insecurity the enemy whispered in your ear? Step on it in Jesus’ name!

God didn’t call you to hide from it—He called you to have victory over it.

B. Execute the Judgment (Joshua 10:25–27)

Joshua 10:25–27 KJV 1900

25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. 26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. 27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.

“Fear not nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage…” - Joshua has heard these affirmations and declarations so much that he is now repeating them to the people. God first encouraged Joshua with similar declarations (Joshua 1:6,7,9).

“And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees… and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.” (Joshua 10:26, KJV)

Smote them = Beat them

Slew them = Executed them

Hanged them = Humiliated them

“And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun… they cast them into the cave… and laid great stones… which remain unto this very day.” (Joshua 10:27, KJV)

This moment is sobering. The kings are executed, not out of vengeance, but out of obedience to God's instruction. Joshua fulfills the Word of the Lord completely. Joshua did all these things to send a message to his enemies and followers, that God’s people will win victoriously and follow God’s word completely.

He does not leave any opportunity for the enemy to rise again. They are buried in the very cave they once used for shelter—a full circle of God’s justice.

Pastoral Insight:

Some enemies need to be dealt with decisively. We cannot afford to be casual with what God calls us to crucify. If we don’t bury it in obedience, it may rise again in disobedience. Joshua doesn’t just trap the kings—he ends the threat.

Preaching Exhortation

Beloved, God didn’t bring you this far for you to keep entertaining what you should be eliminating! Some things must be finished—cut off at the root, buried under the blood, and never revisited again. This is your season to close the cave and roll the stone over it! Not because you're strong, but because God has given you the strength to obey Him fully.

Transitional Encouragement:

Joshua did not leave the kings hanging. He dealt with them. And after judgment came peace. After obedience came rest. And the same God who gave them strength to fight, gave them grace to finish. But the story does not stop at the cave. God did not just want a moment—He wanted a movement. The enemy is silenced, the kings are slain, and now the land itself will begin to witness the power of God.

Cross-References (KJV):

Colossians 3:5 “5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

Ephesians 4:22 “22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

Romans 6:12 “12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

Galatians 6:7 “7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Proverbs 28:13 “13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

III. Show the Lord’s Power (Joshua 10:28–43)

When God begins a work in your life, His goal is never partial progress—it’s complete possession. He doesn't just want you to have isolated victories. He wants you to walk in full authority over everything He has promised. What unfolds in this final portion of the chapter is not just a series of military successes—it is a testimony of God’s power working through faithful obedience.

After silencing the enemy and slaying the kings, Joshua doesn’t stop marching. He moves city to city, region to region, and in every place, the same thing happens—the Lord delivers, the people obey, and the enemy falls.

A. Continued Obedience Reveals Continued Power (Joshua 10:28–39)

“And that day Joshua took Makkedah… And he did to the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho… And from Lachish he passed unto Eglon… then unto Hebron… and unto Debir…” (Joshua 10:28–39, summarized)

There’s a pattern that can’t be missed: wherever Joshua goes, God gives victory. Whether it's Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, or Debir—every stronghold falls the same way. This is not because Joshua is strategic—it’s because Joshua is surrendered.

The key to the momentum is obedience. Joshua obeys God at Makkedah and keeps going. He obeys God at Libnah and keeps going. He obeys God at Lachish and keeps going. And everywhere his foot steps, God honors his faith.

Pastoral Insight:

Obedience is not a one-time decision—it’s a daily discipline. The same God who gave you grace for yesterday’s battle is ready to empower you for today’s assignment. Your consistency invites God's continued power.

Preaching Exhortation:

God is looking for somebody who won’t just start strong—but will stay submitted! If you keep showing up with obedience, God will keep showing off with power. Don’t stop praying just because one wall fell. Don’t stop fasting just because one door opened. There’s still more ground to take—and God wants to put His glory on display through your faithfulness!

Cross-References (KJV):

Isaiah 1:19 “19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”

Joshua 1:8 “8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Hebrews 5:9 “9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

Psalm 37:23 “23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way.”

Philippians 1:6 “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

B. Total Victory Displays God’s Faithfulness (Joshua 10:40–43)

“So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south… and all their kings… because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.” (Joshua 10:40–42, KJV)

“And Joshua returned… unto the camp to Gilgal.” (Joshua 10:43, KJV)

The text concludes with a summary that only God could write: “All these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time…” Not over a lifetime—not over decades—but in a single season of obedience, God gave full victory.

Joshua won nine victories not in decades, years, or even months, but in weeks. And he accomplished it all by the mighty hand of God. 

And then, Joshua returns to Gilgal. Not to retire—but to regroup. Not to retreat—but to rest in the presence of the God who gave the victory. The same Gilgal where the covenant was renewed in chapter 5 is now the resting place after conquest in chapter 10. Because every journey begins and ends with God.

Pastoral Insight:

The full victory wasn’t about Israel’s strength—it was about God’s faithfulness. He made the promise. He fought the battles. He gave the land. And Joshua shows us: when we trust God and follow through, His name gets the glory and our lives get the peace.

Preaching Exhortation

If you’ll walk with Him, God will finish it! He’ll finish the work in your family, finish the call on your life, finish the healing in your heart, and finish the breakthrough in your future. You don’t have to strive—just stay surrendered. The same God who gave you the victory at Jericho is still fighting for you at Debir. And when it’s all said and done, you’ll return—not empty—but overflowing with the testimony of God's power.

Conclusion:

Joshua 10 is not just a chapter in Israel’s history—it’s a mirror for your journey. From silencing the enemy, to slaying what once stood over you, to walking in the power of full obedience—this is how we finish the fight. And I came to tell somebody this morning: God is not done with you yet.

This victory was not a result of Joshua’s ability—it was a reflection of God’s reliability. And that same faithful God is still working, still winning, and still worthy.There is a recurring theme in Joshua 10, “The Lord delivered….”

Joshua 10:8 “8 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.”  

Joshua 10:10 “10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.”

Joshua 10:11 “11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.”

Joshua 10:14 “14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.”

Joshua 10:19 “19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand.”

Joshua 10:30 “30 And the Lord delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.”

Joshua 10:32 “32 And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.”

Joshua 10:42 “42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.”

Closing Illustration & Invitation

In 2008, a man named Derick Redmond ran in the 400-meter semifinal at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He started strong—stride smooth, form clean, focus locked. But about 150 meters in, his hamstring tore. He collapsed in pain. The race should have been over. The crowd watched in silence.

But something powerful happened.

Derick didn’t stay down. Limping, he tried to finish. And then—out of the crowd—his father ran onto the track. Security tried to stop him, but the father wouldn’t be denied. He wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulders and said, “You don’t have to do this.” Derick said, “Yes, I do.” His father replied, “Then we’re going to finish this together.” And step by step, leaning on his father’s strength, they crossed the finish line.

Brothers and sisters—that’s what our heavenly Father does for us. Some of us are limping. Some are weary. Some are wondering if we’ll make it. But if you’ll trust Him, the Father will carry you through. He didn’t bring you this far to leave you. He didn’t promise victory and walk away. He is right there—arms around your shoulders, whispering, “We’re going to finish this together.”

Today is your day to finish the fight.

God has silenced the enemy. He’s given you power to slay what once defeated you. And now, He’s calling you to walk forward—to show the world that the Lord still saves, still delivers, still fights for His people.

Gospel Invitation:

If you’re here today and you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior—you’ve been fighting a battle you were never built to win alone. But there’s good news: the victory has already been won at the cross. Jesus died so your sin could be silenced, your guilt could be slain, and the power of God could be revealed in your life. Come to Him today. He’ll walk with you—and carry you when you can’t carry yourself.

If you’re already saved, but you’ve been living with unfinished spiritual business—today is your day to take your next step. Don’t leave the enemy hiding in caves. Don’t stop short of what God promised. Finish the fight.

Come to the altar. Pray for strength. Lay down your burdens. And let the Lord show His power in your life.

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Thessalonians 5:24 “24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Exodus 14:14 “14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

Zechariah 4:6 “6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.”

Lamentations 3:23 “23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

Deuteronomy 32:4 “4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.”