Joshua 10:16-11:23

Joshua 10 & 11

Let’s begin with a quick review-what did we cover last time?

At your table, write out three things you remember from Joshua 10:1-15

You can use your bibles

Okay—what did we cover?

Gibeon was under attack from five kings—Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon.

Joshua & the Israelites had made a covenant with Gibeon that they would protect them.

Joshua & the mighty men of valor go and destroy these armies

And the sun stands sill during the entire battle.

And large stones from heaven killed many of the enemy soliders.

We didn’t get to this last time but real quick—why did Israel protect Gibeon?

Because they made a covenant with them.

Was that covenant dependent on Gibeon doing anything? Was it based on Gibeon’s character, actions or wealth? They brought nothing to the table, did nothing to earn the protection and did everything they could to make someone say don’t worry about them—don’t waste your time on them.

What is this a picture of? Let me change some words and ask the same questions:

God made a covenant with us.

Was that covenant dependent on US doing anything? Was it based on OUR character, actions or wealth? WE brought nothing to the table, did nothing to earn the covenant and did everything they could to make someone say don’t worry about US—don’t waste your time on US.

And yet does God break his promises to us?

This is a picture of the gospel right here in the middle of Joshua—when Gibeon least deserved it, the Israelites came and defended them.

When we least deserved it—God sent his son, to live a perfect life and die on a cross for our sin. We bring nothing to the table. As a matter of fact we have done everything to show ourselves undeserving of this grace. And yet the God of Angel Armies defends us and died for us.

Lets continue in chapter 10.

Joshua 10:16–21 “16 These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told to Joshua, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them, 19 but do not stay there yourselves. Pursue your enemies; attack their rear guard. Do not let them enter their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.” 20 When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, 21 then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.”

Remember those five kings?

What was there plan?

To bad together and destroy Gibeon. Did it work? No—so what did they do?

Fled to a cave. The Israelites find them and close them in the cave.

They go and destroy the rest of the enemies and then returned to Makkedah.

Joshua 10:22–24 “22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” 23 And they did so, and brought those five kings out to him from 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 when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks.”

They bring out the five kings and they put their feet on their necks. This may seem like a strange or unique gesture. But this is symbolic.

What perhaps might this be a symbol of?

Joshua 10:25 “25 And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.””

Psalm 110:1 “1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.””

1 Corinthians 15:25 “25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”

Does anyone want to be a footstool for someone else? Its a sign of control, of subjection. It’s an image of destroying and then having total authority over. God will make his enemies a footstool.

Joshua tells the Israelites, we will make these kings our footstool because God will do this to all of our enemies.

Joshua 10:26–28 “26 And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening. 27 But at the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day. 28 As for Makkedah, Joshua captured it on that day and struck it, and its king, with the edge of the sword. He devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. And he did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.”

They kill the five kings and hang them from the trees. Five more kingdoms have been conquered by Israel. Technically six because Makkedah is also destroyed.

We are not going to read it together, but at your tables, read through verses 29 through the end of chapter 11 and list out the nations that are destroyed in order.

Highlight the cities on your paper in order they were captured. Chapter 10 will be on the front, chapter 11 on the back.

Joshua 11:4 “4 And they came out with all their troops, a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.”

Joshua 11:6 “6 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.””

Joshua 11:8 “8 And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel, who struck them and chased them as far as Great Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. And they struck them until he left none remaining.”

Chapter 12 is a list of all the nations that Israel has conquered.

Lots of violence, lots of land being taken, but what is it all a part of?

God protecting his people. God fulfilling his promise of giving the promised land to his nation.

In what ways do you see “Yahweh’s strong right arm” at work against his enemies in today’s culture?

If someone told you to “put feet to your prayers” or “don’t just say something/pray something, do something” does that take away from the sufficiency of God’s help or is it a recognition of your responsbility within God’s sovereignty?

Are you patient or impatient when it comes to seeing God’s working in your life or circumstances?

What fears might you have that constantly challenge your trust in God?

Why does fear get in the way of your trust in God? Why does it not all you to move forward?