RPG Adults
THE HOSTILE KINGS FOUGHT JOSHUA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Joshua 10:1-21
Psalm 131
“Let Israel hope in the LORD
from henceforth and for ever.”
THE HOSTILE KINGS FOUGHT JOSHUA
The Canaanite kings provoked Joshua as they united. The king of Jerusalem gathered the kings of five cities to smite Gibeon because it had made a peace treaty with Israel. They were generally fearful of the next step that Israel would take. They were aware that Joshua was set for war and was going to take their land.
It was natural for those kings to defend themselves. They regarded Gibeon as a traitor because they made a league with Israel. The kings must have taken time in the consulting rooms to reach a decision on what they would do to overcome Israel. Joshua 10:3-5 narrates the move of the king of Jerusalem: “Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.” It was a very strong army and they felt they were able to overcome Gibeon and Israel. They targeted Gibeon because of that peace treaty with Israel. Since Gibeon was a party with Israel by virtue of that league, it was considered an enemy and those kings would attack it first. Those cities were neighbours and it was easy for them to come together in war. Humanly speaking, their combined armies were strong enough, but the hand of the God of Israel made the difference. It determined who would have the victory.
THOUGHT: Am I on God’s side in my spiritual walk?
PRAYER: Father, may I always take Thy side in all my decisions.