RPG Adults
THE KINGS OF THE NORTH CAME UP AGAINST ISRAEL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Joshua 11
Philippians 4:4-7
“Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by
prayer and supplication…”
THE KINGS OF THE NORTH CAME UP AGAINST ISRAEL
The conquest of the northern cities took a shorter time and a larger territory was claimed. This was because Israel had gained greater confidence in facing any army. God did not cease to encourage Joshua with assurance of victory because He was fighting for them. The kings of the northern part were stronger and better equipped, but Joshua conquered and took all their land. The following is a summary of the northern conquest.
Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of Joshua’s victories in the south. They were not ready to surrender and were persuaded that they were strong enough to fight against Israel. Jabin sent for the kings of the other cities to come together to fight against Israel. In any war, there would be aggression and defence. In this narrative, Israel was put on the defence. The kings were from a larger territory as observed in Joshua 11:3: “And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.” Jabin invited these other kings and initiated an assault against Israel. They were overwhelmed by fear because of the successes that Joshua had achieved against the other Canaanite kings, and the Amorites beyond Jordan. Their strategy was to attack by surprise, and they depended on their military might.
Joshua knew all along that the word of God would be fulfilled. Remember that he was one of the twelve spies whom Moses had sent earlier to spy on the land of Canaan (Num 13:8). He was one of the only two who had encouraged the people to go and occupy the land, but the majority won the hearts of the people. God then pronounced their punishment and they were made to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Nevertheless, God did not change His original promise to give them the land. Joshua succeeded Moses and was tasked with waging war to chase away and destroy the Canaanites, and to divide the land among the twelve tribes of Israel.
THOUGHT: God is always true to His word. He never fails.
PRAYER: Father, give me consistent faith (like Joshua’s) in Thy Word.