GETTING STARTED
Despite our tendencies to stray from God and failing to seek him in all things, he always has our best interests at heart. His purposes are accomplished, even through our failures and inadequacies. His grace goes deeper still. God invites us into his victory, allowing us to share in his glory. In today’s passage, God continues to fight for the Israelites, working through them to destroy those who oppose them.
- What battles is God fighting for you today, and what do you need to do to be obedient and participate with him in the fight?
READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 10:16-27 (ESV)
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.
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. 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.” 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.
English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
DIGGING DEEPER
- Why did the Israelites seek to fully destroy the army of the five kings (vs. 19)?
- Why did Joshua involve his army captains in his communication?
- What is the message Joshua was trying to communicate to his men (vss. 24-25)? What did he want them to understand about God?
- What does your faith in God look like when encountering difficult circumstances?
- How has God used you for his purposes despite your inadequacies?
RESPOND TO GOD
Through this dark and gory passage, we see that God fervently protects those he loves, leaving no promise unfulfilled or incomplete. Our Father keeps his promises to the last man. When Jesus, hanging on the cross, said, “It is finished,” he meant it. Our Father finishes what he starts, for himself and despite us, yet to our benefit. Though we may never hold a sword, earthly “kings” will fall before the Lord. It is beautiful when we can clearly see and participate in victory so obviously attributable to our Father.
- Ask God to reveal the depths of your victory in him.
- Invite God into every circumstance today, and resolve to attribute no victory to anyone or anything but him.
