Day #84

Sermon - Audio
Joshua 9-11 - Audio
Joshua 9-11 - Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment

9

v1-13 = Some of the other kings have conspired against Israel. They try to deceive Joshua by making a covenant with him. In Deut 7:1-2 it explicitly states that they shall not do this. The Gibeonites make sure that Joshua and others will think they are not from Canaan by looking rugged as if they has been on a long journey. They also make sure to praise Yahweh as well, so Joshua will not think them to be enemies...it works!

v3 = Archaeological Factoid: The identification of the city of Gibeon with el-Jib, a site 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Jerusalem, has been confirmed archaeologically by the discovery of numerous jar handles inscribed with the name Gibeon.

v14 = Look closely = "The did not ask counsel of the LORD." They trusted their own smarts.

Thought #1 = I wonder how many things I get myself into that are unneeded had I gone to the LORD first. We should always have an attitude of submission to His desires for our life. It's His story and we must seek how he wants to use us in His story.

Thought #2 = Discernment comes from God. We must ask Him for discernment in all areas of our life. "But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12

v15 = God allowed the Israelites to make treaties with other nations, but not the Canaanites...they were to be destroyed from the earth.

v16-27 = They were found out, but they held to their oath that they made, even though deceived. As we discussed in past days, holding to an oath was a big deal. One to God, was unbreakable. In 2 Samuel 21 King Saul breaks the vow to the Gibeonites and famine comes upon all of Israel.

I'm not sure why Joshua had to ask them why they did it when he understands what God has asked him to do. Maybe he wondered if they had another reason....kind of weird if you ask me.

Joshua tells the people that they will be slaves to the people of Israel. The Gibeonites seem to have no problem with this. It almost seems as if they really do respect the God of Israel. This reminds us of Rahab and family.

10

The opening verse ties the conquest narratives together into a unit, referring back to Jericho (chap. 6), Ai. (chaps. 7–8), and Gibeon (chap. 9). The following verse introduces the holy war ideology which dominates the chapter. In so doing it harks back to the theme of 2:9, the fear of the inhabitants of the land before the mighty acts of Yahweh. This demonstrates that despite the covenant made with inhabitants of the land, Israel remains in proper relationship to Yahweh. (WBC)

A battle is now going to take place between the southern kings of Canaan and Gibeon. Israel does not need to join in this battle, but because of their oath Joshua remains loyal to the people of Gibeon.

v10 = “The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel.” This indicates that God was miraculously fighting on behalf of Israel. This was the only way a small nation of twelve tribes could defeat a coalition of well-established cities and their defenders. (ASB)

v13-14 = There are many thoughts on what the "sun stood still and the moon stopped" means. Either way it was aiding the Israelites in defeating the Canaanites. The day seemed to just keep on going until victory was accomplished.

v13 = "the Book of Jashar" is mentioned one other time in 2 Sam. 1:18. No longer extant, the book appears to have contained poetic accounts or songs of the deeds of heroes (ESVSB)

v24 = In the ancient Near East, victors would often put their feet on the necks of defeated foes, symbolizing supremacy. This action underlies the notion of making one’s enemies a footstool under one’s feet (Ps. 110:1). (ESVSB)

v26&27 = The kings are all executed.

v28-43 = Joshua's Rampage - Israel destroys lands and people in their conquest of Southern Canaan. In verse 42 we see how Israel was able to do this..."the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel." It's amazing what one can do with God on their side.

Thought - Jesus Christ has fought the great battle for us. He has conquered sin and death. Through Him we are now able to be called children of God. Jesus has already won the great battle, now it is up to us to live in response to that victory.

Q - Do we live as if we are victorious? Or do we live as if we are continually defeated? Q - What does living in victory look like?

11

After the Southern kings fail, the Northern kings of Canaan decide that they'll take a shot. As you can tell from the "sand that is on the seashore in multitude," there were a lot of people against Israel. I believe this is the first time Israel has ever faced anything like this. There is an emphasis on the number of people and their horses/chariots.

v6 = Joshua is told that he will conquer them. To "hamstring their horses" means to cut their Achilles tendon, disabling the horse from being useful in battle.

v9 = quick turnaround on a promise from God. Joshua defeats them just as the LORD says.

v10-15 = Joshua then goes after Hazor who is the head of the northern Canaanite lands. Joshua is overly successful there...killing everyone and destroying everything in sight.

16-22 = We see that all of Canaan is given into Israel's hand. We see that God once again hardened the hearts of the people in the Canaanite nations so they would come after Israel in battle...just so He could defeat them.

v23 = CONQUEST OF THE PROMISED LAND (Scofield)

Joshua and the Israelites captured the land of Canaan by capturing and destroying key cities of the region—first in the southern region and then in the northern region.

Region City Reference Notes

Southern Jericho Joshua 6 Angel of the Lord is commander (Joshua 5:13–15). Walls fall down.

Southern Ai Joshua 8 Clever ambush used.

Southern Beth Horon Joshua 10:1–15 Enemy confused. Sun stands still. Hailstorm sent by God.

Southern Makkedah Joshua 10:16–28 Five Amorite kings are killed and sealed into caves.

Southern Libnah Joshua 10:29–30 No survivors.
Southern Lachish Joshua 10:31–33 Captured on second day. No survivors.
Southern Eglon Joshua 10:34–35 Captured on first day. No survivors.
Southern Hebron Joshua 10:36–37 No survivors.
Southern Debir Joshua 10:38 No survivors.

Northern Waters of Merom Joshua 11:1–9 Fought against huge army and won. No survivors.

Northern Hazor Joshua 11:10–11 City burned.