Acting in Confidence of God's faithfulness (Joshua 11:1-9)

Acting in Confidence of God's faithfulness

Joshua 11:1-9

In my personal studies I have been going through the book of Joshua, and yesterday I was going through the first couple parts of chapter 11, specifically verses 1-9. Once again, when a king heard of the victories of Israel (this time it was Jabin, King of Hazor) he sent to the kings of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, along with kings from the north hill country, the Arabah, the lowland, some from Naph-Dor, the Cannanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, a and the Hivites in Mizpah. -- (Verses 1-5)

All these peoples gathered together at the waters of Merom to unite against Israel. There were over 14 people groups, kings, or kingdoms all against Israel at once. This group was described as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Not only that, but they were well equipped for war with "very many horses and Chariots"(Josh 11:4). Against the face of such a huge enemy God says to Joshua that he is not to be afraid and that the next day God would give them victory, all those people would be killed, their horses would be hamstrung and their chariots burned. -- (Verses 6-9)

Now, I'm not sure about you, but I think it would be a nerve racking experience to be the leader of a nation that was about to go up over 14 nations some (probably most if not all) of which were "greater and more powerful" than Israel (Deut. 4:38; 7:17; 9:1; 11:23). Despite how dreadful such a situation would be, God tells Joshua to "not be afraid of them" (Josh 11:6). That seems like a big order (especially because it is in regards to an emotion, or is it? What is fear? what is God commanding here?), but God gives reasons to support such courage. This reason is actually God Himself and has nothing to do with Israel (Deut. 7:16-23; Joshua 1:9). As I've seen again and again, Joshua is showing us that God is faithful, and His reason for Joshua (and by extent Israel) to not have fear is that He is faithful and able to do what He has promised. In short, they should not fear because they can trust God to do what He has promised.

Now, as we continue to trust God and believe His promises, He may cause bigger and bigger acts of His power to be displayed. Look quickly what has happened here in Joshua so far:

1. Israel trusted God to bring them through the Jordan and He did, God is faithful. (Joshua 3-4)

2.Israel trusted God to deliver Jericho and He did, God is faithful. (Joshua 6)

3. Israel failed to trust God (by the disobedience of Achan) and their trusting their own war power and not God (Joshua 7:2-3), thus they suffered defeat at Ai, God is faithful (Joshua 7)

4. Israel repented and trusted God to deliver Ai. He did, God is faithful (Joshua 8)

5. Israel trusted God against the army of the 5 kings, and He gave them victory. God is faithful. (Joshua 10:1-28)

6. Israel trusted God through a series of city sieges, and He gave them victory. God is faithful. (Joshua 10:29-43)

7. Now Israel is put up against over 14 other kingdoms and God gives them victory. God is faithful. (Joshua 11)

Truly God has been fighting for Israel! In all this the idea is repeated: Do not fear God because God is faithful, and Trust God because He is trustworthy. All this power and promise fulfillment should bring us back to Joshua chapter 1 where God first Charges Joshua to be "Strong and Courageous" because God is with them (Joshua 1:6,7,9). This display of promise fulfillment, power and victory should remind us that the success or failure of any and everything we do is controlled by God and He will bring about what He will. Our job is doing what we are called and commanded to do with confidence.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

4/24/10

For the King,

~Andrew Voigt