CSSA 1-2-12 - JOSHUA TURNS NORTHWARD

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37. JOSHUA TURNS NORTHWARD

"And the land rested from war."

Aim

To show that we must be diligent in obeying the commandments of God if we desire to enter into the Kingdom

Synopsis

Just as God had led Israel safely through the wilderness under Moses, so He now led them into the Promised Land with Joshua as their leader. The seven nations of Canaan had to be overcome before Israel could settle in the land God was giving them. The Canaanites were strong enemies, but after about six years of war, the final campaign was fought and Joshua "took the whole land, according to all that Yahweh said unto Moses".

Joshua 11; 14 and 18:1-10

A THREAT FROM THE NORTH: Joshua 11:1 5

Joshua had succeeded in overcoming the cities in the south and centre of Canaan, but there were still parts of the north which he had not conquered. When Jabin, King of Hazor heard of the victories of Joshua, he sent out messages to all the kings over whom he was head, gathering them together to fight against Israel. A huge army assembled, "as m,any as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many" (v4) and pitched by the waters of Merom. This army was greater than anything Joshua had met so far. Not only were there more soldiers, but they had horses and chariots, whereas Israel's fighting men were all on foot. Without God's help Israel was no match for such an army as this.

JOSHUA ENCOURAGED BY GOD: Joshua 11:6

Before they entered Canaan, Moses had told the people not to be afraid when they went out to battle, even though the enemy might seem stronger than they. "For Yahweh your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" (Deut. 20:1-4). Joshua knew that God was with Israel and his faith was strengthened by God's words of encouragement: "Be not afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver them up all slain before Israel" (v6).

JOSHUA'S SURPRISE ATTACK: Joshua 11:7-9

Jabin's army was camped near the waters of Merom, in the Par north. The country was very flat there and it would be a good place to use horses and chariots. At this time Joshua was probably at Gilgal, about 100 km to the south. He decided to take #he enemy by surprise, as he had done at Gibeon. So his army marched northwards as quickly as possible and came suddenly upon the Canaanites, who were quite unprepared for the attack. They had no chance to use their chariots and were scattered in confusion, for 'Yahweh delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them and chased them until they left none remaining" (v8). The horses were destroyed and the chariots burnt, as God had commanded. Israel were not to put their trust in such things, but were to remember that God had given them the victory (see Psa. 33:16-22).

THE CANAANITES DEFEATED - THE LAND AT REST: Joshua 11:10-23

After the victory over Jabin's army, Joshua took the cities of the kings who had joined forces with Jabin and destroyed the wicked inhabitants, as God had commanded Moses. Joshua had conquered the strongest of the Canaanites and "the land had rest from war" (v23). Now it remained for Joshua to divide the land among the tribes and every tribe could go in and possess their inheritance.

THE DIVISION OF THE LAND: Joshua 18

Before entering Canaan, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had asked Moses for land on the eastern side of the River Jordan, because it was a good land for cattle, and this had been given to them (Josh. 12:6). Therefore God told Joshua to divide the land of Canaan by lot between the remaining nine and a half tribes. (Remember that Joseph became two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh - Josh. 14:4). The Levites were not given any portion of the land as an inheritance, "for the priesthood of Yahweh is their inheritance" (Josh. 18:7). They were given 48 cities throughout the country, some in each tribe, for God had commanded that they should be given cities in which to dwell, including the surrounding areas for their cattle (Josh. 21:1-3). They were to dwell among the people and teach them God's ways and laws.

LESSON FOR US

Joshua remained faithful to the work God had given him to do. Even when he was faced with such a huge army as Jabin's, he was brave and true. He knew he could trust in his God for help.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will remember the name of Yahweh our God" (Psa. 20:7). The God who helped Joshua is the same God who will help us in all our troubles today.

We hope to dwell in that very land forever soon. So Joshua's hope is our hope and he can be our example. It took many years to conquer the land, but he did not hesitate nor lose confidence in God.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

CALEB - A MAN OF FAITH: Joshua 14

After the tribes had been given their portions of land they were told to go in and possess it. They had to go and settle there and keep it free from Canaanites. Many lacked the faith and courage to do this, but there was one man who showed wonderful faith. About 45 years earlier, Caleb had been one of the two faithful spies who returned to Moses with a good report of the Land. Because of his faith, God promised to give Caleb his own inheritance in the land of Canaan (Deut. 1:36; Josh. 14:9). We read that "Joshua blessed him, and gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance" (vl3). At the age of 85 years, he did not hesitate to go in and possess his inheritance. The task was difficult, but he trusted in God's help and succeeded (v12). "As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me", said Caleb, "If Yahweh will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out" (vv11, 12).

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. What did Jabin, King of Hazor, do when he heard of Joshua's victories?

2. Where*was Jabin's army gathered together?

3. How was Jabin's army different from the army of Israel?

4. How did Joshua decide to attack Jabin?

5. What did Joshua do to Jabin's horses and chariots?

6. What did Joshua do after he had conquered the Canaanites?

7. How many tribes received portions in the Land of Canaan?

8. What were the Levites given instead of a portion of the land?

9. What lesson do we learn from the story of Joshua conquering Jabin's huge army?

Detailed Answers