For today’s meditation let us look at Joshua 10:5, “These five Amorite kings, the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, joined forces, surrounded Gibeon, and attacked it.” (GNB)
The five kings who are mentioned in the verse above joined hands to wage war against Gibeon. As we study the background of this incident, we will certainly learn some important lessons. When Joshua and the people of Israel who were led by God advanced into the Promised Land, all the people who lived in that region heard about the wonderful deeds God performed on behalf of the Israelites.
Rahab’s Testimony
Rahab who lived on the walls of the city of Jericho gave this testimony about the people of Israel.
We read in Joshua 2:10, “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction.” (ESV)
As the Israelites progressed to take possession of the land God had promised them, the inhabitants of those regions heard about how God parted the Red Sea. For over four hundred years the people of Israel were under the iron grip of Pharaoh, and in bondage to the Egyptians. God delivered them by His mighty hand that performed great sign and wonders. Everyone in that region had therefore heard about the mighty deliverance that God wrought for His people.
The freedom that Jesus brought for us
If you are wondering as to why you have to know about this deliverance of the Israelites from their bondage, we must realize that at one time we too were slaves to this world, to our flesh and Satan. No one can be freed from this bondage to sin with their own strength. Jesus the Son of God came down to the earth, took on flesh and blood like all of us, lived a sinless life, and shed His precious blood on the cross of Calvary, so that we can be freed from our slavery to sin. This salvation that Jesus offers us gives us hope for eternity. Interestingly, when we share the good news of the gospel we will see that people tend to react in varied ways.
The different reactions of people to the works of God
When the people of Jericho heard about the advancement of the Israelites, they shut themselves up inside their fort. They thought that the fort could protect them from the advancing children of Israel who were lead by God.
A child of God, led by God faces similar situations when once people come to know that you have made Jesus the Lord of your life, they will shut you out, and not have anything to do with you.
Unlike the people of Jericho, the people of Ai did not care about the people of Israel, and didn’t seem to bother about them moving close to their place. Similarly some people are not bothered whether you follow the Lord or not.
However, the people of Gibeon knew that the Almighty God was with the people of Israel and they were victorious because God was with them. They therefore decided that they would make a peace treaty, and be friends with the Israelites. So also, when some people know that God is with you, they will try and be friends with you.
The Amorite kings plan for attack
The Amorite kings on the other hand decided to wage war, and wanted to oppose, and stop the Israelites as they advanced into the Promised Land.
We read in Joshua 10:1-2, “As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors.” (ESV)
One of the major reasons why these five Amorite kings opposed Israelites was the sense of fear that gripped them.
As children of God when people rise up against us, we can be sure that the main reason is because they are filled with fear. This kind of fearful hatred is often evident at the work place, in families, and even in churches.
The master-mind behind the plot
We read in Joshua 10:3-4, So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, "Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel." (ESV)
This proposal to wage war against the people of Gibeon was connived by Adoni-zedek who called together the other kings to be his accomplice. The meaning of the name Adoni-zedek is ‘king of justice,’ but he was acting contrary, and was making an alliance for an unjust cause.
Sometimes we observe how some who have names of great men in the bible fail to live up to it. For example one may have the name Abraham, and not have faith, or have the name Daniel and be a person with no integrity or be named Nehemiah, but be those who destroy instead of those who build. It is important that we be good witnesses to the names we bear.
Often we get deceived because we look at a person’s appearance, their name or position, but we truly need to have discernment to decipher who is who.
When Adoni-zedek sent the invitation to join him for war against Gibeon, all other kings join hands, and come forward to attack the people of Gibeon. We read in Joshua 10:4 that when Adnoni-zedek gave a call for the other kings to help him fight against Gibeon because they had made a peace treaty with Joshua and the Israelites, the other four kings willingly consented. The main reason for this war was Adoni-zedek.
I am sure that Adoni-zedek would have instigated the other kings that if they did not set out to war that their small kingdoms, their thrones and territories would be confiscated from them. As Joshua moved forward with the strength of the Lord each group reacted differently, but Adoni-zedek decided to go to war. The people of Gibeon and the Amorite kings feared Joshua and the Israelites. Nonetheless, while the people of Gibeon were humble to make a peace treaty, the Amorite kings were proud and wanted to wage war.
Interestingly, in most conspiracies the plot is mostly initiated by one individual. When we encounter some challenging situations and hardships, it is always good for us to go to God, and ask Him to show us if there is someone responsible for the trouble we face. God will definitely reveal to us as to who is responsible for the trouble in our lives, and who is instigating such problems.
The war against Gibeon
We read in Joshua 10:5, “Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.” (ESV)
It is obvious that it was these four kings who joined together, and initiated the war against Gibeon, were drawn in by Adoni-zedek.
As children of God we should be cautious as to whom we associate with. These are days when good is portrayed as evil, and evil is portrayed as good. So also, there are those who appear to be good when in reality they are not. The most important grace that a believe needs is to have the discernment to identify those who are from God, and those who are not. Our associations should develop only after we have received clear guidance, and approval from God to pursue the same.
The word from Gibeon to Joshua
We read in Joshua 10:6, And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, "Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us." (ESV)
Joshua goes immediately to help
The men of Gibeon were now filled with dread, and sent word to Joshua to fight on their behalf. We see that Joshua set out immediately to help Gibeon because of the treaty that he had made with them. Joshua is a great example, and can be said to be a type of Jesus.
No matter who may rise against us, if we are those who have made a covenant with the Lord Jesus when we call the Lord will come immediately to fight on our behalf.
We read in Joshua 10:7, “So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.” (ESV)
Joshua and all his men of war went to help Gibeon simply because he was faithful to the covenant that he had made with the people of Gibeon.
If we too have entered into this New Covenant with the Lord Jesus, if our sins have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus, we have entered the waters of baptism, and participate of the Lord’s Table every time we call on the Lord, He will come immediately to our aid. When we call on the Lord He promises us that He will come, and do that which is far beyond our thinking and understanding. Let us not grow weary or be discouraged. There is no need to weep or lament when troubles come, because we have the Lord Jesus to save us, just as Joshua did for the people of Gibeon.
God’s assurance to Joshua
These were the words of God to Joshua as found in Joshua 10:8, “And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you."” (ESV)
Firstly God encouraged Joshua that he need not have any fear as he went to war. Secondly God assured Joshua that He had already handed over his enemies into his hands. Isn’t it interesting that Joshua was just preparing to go to the aid of Gibeon, and even before he reached, God had already decided the outcome of the battle. Joshua was going to come forth triumphant. Thirdly God guaranteed Joshua that not a man shall stand before him. Though five kings have formed an alliance none of them would stand before Joshua.
To every child of God the assurance of God is that ‘no weapon formed against you will prosper.’ God has already determined this. God’s want to assure us too that there is no need to fear though the circumstances may look gloomy. Moreover, even before we go the Lord has worked out the victory. The Lord also will see to it that not one who rises against us will be able to stand before us. Do not fear no matter how big your burdens, trials or difficulties are. Just hold on to God’s promise that He will overcome all of it. Let us praise God for the victory that is ours.
Joshua went forth to accomplish
When God’s word came to Joshua, he did not sit around and wait. This is what Joshua did.
We read in Joshua 10:9, “So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.” (ESV)
Joshua marched all night, and he suddenly came upon the five kings and their armies who probably planned that they would begin the war the next morning.
When God’s word comes to us we have to obey, and do as He bids us to.
God fought for Joshua
We read in Joshua 10:10-11,“And the LORD threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.” (ESV)
It is amazing that God came to Joshua’s aid, joined in the battle to fight against the Amorite kings. Joshua and his men fought and chased away all of their enemies with the strength that God gave them. Moreover, God took over and rained down large hail stones from heaven that more died from the hail stones than from the sword. The other kings who joined hands with Adoni-zedek would have realized that God was fighting on behalf of Joshua and his men. God will not allow them to be put to shame, or be defeated before their foes. Now things had gone out of hand, and there was no way of escape.
When evil people join hands, and come against us, be sure that God will enter into that battle, and throw them into panic. As we read this incident there is a sense of reverent fear that fills our heart. It is a fact that when the Almighty God is with His children no one can prevail against them. We also realize that we have a great big God who is zealous for His children.
As we read this passage we understand the countless wonders that God did on behalf of His people. Joshua and all his men walked all night, but it didn’t seem they were tired or wearied in any way. We also see that there was panic, and unexpected hail stones that poured down from heaven.
We read in Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”(ESV)
There are many who have taken lightly things pertaining to God, His people, and those who serve Him. The Lord reminds us that it is a fearful thing to fall into His hand of judgement.
The sun and moon stood still
We read in Joshua 10:12, At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." (ESV)
Joshua prayed to God and gave a command to the sun and the moon to stand still. Some who read this think they are very smart when they argue that the sun always stands still, it is only the earth that revolves around the sun. Interestingly, right until today we say in everyday conversations that the sun rises and the sun sets. It is only a way of explaining this phenomenon. The sun did not set and therefore, the Israelites had enough light to fight and win the battle.
As children of God, if we can pray, and ask the Lord God can do the miraculous, and extraordinary things in our lives. He is the Lord who can even make the sun and moon stand still if He wanted it to be so. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and acknowledge that He is indeed the same Almighty God. God will never let those who trust in Him to be put to shame. The Lord will protect them, give them victory and grant them peace.
A spectacular day like never before
We read in Joshua 10:14, “There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel.” (ESV)
God want to assure us today that He will fight all of our battles, and we will triumph for sure.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
