Joshua 11 (4)

So all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua took and struck with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded. But as forthe cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only, which Joshua burned. And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the children of Israel took as booty for themselves; but they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. As the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. Joshua 11.12-15

Reflect.
1.  We note the three mentions of “the LORDcommanded.” Why was it so important to keep saying this again and again?

2.  The writer is also careful to establish the continuity between Moses and Joshua (v. 15). Why was this important?

Think about it.
The campaign against the nations of the north, east, and west wrapped up with only the city of Hazor being burned. The other cities, towns, and villages were kept intact, as booty for the people of Israel, but their inhabitants were all put to the sword.

This was as the Lord had commanded through Moses.

We note the repeated mentioning that Joshua was doing what the Lord commanded, and that in connection with the name of Moses (vv. 12, 15). The writer felt a need to connect Joshua with Moses and Moses with the Word of God, to show an unbroken line of obedience in these actions. Was the writer thinking that readers might be troubled by the great violence of these actions? If so, he wanted to reassure them that, sad and unpleasant as this business may have been, it was all part of the good and perfect will of God for His people. God, Who dealt such death and violence to unrepentant sinners, would level that blow on His own Son (Acts 2.22, 23), and for the same reason, though not for His sins, but ours (2 Cor. 5.21). And that, we remember, was done on Good Friday.

The writer says that Joshua “left nothing undone” of all the Lord had commanded. He must be referring to this northern campaign, for, as we shall see, following the death of Joshua, much work yet remained in subduing all the land of promise for the people of God.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  The commands of the Lord may not always be convenient or easy to obey. Does this excuse us from obedience? Explain.

2.  The way into the promises of God is through obedience to what He commands. How can we see this in the conquest of Canaan?

3.  The violence done to Jesus was infinitely more terrible than what the Canaanite peoples experienced at the hands of Israel. Why?

“One should not at all think it a horrible cruelty that Joshua did not leave anyone alive in those cities that fell to him, for God himself had ordered this. However, whoever for this reason thinks that God himself must be cruel and does not wish to believe then that the true God was the author of the Old Testament judges as perversely about the works of God as he does about the sins of human beings.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

Paul says we must put to death the sinfulness in our souls and bodies, and I understand this to mean that I…

Pray Psalm 97.
As you pray, enumerate the many virtues of God mentioned in the psalm, and rejoice in them. Then let the Spirit search you for sin, and declare your hatred for each one He reveals in you.

Psalm 97 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice. 
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Refrain v. 9
Beyond, above
All gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

His just and righteous throne ‘mid clouds and darkness stands; 
His fiery wrath consumes His foes in every land.
Refrain

Earth trembles at the sight of Jesus’ holy face; 
The mountains melt before His might and praise His grace.
Refrain

The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness; 
And tribes and peoples everywhere; His Name confess.
Refrain

While Zion gladly sings, let all be brought to shame
Who to vain idols worship bring and scorn His Name.
Refrain

All you who love the Lord, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here. And when you order, we’ll send you a free copy of Bricks and Rungs: Poems on Calling.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).Israel's obedience provides a model for us.