The Lord Gives The Victory

Joshua 10:29–43
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In a series of quick raids Joshua attacked and conquered the key cities of southern Canaan. These included Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir (vv. 29-39). Joshua and his army went from city to city, destroying each one and slaying its king and inhabitants “as the Lord God of Israel commanded” (v. 40). However, all the towns of the land were not taken during the campaign. Apparently, it was not a military necessity that every town be destroyed. Jerusalem, one of the five in the alliance was also bypassed. A geographical summary of the land conquered in this southern campaign is given in verses 40-43. It included all the hill country south of Jerusalem between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean and from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza. Now Joshua could look with confidence to the unfinished task of conquering the north land. “The Lord God of Israel fought for Israel” (v.42). And praise God He is still fighting battles for His own today.

The very last verse in this chapter (v. 43) states “And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp of Gilgal.” This is the fifth time Gilgal is mentioned. It’s the place Israel started the attack from and the place they return to. Throughout the conquest of Canaan, Israel returns over and over to this very significant place. There they find encouragement, rest, motivation, and strategy for continued warfare. We as Christians need a Gilgal that we can return to, a place of rest and renewal. Gilgal has great community significance. It’s a place where God’s people gather to hear His Word. We need to remember that our warfare is not fought in isolation. Like Gilgal, our getting together at church, in homes and wherever we gather as the body of Christ ought to be times of rest, worship, spiritual encouragement and empowerment for a life of warfare.

Application

In every Israelite victory, the text gives the credit to the Lord. When I am successful, the temptation is to take all the credit as if I did it by myself. It is God and God alone who gives me any victories I may achieve, and I must be careful to give Him the praise.