Joshua 10:9,11,13b
What:
After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by suprise... As theyfled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites... The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed for about a full day.
Context:
Joshua and Israel had destroyed Jericho & Ai, but were tricked into a treaty with the Gibeonites, when the kings of 5 neighboring Amalekite nations hear about the treaty they decided to attack Gibeon for revenge, causing Joshua to march his entire army out to save Israel's new servant nation.
Apply:
Even though Israel was tricked into a treaty with Gibeon, they kept it even when it meant they had to bail out Gibeon militarily. Joshua's oath was made before the Lord on behalf of Israel and he understood how it was binding, breaking it would invite the wrath of God yet again. Because he feared God, he sought his guidance then lead the entire army of Israel on an overnight forced march, allowing him to catch the Amalekites by suprise, God delivering them into their hands as He had promised. Now an all-night march is a gruelling affair especially when it is followed imeadiately by 36 hours of non-stop combat! But the Lord blessed them by smashing the retreating Amalekites with large hailstones, killing more thant the whole Israelite army slew by the sword, and he stopped the sun to give them the time to capitalize on slaying the fighting men of their enemies before they could reach the protection of their cities.
The lesson here is two-fold:
1. Fear God even when it means you will be subjected to gruelling, difficult, or distasteful work; the Lord knows that it will try your mettle and test your endurance, His reasons for such endeavors are just, righteous, pleasing to Him, and ultimately beneficial to you; know that He will bless/honor your obediance to His commands.
2. Make the most of your opportunities. Joshua saw that he could completely crush the armies of the 5 nations of Amalekites if he just had enough daylight, so he asked God to delay the sun, and God gave him his request. He was able to do in a day and a half what would have probably required at least 5 sieges and at least 5 battles to accomplish. God gave Joshua the initiative and he and his men just had to keep at it until they got the job done.
After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by suprise... As theyfled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites... The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed for about a full day.
Context:
Joshua and Israel had destroyed Jericho & Ai, but were tricked into a treaty with the Gibeonites, when the kings of 5 neighboring Amalekite nations hear about the treaty they decided to attack Gibeon for revenge, causing Joshua to march his entire army out to save Israel's new servant nation.
Apply:
Even though Israel was tricked into a treaty with Gibeon, they kept it even when it meant they had to bail out Gibeon militarily. Joshua's oath was made before the Lord on behalf of Israel and he understood how it was binding, breaking it would invite the wrath of God yet again. Because he feared God, he sought his guidance then lead the entire army of Israel on an overnight forced march, allowing him to catch the Amalekites by suprise, God delivering them into their hands as He had promised. Now an all-night march is a gruelling affair especially when it is followed imeadiately by 36 hours of non-stop combat! But the Lord blessed them by smashing the retreating Amalekites with large hailstones, killing more thant the whole Israelite army slew by the sword, and he stopped the sun to give them the time to capitalize on slaying the fighting men of their enemies before they could reach the protection of their cities.
The lesson here is two-fold:
1. Fear God even when it means you will be subjected to gruelling, difficult, or distasteful work; the Lord knows that it will try your mettle and test your endurance, His reasons for such endeavors are just, righteous, pleasing to Him, and ultimately beneficial to you; know that He will bless/honor your obediance to His commands.
2. Make the most of your opportunities. Joshua saw that he could completely crush the armies of the 5 nations of Amalekites if he just had enough daylight, so he asked God to delay the sun, and God gave him his request. He was able to do in a day and a half what would have probably required at least 5 sieges and at least 5 battles to accomplish. God gave Joshua the initiative and he and his men just had to keep at it until they got the job done.
posted by nils4gzus at 8:20 AM
2 Comments:
That's very powerful. I like what you said about fearing God in the midst of hard work or tough situations. Fearing God is a sign of humility and submission to his will.
Exactly! To fear God is to understand (at least in part) who He really is and all that it means. If we fear Him, we will submit to His will, which is labor for us in His Kingdom. Matt 9:37-38
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