By the time Joshua had finished his career, chapter 12 says that he had destroyed thirty one kings and their cities. Pretty incredible statistics by anyone’s standards.
An interesting conquest was described in chapter 11. Joshua was moving through the land God had given them, taking it city by city, totally annihilating everything in their path. King Jabin knew he was next. He sent urgent messages to kings of the northern hill country, kings in the Jordan Valley, kings in the western foothills, kings of Canaan ...every king he could think of that might help him out. In fact, vs 4 says that their combined armies, along with a vast array of horses and chariots, covered the land scape like the sand on the seashore. They established their camp around the water near Merom to fight Israel.
Jeff Shaara wrote great books on the Revolutionary War. The British would amass their famous, well trained army, a sea of red uniforms, across a wide expanse of open field. The Americans were a recently formed army dressed in whatever they brought from home. It was a ragtag army at best. The term “army” is really a loose description. In the early stages of the war, Britain would advance and when the colonists would hear the drums and see the soldiers moving toward them, they would be overcome with fear and flee at the sight of the British. Many times, George Washington stood helpless, watching terrified men run away from the line and never return to camp. The sight of the redcoats and their cannons and horses was so awesome, fear overcame them and they just ran away.
I picture King Jabin and his armies this way. An incredible number of horses and chariots and fighting men waiting for the order to advance on the Israelites. Must have been quite a sight.
Joshua has a panoramic view of this great assembled army. Then....God speaks. Notice He didn’t speak until the opposing armies were in place. Until Israel could see that the odds were overwhelming. This was for our benefit as well.
God said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow they will all be dead.” (11:6) Don’t be afraid. You’re going to win. I’m here.
Always with these stories, I have to remind myself that we know how this is going to end. Not so for all those Israelite soldiers who were hunkered down looking at this incredible sea of soldiers, horses and chariots. Did they believe God...that He was there with them...that they’d win, just because He said so?
They must have believed Him. Like David rushing Goliath, “Joshua and his warriors traveled to the water near Merom and attacked suddenly. And the Lord gave them victory over their enemies.” God said you’re going to win. But Joshua and his men had to attack them.
Joshua 3 says that God had told the Israelites to cross the Jordan River which was overflowing its banks. The priests were to go first. Joshua gave the word and the priests moved out. “As soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water began piling up at a town upstream ... until the riverbed was dry.”
Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem when he saw ten lepers standing at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went.....their leprosy disappeared. As they went.
Joshua believed God when He said that tomorrow the enemy would all be dead. That faith in God’s word enabled he and the men with him to attack an immense army and chase them until not one was left alive. Belief lead to action.
Joshua believed God when He told him to cross the Jordan River and he ordered the priests to advance. They advanced and the riverbed dried up. Belief lead to action.
Jesus told the lepers to go...and they went. As they went, their leprosy disappeared. Belief led to action. And in all three instances, there was a great victory that only God could have achieved.
In all three instances, their actions were based on a clear, instructive word from God. But the victory came when they charged the enemy, took a step into the water, started walking toward the temple to show the priests. While the enemy was still armed and dangerous, while the water was still in the river, while their bodies were still leprous.
Sometimes God says to “stand and see the salvation of the Lord” as He did with Jehosophat in 2 Chronicles. But there are other times when I believe He gives us a word and waits for us to move. He sees who believes Him and who doesn’t. Separates the men from the boys. Sees which warriors will charge hell with a water pistol for Jesus.
What impossible thing is staring me down? Do I have a clear word from God? Am I acting in light of that word or am I sitting with my hands folded in my lap, defeated before I even get out of the chair.
Is God’s assurance of “Don’t be afraid, I’m here,” enough?
May be it’s time to fish or cut bait.
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