Ongoing but going on

Joshua Chapter Eleven

Perhaps as we have studied this book you have felt that there is an over emphasis on war. It seems that week by week we are directed again to some battle.

It may seem that these battles are far removed from living in the 21st Century, perhaps even from New Testament Christianity, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Joshua pictures for us the battles that we as God’s children face in 21st Century Ulster. If we thought that trusting the Lord was a pathway to an easy life, we were either foolishly misled or we didn’t listen.

Paul tells us that we are to "wrestle."

Ephes. 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We are to fight.

1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

We are to run.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We are to labour.

1 Cor. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

 

  • There are goals to reach, we need to run.
  • There are battles to win, we need to fight.
  • There is work to be done, we need to labour

So perhaps Joshua is more relevant than you first thought to 21st Century living.

In spiritual warfare, as in any warfare, the effectiveness of any weapon depends on the one who is operating it. How well do we know the weapon?

During the Great War, U.S. recruits were issued with one weapon, one rifle called his piece and it became part of him.

He handled it continually, dissembled it, reassembled it, cleaned it; he carried it twelve hours a day. If crossing a river, he could get wet but it must never. Six months later he knew the weapon inside out; he could take it apart and rebuild it blindfolded.

Man and weapon had become a synchronised efficient fighting machine.

How well do you know your weapon?

For this spiritual warfare I dare say we have difficulty taking this book apart and knowing it, this is why we study the word of God, why we are studying Joshua, that you might know this book, that it might become an even more effective weapon in your hands.

As we come to chapter eleven I must confess the temptation is to leave it out, but as I read through it, I felt the Lord had something to say to us, some simple truths to impress upon our hearts.

Let us see firstly.

The war continuing.

We could have looked at chapter ten and revelled in the many battles Joshua faced, the great armies of the South combined, he with God’s help had routed.

Here in this chapter the enemy would be even greater, but there was no miraculous help from God, no hailstones or sun standing still.

Likewise, we have the sword of the spirit in our hand and with Holy Ghost power and God’s people living, as they should. We don’t depend on supernatural signs and wonders.

Joshua 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

Joshua had taken the centre of Canaan by capturing Jericho and Ai. He then moved south where we read in chapter ten of his conquests. Now the northern kings were gathering against Joshua.

Joshua 11:2-3 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, [3] And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

This was a mighty formidable army.

Joshua 11:4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

Israel faced the greatest foe to date. They had the mightiest weapons, horses and chariots, Israel were infantrymen.

This is why I called this the war continuing, yes it was on going, but Israel would still be going on.

And dear believer this war continues day by day, but in spite of the battles ongoing, you and I can still be going on.

Joshua 11:5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

They were going to fight Israel, but do keep this in mind, an attack against Israel was an attack against God.

Like Paul who persecuted Christians and discovered that in doing so, he was persecuting Christ.

Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

When the devil attacks you he is attacking the Lord. Does it not encourage your heart to know that you don’t face this foe on your own?

The war continues, but so does the help of the Lord.

Isaiah 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Secondly let us notice.

A word that brings courage.

Yes ongoing but we are still going on, why? Here is a word from the Lord.

Don’t fear their troops.

Joshua 11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

What are you afraid of?

2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Don’t fear the timing.

Joshua 11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

"for tomorrow about this time"

Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

In God’s good time, he will sort things out for you. Will you trust him?

Don’t fear who will triumph.

Joshua 11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

"Will I deliver them up"

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Don’t be afraid of their terror.

Look at these weapons they never faced anything like them before, horses and chariots, but God promises that they will be decommissioned.

Joshua 11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

War is raging, war is continuing, day by day, but while it is ongoing, praise God, we can be going on.

Because we have the Word to give us courage.

 

Alan Redpath "He is sensitive to sorrow and to the troubles of other people but he is able always to discern the wisdom of God.

He is willing to trust the loving heart of God and therefore is able in the conflict to await the unfolding of Gods plan. He is able to keep silent while he waits on the word of God."

Ongoing but going on.

Let us notice thirdly.

The wise conquerors.

Joshua takes courage form the word of God and obeys him.

Joshua 11:7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

Again Joshua surprises them, he comes suddenly, outnumbered, out powered but with God on his side, the northern League of Nations had no chance.

Joshua 11:8 And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

 

We see Joshua obeying every detail, look at verse nine.

Joshua 11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

The horses were left, no use for battling again and the chariots were destroyed.

These were the weapons of the world and Joshua showed how God triumphed over them. He left no temptation for Israel to take these weapons for themselves.

2 Cor. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Consider the first mention of horses in scripture.

Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.

Egypt always pictures the world. May we reject worldly weapons in our spiritual battles.

The wise conquerors follow God’s word and believe his promises. Some- one has said,

The promises of God are mighty.

  • Cordial to strengthen us, when weakness sets in.
  • Spurs to move us, when we would give up.
  • Arguments to use, when kneeling in prayer.
  • Food for our faith

Ongoing but we are going on, we can be more than conquerors.

Let us notice fourthly and finally.

The wonderful comfort.

In the closing verses of this chapter we find some interesting facts about Joshua. These should be a wonderful comfort to us, because they show how we can be more than conquerors.

a. He finished.

Joshua 11:15 As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

This surely is how we can be going on in spite of the ongoing battles we face.

He left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

We could probably stand here and tell how much we have done for the Lord.

But I wonder what you have left undone?

Have you spent time in prayer with the Lord?

Have you read his word?

Listen to what the Lord said on one occasion.

Matthew 23:23-24 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

They were careful about some very insignificant matters, they would even give a tenth of something that was practically worthless.

When it came to judgement, mercy and faith, they were neglected.

They would walk over the top of people; they were bad to their parents and to people.

They had left some things undone.

What is the point in all this activity, if you neglect the important things spiritually and leave them undone?

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Matthew 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

 

I wonder what we have left undone?

We will face ongoing battles, but we want to be going on, don’t leave important things undone.

Look at one more example.

Rev. 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Here is the Lord’s word to a church.

Look what they have done!

They could stand up and say, "look what we have done" but listen look what you haven’t done.

Rev. 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

My daughter always wants on my shoulders. When she gets off it’s a great relief, I walk with a new spring in my step, soon, however, I forget she was ever on my shoulders.

When our sins were gone, we rejoiced and loved the saviour but now we don’t have the same love for him.

For husband and wife to grow apart something comes in between.

We cannot fault this church for their activity but look what they left undone they had left their first love

 

b. He was faithful

Joshua 11:18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

c. He was formidable.

Joshua 11:21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.

What is the significance?

Deut. 1:28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.

These giants put Israel off once before, but they were conquered now.

Notice that they were near the end, God will prepare us before we meet the giants.

1 Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

d. He was fruitful

Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.

He possessed his possessions, he conquered, surely this is a word of comfort.

Can you not see how the battle was ongoing but still Joshua was going on?

ONGOING BUT GOING ON!

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