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,
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,
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.
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.
And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
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.
So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
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.
And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.
And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.
But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
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.
So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;
Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal–gad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
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.
There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
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.
Joshua 11 marks a significant turning point in the conquest of Canaan. Having secured the southern territories, Joshua and the Israelites now faced the formidable challenge of the northern kingdoms. This chapter reveals not only the immensity of the opposition but also God's unwavering promise of victory and a glimpse into the complex concept of God hardening hearts.
A United Front Against Israel (Joshua 11:1-5)
The news of Israel's victories had spread like wildfire, galvanizing the northern kings into a unified force. Aware of the impending threat, these kings, led by Jabin king of Hazor, formed a coalition. They gathered their armies near the waters of Merom, an assembly described as "as numerous as the sand on the seashore" (Joshua 11:4). This vast multitude, complete with horses and chariots (Joshua 11:4-5), presented a daunting challenge, perhaps the greatest the Israelites had faced thus far. The scale of the enemy forces was enough to instill fear in the hearts of even the most seasoned warriors.
God's Reassurance and the Decisive Victory (Joshua 11:6-15)
In the face of such overwhelming odds, God's word to Joshua rings with power and comfort: "Do not be afraid of them" (Joshua 11:6). This command, a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlights a crucial truth: fear is a natural response to challenging circumstances, but faith in God's promises can overcome it. God assured Joshua that He would deliver the enemy into Israel's hands and instructed him to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots (Joshua 11:6). This act symbolized a complete reliance on God's power rather than military might.
Joshua, trusting in God's promise, launched a surprise attack at the waters of Merom (Joshua 11:7). The Lord delivered the enemy into the hands of Israel, and they struck them down, pursuing them as far as Great Sidon, Misrephoth Maim, and the Valley of Mizpah to the east (Joshua 11:8). They left no survivors, fulfilling God's command (Joshua 11:8). Joshua then did to them as the Lord had commanded him: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire (Joshua 11:9). The Israelites captured all the cities of these kings and executed them (Joshua 11:10-14). Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses (Joshua 11:15).
The Gradual Conquest and the Exception of Gibeon (Joshua 11:16-23)
While this chapter highlights a major victory, it also clarifies that the conquest of the entire land was a protracted process. Joshua "made war with all these kings for a long time" (Joshua 11:18). This reminds us that spiritual battles are often ongoing and require perseverance.
Interestingly, the text points out that "there was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all the others they took in battle" (Joshua 11:19). This exception, detailed in Joshua 9:1-27, serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and obedience in following God's leading. The Gibeonites' deception led Israel to make a covenant they later regretted, highlighting the potential consequences of acting without seeking God's counsel.
A key theological point emerges in Joshua 11:20: "For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might have no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the Lord had commanded Moses."
Understanding God's Hardening of Hearts
The concept of God hardening hearts is a complex and often misunderstood topic. This is not the first time we encounter it in the Old Testament. We first see this in Exodus with Pharaoh (Exodus 9:12; 10:27; 11:10). It's crucial to understand that God doesn't arbitrarily harden the hearts of those seeking Him. Rather, He hardens the hearts of those who are already set on a path of rebellion and defiance. As we see with Pharaoh (Exodus 7:22; 8:15, 32), God often hardens hearts after they have already hardened themselves.
The Canaanites, steeped in wickedness and idolatry, had chosen to reject God's ways. When people reach that point of willful rebellion, God will further harden their hearts to accomplish His purposes. In this case, God used their hardened hearts to bring about their own destruction, fulfilling His promise to give the land to Israel and to judge the wickedness of the Canaanites. God's hardening of hearts is not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a consequence of persistent rejection of His truth and a means of fulfilling His sovereign purposes.
Ultimately, Joshua took the entire land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war (Joshua 11:23).
Joshua 11 offers a powerful message of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. It also provides a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's will and the complex nature of His sovereignty. This chapter encourages us to trust in God's power, to persevere in the face of challenges, and to seek His guidance in all our decisions.
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,
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,
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.
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.
And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
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.
So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
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.
And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.
And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.
But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
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.
So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;
Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal–gad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
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.
There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
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.
Joshua 11 marks a significant turning point in the conquest of Canaan. Having secured the southern territories, Joshua and the Israelites now faced the formidable challenge of the northern kingdoms. This chapter reveals not only the immensity of the opposition but also God's unwavering promise of victory and a glimpse into the complex concept of God hardening hearts.
A United Front Against Israel (Joshua 11:1-5)
The news of Israel's victories had spread like wildfire, galvanizing the northern kings into a unified force. Aware of the impending threat, these kings, led by Jabin king of Hazor, formed a coalition. They gathered their armies near the waters of Merom, an assembly described as "as numerous as the sand on the seashore" (Joshua 11:4). This vast multitude, complete with horses and chariots (Joshua 11:4-5), presented a daunting challenge, perhaps the greatest the Israelites had faced thus far. The scale of the enemy forces was enough to instill fear in the hearts of even the most seasoned warriors.
God's Reassurance and the Decisive Victory (Joshua 11:6-15)
In the face of such overwhelming odds, God's word to Joshua rings with power and comfort: "Do not be afraid of them" (Joshua 11:6). This command, a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlights a crucial truth: fear is a natural response to challenging circumstances, but faith in God's promises can overcome it. God assured Joshua that He would deliver the enemy into Israel's hands and instructed him to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots (Joshua 11:6). This act symbolized a complete reliance on God's power rather than military might.
Joshua, trusting in God's promise, launched a surprise attack at the waters of Merom (Joshua 11:7). The Lord delivered the enemy into the hands of Israel, and they struck them down, pursuing them as far as Great Sidon, Misrephoth Maim, and the Valley of Mizpah to the east (Joshua 11:8). They left no survivors, fulfilling God's command (Joshua 11:8). Joshua then did to them as the Lord had commanded him: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire (Joshua 11:9). The Israelites captured all the cities of these kings and executed them (Joshua 11:10-14). Joshua left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses (Joshua 11:15).
The Gradual Conquest and the Exception of Gibeon (Joshua 11:16-23)
While this chapter highlights a major victory, it also clarifies that the conquest of the entire land was a protracted process. Joshua "made war with all these kings for a long time" (Joshua 11:18). This reminds us that spiritual battles are often ongoing and require perseverance.
Interestingly, the text points out that "there was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all the others they took in battle" (Joshua 11:19). This exception, detailed in Joshua 9:1-27, serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and obedience in following God's leading. The Gibeonites' deception led Israel to make a covenant they later regretted, highlighting the potential consequences of acting without seeking God's counsel.
A key theological point emerges in Joshua 11:20: "For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might have no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the Lord had commanded Moses."
Understanding God's Hardening of Hearts
The concept of God hardening hearts is a complex and often misunderstood topic. This is not the first time we encounter it in the Old Testament. We first see this in Exodus with Pharaoh (Exodus 9:12; 10:27; 11:10). It's crucial to understand that God doesn't arbitrarily harden the hearts of those seeking Him. Rather, He hardens the hearts of those who are already set on a path of rebellion and defiance. As we see with Pharaoh (Exodus 7:22; 8:15, 32), God often hardens hearts after they have already hardened themselves.
The Canaanites, steeped in wickedness and idolatry, had chosen to reject God's ways. When people reach that point of willful rebellion, God will further harden their hearts to accomplish His purposes. In this case, God used their hardened hearts to bring about their own destruction, fulfilling His promise to give the land to Israel and to judge the wickedness of the Canaanites. God's hardening of hearts is not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a consequence of persistent rejection of His truth and a means of fulfilling His sovereign purposes.
Ultimately, Joshua took the entire land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war (Joshua 11:23).
Joshua 11 offers a powerful message of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. It also provides a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's will and the complex nature of His sovereignty. This chapter encourages us to trust in God's power, to persevere in the face of challenges, and to seek His guidance in all our decisions.