Looking To See God’s Hand II

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 10: Verses 1 through 15        XV) Looking To See God’s Hand II

Week # 16 27 October 2010             Week # 40 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 10 (King James Version)

1Now it came to pass, when Adonizedec king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; 2That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. 3Wherefore Adonizedec king of Jerusalem, sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. 5Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. 6And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. 7So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

8And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 9Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. 12Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. 15And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

Let’s take a moment to pray: “Dear Father, thank you for this opportunity to open your word, and tonight see the Awesome Power of YOUR Hand… Father calm my mind and heart, please let Your words flow from my lips as we look at this amazing battle and events at Gibeon. In all things You reveal to us, in all things that You Bless us – we will give you the Honor, the Glory and the Praise, save none Father, In Jesus Name We Pray – Amen!”

Again, tonight the first word that comes to mind is WOW! Did you grasp what just happen here? Did you hear the Spirit of God profess to you this Truth of HIS Word? I don’t have time tonight to dissect every verse, so I want to focus on just a few bullet points and stimulate your thought processes.

1) Who was Adonizedek?

a. He was the King of Jerusalem in the Day of Joshua at the time they encamped near Gibeon…

2) What is the significance of this city (Jerusalem)?

a. It will become God’s city through David

i. Somewhere between 1407 BC and 1400 BC Joshua conquers all of Canaan along with the King of Jerusalem

ii. This occurs nearly 403 years prior to David becoming King over all Israel. And over 441 years prior to Solomon building the original Temple in Jerusalem. Nearly 891 years prior to the Temple completion in Jerusalem.

iii. These facts – show us God’s providence in the events of early Jerusalem. It shows the Strategic Genius God used in providing military victories for Joshua and Israel.

3) Adonizedek heard of the great power of Israel’s army and of the great leader Joshua. He feared that Jerusalem would fall prey to the Israelites and wished to make a pre-emptive strike.

4) He assembled 9 Kings plus himself to conspire and plan a strike to destroy Gibeon. To show their unified power, they planned to move up to Gibeon and destroy the city and its inhabitants because they made peace with Israel.

5) When Gibeon was made aware that this great military force moved and encamped in the mountains close to the city, they sent word to Joshua, pleading for help. “Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us”.

6) The men of Gibeon knew the dire situation they were in. They exercised Faith by going to Joshua.

7) In verse seven we are told that Joshua responded by assembling all the people of war within Israel, and all the mighty men of valor, men of great courage and bravery. Then we see God’s hand and Devine Providence in verse 8.

8) The Lord God spoke to Joshua! He met Joshua on the field of battle, and I am going to paraphrase this conversation. The Lord told Joshua not to fear these humans, because I, the God of Israel have delivered these people into your hands Joshua. Not one of them will stand before you Joshua, because I have this one, these events today will be by my will. God was informing Joshua that this situation was know by God, and He already had a resolution in His hand, and knew the outcome before Joshua had moved up from Gilgal.

9) In verse nine, Joshua marched up to the battle field outside of Gibeon from Gilgal, a march that took all night. Now think about this!!!! Another point that can be overlooked. This all night march would have made these men tired and weary. Once again, shedding light on the power of Almighty God. A heavy battle by Israel alone after an all night march would have presented physical challenges, and may have produced unfavorable results. BUT – God has this one all under control…

10) Verse ten, and the Lord discomfited them! This means HE brought a great unrest to these men. They became uncomfortable, ill at ease, and they began to feel inept in the site of Israel. And the LORD slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them…. He smote them, up to Bethhoron, Azekah and Makkedah.

11) Verse eleven tells us that as these 10 Kings and armies fled to Bethhoron, that the Lord God cast down great stones from heaven all the way to Azekah… AND That MORE died with hailstones than from God than those that were slain by the sword of Israel.

12) Then in verse twelve, thirteen and fourteen – an unbelievable miracle that showed the Faith of Joshua and the Faithful Blessing of GOD. Joshua spoke to the Lord, and said in the sight of Israel – “SUN, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon”. AND as this story is told, both the SUN and the MOON stood still. Until the people had completely avenged themselves upon their enemies….. AND THE SUN DID NOT GO DOWN FOR 24 HOURS – a whole day is what 13 tells us. The sun stood still for a whole day…

13) Verse 14 is an awesome statement… And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

a. I cherish this story…

b. Just as Moses plead with God to spare Israel from destruction at the base of Mount Sinai. God heard the voice of Moses – showing HIS faithfulness to His people and a tenderhearted mercy that He bestowed upon an unworthy murmuring people.

c. Here at Gibeon, GOD heard the voice of His servant, and chose to display HIS Power, Might and Glory by holding the world in HIS hand for a 24 hour period. Providing Israel and the people of Gibeon a Military Victory and a miracle that must have stopped the hearts of men and caused them to fear and tremble.

14) In verse 15, we see Joshua and all of Israel returned to Gilgal, back to base camp; which is where we will pick up next time.

Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You so much Father for revealing Your Love for Israel to us, and then revealing Your Love for all Humanity by providing a perfect lamb to pay our sin debt in full. Father, we see the power YOU display to the people of Faith, Your elect Father, that bear the very Spirit of Christ within them Lord. Help us remain forever mindful of that fact that we carry Your Son with us into this world. Remind us Dear Lord, that when those around us look at us, they should be looking into YOUR Son’s eyes, and see His Compassion and Tender Heart. Help us carry and present the “Good News” to those that wish to hear, planting the seed for YOU to reap and redeem. In all things Dear Lord we will give you the Honor, the Praise and the Glory, in Christ’s name we pray – Amen.

No Commentaries or References for this week – message from Joshua 10 via the Holy Spirit through my pen