Joshua Chapter 10: Under Our Feet

Let's begin today in Joshua 10:16-27.  The five kings that had decided they were going to band together and fight against Gibeon and the Children of Israel have now fled the battlefield and have hidden themselves away in a cave.  Men came to tell Joshua where the kings were and Joshua gave them instructions on what to do with them.  He did not take care of the kings right then.  He told the men to roll a stone in front of the cave and to stand guard.  The kings were contained.  They were hiding in fear at what they knew was their defeat after seeing how the Lord fought for Israel.  Since they were no threat at that time, Joshua sent the Israelites to pursue their enemies and attack their rear.  


Joshua 10:19  And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies, and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand."

Joshua reminded the men that were fighting that the Lord has delivered their enemies into their hands.  The kings - the leaders of the armies that marched against Gibeon - were contained in a cave.  What I found to be so interesting is the fact that Joshua chose not to deal with the easy targets in the cave at that time, but instead pursued those that fled. He did not allow the distraction of an enemy that was hiding and posed no threat to deter him and the children of Israel from obtaining the victory that God had given. Only after they had returned to camp after fighting, after the bigger threats were taken care of, Joshua asked for the kings to be brought to him.  Once the kings were brought before him, Joshua told the captains of war to put their feet on the necks of the kings. AND THEN...


Joshua 10:25  Then Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight."

Joshua gives his captains encouragement through the very words God said to him.  Do not be afraid.  Do not be dismayed, but be strong and of good courage.  The Lord will do this to all your enemies you fight against!  

Are you busy fighting the enemy in the cave that is not a threat right now while the battle rages around you?  Have you allowed yourself to be distracted and have not obtained the victory God has already given you?

It is so easy to become distracted, we all know that.  We have to seek the Lord's guidance with which enemies to pursue and destroy and which are already contained and defeated. Unlike Joshua, all of our enemies have already been disarmed.  We use our minds, thoughts, and emotions, to give our enemy back power over us and the ability to hurt, distract, and destroy us.  Joshua's enemies were flesh and blood.  Our enemies are not, they are spiritual.  Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons.  What do you need to do today to obtain the victory over a weaponless enemy?

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