Joshua 11:1 - Meaning and Application

We are now entering another campaign Joshua led, and it was a glorious one. In success, it matched the earlier campaign, though it was not as rich in miracles. The wonders God worked then were meant to stir them up to act boldly themselves. In the same way, the war the gospel wages against Satan’s kingdom was first helped by miracles. But once those miracles had clearly shown the work was from God, the leaders were left to the ordinary help of God’s grace, using the sword of the Spirit. They should not expect hailstones or the sun standing still.

In this account, the Canaanites were the first to take the field against Israel. They started the war, and God hardened their hearts so that Israel would be fully justified in destroying them. Joshua and all Israel had gone back to the camp at Gilgal, and these kings may have thought Israel meant to settle for the land already taken. Instead, they made ready for war. Sinful people often bring ruin on themselves, so God is proved right when he speaks, and they alone bear the blame forever.

Judah had crouched like a lion after a kill, and if the northern kings stirred him up, they did so at their own risk (Genesis 49:9). Several nations joined this alliance, some from the hill country and some from the plains (Joshua 11:2). Canaanites from east and west, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and others (Joshua 11:3), with different customs and interests, united against Israel as one common enemy. In this, the people of this world often show more agreement, and even more practical wisdom, than the people of light. The unity of the church’s enemies should shame the church’s friends out of their quarrels and divisions, and call them to be one.

The leader of this alliance was Jabin, king of Hazor (Joshua 11:1), just as Adoni-zedek had led the earlier coalition. Joshua 11:10 says Hazor had once been the head of all those kingdoms, so its former power had not made this union easy. Yet for this occasion, old rivalries were put aside, like those of Herod and Pilate, who became friends over their shared opposition (Luke 23:12). When all their armies were gathered, each kingdom sending its share, they formed a very large army, much larger than the earlier one. They were as many as the sand on the seashore, and they were stronger and more dangerous because they had many horses and chariots. Israel had only foot soldiers and never brought horses or chariots into battle. Josephus says the Canaanite army had 300,000 foot soldiers, 10,000 horses, and 20,000 chariots. Many rise up against God’s people, and their numbers may make them feel sure of victory. Yet the result was only a greater slaughter.

God then encouraged Joshua to meet them, even on ground they had chosen for themselves (Joshua 11:6). “Do not be afraid because of them.” Joshua was especially known for courage, yet he still needed this warning more than once. New dangers and new troubles call for fresh comfort from God’s word, which is always near us and ready for use in every need. Those who have God on their side need not be troubled by the number or strength of their enemies. More are with us than against us, for those who have the Lord of hosts on their side also have the hosts of the Lord.

For Joshua’s encouragement, God promised victory and fixed the time: “Tomorrow about this time,” when battle was likely already planned by both sides, “I will give them over to Israel, all slain.” Though Israel would strike them with the sword, the victory is spoken of as God’s work, because he would hand them over. God also told Joshua to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots. This was not only so Israel would not use them later, but also so they would not fear them now. God meant for these weapons of war to be treated with contempt. Israel was to look on the chariots as if they were dead wood ready for the fire, and the horses as war animals made useless, hardly fit even for pulling a cart.

Joshua likely passed this encouragement on to the people, who may have felt uneasy before such a large army, even after seeing God’s power for themselves. We should notice God’s wisdom and goodness here. First, he confused the enemy’s plans, so that all the kings of Canaan did not unite at once, though they might have done so, since they were not too far apart. Instead, they split into southern and northern coalitions, which made them less dangerous. Second, he prepared his people to face greater strength by first giving them victory over a smaller force. They had already fought five kings together, and now they would face many more. God matches our trials to our strength, and he also gives strength equal to our trials.

Joshua marched against this united army (Joshua 11:7). He came suddenly and caught them in their camps. He moved quickly for two reasons. First, he wanted to throw them into confusion by alarming them when they least expected it. Second, he wanted to be sure he met God’s appointed time, since God had said he would meet them in the enemy camp “tomorrow about this time.” It is right that we keep time with God.

Joshua’s victory was complete (Joshua 11:8). He defeated them and chased them along the different routes they took in flight. Some ran toward Sidon in the northwest, and others toward Mizpeh in the east, but the men Joshua sent out pursued them in every direction. So the Lord gave them into Israel’s hand. They would not give themselves into Israel’s hand to become converts and servants, and so be offered to God’s mercy (Romans 15:16). Therefore God gave them over to Israel to be offered to his justice. God will be honored by us, or he will be honored over us.

Joshua also obeyed the command to destroy the horses and chariots (Joshua 11:9). This showed, first, that he submitted to God’s will as a man under authority who must do what he is told. Second, it showed self-denial, because he set aside his own liking and accepted God’s command. Third, it showed trust in God’s power for Israel, which made them able to despise the horses and chariots that others trusted in (Psalm 20:7; Psalm 33:17). Fourth, it showed his care to keep the same trust in God alive among the people by taking away what they might have been tempted to trust too much. This was like cutting off a right hand.