011-Joshua 10

Joshua 10:1 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them,

Joshua 10:1–5 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass when Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had utterly destroyed it—as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king—and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, 2 that they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty. 3 Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4 “Come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibeon, for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.” 5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it.

The five kings in the region attacked Gibeon because they had made peace with Israel

It came to pass, when Adonizedek, the king of Jerusalem-- don't name your kids that, by the way. You're looking for Bible names, some of you? You may want to take it a little too far-- Adonizedek would be proof of that. When he heard how Joshua, he's the king of Jerusalem, had taken Ai and utterly destroyed it, as he had done to Jericho and its king, so he had done to Ai and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, that they feared greatly-- because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai and all of its men were mighty.

Therefore, Adonizedek, the king of Jerusalem, sent to Hoham, the king of Hebron, Piram, the king of Jarmuth, Japhia the king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying come up to me and help me, that we may attack Gibbon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, king of Hebron, king of Jarmuth,] king of Lachish, king of Eglon, gathered together and went up. And all their armies encamped before Gibeon and made war against it.

Gibeon was a big, formidable city

Now here's their thinking, Gibeon was a big city. It's a big town, it was a great city, bigger than Ai. A notable, formidable city. If they have fallen as servants to the children of Israel-- that's three cities that are down-- they are becoming unstoppable. Unless we form a coalition, we will not be able to stop their advancement into the land. We have to take steps to recover a city that has been lost. So if they have surrendered, then we'll just go attack them. Destroy them and take over their fortified city and it'll be ours. So let's go back and let's get it.

They thought they would not be able to stop Israel's advancement unless they formed an alliance.

Now, it does sound, to be so far like, oh man, it's going from bad to worse. You know? You've got all these cities fighting against the children of Israel. Now you have a coalition of five kings banded together to attack the children of Israel.

But what I want you to see- this is God's sense of humor.

God allowed this to help Israel advance and accelerate their conquest

Instead of fighting each kingdom individually, they would fight all of them in one day

Now, it does sound, to be so far like, oh man, it's going from bad to worse. You know? You've got all these cities fighting against the children of Israel. Now you have a coalition of five kings banded together to attack the children of Israel. But what I want you to see- this is God's sense of humor. God is allowing this to help the children of Israel advance and accelerate taking over the land. You go, I don't get it. How are they going to advance and accelerate?

So He'll knock five of them out. Bam, it's over. So I love God's economy.

So He'll knock five of them out. Bam, it's over. So I love God's economy. What seems to you to be like an uh-oh moment could be an aha moment. So that's why, like we mentioned Sunday, when something like this happens, you go, what's God up to? What's He up to? What's He doing? He's up to something. So before you raise the white flag and say, it's over. Goodbye cruel world. Look up and see what God is up to.

So that's why, when something like this happens, you go, what's God up to? What's He up to? What's He doing? He's up to something.

So before you raise the white flag and say, it's over. Goodbye cruel world. Look up and see what God is up to.

moment. He turns their blunders into blessings. The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, do not forsake your servants. The Gibeonites now have a covenant with the children of Israel. The enemies come unto Gibeon to take over Gibeon, to destroy it. So now they're cashing it in. Men of Gibeon said to Joshua, the camp of Gilgal, do not forsake your servants. Come up to us quickly. Save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

He turns their blunders into blessings.

Joshua 10:6–7 NKJV

6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Do not forsake your servants; come up to us quickly, save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us.” 7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

Joshua 10:The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, do not forsake your servants. The Gibeonites now have a covenant with the children of Israel. The enemies come unto Gibeon to take over Gibeon, to destroy it. So now they're cashing it in. Men of Gibeon said to Joshua, the camp of Gilgal, do not forsake your servants. Come up to us quickly. Save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the mountains have gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.

Now I'm going to flip the coin for a moment. I want you to consider something.

Now I'm going to flip the coin for a moment. I want you to consider something. I want you to consider that the men of Gibeon did the right thing. As far as Gibeonites are concerned, they made the right move. They know they're headed for destruction because these five kings are coming after them. So what do they do? They call upon Joshua. Joshua, Yeshua, it's the Old Testament form of Jesus-- it means Jehovah or God is salvation. So headed for destruction, they call upon Joshua, Yeshua. They form a covenant with him. They believe a promise that he made them, and they turn all of their worries and problems over to Joshua. And they rest in the promise Joshua gave them.

I want you to consider that the men of Gibeon did the right thing.

As far as Gibeonites are concerned, they made the right move. They know they're headed for destruction because these five kings are coming after them.

So what do they do? They call upon Joshua. Joshua, Yeshua, it's the Old Testament form of Jesus-- it means Jehovah or God is salvation.

So headed for destruction, they call upon Joshua, Yeshua. They form a covenant with him. They believe a promise that he made them, and they turn all of their worries and problems over to Joshua. And they rest in the promise Joshua gave them.

So this is a good strategy to do. You have a covenant with Joshua, Yeshua, Jesus. You have secured a promise from Jesus-- He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. You've got problems, so you turn those problems over to Him and you rest in the promise that He made you. So in that regard, they were wise.

So this is a good strategy to do.

You have a covenant with Joshua, Yeshua, Jesus. You have secured a promise from Jesus-- He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. You've got problems, so you turn those problems over to Him and you rest in the promise that He made you. So in that regard, they were wise.

And the Lord said to Joshua, do not fear them. For I have-- past tense-- delivered them into your hand, and not a man of them shall stand before you. How can God say this? The battle hasn't even begun. Well, this is God's prerogative is it not? This is called omniscience. This is God's whole economy-- God's whole MO is based on this principle, this trait that He has. God knows everything from the beginning, so when He looks at the future it's done. It's over. It's past tense. That's why prophecy is easy for Him. That's why He can give such detail in advance because to Him it's as good as done.

Joshua 10:8 NKJV

8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”

And the Lord said to Joshua, do not fear them. For I have-- past tense-- delivered them into your hand, and not a man of them shall stand before you. How can God say this? The battle hasn't even begun. Well, this is God's prerogative is it not? This is called omniscience. This is God's whole economy-- God's whole MO is based on this principle, this trait that He has. God knows everything from the beginning, so when He looks at the future it's done. It's over. It's past tense. That's why prophecy is easy for Him. That's why He can give such detail in advance because to Him it's as good as done.

How can God say this? Delivered=PAST TENSE

The battle hasn't even begun. Well, this is God's prerogative is it not? This is called omniscience. This is God's whole economy-- God's whole MO is based on this principle, this trait that He has. God knows everything from the beginning, so when He looks at the future it's done. It's over. It's past tense. That's why prophecy is easy for Him. That's why He can give such detail in advance because to Him it's as good as done.

I have given-- no one will stand before you.

Joshua 10:9–10 NKJV

9 Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal. 10 So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.

joshua 10:9-1Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal. It's about a 15 to 20 mile march uphill in the dark to surprise them in the morning-- the element of surprise.

having marched all night from Gilgal. It's about a 15 to 20 mile march uphill in the dark to surprise them in the morning-- the element of surprise. Notice those four verbs, and who is the subject of those four verbs. Who's the subject? God, the Lord.

Verse 10, so the Lord routed them before Israel and killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. Notice those four verbs, and who is the subject of those four verbs. Who's the subject? God, the Lord. It says the Lord routed them. And by implication it's the Lord that killed them. And again, by linguistic implication it's the Lord who chased them along the road, and it's the Lord who struck them.

Notice those four verbs, and who is the subject of those four verbs. Who's the subject? God, the Lord. It says the Lord routed them. And by implication it's the Lord that killed them. And again, by linguistic implication it's the Lord who chased them along the road, and it's the Lord who struck them.

It says the Lord routed them. And by implication it's the Lord that killed them. And again, by linguistic implication it's the Lord who chased them along the road, and it's the Lord who struck them.

So, yeah, the children of Israel are out there with their swords and their element of surprise, and they're engaged in the battle, but the Lord is the one securing the victory-- working with us to get the job done. And it happened, as they fled before Israel-- by the way, I love when God fights. He brought, that day, a divinely caused panic. He routed them. He confused them. They panicked. God fights so much better than I fight.

So, yeah, the children of Israel are out there with their swords and their element of surprise, and they're engaged in the battle, but the Lord is the one securing the victory-- working with us to get the job done.

by the way, I love when God fights. He brought, that day, a divinely caused panic. He routed them. He confused them. They panicked. God fights so much better than I fight.

Now sometimes I'm in the mood, when somebody is really cantankerous, to like-- I'll give it back to them. I kind of want to do that-- it's just sort of in my nature. But it's much more rewarding for me to pull back and let God into the battle. He's so much better at it than I am and more creative.

And so as people attack you, you can defend yourself, but it will wear you out. Or you can let the Lord defend you. It's a lot more fun. You get to watch Him work, you get to cheer Him on

Joshua 10:11 NKJV

11 And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.

If this is a natural phenomena, isn't it interesting that they only hit the bad guys? That's a quite a coincidence, isn't it? That natural occurrence that could happen at any moment just happened to get all the bad guys.

Now sometimes I'm in the mood, when somebody is really cantankerous, to like-- I'll give it back to them. I kind of want to do that-- it's just sort of in my nature. But it's much more rewarding for me to pull back and let God into the battle. He's so much better at it than I am and more creative.

[LAUGHTER]

Also btw--God killed more of them than the children of Israel did

And so as people attack you, you can defend yourself, but it will wear you out. Or you can let the Lord defend you. It's a lot more fun. You get to watch Him work, you get to cheer Him on. It happened as they fled before the children of Israel on the descent of Bethoron, that the Lord cast down large hail stones from heaven on them, as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the children of Israel killed with the sword.

Joshua 10:12–13 NKJV

12 Then Joshua spoke 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 still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

This is a miraculous event that occurred. I have read commentaries trying to figure out, trying to give you natural explanations for this. There's really no way to look at this other than it's miraculous-- because the source is from God. The object is selective. If this is a natural phenomena, isn't it interesting that they only hit the bad guys? That's a quite a coincidence, isn't it? That natural occurrence that could happen at any moment just happened to get all the bad guys. And not only the source, and not only the selectivity, but also the sum-- the total number. God hit more than the children of Israel did. I say God is a better fighter than we are. Yeah, they're out there with a sword, but God scored higher points than the children of Israel that day.

The sun and moon stood still

Then Joshua spoke 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 still over Gibeon, and moon, in the valley of Aijalone. So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Jasher? And so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.

It's interesting to read supposed explanations of this event-- and I've read a bundle. I've read that on that day the earth tilted to bring a prolonged lighting effect on that part of the earth, it just gave a little more tilt. That doesn't take away the miraculous, certainly. Others have said it was simply a localized refraction of sunlight, like in , there was darkness over the land of Egypt-- it was a localized darkness in the land of the Egyptians, that whole delta region. They say this is a localized effect of light being refracted in a local way.

Others, usually most people just explain it saying, it didn't really happen, it's a poetic description. The children of Israel were given strength by the Lord and they could get twice the work done in one day. So the fancy, poetic words of Joshua aren't to be taken literally.

Some people think this was a localized event, like what happened in Egypt (see )Others say it never happened

I disagree. You know me, I have no problem if it says that, to take it at face value. But it is interesting that in ancient times the calendar seems to have changed around 701 BC. The ancient calendars were based on a 360-day year, but that around 701 something changed. The Romans added 5 and 1/2 months to their calendar-- well, excuse me, 5 and 1/2 days to their year. The Jewish calendar added a month, and it occurred seven times over 19 years. They had a flex month. I told you a little bit about that in the Pentateuch. I'm not going to rehash that.

The ancient calendar seems to have changed around 701 BC

But it is interesting that in antiquity, in the writings of virtually every single continent, on all continents except Antarctica, there are the writings that there is a long day that happened in history. So that is interesting that you have all these different sources, all these different writings, all attesting to a very unusual event at around the time of the long day of Joshua. And that is an unexplained long day. There was even a professor Pickering from Harvard University who, in looking back and looking forward at calendars, noticed that around the time of Joshua is a missing day.

Based on a 360-day year

Around that time, the Romans added five and a half days to the year

The Jewish calendar added a month that occurred seven times over nineteen years

In virtually every culture in antiquity, there are writings of a long day that occurred in history

Scientists discovered that it appears we're missing twenty-three hours and twenty minutes

And scientists at the University of Maryland, in doing computerized projections of earth, moon, and sun, planets, because they're trying to project the next 100 years where to place satellites, have in looking at the future, but also looking back on these computer models, have also noticed a missing day-- almost. 23 hours and 20 minutes, to be precise. So they've noted something happened back then. We're missing 23 hours and 20 minutes. And I bring that up because if you'll just notice, I find it interesting at least, in verse 13, it says, is this not written in the Book of Jasher? I guess. So I wouldn't know, I've never read it. So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and did not hasten to go down-- notice this-- for about a whole day. And could that about a whole day be the 23 hours and 20 minutes that those Maryland scientists are looking for?

You can-- there's a few books, some more reputable than others. But it's an interesting thought, nonetheless, and it could possibly account for this. But it's just put in a very simple way that for about a day. But then look at this, and-- verse 14-- there has been no day like that before it or after it that the Lord heeded the voice of a man. For the Lord fought for Israel. Then Joshua returned and all Israel with him to the camp at Gilgal. But these five kings fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah.

Let me tell you how to lengthen your day. Speak to the Son-- not the S-U-N, but the S-O-N.

Now let me just give you a little principle. Let me tell you how to lengthen your day. Speak to the Son-- not the S-U-N, but the S-O-N. When you feel like you can't get enough done and you feel pressured-- what am I going to do-- pause and talk to the Son. Lay that before Him. Ask Him if that's something He wants you to get involved in or not. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him for how to proceed. Talk to the Son and you'll find that as the day is, so shall your strength be.

When you feel like you can't get enough done and you feel pressured-- what am I going to do-- pause and talk to the Son. Lay that before Him. Ask Him if that's something He wants you to get involved in or not. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him for how to proceed. Talk to the Son and you'll find that as the day is, so shall your strength be.

It was told Joshua, verse 17, the five kings were found and hid in the cave in Makkedah. So Joshua said roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set a man to guard it. So these are the Rolling Stones.

[LAUGHTER]

Joshua 10:14–25 NKJV

14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. 15 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal. 16 But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them. 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.” 20 Then it happened, while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities. 21 And all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua at Makkedah, in peace. No one moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. 22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave.” 23 And they did so, and brought out those five kings to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. 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.”

The first ones. Although the recent ones are about as old.

[LAUGHTER]

Joshua 10:26–27 NKJV

26 And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. 27 So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.

And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies and attack their rear ranks, and do not allow them to enter their cities. For the Lord your God has delivered them into your hands. Then it happened while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter until they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities. And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. No one moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

Joshua 10.

Then Joshua said, open the mouth of the cave and bring out those five kings to me from the cave. And they did so, and brought out those five kings to him from the cave, and the king of Jerusalem, king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon. So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who were with him, come near and put your feet on the necks of these kings. And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. 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.

So that would be quite a boost to the rulers. It would be a very graphic illustration, but these men of war, in defeating their enemies this way, would have probably brought great courage to them. I know it sounds gross, but you and I aren't fighting men.

And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them and hanged them on five trees, and they were hanging on the trees until evening. So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day. So that would be quite a boost to the rulers. It would be a very graphic illustration, but these men of war, in defeating their enemies this way, would have probably brought great courage to them. I know it sounds gross, but you and I aren't fighting men.

Verse 28-- now beginning in verse 28, we're going to move through this very rapidly and just make a few highlights, because what this is now is a summary-- beginning in verse 28-- of the southern conquest.

Verse 28-- now beginning in verse 28, we're going to move through this very rapidly and just make a few highlights, because what this is now is a summary-- beginning in verse 28-- of the southern conquest. Remember, he divides this land in half. Now this is a summary of taking those kings and other kings down south, and defeating them-- conquering all those city-states.

Remember, he divides this land in half. Now this is a summary of taking those kings and other kings down south, and defeating them-- conquering all those city-states.

So verse 28, on that day Joshua took Makkedah. Verse 29, Joshua passed from Makkedah all the children of Israel to Libnah, and he fought against Libnah Verse 31, Joshua passed from Libnah, all the children of Israel with him to Lachish. And they came against it. Verse 33, then Hiram, the king of Gezer-- he must have been an old guy-- came up to help Lachish and Joshua-- thank you for putting up with all my lame jokes.

Joshua 10:28–37 NKJV

28 On that day Joshua took Makkedah, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them—all the people who were in it. He let none remain. He also did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho. 29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, to Libnah; and they fought against Libnah. 30 And the Lord also delivered it and its king into the hand of Israel; he struck it and all the people who were in it with the edge of the sword. He let none remain in it, but did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho. 31 Then Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, to Lachish; and they encamped against it and fought against it. 32 And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, who took it on the second day, and struck it and all the people who were in it with the edge of the sword, according to all that he had done to Libnah. 33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he left him none remaining. 34 From Lachish Joshua passed to Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it and fought against it. 35 They took it on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword; all the people who were in it he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish. 36 So Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, to Hebron; and they fought against it. 37 And they took it and struck it with the edge of the sword—its king, all its cities, and all the people who were in it; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon, but utterly destroyed it and all the people who were in it.

and this is a repeated phrase we did not notice in all these verses-- but it says they took it with the edge of the sword. It's king, all that cities, all the people who were in it. He left none remaining according to all that he had done in Eglon, utterly destroyed it and all the people who were in it.

Verse 34, from Lachish, Joshua passed to Eglon, all the children of Israel with him. They encamped against it. Verse 36, they went to Hebron, fought against it. And just, in verse 37, they took it and struck it-- and this is a repeated phrase we did not notice in all these verses-- but it says they took it with the edge of the sword. It's king, all that cities, all the people who were in it. He left none remaining according to all that he had done in Eglon, utterly destroyed it and all the people who were in it.

and this is a repeated phrase we did not notice in all these verses-- but it says they took it with the edge of the sword.

How'd they do it? How did they fight their battles? With the edge of the sword.

Do you have a sword? This is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Heb 4.20

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Sharper than any two-edged sword-- the writer of Hebrews said. Take your sword out. Use it. Know the scripture. Memorize the scripture. Speak about the principles. Apply those principles. Take out the sword-- unsheath that sword and use it this week-- that is, the Word of God, the Bible.

Sharper than any two-edged sword-- the writer of Hebrews said.

Take your sword out. Use it. Know the scripture. Memorize the scripture. Speak about the principles. Apply those principles. Take out the sword-- unsheath that sword and use it this week-- that is, the Word of God, the Bible.

Then Joshua returned to Debir, verse 38, and fought against it. Verse 40, here's the summary verse. So Joshua conquered all the land, the mountain country and the south, and the lowlands, the wilderness slopes, all their kings, left none remaining. Utterly destroyed all that breathe as the Lord God of Israel commanded. And Joshua conquered them from Kadesh Barnea-- way, way down south-- as far as Gaza-- that's the southern desert-- and all the country of Goshen as far as Gibeon. So the central portion of the land is now all conquered.

It’s sad that we life defeated lives when we have the tools to live conquered lives.

Joshua 10.8-42

Joshua 10:38–42 NKJV

38 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and they fought against it. 39 And he took it and its king and all its cities; they struck them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed all the people who were in it. He left none remaining; as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and its king, as he had done also to Libnah and its king. 40 So Joshua conquered all the land: the mountain country and the South and the lowland and the wilderness slopes, and all their kings; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded. 41 And Joshua conquered them from Kadesh Barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even as far as Gibeon. 42 All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.

And all these kings in their land Joshua took at one time because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.

Notice that? It took him one time instead of five different battles, and then five more battles. It just took him all of one time. Just mop it up.

I want to finish with this tought here because verse 43 says that :Then Joshua returned and all of Israel with him to camp at Gilgal.

Then Joshua returned and all of Israel with him to camp at Gilgal.

Verse 42: why was Joshua able to find victory in his battle? Because God fought for Israel.

God is willing and able to fight your battles are you letting Him or are you saying I Got This God?