“…And Joshua…said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him: Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings.” Joshua 10:24
Dear Ones:
There is no doubt that there was a great deal occurring in the unseen when Joshua was before Jericho, waiting to conquer the city. The first “unseen” reality was the realization of a declaration that God had given to Abraham over four hundred years before. Concerning the people in Egypt, brought forth by Moses, he would say of the treatment of Israel by the Egyptians: “…and they shall afflict them four hundred years.” (Gen. 15:13) We might ask the question: “Why would the Lord allow the Israelites to be subject to the domination of the Egyptians for so long, enduring ill-treatment at their hands?” Part of the answer to the question is found in His statement to Abraham which will also apply to Jericho in Joshua’s day: “…for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” (v. 16) God judged the Egyptians, sending plagues and tribulation upon them, but only when they had reached a point in their hearts where there was no more openness to receive the revelation of Himself. We see the same principle applied to the people of Jericho, and the “kings” of Canaan. They had come to the point in their hearts, that, even with the very blatant and apparent revelation of the true and living God, they would NOT acknowledge Him, or receive His testimony. Thus came the order from heaven for Joshua to conquer Canaan…for the hour had come, in God’s time, and in God’s way. What then was necessary for the people of Israel to conquer such foes, and overcome such resistance? It was something that needed to be found in the heart of the people of Israel.
In the story of Gideon and the conquering of the Midianites, after he had captured several of the princes, he pursued and overtook two others, Zebah and Zalmunna. These were brought before him where he spoke of their atrocities which they had committed against Israel. Gideon then ordered his oldest son to rise up and slay these two leaders. Scripture tells us that he “…drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.” (Judges 8:20) In the story of Joshua, and his conquest of Canaan, there came a day when five defeated enemy kings were brought forth from a cave where they were being held prisoner. Joshua then called his captains of the men of war, and instructed them to put their feet on the necks of those “kings.” Why did he do this? It was so that they would see, know, and be fully convinced that the Lord had given Israel’s enemies into their hands. The application to this lesson was very clear, as he instructed them: “Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage, for thus shall the Lord do to ALL your enemies against whom ye fight.” (Josh. 10:25) Gideon’s oldest son could not bring himself to pull out his sword to deal with the two princes of the Midianites, because he lacked strength and courage. His fear of the enemy princes paralyzed him. Not so with the commanders of Joshua’s men of war, for they would rise up, and conquer their foes. Why? They had seen first hand, by God’s hand upon Gideon, that the victory was theirs. Now, with feet upon the necks of the enemy, they came to grips with the reality that the victory was theirs.
In Luke’s gospel, we read where the Lord Jesus gave His disciples “…power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.” (9:1) In chapter 10, verse 19, we find that where He tells them: ” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy.” What is He declaring to them, and to us now? It is that HIS victory over all the powers of darkness has been accomplished. Our responsibility is to lay hold of Christ our victor, by faith, and conquer with His strength and courage.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see Thy Son’s victory, and living according to it by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad