Key Text: For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses (Joshua 11:20).
People Around the Promised Land
Amalekites, Ammonites, Amorites, Canaanites, Edomites, Gebaliutes, Geshurites, Gebeonites, Girgashites, Girzites, Hitties, Hittites, Hivites, Horites, Jebushites, Kenites, Moabites, Perizzites
35 Cities of Joshua’s Conquest
Achshaph, Adullam, Ai, Aphek, Arad, Beeroth, Bethel, Chephirah, Debir, Dor, Eglon, Geder, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hazor, Hebron, Hepher, Hormah, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jokneam, Kedesh, Kiriath-jearim, Lachish, Lasharon, Libnah, Madon, Makkedah, Migiddo, Shimron, Taanach, Tappuah, Tirzah
Anab: The southern part of Judah from Hebron., expelled by Joshua 11:21.
Anakim: Southern party of Israel in the Hebron region inhabited by Ahiman,
Sheshai, and Talmai.
Ashdod: A southern coastal plain of Canaan inhabited by the Anakim giants
11:22 and counted among the Philistine city-states: Gath, Gaza,
Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron.
Canaanite: One of four Hivities cities 9:17.
Debir: North of Judah between Jerusalem and Jericho
Gath: Gath & Ashdod are strongholds of the Anakim giants counted
among Philistine city-states
Gaza: A Canaanite in the Table of Nations (Gen 10:19) city on the coast
of Palestine on route to Egypt.
Gibeon: Northwest of Jerusalem where Joshua drove back the arm of the
Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer.
Hebron: Joshua defeated Hoham, king of Hebron, at Gibeon 10:1.
Judah: The main tribe in southern Canaan. The first judge of the period
and settlement was Othniel.
Joshua’s first victory was Jericho, “And the Walls Came Tumbling Down” because Joshua and the people followed the promise and instructions of God. The walls of Jericho fell by a divine act promised in His divine plan (2:20-23). Joshua demanded constant readiness and perfect timing as essentials for victory. But no matter the plans and strategies, “There was a tide of the affairs of men” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act IV, scene 3). Even the Israelites who practiced deception, disobedience, and sin would answer to God individually or as a group dictated by God.
Israel’s Central Campaign was much like others. After religious ceremonies were completed, the march would begin with the soldiers followed by priests with rams’ horns and in the center was located the ark of the covenant. God’s plan was to hough or sever the hamstring behind the hoof of the horse of the enemy. So, “Joshua came against Hazor…suddenly” v7, from the mountains, and drove them unto Great Zidon. In obedience, Joshua did all that the Lord had commanded him at the Misrephoth-main (salt pits). After the chase, Joshua returned to Hazor and burned the city and mounds of defense.
The conquests of Israel included the hills, the highlands of Judah north and south of Jerusalem, the south country, the Negev (dry country of the south), Goshen, the area which leads to Egypt, Shephelah in the valley from Gaza northward to Joppa, and Arabah in the plains. Further northern conquest of Israel included “even unto Baal-gad in the Lebanon Valley” at the base of Mount Hermon. So, with the tremendous conquest of Joshua in the South and in the North, “the land rested from war” v23. AMEN!
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