What is your view of God? Where are you as far as having a solid Biblical Theology? How we view God is the most important thing in this world. We cannot be rightly related to someone who we do not know and understand. Getting to know God is no small deal…there is a lot to learn!
From a informed Biblical Theology flows:
- How we relate to God
- How we view Christ
- How we view His bride
- How we do relationships
- How we structure our lifestyle and lifework
- How we conduct ourselves in public and private
- How we handle money & resources
- How we raise children
With a complete grasp of both Testaments, read as God’s people have always read them, we understand a lot about God…one critical thing to understand is that we cannot fully understand HIM in this life. The more we are drawn into the reality of Jesus Christ by God’s sovereign will, we see a better picture of who God is.
A key aspect of the Biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ, is that God loved us humans so much HE encapsulated His divinity into a human body, supernaturally impregnating a woman. He does this so we can see HIM in a relatable way. Why? Because HIS totality is beyond our ability to comprehend…But we can understand enough! Enough to trust Him, enough to walk with Him, enough to let Him Parent you, enough to surrender your life to Christ’s call to be His disciple… I hope today’s passage helps.
Our text today can seem to be a bit basic and repetitive regarding the conquest we are in the midst of. But as we view it from a perspective of the Old Testament Scripture together with the New Testament Scripture, it joins a chorus of God’s Word declaring HIS all encompassing Omni-Everything!
Singular / Self Existent / All Knowing / All Powerful / Unconstrained by time, space, matter or ANYTHING / Essentially Perfect / The Definer of Love / The Author of Grace / The Beginning and The End of EVERYTHING!
Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. ~ 10:10b
- This ends up being about 20 miles of combat, they needed the extra day!
16 Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. 17 When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah, 18 he said, “Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it. 19 But don’t stop; pursue your enemies! Attack them from the rear and don’t let them reach their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.”
- The Kings hide in a cave from the hail and to evade the ‘Light’
- God demonstrates HE controls the Amorite Gods (Sun & Moon)
- Here Joshua recognizes God’s plan and uses the time wisely
20 So Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely, but a few survivors managed to reach their fortified cities. 21 The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites.
- They basically destroyed FIVE armies with Zero casualties on their side
- There was no remaining unrest, or further resistance
- The civilians recognized they were under the control of the God of Israel
22 Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” 23 So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon.
- They bring them out into the extended daylight
- The repetition of who the Kings are
24 When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.
- This is a visceral experience of the victory, a demonstration of absolute control
- God’s control is being exercised through the nation of Israel
25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”
- This is what God says to HIS people when they trust enough to obey
- The sin of the Amorites must be complete for now God is enacting Judgement
- In Genesis 15 God told Abram that his offspring would get this land
- When the ‘Sin of the Amorites has reached it’s full measure’ (Judgement Hour)
26 Then Joshua put the kings to death and exposed their bodies on five poles, and they were left hanging on the poles until evening. 27 At sunset Joshua gave the order and they took them down from the poles and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding. At the mouth of the cave they placed large rocks, which are there to this day.
- Public show of dominance, as God has told them HE wants it done
- The practice of taking the punished off the impaling pole carries forward
28 That day Joshua took Makkedah. He put the city and its king to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it. He left no survivors. And he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
- Joshua is finishing exactly as God has commanded and will continue
- Same goal: God wants the Amorites fully devoted to HIM (HIS Judgement)
SUMMARY:
The Kings hide in response to God’s power, but they mistakenly believe HE is somehow limited. Scripture teaches that HE is unlimited, our response is belief.
The God of Scripture has absolute control of both the natural and the supernatural. Confidence in The Omni-Everything God allows us to live without fear.
Joshua pays attention to what God is providing and makes the most of it. As God’s people we are given the opportunity to be stewards in meaningful ways.
Joshua keeps doing what he has been commanded by God to do until he is told otherwise. The ultimate example of finishing well is our Lord Jesus Christ
APPLICATION:
Have you been convinced by a thorough study of scripture as to whether the God of the Bible is limited or not?
If God controls all things at all times, how should we specifically live based on that?
What are some specific things you would consider ‘Good Stewardship’ of the Biblical Gospel message?
Is there something you have not finished well? What did you learn from that experience?
VISION & PRACTICE:
Scripture testifies to God’s Omni-Everything! As HIS people we can make the smallest and biggest decisions in our life based on that reality.