For an estimated seven years, the conquest of Canaan continued...
To back up a bit... In Deuteronomy 7:1-2, God reminded the Israelites through Moses' words that HE would deliver the Promised Land to them. (I wonder if Joshua was standing close by and taking in every word?!?!) God also named specific nations that would be conquered. He instructed the Israelites to destroy everything with NO MERCY.
"When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations - the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you - and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy."Joshua and the Israelites were in their Promised Land and were taking no prisoners! Well... except for the Gibeonites. After the Israelites defeat of Ai, the Gibeonites acted quickly out of fear and "resorted to a ruse". Against God's command, Joshua made a treaty with this group of Canaanites. They became enslaved to the Israelites in order to save their lives. I have to be honest here and say I wonder why God did not punish Joshua for making an agreement with these people after God had said, "Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy." To me, this is a reflection of God's grace and sovereignty. Even when we "resort to a ruse", act out of fear, or are disobedient, God is faithful to save us and to work out His plan for His glory.
After the Israelites defeated Jericho and Ai, the neighboring nations were terrified. Can you imagine the chaos among the seven Canaan nations and their leaders as they watch the destruction and death around them and anticipate their own? As promised, God delivered the seven nations one after another, after another, after another. The Israelites killed EVERYONE, including the kings, who either died by the sword during battle or were hung afterwards.
This map is a little difficult to read, but helped me to grasp the path of the Israelites conquest. Joshua and the Israelites were camped in Gilgal which is just west of the Jordan and north of the Dead Sea. Using the map, you can follow the cities in Israel's path (central nations, then southern, then northern).
This was a seven year blood bath. I'm reminded again that deliverance requires sacrifice. Sin results in death. The Canaanites' hearts were hardened against the Israelites (v 11:20). God purged the corruption of the land and handed it over to the Israelites. I love the last sentence of Joshua 11. "Then the land had rest from war." I imagine the people were extremely tired too. The Message translates this verse as, "And Israel had rest from war." Obviously, war is laborious, even in victory. God provided a time of rest.
Jesus says to us in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." In the midst of our busy minds and lives, let's rest in God today and celebrate His victories in our lives.
