Over the past several weeks, we have read about the people of Israel and the deception of the Gibeonite people. The Gibeonite deception brought about a treaty of peace with the Israelite nation.
From this story we looked how sin often deceives and entices us into wrong decisions and how to handle the sin.
Because of this treaty, the Gibeonites came under attack by their new enemies, the Amorites.
We looked at this part of the story as the attacks that sometime come from the decisions we make. These attacks can come when we become entagled in sin. They can also come to those who give their lives to, make a “treaty” with, Jesus.
During the attacks, the people of Gibeon cried out to and were supported by the Israelites. The Israelites came to the aid of the Gibeonites after receiving word of the impending attacks from the Amorite kings.
We looked at this as the help we receive from God when the attacks of men and the enemy come at us.
This battle with the Amorites was coming to an end. However, Joshua and his army were encouraged to completely overcome their enemies.
We can look at this portion of the story as the importance of finding and removing the root of the sin with which we are battling.
Israel had come to the aid of the Gibeonites. They defeated the Amorite armies at Gibeon and pursuing all that had fled the battle. The army of Israel continued their pursuit of the armies of the five kings. Knowing this, the kings went into hiding in a nearby cave.
Joshua found out where they were hiding. He told his men to cover the entrance of the cave with large stones. Guards were stationed there until the battle was completed.
Destruction came upon the kings of the armies. So, Joshua had his men remove the large stones from the entrance of the cave. The kings were brought to Joshua where they were forced to the ground. As the kings were lying on the ground, Joshua had his men come and place their feet on their necks.
At this Joshua said, “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.”
Then Joshua had the kings put to death, and their bodies hung on poles until evening. At sunset, the kings were taken down and thrown back into the cave where they once hid. The entrance of the cave was once again covered with large stones that remain to this day. The Amorite armies and their five kings were finally destroyed. As a result, Israel could now move on from them.
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In the next few posts, we will look at this story from the perspective of destroying the sins in our lives. We will consider the actions we must take to route out the sins that attack us on any given day. Are we ready to get into the battle that is before us?
Just a Thought…
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Please come back to read through the other posts or to hear more messages found on this website.
Have a blessed day!