Central Campaign

MOUNT GERIZIM on left AND MOUNT EBAL on rightShechem in the valley below

                                                                        

Southern Campaign

• Joshua 9:1-10:43

• Chapter 9 begins with kings west of Jordan hearing of the conquest Israel had made and seized the central hill country.

• The deception of the Gibeonites 9:1-27

• Israel was to make no covenant with the people of the land of Canaan Ex. 23:32, 34:12 and Deut. 7:2

• The Gibeonites figured out that Israel was not making covenants with the people in Canaan so they devised a plan that they came from a far country.

• We have heard of the reputation of Jehovah your God

• We have heard of all the things done to Egypt, Sihon, and Og.

• Our elders told us to take supplies for our journey and come to make a treaty with you.

Southern Campaign

• When we left the bread was hot from the oven but it is now dry and molded

• The wine skins were filled when new but are old and cracked now

• These clothes and shoes have become worn on our long journey here

• The Israelites were convinced by their story and did not seek help from Jehovah but made a treaty with them

• Three days later found out they lived nearby and were Gibeonites.

Southern Campaign

• Joshua call them in a ask why have you done this?

• We did it because we have heard how you destroy everyone you meet

• We are in your hand you decide what to do with us and what every you decide will be fine

• They were made to be water carriers and wood cutters for that necessary in the worship of God

• The Gibeonites came to have a semi-official capacity along with the priest and Levites as those who had work with the Temple 1Cron.9:2

Southern Campaign

Southern Campaign

Joshua 10-12

Lesson 5

Southern Campaign continuesJoshua 10: 1-43

• Adonizedek king of Jerusalem heard that Gibeon had made peace with Israel v.1

• He became afraid knowing Gibeon was a great city v.2

• He sends messages to the following kings:

• Hoham king of Hebron v.3

• Piram king of Jarmuth

• Japhia king of Lachish

• Debir king of Eglon

Southern Campaign

Battle with the Kings of the South

• The message stated for all of them to come join forces with him against Gibeon, they had made peace with Israel v.4

• So the Amorite kings gathered together and encamped against Gibeon to make war v.5

• They were trying to force Gibeon and the Hivites to join back with their side

• Gibeon instead called upon their new allies to help them v.6

Battle with the Kings of the South

• Gibeon’s message to Joshua was “Do not delay, you must hurry to our rescue”

• They further explained how all the kings had joined forces against them v.6

• Joshua gathered his army together, and God told him, “Do not be afraid of them because I have delivered them into your hands”

• Not a man of them will stand before you v.8

Battle with the Kings of the South

• Joshua and Israel traveled all night and made a surprise attack on the Amorites

• They could not fight because of Jehovah and the battle turned into a rout.

• They fled to Beth-horon which desends steeply going west.

• Jehovah cast down great stones upon them (possibly hail stones or rock slide)

• More died by the hand of Jehovah than by Israel’s hand

Battle with the Kings of the South

• Israel pursued the armies to Azekah

• Most of the battle took place in the Shephelah or the rolling hills between the central hill country and the coastal plains

• As they pursued them Joshua prayed to God and ask that the sun stand still and God made it stand still about a whole day

Battle with the Kings of the South

• Josh 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.  13And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 

http://www.bible-history.com/geography/maps/map_palestine_territory.html

The day the sun stood still

• The Amorites were fleeing from Israel

• Could hardly wait for darkness to hide

• Imagine their thoughts as they fled and another whole day before the sun set

• What has happened?

• None like this day before or after

• The five kings fled before Israel also

The day the sun stood still

• The kings all went into the cave of Makkedah to hide, it was located near Lachish in Eglon.

• Joshua was told where they were hiding so he ordered stones to be put over the entrance to close them in.

• Everyone else continue to chase the enemy because Jehovah has given them into our hands

Northern Campaign

Enemy subdued• Fighting over for now--those left went into

fortified

• Joshua and his army returned to the cave where the kings were trapped

• He ordered the cave opened and bring the kings out

• Now he orders them to lie down

• Joshua called for the chiefs of the men of war to put your feet on their necks to show to all you have conquered these kings

Joshua had the kings impaled

Campaign continues

• Israel now has the advantage and goes through the cities of the south

• They conquered each one as they came to them

• The cities of Makkeda, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir all destroyed

The cave

• The cave they sought for refuge became their grave

• Joshua had their bodies taken down from the poles and thrown in the cave

• Then ordered the mouth of the cave sealed with stones

• This is what Jehovah will do to all your enemies

Enemies destroyed

• From Kadesh-barnea to Gibeon every enemy was defeated

• Joshua was able to destroy all these kings and their cities because Jehovah was with them

• Joshua and Israel return to Gilgal

Northern CampaignJoshua 11:1-15

Northern CampaignJoshua 11:1-15

• Jabin king of Hazor heard about Israel’s conquest over the southern hill-country

• He knew something had to be done to stop Israel from taking their land also

• He sent to the following kings: Madon, Shimron, Achshaph, and kings to the north and the hill-country and in the Jordan Valley near Chinneroth, also those in the plain, and at Dor

• He called the Canaanites, Hivites, Amorites, Hitites, Perizzites, Jebusites

Northern CampaignJoshua 11:1-15

• There was an army that assembled like the sand of the sea

• They had many horses and chariots

• They made camp at the waters of Meron

• This was the largest army that Joshua will encounter as they take the promised land

Canaanites

Amorites

Jebusites

Northern CampaignJoshua 11:1-15

• Do not be afraid of this mighty army

• Tomorrow at this time I will deliver them to be slain before Israel

• You are to cripple their horses

• Also burn their chariots

• God did not want Israel to depend on either horses or chariots for strength just Him.

Northern CampaignJoshua 11:1-15

• Joshua and his forces came upon the enemy suddenly by the waters of Meron

• The Lord gave them into their hands

• They destroyed them and ran them to Sidon and Mishrepoth-maim and valley of Mizpah and further

• Israel fought until no enemies were left

• The horses were crippled and chariots were burned

Northern CampaignJoshua 11:1-15

• Israel came to Hazor and took it and burned it with fire because it was the source of this alliance

• Israel now made a circuit and captured all the cities and destroying the kings with their armies

• Israel took many spoils of war

• They put to death every man as they were commanded of God

Hazor

• Hazor dates back about 1500 years

• It had massive walls encircling 200 acres

• Much larger than 7 acres of Jericho

• Hazor was rebuilt after the days of Joshua

• We will encounter a Canaanite king in Hazor in the days of Deborah the judge

• Solomon also makes it one of his fortified cities to control the northern part of his empire.

Cities of the land

• The cities were not burned

• This became a mixed blessing

• There were houses already prepared

• Not time to move in so the Canaanites came back to them, this is why they show up later to be dealt with again

Summary of VictoriesJoshua 11:16-12:24

Kings conqueredJoshua 12:1-24

• Verses 1-6 kings east of Jordan River

• Remainder of chapter gives kings on the west side of Jordan River

• There were still Canaanites left throughout the land at this point

• The conquest has gone as God intended

• God has led them to victory over every king and city that challenged them

Kings conqueredJoshua 12:1-24

• The Israelites are now in control of the land

• The final task of clearing out all the inhabitants of all the villages will take place little by little Deut. 7:20-24

• God said he would not drive out all the Canaanites because wild animals would fill the land

• God assured them he would continue to help drive out all that were left Josh 13:6: 23:5