‏ Joshua 10

* Five kings war against Gibeon. (1-6) Joshua succours Gibeon

The sun and moon stand still. (7-14) The kings are taken, their

armies defeated, and they are put to death. (15-27) Seven other

kings defeated and slain. (28-43)

1-6 When sinners leave the service of Satan and the friendship

of the world, that they make peace with God and join Israel,

they must not marvel if the world hate them, if their former

friends become foes. By such methods Satan discourages many who

are convinced of their danger, and almost persuaded to be

Christians, but fear the cross. These things should quicken us

to apply to God for protection, help, and deliverance. 7-14 The meanest and most feeble, who have just begun to trust

the Lord, are as much entitled to be protected as those who have

long and faithfully been his servants. It is our duty to defend

the afflicted, who, like the Gibeonites, are brought into

trouble on our account, or for the sake of the gospel. Joshua

would not forsake his new vassals. How much less shall our true

Joshua fail those who trust in Him! We may be wanting in our

trust, but our trust never can want success. Yet God's promises

are not to slacken and do away, but to quicken and encourage our

endeavours. Notice the great faith of Joshua, and the power of

God answering it by the miraculous staying of the sun, that the

day of Israel's victories might be made longer. Joshua acted on

this occasion by impulse on his mind from the Spirit of God. It

was not necessary that Joshua should speak, or the miracle be

recorded, according to the modern terms of astronomy. The sun

appeared to the Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the

valley of Ajalon, and there they appeared to be stopped on their

course for one whole day. Is any thing too hard for the Lord?

forms a sufficient answer to ten thousand difficulties, which

objectors have in every age started against the truth of God as

revealed in his written word. Proclamation was hereby made to

the neighbouring nations, Behold the works of the Lord, and say,

What nation is there so great as Israel, who has God so nigh

unto them? 15-27 None moved his tongue against any of the children of

Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called

to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of

lies will but secure for God's judgment. God punished the

abominable wickedness of these kings, the measure of whose

iniquity was now full. And by this public act of justice, done

upon these ringleaders of the Canaanites in sin, he would

possess his people with the greater dread and detestation of the

sins of the nations that God cast out from before them. Here is

a type and figure of Christ's victories over the powers of

darkness, and of believers' victories through him. In our

spiritual conflicts we must not be satisfied with obtaining some

important victory. We must pursue our scattered enemies,

searching out the remains of sin as they rise up in our hearts,

and thus pursue the conquest. In so doing, the Lord will afford

light until the warfare be accomplished. 28-43 Joshua made speed in taking these cities. See what a

great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we will be

diligent, and improve our opportunities. God here showed his

hatred of the idolatries and other abominations of which the

Canaanites had been guilty, and shows us how great the

provocation was, by the greatness of the destruction brought

upon them. Here also was typified the destruction of all the

enemies of the Lord Jesus, who, having slighted the riches of

his grace, must for ever feel the weight of his wrath. The Lord

fought for Israel. They could not have gotten the victory, if

God had not undertaken the battle. We conquer when God fights

for us; if he be for us, who can be against us?