He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. - Acts 17:26
Good morning. I want to warn you at the outset that today’s message might be a bit dry. We will be covering 2 ½ chapters that basically list the remaining battles of the conquest. While the Bible contains engaging stories and vivid details about the earlier battles at Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon, little if anything is said about the many other conflicts that followed. Nevertheless, I believe that every word of Scripture is important and has purpose. Therefore, we are going to spend some time examining this text and trust that God will somehow speak to us through it.
I. THE SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN (Joshua 10:29-42; 11:21-23; 12:9-16)
After capturing the city of Makkedah, Joshua and the men of Israel launched their military campaign against southern Canaan. They attacked, defeated, and destroyed the city of Libnah killing its king and all of its inhabitants. Next, they came to Lachish, whose army had previously been decimated during the battle at Gibeon. In an effort to save the city, the king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. Despite his assistance, Joshua struck Lachish and all of its citizens leaving no survivor, including the king of Gezer and his army. Israel then did likewise to Eglon followed by Hebron, who’d both also been severely weakened by their losses during the battle of Gibeon. While in the region, Joshua also attacked, defeated, and destroyed the cities of Geder and Adullam and killed their kings.
Israel advanced southward out of the hill country and into the Negev desert. Along the way they defeated Debir, Hormah, and Arad. Joshua continued as far south as Kadesh-barnea, then traveled west across the region of Goshen to Gaza on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and finally back north to Gibeon. As he went Joshua captured numerous kings and their lands one by one. In each instance he utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as God had commanded. The LORD fought for Israel. After completing their march through central and southern Canaan, the men of Israel returned to their main camp at Gilgal.
During their conquest of southern Canaan, the Israelites killed the Anakim who lived in Hebron, Debir, and Anab. Only a remnant of the Anakim remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod, which would eventually become the principal cities of Philistia. The Anakim were the descendants of Anak. They were a formidable race of giant, warlike people. The most famous of the Anakim was Goliath, the mighty Philistine warrior who fought against David.
II. THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGN (Joshua 11:1-15; 12:17-24)
After an unspecified period of time, presumably to rest and recover, Joshua and his army launched their northern campaign. They journeyed northward from Gilgal through central Canaan and likely attacked, defeated, and destroyed the cities of Tappuah and Tirzah along the way. By the time they reached the Sea of Chinneroth, which would later be known as the Sea of Galilee, a great alliance of northern cities was being formed.
Jabin, the king of Hazor, knew that Israel was pressing northward. He sent word to the kings of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, as well as to many other kings in the northern hill country and region of Mizpeh, to those in the land of Arabah just south of the Sea of Chinneroth, and to those in the west toward the heights of Dor on the Mediterranean coast. All of these kings and their armies joined together as one, possibly including the cities of Kadesh, Goiim, Lasharon, Aphek, and Dor (among others). They were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, equipped with many horses and chariots. This mighty coalition camped at the waters of Merom, which was near Lake Huleh in the extreme northern reaches of Canaan.
Though the enemy had assembled an enormous fighting force, the LORD told Joshua not to be afraid. So Israel fearlessly attacked them at the waters of Merom, defeated them, and pursued those who retreated in various directions until all were struck down. No survivors were left. After the battle ended, Joshua hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots as God had instructed.
Israel then proceeded to Hazor, the leading city of the northern alliance. They killed all of the people there and burned it with fire. Then, Joshua systematically went to all of the other cities which had been part of the alliance and struck their inhabitants also. However, he did not burn these other cities. Rather, the Israelites plundered them and took their cattle and spoils.
Also during their northern campaign, Joshua’s army defeated the king and army of Jokneam somewhere near Mt. Carmel. They also attacked and defeated the cities of Meggido, Taanach, and Hepher. Once they had completed their offensive, the men of Israel returned to their camp at Gilgal and the conquest of Canaan was complete.
III. A SUMMARY OF THE CONQUEST (Joshua 11:16-20; 12:1-8)
In the end, Joshua took all of the Promised Land including the northern and southern hill country, the Negev, the regions of Goshen and Arabah, and much, much more. The extent of Israel’s victory stretched from Mt. Hermon and the Valley of Lebanon in the north to Mt. Halak and the land of Seir in the south. The conquest lasted almost 7 years. During this time, the only city that made peace with Israel was Gibeon - all the others were destroyed mercilessly. This was God’s punishment on Canaan for its idolatry and sin.
Prior to crossing into Canaan, while Moses was still alive, the army of Israel had defeated Sihon, king of the Ammorites, and Og, king of Bashan. The Israelites had taken territorial control over Ammon, Bashan, and Gilead just east of the Jordan River. Moses gave these lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Mannassah. These 2 kings (who ruled “beyond the Jordan'') may be included with the 31 kings who were defeated within the land of Canaan to form a complete list of those conquered by Israel during the conquest.
CONCLUSION
The conquest of Canaan can be divided into 3 chapters - the central, southern, and northern campaigns. Israel crossed the Jordan River into central Canaan. They attacked several cities in the region and quickly seized control, effectively separating Canaan into 2 halves. From there, they proceeded southward through the desert defeating many more cities and kings. Lastly, they ventured northward and overtook those areas as well. It was a brilliant strategy which worked because God fought on behalf of Israel.
A conquest involves the invasion of a foreign land with the intent to take possession of and/or control over it. It should be noted that the conquest of Canaan was a one-time event in Scripture. No where else does God command His people to engage in such behavior. The conquest was limited to a specific time, place, and people. It was waged so that God’s chosen people would have a possession of their own. The land of Israel is sufficient as is and need not be expanded. The Bible does not teach or sanction the concept of “holy war”. Faith is not to be spread by the sword, but rather through the proclamation of the gospel. Nor is sin to be confronted with violence, but rather with love and forgiveness.
We have completed our study of the conquest. In the coming weeks we will see how the land was divided by Joshua among the 12 tribes. Each would be responsible for settling their allotted territory and displacing any Canaanites that remained there. Some tribes would do a better job at this than others…
Good morning. I want to warn you at the outset that today’s message might be a bit dry. We will be covering 2 ½ chapters that basically list the remaining battles of the conquest. While the Bible contains engaging stories and vivid details about the earlier battles at Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon, little if anything is said about the many other conflicts that followed. Nevertheless, I believe that every word of Scripture is important and has purpose. Therefore, we are going to spend some time examining this text and trust that God will somehow speak to us through it.
I. THE SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN (Joshua 10:29-42; 11:21-23; 12:9-16)
After capturing the city of Makkedah, Joshua and the men of Israel launched their military campaign against southern Canaan. They attacked, defeated, and destroyed the city of Libnah killing its king and all of its inhabitants. Next, they came to Lachish, whose army had previously been decimated during the battle at Gibeon. In an effort to save the city, the king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. Despite his assistance, Joshua struck Lachish and all of its citizens leaving no survivor, including the king of Gezer and his army. Israel then did likewise to Eglon followed by Hebron, who’d both also been severely weakened by their losses during the battle of Gibeon. While in the region, Joshua also attacked, defeated, and destroyed the cities of Geder and Adullam and killed their kings.
Israel advanced southward out of the hill country and into the Negev desert. Along the way they defeated Debir, Hormah, and Arad. Joshua continued as far south as Kadesh-barnea, then traveled west across the region of Goshen to Gaza on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and finally back north to Gibeon. As he went Joshua captured numerous kings and their lands one by one. In each instance he utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as God had commanded. The LORD fought for Israel. After completing their march through central and southern Canaan, the men of Israel returned to their main camp at Gilgal.
During their conquest of southern Canaan, the Israelites killed the Anakim who lived in Hebron, Debir, and Anab. Only a remnant of the Anakim remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod, which would eventually become the principal cities of Philistia. The Anakim were the descendants of Anak. They were a formidable race of giant, warlike people. The most famous of the Anakim was Goliath, the mighty Philistine warrior who fought against David.
II. THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGN (Joshua 11:1-15; 12:17-24)
After an unspecified period of time, presumably to rest and recover, Joshua and his army launched their northern campaign. They journeyed northward from Gilgal through central Canaan and likely attacked, defeated, and destroyed the cities of Tappuah and Tirzah along the way. By the time they reached the Sea of Chinneroth, which would later be known as the Sea of Galilee, a great alliance of northern cities was being formed.
Jabin, the king of Hazor, knew that Israel was pressing northward. He sent word to the kings of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph, as well as to many other kings in the northern hill country and region of Mizpeh, to those in the land of Arabah just south of the Sea of Chinneroth, and to those in the west toward the heights of Dor on the Mediterranean coast. All of these kings and their armies joined together as one, possibly including the cities of Kadesh, Goiim, Lasharon, Aphek, and Dor (among others). They were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, equipped with many horses and chariots. This mighty coalition camped at the waters of Merom, which was near Lake Huleh in the extreme northern reaches of Canaan.
Though the enemy had assembled an enormous fighting force, the LORD told Joshua not to be afraid. So Israel fearlessly attacked them at the waters of Merom, defeated them, and pursued those who retreated in various directions until all were struck down. No survivors were left. After the battle ended, Joshua hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots as God had instructed.
Israel then proceeded to Hazor, the leading city of the northern alliance. They killed all of the people there and burned it with fire. Then, Joshua systematically went to all of the other cities which had been part of the alliance and struck their inhabitants also. However, he did not burn these other cities. Rather, the Israelites plundered them and took their cattle and spoils.
Also during their northern campaign, Joshua’s army defeated the king and army of Jokneam somewhere near Mt. Carmel. They also attacked and defeated the cities of Meggido, Taanach, and Hepher. Once they had completed their offensive, the men of Israel returned to their camp at Gilgal and the conquest of Canaan was complete.
III. A SUMMARY OF THE CONQUEST (Joshua 11:16-20; 12:1-8)
In the end, Joshua took all of the Promised Land including the northern and southern hill country, the Negev, the regions of Goshen and Arabah, and much, much more. The extent of Israel’s victory stretched from Mt. Hermon and the Valley of Lebanon in the north to Mt. Halak and the land of Seir in the south. The conquest lasted almost 7 years. During this time, the only city that made peace with Israel was Gibeon - all the others were destroyed mercilessly. This was God’s punishment on Canaan for its idolatry and sin.
Prior to crossing into Canaan, while Moses was still alive, the army of Israel had defeated Sihon, king of the Ammorites, and Og, king of Bashan. The Israelites had taken territorial control over Ammon, Bashan, and Gilead just east of the Jordan River. Moses gave these lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Mannassah. These 2 kings (who ruled “beyond the Jordan'') may be included with the 31 kings who were defeated within the land of Canaan to form a complete list of those conquered by Israel during the conquest.
CONCLUSION
The conquest of Canaan can be divided into 3 chapters - the central, southern, and northern campaigns. Israel crossed the Jordan River into central Canaan. They attacked several cities in the region and quickly seized control, effectively separating Canaan into 2 halves. From there, they proceeded southward through the desert defeating many more cities and kings. Lastly, they ventured northward and overtook those areas as well. It was a brilliant strategy which worked because God fought on behalf of Israel.
A conquest involves the invasion of a foreign land with the intent to take possession of and/or control over it. It should be noted that the conquest of Canaan was a one-time event in Scripture. No where else does God command His people to engage in such behavior. The conquest was limited to a specific time, place, and people. It was waged so that God’s chosen people would have a possession of their own. The land of Israel is sufficient as is and need not be expanded. The Bible does not teach or sanction the concept of “holy war”. Faith is not to be spread by the sword, but rather through the proclamation of the gospel. Nor is sin to be confronted with violence, but rather with love and forgiveness.
We have completed our study of the conquest. In the coming weeks we will see how the land was divided by Joshua among the 12 tribes. Each would be responsible for settling their allotted territory and displacing any Canaanites that remained there. Some tribes would do a better job at this than others…
