Imagine how frightening it must have been to be attacked by a coalition of five cities’ kings with their armies. Gibeon, which was accustomed to the regular aggression of the kings of other city-states, cried out for help even though it was a great city with mighty men. Joshua did the strong and courageous thing and came to their rescue. By the end of the day, as he presented the five kings to his army for slaughter, he was encouraging his men to be strong and courageous. Joshua had been transformed into a strong and courageous leader with God’s help and through his own actions. What does that teach you about the transformation process?
Joshua could have seen the united attack against Gibeon as a way out of their covenant: if Gibeon were destroyed by these other kings, then they would be released from the covenant. However, he wasted no time coming to their rescue and instead marched all night to surprise their attackers. If Israel hadn’t been faithful to their word, they may not have been able to conquer five armies at once.
Again, our culture’s values have perhaps influenced our individual values so that they clash with the idea of destroying all who breathed. Recall from Leviticus 18:24-28 that this purging was God’s chosen form of judgment on these people who “practiced abominable customs” so that they and their land became defiled. Rather than be offended, let us learn to think God’s thoughts after Him and not think like our sin-defiled culture. The truth is that sin is ugly and awful and merits God’s judgment.
After Joshua and his army defeated the five kings, they had to face a huge army comprised of an even larger number of city-states, with their horses and chariots, no less. It is interesting that these various peoples, habitually fighting against each other for a greater share of territory, were able to unite to fight against Israel. That had never happened, but God hardened their hearts to make it happen, to expedite their destruction. To this day, hatred for Israel makes for some strange alliances. We shouldn’t be surprised when the world hates us New Testament people of God enough to do inexplicable things against us.
So the two coalitions, intimidating as they must have seemed to Joshua and the army, were God’s way of advancing the conquest. Facing them must have been daunting, but God encouraged Joshua with His promise to be with him and to go before them and fight. We have some great promises from God that we can claim as well in our fights to take new ground in possessing what God intends for us. Some quick ones that come to mind include I Corinthians 10:13, II Peter 1:3-5, Ephesians 3:20, Jude 24, Philippians 1:6…. We simply have to act on them to gain the victory.