Jos 10:36-37 | KingComments | STEP | Striking in this section is the recurring expression “Joshua and all Israel with him” ( ). Here we can see a picture of the unity of the Lord Jesus and His own in judgment ( ). Joshua captures the cities of three of the five kings: Lachis ( ), Eglon ( ) and Hebron ( ). The other two cities, Jerusalem and Jarmuth, are not yet captured. In this part of the land Gezer is also defeated ( ). Horam, the king of Gezer, wants to come with his army to the aid of Lachis, that has lost its king. He appears to be interfering in the matter to his own destruction. Joshua also captures three more royal cities. First Makkedah ( ), in the neighborhood of which the five kings fled ( ). Now that Joshua and his armed forces have come there to persecute and kill the kings who have fled, he captures by the way the city. The flight of the kings thus accelerates the fall of this city. After that he also captures Libnah ( ) and Debir ( ). The king of Hebron is killed ( ). But, as we might notice, he is already killed among the five ( ), isn’t it? One solution may be that a new king has risen immediately after his death. Enemies quickly follow each other to resist God’s people. We could suppose that, now that the army has already entered the land so far and conquered it, they can also set their camp a bit further. But the army stays always in Gilgal ( ; ). There the army is always reminded of the circumcision. This is necessary to gain strength for the next battle. That the LORD fights for Israel does not diminish the need to be reminded of the judgment of sin, of flesh. We must always return to the place that suits us before God: the complete discarding of ourselves. There is a time to act and there is also a time to keep silent and to place ourselves before God so that we may be able to act. Our consciousness of who we are we gain when we look at the death of Christ on the cross. That is the starting point for the battle in which the Lord is leading. Just then we will give Him everything in His hands. If the flesh starts to boast, the next defeat is a fact. Then there is no place for Him and He cannot fight for us. We return, not to be circumcised again, but to be reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus: “The flesh profits nothing” ( ). If we remember that, we will perform the command: “Put to death therefore your members which [are] upon the earth” ( Darby Translation).

‏ Joshua 10:36-37

The Cities in the Negev Captured

Striking in this section is the recurring expression “Joshua and all Israel with him” (Jos 10:29 ; 31 ; 34 ; 36 ; 38 ; 43). Here we can see a picture of the unity of the Lord Jesus and His own in judgment (Rev 19:14-15).

Joshua captures the cities of three of the five kings: Lachis (Jos 10:31-32), Eglon (Jos 10:34-35) and Hebron (Jos 10:36-37). The other two cities, Jerusalem and Jarmuth, are not yet captured. In this part of the land Gezer is also defeated (Jos 10:33). Horam, the king of Gezer, wants to come with his army to the aid of Lachis, that has lost its king. He appears to be interfering in the matter to his own destruction.

Joshua also captures three more royal cities. First Makkedah (Jos 10:28), in the neighborhood of which the five kings fled (Jos 10:16). Now that Joshua and his armed forces have come there to persecute and kill the kings who have fled, he captures by the way the city. The flight of the kings thus accelerates the fall of this city. After that he also captures Libnah (Jos 10:29-30) and Debir (Jos 10:38-39).

The king of Hebron is killed (Jos 10:37). But, as we might notice, he is already killed among the five (Jos 10:23 ; 26), isn’t it? One solution may be that a new king has risen immediately after his death. Enemies quickly follow each other to resist God’s people.

We could suppose that, now that the army has already entered the land so far and conquered it, they can also set their camp a bit further. But the army stays always in Gilgal (Jos 10:43; Jos 10:7). There the army is always reminded of the circumcision. This is necessary to gain strength for the next battle. That the LORD fights for Israel does not diminish the need to be reminded of the judgment of sin, of flesh. We must always return to the place that suits us before God: the complete discarding of ourselves. There is a time to act and there is also a time to keep silent and to place ourselves before God so that we may be able to act.

Our consciousness of who we are we gain when we look at the death of Christ on the cross. That is the starting point for the battle in which the Lord is leading. Just then we will give Him everything in His hands. If the flesh starts to boast, the next defeat is a fact. Then there is no place for Him and He cannot fight for us. We return, not to be circumcised again, but to be reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus: “The flesh profits nothing” (Jn 6:63). If we remember that, we will perform the command: “Put to death therefore your members which [are] upon the earth” (Col 3:5 Darby Translation).