AUGUST 7, 2016
THE LONGEST DAY
INTRODUCTION:
1. Adonizedek, King of Jerusalem, being outraged by the defection of the Gibeonites, called upon four other southern kings to join him in waging war against the traitors. (Verse 3) He surely had no idea what the repercussions of such an attack might be; that he would inadvertently engage Joshua and his army in a military campaign that would sweep across the south of Canaan like wildfire until the entire region was totally mastered by Israel. (See Verses 41, 42)
2. Adonizedek and his allied forces only intended to punish Gibeon for their defection, and hopefully re-enlist them in the common cause. However, the matter was not nearly so simple, seeing that the Gibeonites had entered into covenant with Israel, which meant that Israel, and Israel’s God, had become their defenders.
3. The kings of the south learned the hard way that it is not wise to pick a quarrel with those who are under the protection of the Almighty. First, the Lord discomfited the enemy, i.e. greatly agitated them, caused an uproar, which gave Israel’s troops a great advantage. Second, He fought from heaven, using supernatural methods which the allied forces were helpless to combat. (Verses 10, 11)
4. The kings and their armies hadn’t seen nothin’ yet. The mighty God, Who was on Israel’s side, Who had been fighting with and for His people, was about to do something that had never been seen before or since. To prevent any loss of advantage which they had gained toward achieving the complete victory that He promised over this formidable enemy (Verse 8), He will suspend His own established laws of nature and prevent the setting of the sun for the space of almost a whole day.
I. IN ORDER THAT ISRAEL’S ARMIES MIGHT CONTINUE IN UNINTERRUPTED PURSUIT OF THE ALLIED FORCES, THE LORD MADE THE SUN TO STAND STILL ACCORDING TO JOSHUA’S WORD. (VERSES 12-14)
A. GREAT FAITH IS HERE DISPLAYED BY JOSHUA. (VERSE 12)
1. That Joshua would dare to ask for such a thing, something totally unprecedented, is most remarkable.
a) It is not said that Joshua prayed for this, but it is implied. “Then Joshua spake to the Lord…”
b) It is not specifically said that Elijah prayed for drought, only that he prophesied of it. (I Kings 17:1) Yet it is said in James 5:17 that he prayed earnestly for it. The same might be assumed in this case; that Joshua prayed for this miraculous intervention.
2. Having prayed, Joshua demonstrated his great faith, in that, he gave this command in the sight of all Israel.
3. God Himself wrought this faith in His faithful servant, and, no doubt, Joshua experienced an extraordinary impulse or impression upon his spirit, prompting him to make this request.
B. GREAT CONFIDENCE IN GOD IS HERE MANIFESTED. “Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou moon in the valley of Ajalon.”
1. Only the Creator God is able to cause the sun and moon to be stayed. By this request, he is not suggesting that he needs both of the great lights for his mission, because having the light of the sun, the moon is insignificant. However, in order to have the sunlight to continue, the rotation of all bodies must stop, and remain in their place.
2. Joshua had to believe that, not only could God interrupt the course of nature, He could also sustain the entire universe unharmed during the time of such an interruption.
C. GREAT COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF THE TROOPS IS HERE SEEN.
1. What energy and determination they exhibited in order to see this righteous cause completed! They had marched all night from Gilgal (Verse 9), and fought furiously all day. They might have been quite glad to see the sun disappear, so that they might set up camp for the night. There was, however, a cause which had to take priority.
2. God, Who would extend the day would also increase their strength accordingly. (Deut. 33:25) Their enemies were no doubt very weary, but they would not be given a chance to stop or rest.
D. GOD’S POWER AND FAITHFULNESS IS HERE WONDERFULLY DEMONSTRATED. (VERSE 13)
1. The sun continued above the horizon for the space of almost a whole day.
2. God suspended the course of nature until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.
E. WHAT GOD DID FOR HIS PEOPLE ON THIS OCCASION WAS TOTALLY UNIQUE. (VERSE 14)
1. There was no day like this before or since.
a) First, that this day was almost double in length to that of an ordinary day.
b) Second, that God put such an honor upon faith and prayer, and upon Israel’s cause.
2. So wonderful was this day that it was recorded in the book of Jasher, a collection of state poems. “Is not this written in the book of Jasher?” Joshua’s command in Verse 12, “Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou moon in the valley of Agilon,” are supposed to be a metrical composition taken form the book of Jasher. Perhaps this book was a continuation by Jasher of the “book of the wars of the Lord.” (Num. 21:14)
II. IN ORDER TO GAIN COMPLETE VICTORY OVER THE FIVE KINGS OF THE AMORITES, THEIR EXECUTION WAS DELAYED UNTIL THEIR ARMIES WERE CONSUMED. (VRS. 15-27) The five kings of the Amorites made a brave showing at the beginning of this war, but seeing what they were up against, that they had bit off much more than they could chew, they abandoned the cause to save their own necks. Their place of refuge to which they fled for safety became their holding cell, where they would be held awaiting their execution. (Verses 16-18)
A. JOSHUA AND HIS TROOPS RETURNED BRIEFLY TO GILGAL. (VERSE 15)
1. Why they discontinued the pursuit for this brief recess we are not told. Surely Joshua knew that the mission was not yet complete.
2. We can imagine that they all needed refreshment and rest, having been without sleep for at least three days, two of which were spent in furious warfare.
3. We can assume that Joshua was led of the Lord in returning to Gilgal. Clearly word reached him there about the situation, along with instructions from the Lord about how to proceed.
B. WORD REACHED JOSHUA AS TO THE STATUS OF THE FIVE AMORITE KINGS. (VERSES 16-18)
1. This was good news for Israel’s captain. The Lord had indeed delivered them into his hand. (Verses 16, 17)
2. Joshua knew that their execution was not now the first priority. He therefore ordered them to be guarded and held. (Verse 18)
3. Ordinarily, the enemy king was considered the personal trophy of the conquering commander, however, more important than his personal gratification was to follow the Lord’s direction in chasing and destroying their armies.
C. JOSHUA’S MEN STAYED NOT, BUT PURSUED AFTER THEIR ENEMIES UNTIL THEY WERE CONSUMED. (VERSES 19-21)
1. There was a very great slaughter made of the enemies of Israel. (Verses 19, 20)
2. So thorough was their success that “none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.” (Verse 21) This was apparently a proverbial saying which meant that not even the slightest act of retaliation did they dare to attempt.
D. JOSHUA WOULD NOW DEAL WITH THE FIVE KINGS OF THE AMORITES IN THE APPROPRIATE MANNER. (VERSES 22-27)
1. First, they were made an object lesson for the encouragement of the children of Israel. (Verses 22-25)
a) They were brought forth from the cave to stand before Joshua. Five kings had joined themselves against one commander. But, that one commander happened to be the anointed captain of the Lord’s host. He that sits in the heavens must have been laughing. (Psa. 2:2-5)
b) Joshua’s officers then placed their feet on the necks of these kings, symbolizing what the Lord would do to all of their enemies. (Verse 25)
c) Our great Captain has assured us that because He has put His foot on the neck of Satan, we too shall be able to tread him under our feet. (Rom. 16:20; Psa. 18:40; 110:1; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:8; Psa. 91:13)
2. Second, they were slain. “And afterward Joshua smote, and slew them.” (Verse 26a)
a) If these kings hoped that the former humiliation was the extent of their punishment, it was not done as punishment, but rather as a sign to encourage God’s people.
b) The sentence to be executed upon these heathen kings was death, and death it was. “…Joshua smote them and slew them.”
3. Third, they were hanged on five trees, showing that they were each cursed of God. (Verses 26b, 27; Deut. 21:21, 22)
a) We considered why this was done and the meaning of the procedure in a previous lesson in which we saw the death and public hanging of the king of Ai. (Ch. 8:29) We noted that he was most likely slain before he was hanged, as was the case here.
b) After the five Amorite kings were slain, they were hanged signifying that they were under a divine curse. (Verse 26b; Deut. 21:23)
c) Their dead bodies were taken down before sundown, so that the land would not be defiled. (Verse 27; Deut. 21:23)
4. Fourth, they were entombed in the cave at Makkedah wherein they had hid themselves.
a) The cave which they thought would be their shelter was first made their prison, and finally their grave.
b) So shall men be disappointed in that from which they think to flee from the wrath of God.
c) There is but one hiding place into which one can flee form God’s wrath. Those who hide themselves in the Rock of Ages will be forever safe.
III. ONCE THE FIVE KINGS WERE APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH, JOSHUA WENT ON TO IMPROVE UPON THE GLORIOUS VICTORY. (VERSES 28-43)
A. A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT IS GIVEN OF SEVERAL CITIES WHICH HE TOOK. (VERSES 28-39)
B. A GENERAL ACCOUNT IS GIVEN OF THE COUNTRY THAT WAS HEREBY BROUGHT INTO ISRAEL’S POSSESSION. (VERSES 40-42)
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