Read Joshua 10 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
10:1-7 {p} Five kings of Amorites attack Gibeon, and Joshua comes to defend it
10:8-11 {s} YHVH routed them before Israel with hailstones
10:12-14 {s} Joshua’s long day so that YHVH fought for Israel
10:15-27 {s} The death of the five kings
10:28 {s} Victory over Makkedah, a fortified city
10:29-30 {s} Victory over Libnah, a fortified city
10:31-32 {p} Victory over Lachish, a fortified city
10:33-35 {p} Victory over Gezer who had come to help Lachish, Victory over Eglon
10:36-37 {s} Victory over Hebron
10:38-43 {p} Victory over Debir; so that Joshua conquered the land
Joshua 10:1-43 Chiastic Structure:
When we speak of the exermination of the Canaanites at the hands of Israel, we tend to get very uncomfortable. How does this square with the God of love, who allowed Himself to be slain on the cross for the salvation of the whole world? This is where the Teaching Tools really help us. We have previously noted that Joshua is a Prophetic Type of Messiah. Even the English name “Joshua” is a transliteration of the Hebrew name “Yeshua.”
What we have to remember about Messiah Yeshua is that His coming is in two advents. He has come already in His first advent, which we have read about in Matthew and John. In His first advent, He came as the suffering Servant of all. By His death on the cross, His spotless blood paid the price of the guilty verdict for the sins of the whole world.
We are awaiting His second advent. In His second advent, He will not come as a suffering Servant, but as the victorious King of kings and Lord of lords.
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:11-16
In Joseph, we saw him as the Prophetic Type of Messiah for both advents (Gen 39-50 in Bible for Beginners); in Joshua, we are seeing the Prophetic Type of Messiah for His second advent, as victor over His enemies.
In every place in the Hebrew Testament, where judgment has fallen upon the disobedient, Scripture, by its Teaching Tools, paints the picture of the Gospel of grace. And this is the picture: those who repent and who align themselves with YHVH, the God of Israel, will be saved. Rahab and Gibeon are the Canaanite examples. Those who instead stiffen the neck and make war upon the Messiah to overthrow His rule, will be judged. The five kings of the Amorites are the Canaanite examples. Life is the end of those who come to Him; death is the end of those who reject Him, for they have rejected the only Fountain of Living Water, and have elected to have the judgment for their sinfulness come upon their own head instead of upon the Lamb of God.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Arguments to Avoid: NASA Found Joshua’s Missing Day – Answers in Genesis
Judgment or Cruelty? Conquering the Promised Land – Bible Project
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