As we journey through the book of Joshua, we arrive at a pivotal moment in today’s daily devotional on chapter 11, where the long and arduous battles for the Promised Land come to a close. Joshua and the Israelites have fought valiantly to claim the land that God had promised them, and this chapter marks the end of their military campaigns. Reflecting on these final battles, we might ask ourselves: are our own struggles and challenges coming to an end, or do we still need divine intervention to overcome our personal battles? In this chapter, we find lessons that can guide us through our own journeys of faith and perseverance. To learn about how the sun stood still during a battle, check out the Joshua 10 daily devotional.
Joshua 11 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today, we are in Joshua 11. Battles have been fought to win the Promised Land. The battles end in chapter 11. Have your battles ended, or do you still need God to fight for you? Please read or listen to Joshua 11.
What Is the Meaning of Joshua 11?
After reading Joshua 11 in 1995, I wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “Who fought the battles for Joshua?” I quoted verse 8, “The Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel” (NASB). I continued to write, “They left none remaining. There was none left breathing. Joshua was totally obedient. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses. They had to battle for the Promised Land, but Joshua took the whole land and then the land rested from war.” I finished this journal entry by writing, “Seven years of war.”
In 2004, I read Joshua 9-11 on the same day and already used that Bible reading journal in a previous devotion.
What Did I Learn about God in Joshua 11:9?
In 2013, after reading Joshua 11, I wrote, “And the Lord said to Joshua” (v. 6). “How did God speak to Joshua? How did Joshua hear the voice of God? How do You speak to me, Lord? How do I hear Your voice? You are very specific with Joshua. Be specific with me.” I continued to write, “Joshua did just what the Lord commanded, according to verses 9 and 15.” Next, I wrote, “God is making Israel rich with all the spoils and livestock and plunder of their enemies. Lord, do the same for Ezra and Gideons. You can redistribute the wealth of the wicked to Your children anytime, anywhere. God also hardens people’s hearts, according to verse 20. God had promised Israel land, but they had to fight for it. God fought through them. We may have to fight for what God promises us as well.”
Throughout Joshua, we have learned and seen God fights for Israel. He is redistributing wealth into the hands of His people. It works because Joshua was obedient to what God had called him to do. Verse 15, “Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.” We have seen throughout this book God promised He would go with them. Verse 6, “And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them’”.
What Do We Learn from Joshua 11?
Let’s turn to practical applications from Joshua 11. We all have battles. We all have fights. We all have things we need victory from in the Lord. I want God’s help, don’t you? And throughout these last few chapters, we have seen God help Israel over and over. I believe He will help us as well. Let’s look at a few applications.
One, we have to hear the voice of the Lord. I asked the question in my journal, how do we hear the voice of the Lord? How did Joshua hear the voice of the Lord? We do not know, but I pray you will tune in and you will be able to discern the voice of God in your own life. I believe two ways to do that are Bible reading and prayer.
Secondly, we have to believe God will go with us. He says so over and over in His Word and He demonstrates it over and over in His Word. I for one believe God will go with me in the battles of my life.
Thirdly, we have to pick up our sword and fight. The nation of Israel did not sit back and just watch God work. God engaged them in the battle. We too have to engage in the battles God has put before us. Even though we believe He is fighting with us, He oftentimes fights through us. We have to be engaged in the battles God has placed before us. And we have to be obedient; do exactly what He has asked us to do. Like Joshua “left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded” (v. 15), we must be the same.
What Is the Main Lesson of Joshua?
Lastly, we need to know battles end and we can be victorious. Let’s look at the concluding verse of this chapter. “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war” (v. 23). Yes, your battle will end. And yes, you can be victorious. Praise God for the practical life applications of Joshua 11.
Prayer
Father, help me discern Your voice. Draw me into Your Word, into a prayer relationship with You so I get more and more familiar with Your voice. Father, thank You for battles. Thank You for battles You say You will be with us in. Help me be obedient; do exactly what You have asked me to do in the battles You put before me.
Lord, may I never depend on my own strength but always go with You into these battles knowing they will end. They will end victorious as long as I stay obedient to what You have called me to do.
Lord, give me rest from some of the battles I have had to fight. Thank You for the victories. In the name of Jesus, amen.
