WARFARE for Israel did not cease when the five kings of the Amorites were slain and their people smitten. Joshua continued his conquests, slaying king after king and destroying their people until seven more had fallen. Then he returned into camp at Gilgal. But he was not allowed long to rest. The king of Hazor sent word to many other kings, and an immense multitude of people and horses and chariots gathered together to fight against Israel. The Lord bade Joshua not to fear, and told him He would deliver them up all slain before Israel about that time on the morrow. So again a wonderful victory was gained for Israel. Before that time, Hazor had been the head of all those kingdoms, but Joshua smote its king, destroyed its people and burnt up the city. He allowed the other cities to stand, but destroyed their people. Hazor, however, must be burned for God would have a new center for His people. So now, for those who turn to Jesus, “all things are become new.”
When the victories of Israel came to be summed up, thirty-one kings had been slain and their people destroyed. And still there was much land to be possessed, the Lord told Joshua. The Philistines were not yet conquered, and there were other portions yet to overcome. But Joshua took possession of all the land and divided it among the various tribes, as he had been instructed of the Lord. Then the land had rest from war.
How blessed the rest that follows a time of war! But the Christian conflict will not cease until his earthly pilgrimage closes. The “prince of the power of the air,” and “the rulers of the darkness of this world” will wage their warfare until God puts them under chains; but that will not be until after the church is taken away from earth. So we, who believe in Jesus, must not expect the sweet “rest from war” until we are safe home in the Father’s house. Knowing this, let us seek to be clad as warriors, that we may be able to meet, the dreadful foe—more subtle and mightier far than those of “flesh and blood” with which Israel had to contend. We need the “whole armour of God;” without it we will not be able to stand. And we need “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” to meet our cunning and powerful foe. This evil one was driven back thrice by this mighty weapon, when he assailed our blessed Lord.
Are you in the conflict, my reader? Happy for you if you are not slumbering on in quiet ease, and seeming security; happy, indeed, if you are ranked on the Lord’s side, and thus brought into conflict with the hosts of evil. For you, the wars will soon be over; sweet, eternal, blessed rest will be your portion; and victory complete will be yours, in a scene where all is peace.
“Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
ML 03/11/1906