Chapter 11:1-14
After Joshua’s successful campaign that gained for Israel the south country, we next hear of a great confederacy of kings and peoples in the north. Unable to defeat Israel by subtlety, the enemy would now try by a massive display of force to swamp Israel. Under the leadership of Jabin, king of Hazor, they come down “even as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.”
Alas, for them; it was all the easier to crush them when they were all gathered together. God let them come against Israel in order that He might destroy them all. He told Joshua: “Be not afraid because of them: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel.”
At the bidding of the Lord, Israel came suddenly upon them, hamstrung and destroyed their horses, burnt their chariots, smote their armies, and left none remaining. In Psalm 20:77Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7) the psalmist says, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” The peoples of Canaan trusted in their horses and chariots. Therefore, they were to be destroyed lest Israel should imitate them, and, trusting in such power forsake their confidence in the Lord.
How often has God been pleased to work deliverance for His people by means which do not glorify man! David’s stone and sling, Samson’s jawbone of an ass, Gideon’s pitchers and trumpets, witness to the way God has wrought deliverance in times past. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.... that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Cor. 1:27, 2927But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27)
29That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29). “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.” Zech. 4:66Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6).
“And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword.” Hazor, that city of strength, was the fortress and head of those kingdoms; Jabin had ruled from there. But now this center of government was burnt with fire and totally destroyed; not a soul was left to breathe.
Perhaps it might be asked, Why not save the city to be a center and capital for Israel? But God would have none of it. He will have His own center. Jerusalem was to be the capital of Jehovah’s land, the City of the great King. For us, God’s center is the New Man, the Lord Jesus, not the old man rebuilt or altered to suit us.
The burning of Hazor reminds us that we are not to imitate the world, or copy its greatness. “In Christ... all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17). In this new creation “all things are of God” who is “all in all.”
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