Joshua 11 and 12
After a long time, the battles of Joshua and his army were over. All the nations of the land had fought against them, excepting the people of Gibeon, who had sent to make peace.
These nations did not have much land as we think of nations having, but each had a king and high walled cities, and were greater than Israel. They joined their armies, so there were more men than could be counted, some of them were giants, like those across Jordan. They had many horses and chariots, as were common for wars then, but we do not read of any for Israel’s army.
Yet God gave Joshua and his army victories over the kings, thirty-two in all, because He knew their evil ways. However, there were a few people, not driven out of the land, yet they did not want to give up idols, nor worship the living God, whose wonders they had known of, but they were always enemies of Israel, and often made war against them.
You have seen pictures of soldiers of long ago with their heavy armor,—the strong helmets, of leather, or metal; the big shields to keep off the enemies’ weapons; and the sharp swords and spears.
God still expects His people to be soldiers, but not like those who fought other men. He does not now tell them to take a land, but He has given them a great possession, the Holy Scriptures, which we can call the Bible. In that, are His promises for blessings for now and in heaven, but which some would keep from them. So God tells the armor each Christian is to put on: “the helmet of salvation”, which is trust in the death of Christ to save us; then “the shield of faith”, which is true belief in God, and “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” This is very different armor than a soldier’s in battle, but it is the one God would have us wear, and we need it as long as we live (Ephians:1148).
Some verses about the nations of Canaan are: Exodus 23:3030By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. (Exodus 23:30); Numbers 13:2828Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. (Numbers 13:28); Deuteronomy 9:1-61Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, 2A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak! 3Understand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord hath said unto thee. 4Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee. 5Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6Understand therefore, that the Lord thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people. (Deuteronomy 9:1‑6).
ML 05/01/1938