Judges 1-2

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I. Video Consideration.

Why Israel Introduction | 01 | God’s love for Israel. Jan 21, 2016. Christians for Israel International. God has chosen Israel and has a covenant relationship with her. “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession”. Deuteronomy 7:6

II. Article Introduction.

A. The course of study that I am publishing on Equipping Site is two-fold. My Old Testament articles relate to Israel, and its emphasis on the love and leading of God of, “his chosen people.” The New Testament articles relate to Israel in the end times, and God’s means for drawing Israel to saving faith in Christ. The Old Testament will show God preparing a Savior for Israel, and for all of mankind. The New Testament will show Christ, “the Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev 16:16), returning to earth from Heaven at the end of the Tribulation to save the Jews from destruction (Matt 24:22), and to begin His never-ending rule and reign over the whole world (Isaiah 2:1-4).

B. The story of Israel goes back to the creation, and works its way through “Seth (Luke 3:38) and Noah (Luke 3:36).” Preceding the flood, when the earth was covered by water, Noah and his family were chosen by God to be saved from the drowning waters of the flood (Gen 6:6-11, 17-18). When the earth dried the three sons of Noah, and their wives, were sent out from the ark by God to repopulate the earth. Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, went in different directions. God chose Shem (Semitic) to be the bloodline of Noah to bring about the Savior of the World, through the covenant seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen 12:1-3); God renamed Jacob to be Israel (Gen 32:28). From the covenant seed of Jacob (Israel), the bloodline of Judah brought about the preordained birth of Christ (Messiah) (Luke 3:33, Gen 49:10, [“the one to whom the scepter belongs, “ i.e., Shiloh, the cryptogram for the Messiah, the one also called the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5)( MacArthur note)]. God chose Israel from out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6); no such relationship with God existed between God and the descendants of Ham or Japheth. None of the descendants of Ham or Japheth had the relationships of “purpose, promise, or protection,” that existed between God and the descendants of Shem. It is important to know that the covenant seed of Abraham went through Issac, and not Ishmael. To fulfill His purposes for Israel, God protected the Jews, and still protects Israel.

C. The following verse shows the means by which God chose to protect “His chosen people, Israel.

1. Zechariah 2:8-10 (NKJV) – Israel, the apple of God’s eye.

8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

2. MacArthur Study Bible note. https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/grace-to-you/listen/

2:8 He sent Me after glory. The Messiah is sent by the “Lord of Hosts” (v. 9) to procure His glory and to vindicate Him in the nations who have spoiled Israel. the apple of His eye. See note on Deu 32:10. Harming God’s chosen people is like striking the pupil of God’s eye. 32:10 as the apple of His eye. Lit. “the little man of His eye,” i.e., the pupil. Just as the pupil of the eye is essential for vision and, therefore, closely protected, especially in a howling wind, so God closely protected Israel.

3. Consequences Of Harming Israel. Consider the seriousness of the following paragraph. No one wants anyone else to be present at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:10-15). No one whom has been born again will hate God’s chosen people, Israel. Only those whom have not been born again will face the Great White Throne Judgment. Anyone having been born again will have the Spirit of “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” dwelling within their spirit, teaching them the things of God, which includes the plans of God for Israel. (Jn 14:20, 26; Matt 19:28).

a. In the world today, there are many enemies of God and of His chosen people, Israel. No one has to look far to see the hatred for Israel that comes from the majority of the nations of the United Nations, and the Democrat party in the USA. Included in the hatred groups of Israel are the industries of academia, liberal main stream media, entertainment, the new world order (GHWB 41), globalism (WJC 42) (GWB 43), and those who want to “remake America” (BHO 44) (HRC POTUS Wannabe), (AOC ???), (RT ???), (AP ???), (IO ???); there are other source groups of such hate. For truthful reporting of Israel’s enemies, follow conservative news sources such as, “Fox, Newsmax, One America Now;” these aforementioned sources of truthful news reporting will help you to maintain a correct awareness of those who want to remake America and oppose the support of Israel.

b. God will not be mocked.

(1) Galatians 6:7 (NKJV) (a) 7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

(2) “will not” be mocked. The hate and attacks that continue against God’s chosen people, Israel, will result in retribution that can not be mitigated by any force of this world. The ungodly, antisemitic, forces of the world “will reap what they sow,” which will be the wrath of God, and will occur either, before the tribulation, or during the tribulation.

III. Article Focus Verses.

A. God’s Promise To Israel Of Victory Over The Canaanites.

1. Judges 1:1-8 (NKJV) The Continuing Conquest of Canaan. 1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” 2 And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.” 3 So Judah said to Simeon his brother, “Come up with me to my allotted territory, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I will likewise go with you to your allotted territory.” And Simeon went with him. 4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand; and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. 5 And they found Adoni-Bezek in Bezek, and fought against him; and they defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 Then Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 And Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” Then they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died. 8 Now the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it; they struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire.

2. Comments: 1:1-8 Dr. John F. Walvoord (Deceased) “Every Prophecy of the Bible” pages 44.
https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/john-f-walvoord/203232/ [After the death of Joshua, God gave instruction for the continued battle to obtain the land, “Judah is to go; I have given the land into their hands (vs 2). The Simeonites assisted Judah in conquering the land. Important in their conquest was the destruction of Jerusalem which was set on fire (vs 5).]

B. Prophecy Of God’s Chastening Of Israel For Disobedience.

1. Judges 2:1-3 (NKJV) Israel’s Disobedience. 1 Then the Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you. 2 And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’ ”

2. Comments: 2:1-3 Dr. John F. Walvoord (Deceased) “Every Prophecy of the Bible” pages 44. [The familiar picture of Israel’s failure in the time of Judges was described in God’s statement to Israel, “Yet you have disobeyed Me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you” (vs 2-3).]

C. Other Consequences Of Israel’s Sins.

1. Judges 2:20-23 (NKJV) Other Consequences Of Israel’s Sins. 1. 20 Then the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice, 21 I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, 22 so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the Lord, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not.” 23 Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out immediately; nor did He deliver them into the hand of Joshua.

2. Comments: 2:20-23 Dr. John F. Walvoord (Deceased) “Every Prophecy of the Bible” pages 44, 45. [Further revelation was given concerning God’s anger with Israel: “Because the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, ‘Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to Me, I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. I will use them to test Israel and whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their forefathers did.’ The LORD had allowed those nations to remain; He did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua” (vs 20-23).]

IV. God’s Love For Israel.

1. Isaiah 27:13 (NKJV) 13 So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Note: Macarthur Study Bible. 27:13 worship the Lord…at Jerusalem. The prophet reiterates one of his great themes: future worship of regathered Israel on Mt. Zion (24:23; 25:6, 7, 10). .

2. Isaiah 60:21 (NKJV) 21 Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.

Note, MacArthur Study Bible 60:21 inherit the land forever. Israel will inherit the land promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1, 7; 13:15; 15:18). During the millennial kingdom, that will be the land of Israel as we know it today. In the eternal kingdom, it will be the New Jerusalem, capital of the new creation. I may be glorified. The ultimate mission of Israel is to glorify the Lord (49:3; 61:3).

V. God’s Name In Scripture Context.

A. Verses Of Consideration. Judges 1:1,2; 2:1,20,22,23 “LORD” (Yah·weh). Judges 1:7 God (Elohim).

B. Names Of God To Consider (Yahweh; Elohim).

1. Judges 1:1,2; 2:1,20,22,23. the “LORD,” YHWH (notice all capital letters). Re: Genesis 2:4, [the “LORD,” YHWH (probably pronounced Yahweh), is the most significant name for God in the OT. It has a two-fold meaning: the active, self-existent One (since the word is connected with the verb meaning “to be,” Ex 3:14); and Israel’s Redeemer (Ex 6:6). The name is especially associated with God’s holiness (Lev 11:44-45), His hatred of sin (Gen 6:3-7), and His gracious provision of redemption (Isa 53:1, 5, 6, 10).] (Ryrie Study Bible…Gen 2:4 note).

2. Judges 1:7 “God,” Elohim, pronounced “el-o-heem.’ Re: Genesis 1:1. [Elohim, a generic term for deity, as well as a proper name for the true God. It is used of pagan gods (Gen 31:30), angels (Ps 8.5), men ((Ps 82:6), and judges (Ex 21:6), though most frequently of the true God. Its basic meaning is “strong one, mighty leader, supreme Deity.” The form of the word is plural, indicating plentitude of power and majesty, and allowing for the NT revelation of the triunity of the Godhead.).] (Ryrie Study Bible…1:1 note).

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Judges – Intro

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I. Why? Because of God’s Love-Part One. Aug 19, 2019. Why did God choose Israel? God is completely sovereign and purposeful in His choices, His plans are greater than we can comprehend and He is present in the details. The Why series explores why God chose Israel and how this decision impacts our view of God, Israel and His plans for us. In Part 1 we look at God’s love as one of the motivations behind His choosing Israel.

II. Introduction. In this article we continue our prophetic journey of Israel, as opposed to a verse-by-verse scripture discussion. In future articles, we will discuss how the Israelites in the Book of Judges relate to the nation of Israel in the times of the millennium (Kingdom Age), and the eternal state. This course of Jewish travel is based on John F. Walvoord’s book, “Every Prophecy of the Bible.” Dr. Walvoord is deceased; https://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/walvoord_john/

III. Notes of Robert L. Deffinbaugh. https://bible.org/users/bob-deffinbaugh

A. Robert L. (Bob) Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. in 1971. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas.

B. The Book of Judges depicts a very dark hour in the history of Israel, and yet the events of this book come so very soon after the “golden years” of the “Joshua generation.” It is not the kind of reading we do for pure enjoyment, but it is an important era in the history of Israel, an era that we need to understand, and from which we should learn important lessons. Sad to say, it is an era that is very similar to the days in which we live, making it a message all the more pertinent to us. Let us listen well, and heed the message God has for us in these difficult pages. https://bible.org/seriespage/15-israel-s-dark-ages-judges

IV. Judges Overview by C.I. Scofield – https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/srn.html

A. This book takes its name from the thirteen men raised up to deliver Israel in the declension and disunion which followed the death of Joshua. Through these men God continued His personal government of Israel. The key-verse to the condition of Israel is (Judges 17:6), “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Two facts stand out–the utter failure of Israel; the persistent grace of God. In the choice of the Judges is illustrated Zechariah’s great word (Zechariah 4:6), “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord”; and Paul’s word (1 Corinthians 1:25), “not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”

B. The book records seven apostasies, seven servitudes to seven heathen nations, seven deliverances. The spiritual parallel is found in the history of the professing church since the Apostles, in the rise of sects and the lost sense of the unity of the one body (1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13).

C. Judges is in two parts:

1. Judges 1-16 inclusive; key-verse, Judges 2:18.

2. Judges 17-21; key-verse, Judges 21:25.

3. The events recorded in Judges cover a period of 305 years (Ussher).

V. MacArthur Study Bible Introduction To Judges. https://www.gty.org/

A. Introduction To Judges – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+1&version=NKJV
Below “Study This,” “Bible Studies,” scroll down to “MacArthur Study Bible,” and click onto the tab. Read “Introduction.”

B. The book bears the fitting name “Judges,” which refers to unique leaders God gave to His people for preservation against their enemies (2:16–19). The Hebrew title means “deliverers” or “saviors,” as well as judges (cf. Deut. 16:18; 17:9; 19:17). Twelve such judges arose before Samuel; then Eli and Samuel raised the count to 14. God Himself is the higher Judge (11:27). Judges spans about 350 years from Joshua’s conquest (ca. 1398 b.c.) until Eli and Samuel judged prior to the establishment of the monarchy (ca. 1043 b.c.).

VI. Names Of Judges Of Israel (Length Of Rule). https://jesusalive.cc/ques349.htm

1. Othniel.(40 yrs) 2. Ehud (80 yrs) 3. Shamgar (Unknown) 4. Deborah/Barak (40 yrs) 5. Gideon (40 yrs) 6. Abimelech (3 yrs)
7. Tola (23 yrs) 8. Jair (22 yrs) 9. Jephthah (6 yrs) 10. Ibzan (7 yrs) 11. Elon (10 yrs) 12. Abdon (8 yrs) 13. Samson (20 yrs)
14. Eli (40 yrs) 15. Samuel (12 yrs – app.) ** Until Saul made king (Some people consider Joshua to have been a judge).

VII. Ryrie Study Bible Introduction Notes (Dr. Charles Ryrie, Deceased). https://www.moodypublishers.com/authors/r/charles-ryrie/

A. Historical Background: The events of this book (Judges) cover the turbulent period in Israel’s history from about 1380 to 1050 B.C., from the conquest of Palestine to the beginning of the monarchy. Though the land had been generally conquered and occupied under Joshua, many important Canaanite strongholds had been bypassed, leaving their subjugation to include Israelite tribes. The book of judges describes this warfare, as the Hebrews tried to complete their occupation of the land. The judges were military and civil leaders ruling during this time when the nation was a loose confederation. Some of the judges ruled concurrently since each one did not necessarily rule over the entire land.

B. Authorship And Date. Though the author of this book is unknown, the Talmud suggests Samuel, and it is possible that he may have written portions. Judges was written after the death of Samson and after the coronation of King Saul, but before the conquest of Jerusalem by David about 990 B.C.

C. Timeline Of The Judges. Othniel became the first judge of Israel in 1353 B.C (Judges 3:9). Samuel’s reign as Israel’s last judge ended when Saul became King of Israel in 1050 B.C. (1 Samuel 11:10).

VIII. Defining Points Of Israel’s Sins.

A. Judges 21:25 (NKJV) 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

MacArthur Study Bible Note. 21:25 Judges 17–21 vividly demonstrates how bizarre and deep sin can become when people throw off the authority of God as mediated through the king (cf. 17:6). This was the appropriate, but tragic, conclusion to a bleak period of Israelite history (cf. Deut. 12:8). (MacArthur Study Bible) https://www.gty.org/

B. Judges 17:6 (NKJV) 6 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

MacArthur Study Bible Note. 17:6 everyone did…own eyes. This is the general characterization of the time, and of sinful behavior in all times. This attitude had been mentioned much earlier in Israel’s history (cf. Deut. 12:8; Judg. 21:25).

C. Deuteronomy 12:8 (NKJV) 8 “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes—

MacArthur Study Bible Note. 12:8 every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes. There seems to have been some laxity in the offering of the sacrifices in the wilderness which was not to be allowed when Israel came into the Promised Land. This self-centered attitude became a major problem in the time of Judges (cf. Judg. 17:6; 21:25).

IX. God’s Love For Israel.

A. Deuteronomy 14:2 (NKJV) 2 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

B. Jeremiah 31:10-11 (NKJV) 10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock. 11 For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.

C. Ezekiel 36:24-28 (NKJV) 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

D. Ezekiel 39:27-28 (NKJV) 27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28 then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.

MacArthur Study Bible Note. 39:21–29 I will set My glory. God vanquishes Israel’s foes to show His glory so that His enemies and Israel will all know that He is the Lord (vv. 6, 22). This is Israel’s salvation spoken of in Zech. 12:10—13:9 and Rom. 11:25–27.

X. Consider the following closing thoughts from the Introduction to Judges in The Moody Bible Commentary.

The key to understanding the work of the Judges appears in 2:16, “The LORD raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them….That even divinely empowered human leaders could not lead Israel to spiritual triumph points to the need for a great King beyond even Saul and David….The term, “great King,” refers to the messianic leader who alone can fulfill the needs of mankind….The author of Judges was building a case for the need for a great King….Chapters 17-21 show a period of history in which the people of Israel increasingly slid into apostasy. The location of these chapters in the book may not be chronological, but the intention is clear: to give the reader a bad portrait of Israel without God as their King.

XI. The following video of the Book of Judges provides a good look at this often overlooked book of the Bible.

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The Bible Project. 1,431,848 views. Mar 9, 2016. Watch our overview video on the book of Judges, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In Judges, the Israelites turn away from God and face the consequences. God raises judges in cycles of rebellion, repentance, and restoration.

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Israel – Joshua 11 – Relationship And Obedience

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I. Video. The Destruction of the Canaanites. Dr. Seth Tarrer. See bio and video details below.

II. Introduction.

A. Genesis 9:18-19 (NKJV) Noah and His Sons. 18 Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

B. In this, and other studies of the Bible, we come “face to face” with the fact that all people in the Bible are related, due to their relation to Noah. There is a common ground of relationship among those whom are engaged in deadly conflict with each other, especially as we study the cousins that are in conflict in the land of Canaan; there is, however, a major difference in their relationships with “Yah·weh” (LORD 3068: the proper name of the God of Israel). God told the Israelites (descendants of Shem), that they were His chosen people (Deu 14:2), and that He would never leave them nor forsake them (Deu 31:6). “The cousins of the Israelites” (the descendants of Ham and Japheth), had no relationship of intimacy with God, such as was experienced by the Israelites (the descendants of Shem).

C. In this, the last of the articles about Joshua’s relationship with God, and his leadership of the Israelites, we will discuss people, things, obedience and relationships. The people are the Israelites and the Canaanites. The things are the material possessions of the Canaanites. Obedience and relationships, relate to the Israelites and Yahweh.

III. Text Joshua 11 (NKJV)

A.. The Northern Conquest.

1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor heard these things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph, 2 and to the kings who were from the north, in the mountains, in the plain south of Chinneroth, in the lowland, and in the heights of Dor on the west, 3 to the Canaanites in the east and in the west, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite in the mountains, and the Hivite below Hermon in the land of Mizpah. 4 So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots. 5 And when all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

6 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” 7 So Joshua and all the people of war with him came against them suddenly by the waters of Merom, and they attacked them. 8 And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who defeated them and chased them to Greater Sidon, to the Brook Misrephoth, and to the Valley of Mizpah eastward; they attacked them until they left none of them remaining. 9 So Joshua did to them as the Lord had told him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots with fire.

10 Joshua turned back at that time and took Hazor, and struck its king with the sword; for Hazor was formerly the head of all those kingdoms. 11 And they struck all the people who were in it with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them. There was none left breathing. Then he burned Hazor with fire.

12 So all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua took and struck with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. 13 But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Israel burned none of them, except Hazor only, which Joshua burned. 14 And all the spoil of these cities and the livestock, the children of Israel took as booty for themselves; but they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. 15 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.

B. Summary of Joshua’s Conquests

16 Thus Joshua took all this land: the mountain country, all the South, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, and the Jordan plain—the mountains of Israel and its lowlands, 17 from Mount Halak and the ascent to Seir, even as far as Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings, and struck them down and killed them. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, except the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon. All the others they took in battle. 20 For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might receive no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

21 And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. 22 None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.

23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war.

IV. Comments.

A. Ryrie Study Bible.

11:1 News of Joshua’s victories in the South, prompted the kings of the city-states in the areas of Galilee, and westward, to form a coalition. This alliance was led by the king of Hazor, a city 5 miles Southwest of the now-drained Lake Huleh, 10 miles North of the Sea of Galilee.
11:4 Though probably exagerated, Josephus said that the northern armies had 300,000 infantry, 10,000 calvary, and 20,000 chariots.
11:6 “hamstring.” Joshua was commanded to cripple the enemies’ horses and burn their chariots, rather than capture them. In this way, the Israelites would not put their trust in horses and chariots.
11:13 “mounds.” Hills of accumulated debris from earlier towns.
11:21 “Anakim.” Giants living in the South who had terrified the spies more than 40 years before. See note on Num 13:33.

B. MacArthur Study Bible.

11:12–15 A summary of Joshua’s northern campaign (11:1–15).
11:18 war a long time. The conquest took approximately 7 years.1405–1398 b.c.(14:10). Only Gibeon submitted without a fight (v.19).
11:21 Anakim. Enemies who dwelt in the southern area which Joshua had defeated. They descended from Anak (“long-necked”), and were related to the giants who made Israel’s spies feel small as grasshoppers by comparison (Num 13:28–33). Compare also Deu 2:10-11,21. Their territory was later given to Caleb as a reward for his loyalty (14:6–15).
11:22 Anakim…Gath. Some of them remained in Philistine territory, most notably those who preceded Goliath (1 Sam 17:4).

C. The New American Commentary, Joshua, Vol 5.

11:11 The treatment for Hazor was the most severe; it was burned, while its fellow cities were not, but the people in all of the cities (11:1-5) were accorded the same treatment; they were utterly exterminated, and no one that breathed remained.
11:20 Rahab and the Gibeonites were Canaanites who were spared, even if they were for different reasons. Those Canaanites who resisted Israel and its God, however, were shown no mercy and were annihlated. God’s hardening of their hearts was due, at least in part, to their own stubbornness and resistance of Israel’s God. Had they been willing to react as Rahab (or even the Gibeonites) had done, undoubtedly the results would have been different. (Rahab Chap 2, 6; Gibeonites Chap 9).

D. The Moody Bible Bible Commentary

11:14 Where Joshua’s armies went there was complete destruction; where they neglected to go, people survived. Waging “total war” was because the sin of the Amorite was irremediable (Gen 15:16). God’s only solution, as in Sodom and Gomorrah, was to rid the world of these people (v 20). Joshua did everything that Moses commanded in general and everything that the Lord had commanded in particular.

E. My Comments.

1. From 1968 through 1998, the conflict that existed between Northern Ireland and Great Britain resulted in 3,600 people being killed and more than 30,000 more being wounded. https://www.britannica.com/event/The-Troubles-Northern-Ireland-history During that time of conflict, children were born on one side of the conflict with deep hatred toward those of the other side being pounded into their minds. Such hatred stayed with them throughout their childhood until adulthood, and very likely until today.

2. In the middle east, conflict and hatred of many Muslims for Jews and Christians does not need a link to explain the situation. Safely stated, many Muslim children are born and taught to hate Christians and Jews. Such hatred does not end, and will not end, until the second coming of Christ occurs, which will take place at the end of the tribulation (Zech 14:1-4).

a. God told the Israelites to not do the abominable things that the Canaanites did, such as incest, adultery, homosexuality and beastiality (Lev 18:1-3).

b. In regard to the destruction of the Canaanites by Israel, as we are studying now, the Canaanite people were guilty of worshiping false gods, and committing many cruelties, such as burning their children as they offered them as sacrifices to their gods. Deu 12:29-31, Lev 18:21; “according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do,” (Lev 18:3).

c. The Israelites were told by God to conquer and destroy Canaan, to not mix with the Canaanites, to be Holy, to know that they are God’s chosen people (Deu 7:1-6).

d. Where people in Canaanite cities were destroyed, those Canaanites would no longer commit their violent and abominable sins; neither would the children in those cities repeat the sins of their parents. This sounds cruel, but let’s relate it to the love and grace of God. As we consider the names of the nations that opposed Israel (Josh 11:1-6), it is interesting to know that none of those city-states exist today. However, Israel still exists, and will continue to exist from now, through the tribulation, with born-again Jews (John 3:3) being present in the Kingdom Age of the millennial reign of Christ. Born-again Jews will also enter the eternal state of the new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-2). Written on the gates of the new Jerusalem will be the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the wall of the city will also be written the names of the twelve apostles of Christ (Rev 21:12-14). Only those whom have been born again, of the Old and New Testament times, will be allowed into the New Jerusalem: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death,” (Rev 21:8). Consider “liars.” In today’s political world we can see that those, whom have a lifestyle of trying to destroy the lives and reputations of others through lies, have not been born again and do not have the Spirit of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” dwelling within the spirits of “all liars,” prompting them to live righteous lives (John 3:3, 14:20, 26).

e. Consider Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). Both men were dead. The rich man was “in Hades,” and the beggar (Lazarus), was in “the bosom of Abraham.” The rich man was suffering, not because he was rich but because he was not righteous. The beggar was in comfort, not because he was poor but because he was righteous. This teaching occurred during the Old Covenant/Old Testament.

f. Consider little children and Matthew 19:14. “But Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

g. The gospel of Matthew is also a part of the Old Covenant/Old Testament. There is no example of any child spending eternity in Hades. Our Lord has a desire for children to have an eternity of comfort, in which Lazarus found himself. Christ had no problem with children; He would not have them suffering throughout eternity. Look again at the words of Christ in Matt 19:14, “Let the little children come to Me.” That verse shows that children are special to Christ, just as were the children which may have been killed by the Israelites in Canaan.

h. Upon the death of any Canaanite children, such children would have immediately found themselves in the same place that Lazarus found himself, which was in the “bosom of Abraham.” Abraham’s bosom was the blessed place of the righteous dead, where such people will remain until the resurrection of the Old Testament righteous dead occurs (Dan 12:2-3) at the end of the tribulation. At that time, the Old Testament saints will experience a reunion of “body, soul and spirit.”

i. At the end of the tribulation, the Old Testament righteous dead will be resurrected and will live throughout the thousand-year millennium; they will continue in life throughout the eternal state (Rev 21:1-3).

j. The Canaanite adults had no such hope of eternity of blessed death to look forward to; they found themselves in the same place that the rich man found himself, which was one of experiencing unending conscious torment. Such conscious awareness of torment, will last until the time of the resurrection of the unrighteous dead (Dan 12:2-3), which will take place at the end of the millennium. From the time of the resurrection of the unrighteous dead, with the reuniting of “body, soul and spirit” (all of which are unsaved), their next stopping point will be the great white throne judgment, and then the lake of fire (Rev 20:10-15).

V. The ending of our study of Joshua.

A. Joshua 21:43-45 (NKJV) The Promise Fulfilled. Republican lawmakers opposed calls from Planned Parenthood and pro-abortion officials to remove restrictions on at-home abortion drugs in a Wednesday letter provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation. 43 So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. 44 The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

B. Comment. MacArthur. This sums up God’s fulfillment of His covenant promise to give Abraham’s people the Land (Gen 12:7; Josh 1:2, 5–9). God also kept His Word in giving the people rest (Deu 12:9, 10). In a valid sense, the Canaanites were in check, under military conquest as God had pledged (Josh 1:5), not posing an immediate threat. Not every enemy had been driven out, however, leaving some to stir up trouble later. But, God’s people failed to exercise their responsibility and possess their land to the full degree in various areas.).

C. Comment. Mine. During the Kingdom Age of the millennial reign of Christ, the land that God had promised to the Jews will extend eastward from the Nile River in Egypt, to the Euphrates River in Iraq (Gen 15:18-21).

V. Video details.

The Destruction of the Canaanites. 1,508 views•Nov 21, 2017.

Thirdmill. 20K subscribers. Dr. Seth Tarrer, https://christianuniversity.org/professors/seth-tarrer/

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