12: A northern campaign & Summary of Israel’s victory (Josh 11:1 – 23)

“For the Lord determined to make them obstinate so they would attack Israel. He wanted Israel to annihilate them without mercy.” (11:20)

πŸ‘‰ Read Joshua 11:1 - 23


Q1. Verses 1 – 15 can be summarized in three parts. 

(1 – 5):  (        ) kings of northern territory gathered to fight against Israel. They were a (        ) army

(6 – 9):  However, (            ) handed them over to Israel. Johua (              ) their horses and burned their chariots. 

(10 – 15): Joshua did not ignore any of the (             ) the Lord had given (          ).

(1 – 5):  ( Four ) kings of northern territory gathered to fight against Israel. They were a ( huge ) army

(6 – 9):  However, ( the Lord ) handed them over to Israel. Johua ( hamstrung ) their horses and burned their chariots. 

(10 – 15): Joshua did not ignore any of the ( commands ) the Lord had given ( Moses ).

This website is informational, the Battle of Waters of Merom



Q2. What was God’s specific command for this battle?

Hamstring their horses and burn their chariots. 

God didn’t want them to take war horses and chariots. Or, they would rely on those things. 



Q3. Find three verses implying that Joshua did as the Lord had commanded.

v9, v12, v15. 

The Bible emphasizes that Joshua and his army totally annihilated all the people following God’s command.

Interestingly, the author contrasts what Joshua did (12) and what Israel did (13). (A similar one is found in 8:26 – 27). Furthermore, verse 15 emphasizes that Joshua, not Israel, thoroughly kept God’s commands. Then, did Israel violate God’s command? The Lord didn’t command to burn all towns. Also, plundering was allowed unless explicitly forbidden. 

Then, what is wrong with taking plunder? It does no harm if they have a firm commitment to the Lord. However, their obsession for wealth coerced them to take plunder by all means. Thus, the Canaanite religion embodied in the gold and silver items permeated into the Israelites and, being resonated with the greed in their hearts, drew them to idolatry.

Joshua knew the spirit of the commands and followed it with all his heart. But the Israelites didn't know why the Lord commanded so and, thus, barely and merely kept the explicit commands. Remember that what is allowed is not all that is beneficial. 



Q4. Why did the Lord make the Canaanites obstinate to attack Israel? 

God destined the annihilation of the Canaanites because of their sins.


Q5. “No (            ) were left in Israelite territory, except some Philitine towns. Joshua conquered the whole land, just as the Lord God (                    ) Moses. The land was free of (          ).”

“No ( Anakites ) were left in Israelite territory, except some Philitine towns. Joshua conquered the whole land, just as the Lord God ( had promised ) Moses. The land was free of ( war ).”

The Anakites were the tribe they had feared and thus refused to enter the land forty years ago. They were annihilated by the power of the Lord.

In this way, the peace of God’s reign came to the land.

Wherever the Lord’s reigns, peace comes. God’s war ended human struggles and brought peace.




Even though our enemy is so strong, as we thoroughly (with all our hearts) follow the Lord, we will experience victory and peace. It is God’s kingdom.


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