Josué - Caput 11

Josué 11.1 quae cum audisset Iabin rex Asor misit ad Iobab regem Madon et ad regem Someron atque ad regem Acsaph Josué 11.2 ad reges quoque aquilonis qui habitabant in montanis et in planitie contra meridiem Cheneroth in campestribus quoque et in regionibus Dor iuxta mare Josué 11.3 Chananeumque ab oriente et occidente et Amorreum atque Hettheum ac Ferezeum et Iebuseum in montanis Eveum quoque qui habitabat ad radices Hermon in terra Masphe Josué 11.4 egressique sunt omnes cum turmis suis populus multus nimis sicut harena quae est in litore maris equi quoque et currus inmensae multitudinis Josué 11.5 conveneruntque omnes reges isti in unum ad aquas Merom ut pugnarent contra Israhel Josué 11.6 dixitque Dominus ad Iosue ne timeas eos cras enim hac eadem hora ego tradam omnes istos vulnerandos in conspectu Israhel equos eorum subnervabis et currus igne conbures Josué 11.7 venitque Iosue et omnis exercitus cum eo adversum illos ad aquas Merom subito et inruerunt super eos Josué 11.8 tradiditque illos Dominus in manu Israhel qui percusserunt eos et persecuti sunt usque ad Sidonem magnam et aquas Maserefoth campumque Masphe qui est ad orientalem illius partem ita percussit omnes ut nullas dimitteret ex eis reliquias Josué 11.9 fecit sicut praeceperat ei Dominus equos eorum subnervavit currusque conbusit Josué 11.10 reversusque statim cepit Asor et regem eius percussit gladio Asor enim antiquitus inter omnia regna haec principatum tenebat Josué 11.11 percussitque omnes animas quae ibidem morabantur non dimisit in ea ullas reliquias sed usque ad internicionem universa vastavit ipsamque urbem permisit incendio Josué 11.12 et omnes per circuitum civitates regesque earum cepit percussit atque delevit sicut praeceperat ei Moses famulus Domini Josué 11.13 absque urbibus quae erant in collibus et in tumulis sitae ceteras succendit Israhel unam tantum Asor munitissimam flamma consumpsit Josué 11.14 omnemque praedam istarum urbium ac iumenta diviserunt sibi filii Israhel cunctis hominibus interfectis Josué 11.15 sicut praeceperat Dominus Mosi servo suo ita praecepit Moses Iosue et ille universa conplevit non praeteriit de universis mandatis ne unum quidem verbum quod iusserat Dominus Mosi Josué 11.16 cepit itaque Iosue omnem terram montanam et meridianam terramque Gosen et planitiem et occidentalem plagam montemque Israhel et campestria eius Josué 11.17 et partem montis quae ascendit Seir usque Baalgad per planitiem Libani subter montem Hermon omnes reges eorum cepit percussit occidit Josué 11.18 multo tempore pugnavit Iosue contra reges istos Josué 11.19 non fuit civitas quae se non traderet filiis Israhel praeter Eveum qui habitabat in Gabaon omnes bellando cepit Josué 11.20 Domini enim sententiae fuerat ut indurarentur corda eorum et pugnarent contra Israhel et caderent et non mererentur ullam clementiam ac perirent sicut praeceperat Dominus Mosi Josué 11.21 in tempore illo venit Iosue et interfecit Enacim de montanis Hebron et Dabir et Anab et de omni monte Iuda et Israhel urbesque eorum delevit Josué 11.22 non reliquit ullum de stirpe Enacim in terra filiorum Israhel absque civitatibus Gaza et Geth et Azoto in quibus solis relicti sunt Josué 11.23 cepit ergo Iosue omnem terram sicut locutus est Dominus ad Mosen et tradidit eam in possessionem filiis Israhel secundum partes et tribus suas quievitque terra a proeliis

Josué : Caput 11

The Conquest of Northern Canaan: Reflections on Joshua Chapter 11

Chapter 11 of the book of Joshua recounts the conquest of northern Canaan, a pivotal moment in Israel's history. This strategic narrative highlights God's unfolding plan through the victory over the coalition led by Jabin. By examining this text, we discover fundamental themes such as obedience, military strategy, and the gradual fulfillment of God's promises.

The Sovereignty of God

Joshua 11 also highlights God's sovereignty in history, as well as His judgment on the Canaanite nations. Through this narrative, we are invited to reflect on how God directs events to achieve His purposes. To better understand these themes, we will examine five biblical passages that shed light on the chapter of conquest.

Illuminating Bible Passages

Deuteronomy 7:1-2: "When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess it and drives out many nations before you [...] when the Lord your God has delivered them into your hands and you have conquered them, then destroy them completely." This passage sets the context for Joshua's actions in Joshua 11 and demonstrates that he was obeying God's instructions given earlier.

Psalm 136:17-22: "He struck down great kings [...] and gave their land for an inheritance, an inheritance to his servant Israel, for his mercy endures forever." This psalm celebrates Israel's victories, including those mentioned in Joshua 11, and presents them as manifestations of God's mercy.

Hebrews 11:30-31: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been surrounded for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute was not killed with the rebels, because she welcomed the spies in peace." Although this verse refers to earlier events, it illustrates how Joshua's accomplishments, including those of Joshua 11, are seen as acts of faith.

Revelation 19:11: "I saw heaven opened, and before me a white horse, whose rider was called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and wages war." This vision of Christ as a righteous conqueror resonates with Joshua's conquests in Joshua 11, seen as acts of divine judgment.

Romans 8:37: "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." The apostle Paul uses language of conquest, reflecting victories such as those in Joshua 11 and applying them to the spiritual lives of believers.

Conclusion

Meditating on Joshua chapter 11 and these biblical passages, we are called to recognize the importance of obedience to God and to understand how He orchestrates events for the good of His people. The conquest of Canaan is not only a historical moment, but a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness to his promises.