Did he actually put to shame all the “principalities and powers?” Did Satan’s head actually get crushed? Did he truly receive all power and authority in heaven and earth such that he commands us to go and make disciples of every nation? If we really believe these things, then how are we using the tools available to us to participate in the work of the gospel in the world?

God’s Justice Among the Nations

The conquest of Canaan was one of divine origin and of judgment. The people who dwelled in the land were wicked and had set themselves against God so that they might bow before the pagan gods. They practiced every abominable deed that was contrary to the natural law of the created world, the law of God written innately upon the human conscience. In their rejection of God, they found themselves in the bullseye of God’s target of judgment upon which Israel was the swift arrow of God’s justice. 

One of the great and wicked cities that God excised judgment upon was the city of Jericho. The story of the destruction of Jericho not only bears significance in most of our memories but also as the first city the Israelites encountered after the crossing of the Jordan. This city was surrounded by impressive walls designed to protect it from invaders. However, in God’s providence, Israel brought the city to destruction through the means of marching around the city, the blowing of a few horns, and the shouting of a great multitude. 

God had decreed the destruction of this city as a punishment for their idolatry. Indeed, the city was completely destroyed. The walls around and structures within completely crumbled, and everything that breathed died, with the exception of Rahab and all that were in her house. This was the beginning of God’s judgment of the land and giving it to the people of God. 

I previously made the case that Joshua and the conquest of Canaan could be seen as a type, picture, or at least a parallel of Christ and the conquest of the world as Christ is putting all his enemies under his feet in this present age. Here I will build off of that notion and seek to draw out certain biblically consistent, practical principles regarding methods in defeating the enemies that raise themselves against the Lord in rebellion. 

The attempt to do so carries with it the risk of allowing the reader to think that, in drawing out parallels and principles from a narrative, we do so on a one-to-one basis. But this is not a direct parallel, as we in the New Testament era have not been commanded to wage a fleshly war on all the enemies of God. Fleshly war may be and has been necessary at times upon righteous grounds but this, by and large, is not the manner of war we are engaged in.

Backing Up

Now, it is necessary to back up and get context. Throughout the book of Joshua, there is a common phrase used: “There was none left that breathed.” Where the phrase is not present, the concept of complete destruction remains. This is to fulfill that which Yahweh had commanded Joshua, that the whole of the land should be devoted to destruction. 

Not only in the book of Joshua do we see this, but we see it thoroughly embedded in the story of God’s people, for they failed in their duties to obey what God commanded, and they kept alive some that should’ve been destroyed. Those that remained alive drew the hearts of the people of Israel away from Yahweh to worship foreign gods which they had not known. They did what was right in their own eyes and did not abide by the statutes and stipulations set forth in the covenant. 

At times throughout Israel’s history, God raised up judges, prophets, or kings who would challenge the pagan gods and tear down the idols in the land. I think of Gideon, lowly and timid, yet called by God to challenge the Midianites and tear down the statue of Baal and the Asherah pole. Beside it he built an altar of sacrifice to the LORD and burned an offering upon it. I think of stalwart Elijah and the prophets of Baal as he puts on display the foolishness of their belief by mocking their god and killing all the prophets of Baal. Again, I think of King Jehu and King Josiah, among others, who removed the idols and tore down the high places in Israel. The Old Testament is full of stories in which the enemies of God are being confronted and dismantled from their high places of worship. Enemies are abundant, but Yahweh is victorious over them.

No More Half Measures

How is it then that Joshua was so successful in his conquering of the land? Joshua did not stop the battle as soon as the enemy was put to flight.

Read More