It’s interesting to note that the early advancement of God’s people, in the Southern territory, came with fighting and by miracles: God made the sun stand still, and He rained down hail on the enemies of His people, etc. But now, with the battles against the Northern territory, the advancement of God’s kingdom came through more ordinary means of strategizing and attacking the enemy at night, etc.
This is very much like the preaching of the gospel: initially the kingdom of God spread through preaching that was accompanied by miracles, as the Book of Acts clearly shows; but later, in the epistles we see the kingdom advancing through the ordinary means of preaching and teaching the gospel. Not that God doesn’t do miracles today (He does!), just that He has chosen the good news of the cross, infused by the power of the Holy Spirit to steadily advance His kingdom today.
Now notice that when the Lord assures Joshua of victory over this huge army He also tells them what they are to do with all the enemies’ horses and chariots: they are to hamstring (cripple) the horses and burn the chariots. The world trusts in “horses and chariots” but believers are to trust in the Lord, and as they do they will win their battles.
Psalms 20:7-8 (NCV) Some trust in chariots, others in horses, but we trust the LORD our God. 8 They are overwhelmed and defeated, but we march forward and win.
No doubt in Joshua’s mind, as he was hearing these words from the Lord about their upcoming victory, he envisioned all his enemies defeated, the horses and chariots that were coming against him would all be made useless and burned up. This was good news!
Here we find a lesson for you and I today: the Lord teaches us to see our enemies as defeated, in advance. Whatever comes at you, is against you and opposed to you, you are to see as rendered useless and made of no effect. And you are to see this in advance of it actually happening, just like Joshua did.
Here are some enemies coming against you and me:
The World. We live in a world that is at odds with God and His Word. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
The Flesh. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:5-8).
The Devil. Satan and all his demons have set themselves against us, to tempt us and to accuse us, to harass us and ensnare us. They are very powerful and have a long history of taking people captive! The world in which we live is under the control and power of Satan. "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19).
Combined, these make a very large spiritual army that is against every single child of God, and together they can leave us hopeless and helpless, discouraged and fearful for the future.
But we are to see each of these enemies as “hamstrung and burned”, defeated and annihilated at the cross of Jesus Christ. As you look at Jesus’ cross you should see your victory. Notice:
Colossians 2:14-15 (NCV) He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross. God stripped the spiritual rulers and powers of their authority. With the cross, he won the victory and showed the world that they were powerless.
Question 2. Please list everything that happened at the cross, according to Colossians 2:14-15:
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Kelly writes, "The Lord Jesus cancelled my debt, all the laws I failed to follow. He took away my record of sins and nailed it to the Cross. Then the Lord stripped Satan and all the evil spiritual rulers of their power and authority. He won my victory proving to the world that all our enemies are now powerless."
Karen writes, "At the cross, the debt of our sin was cancelled in Jesus Christ, He took away all of our wrong-doing and our inability to follow the law and gave us grace and victory over the powers of evil and the world."
At the cross of Christ, your sin debt was canceled! God’s law that was against you, that stood opposed to you, was nailed to the cross, and at the cross God stripped the evil one and his hordes, showing the world that they are now powerless! Everything that was against you has been “hamstrung and burned” at the cross.
Now, having seen your victory purchased at the cross, you can complete all the conquests and battles this world will throw at you!
As a summary: Joshua and the Israelites faced a huge army that was determined to resist and defeat Israel. God spoke to Joshua and encouraged him to be bold and courageous, assuring him that victory was theirs. He told Joshua what to do with the horses and chariots after the battle was won.
How does this apply to us? We, too, face many battles in this world. We must hear God’s Word and be reminded of Jesus’ cross, receiving fresh grace and we too will be victorious in the battle.
Question 3. Has this passage of Scripture increased your faith today? Please share your thoughts:
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Amanda writes, "I had also wondered about how the Lord had told the Isrealites to completely anialate the enemy. I loved seeing how that He was making a way for His people. He gave His all for us! Also, in verse 15 talks about how the Lord commanded Moses and Moses commanded Joshua "he left nothing undone" of all that the Lord commanded Moses. On the cross Christ said "It is finished.""
Carol writes, "Yes, I think that it has reinforced for me that in times of struggle, no matter how daunting, God is there and if I listen I will hear Him and I will hear what He wants me to do. But I also know that I must go to Him in prayer and then I will hear what He has to say."
Karen writes, "I love this study and being reminded that the battle is the Lord's and my that my victory was won on the cross when It Was Finished as Christ took on death and evil. I am strengthened as I remember that God is working and interceding in Jesus and His Holy Spirit."
Kelly writes, "This lesson has elevated my faith in two wonderful ways. It has taught me to rely on the ever flowing moment by moment Grace of God that gives me victory over my present struggles as I look back to the Cross. And it has encouraged me to depend on the future Grace of God; though I may struggle now in the present, my furture victory is guaranteed because of Christ victory over all my enemies on the Cross. This is profond truth! His Grace is before us and behind us. It's also present with us, helping us to move from one fresh experience of it to the next. John 1:16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."