After marching all night from Gilgal, Joshua caught them by surprise. After marching all nightThis phrase highlights the strategic and relentless nature of Joshua's leadership. The Hebrew root for "marching" (נָסַע, nasa) implies a purposeful journey or departure. Joshua's decision to march all night demonstrates his commitment and the urgency of the mission. Historically, night marches were rare due to the dangers and difficulties of traveling in darkness, yet Joshua's faith in God's promise emboldened him to take this bold step. This reflects the Christian call to perseverance and trust in divine guidance, even when the path is fraught with challenges. from Gilgal
Gilgal holds significant historical and spiritual importance as the first campsite of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River. It was here that the Israelites renewed their covenant with God through circumcision and celebrated the Passover (Joshua 5:2-12). The name "Gilgal" is derived from the Hebrew word "galal" (גָּלַל), meaning "to roll." This symbolizes the rolling away of the reproach of Egypt from the Israelites. Thus, Gilgal represents a place of new beginnings and divine favor, serving as a spiritual launching point for Joshua's campaign. Joshua caught them by surprise
The element of surprise was a critical factor in Joshua's military strategy. The Hebrew word for "surprise" (בָּהַל, bahal) conveys a sense of sudden alarm or panic. This unexpected attack reflects the wisdom and cunning that God granted Joshua. In a broader scriptural context, this surprise victory underscores the theme of divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. It serves as a reminder that God often works in unexpected ways to achieve His purposes, encouraging believers to remain vigilant and ready for His leading. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, and a faithful servant of God. He is known for his military leadership and his role in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. 2. GilgalA significant location for the Israelites, serving as their base camp after crossing the Jordan River. It was a place of renewal and commitment to God. 3. The Amorite KingsThe coalition of five Amorite kings who opposed Israel. They represent the opposition to God's people and His plans. 4. The All-Night MarchA strategic military maneuver by Joshua and the Israelite army, demonstrating their commitment and readiness to follow God's guidance. 5. The Surprise AttackThe result of Joshua's obedience and strategic planning, leading to a decisive victory over the Amorite coalition. Teaching Points Obedience and FaithfulnessJoshua's actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's commands and faithfulness in leadership. We are called to trust and obey God, even when the path is challenging. Strategic Planning and Divine GuidanceWhile Joshua planned strategically, he relied on God's guidance. In our lives, we should balance planning with seeking God's direction. God's Timing and SurpriseGod's timing can lead to unexpected victories. We should remain vigilant and ready for God's intervention in our lives. Perseverance in ChallengesThe all-night march signifies perseverance. We are encouraged to endure and remain steadfast in our faith, even when the journey is long and tiring. Victory through God's PowerThe victory over the Amorites was ultimately due to God's power. We should remember that our successes are by God's grace and strength. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joshua's leadership in this passage inspire you to lead in your own life, whether in your family, workplace, or community? 2. What can we learn from Joshua's strategic planning and reliance on God when facing challenges in our lives? 3. How does the concept of God's timing and surprise victories encourage you in your current circumstances? 4. In what ways can you demonstrate perseverance in your faith journey, similar to the Israelites' all-night march? 5. How can you apply the lesson of relying on God's power for victory in your personal battles, and what other scriptures support this reliance? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17The battle against the Amalekites, where Moses' leadership and reliance on God led to victory, parallels Joshua's reliance on God for military success. Psalm 121This psalm speaks of God's protection and help, which is evident in Joshua's victory over the Amorites. Ephesians 6The call to put on the full armor of God resonates with Joshua's preparation and reliance on God for victory. People Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, PiramPlaces Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of AijalonTopics Attack, Gilgal, Joshua, March, Marched, Marching, Sudden, Suddenly, SurpriseDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:6-10 1320 God, as Saviour Joshua 10:6-14 5608 warfare, strategies Joshua 10:9-10 5214 attack Library Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPraying Saints of the Old Testaments
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth's music is discord and songless.--Rev. E. M. Bounds Old Testament history is filled with accounts of praying saints. The leaders of …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Gibeon. Josh 10:06
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 10:9 NIVJoshua 10:9 NLTJoshua 10:9 ESVJoshua 10:9 NASBJoshua 10:9 KJV
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