Joshua 10:28
On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
On that day
This phrase indicates a specific moment in time, emphasizing the immediacy and decisiveness of Joshua's actions. In the Hebrew context, "that day" often signifies a day of divine intervention or fulfillment of God's promises. It underscores the swift execution of God's judgment and the fulfillment of His commands through Joshua.

Joshua captured Makkedah
The name "Joshua" in Hebrew is "Yehoshua," meaning "The LORD is salvation." This highlights Joshua's role as a deliverer and leader under God's guidance. "Captured" suggests a complete and decisive victory, reflecting God's power working through Joshua. Makkedah was a Canaanite city, and its capture signifies the ongoing fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan.

and put it to the sword
This phrase indicates the method of conquest, which was common in ancient warfare. The "sword" symbolizes judgment and the execution of divine justice. In the biblical context, it reflects the seriousness of God's commands to the Israelites to remove idolatry and sin from the land, ensuring the purity of worship and obedience to God.

devoting to destruction
The Hebrew term "herem" is used here, meaning something set apart for destruction as an offering to God. This act was not merely military but also religious, signifying the complete dedication of the city to God by removing all that was contrary to His holiness. It reflects the seriousness of sin and the need for total separation from anything that could lead Israel astray.

everyone in the city
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the destruction, leaving no room for compromise with sin. It reflects the biblical principle that sin must be completely eradicated to maintain holiness and obedience to God. Historically, this was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, but in the biblical narrative, it serves a theological purpose of illustrating God's judgment against sin.

He left no survivors
This statement underscores the completeness of the judgment executed by Joshua. It reflects the thoroughness required in following God's commands and the seriousness with which God views sin. In a spiritual sense, it serves as a reminder of the need for total commitment to God and the rejection of anything that opposes His will.

So he did to the king of Makkedah
The treatment of the king symbolizes the defeat of leadership and authority that stands against God. It reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and His ability to bring down those who oppose His purposes. The king's fate serves as a warning to all who would resist God's will.

as he had done to the king of Jericho
This comparison to Jericho, the first major victory in the Promised Land, reinforces the pattern of God's faithfulness and the consistency of His judgment. Jericho's fall was a miraculous event demonstrating God's power, and the same divine power is at work in Makkedah. It serves as a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises to His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, and a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. He is known for his faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.

2. Makkedah
A Canaanite city that was captured and destroyed by Joshua and the Israelites. It represents one of the many cities conquered during the Israelite campaign in Canaan.

3. The King of Makkedah
The ruler of the city who was defeated and killed by Joshua, similar to the fate of the king of Jericho.

4. The Israelites
The people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land. They are engaged in a divinely commanded conquest of Canaan.

5. The King of Jericho
Previously defeated by Joshua, serving as a precedent for the treatment of the king of Makkedah.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Joshua's actions at Makkedah demonstrate the importance of complete obedience to God's instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging.

Divine Judgment
The destruction of Makkedah serves as a reminder of God's judgment against sin and disobedience. It underscores the seriousness with which God views sin.

Faith and Leadership
Joshua's leadership is marked by faith in God's promises and commands. Believers are encouraged to lead with faith and integrity in their own lives.

God's Sovereignty
The conquest of Canaan, including Makkedah, illustrates God's sovereign plan and His ability to fulfill His promises to His people.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joshua's obedience in the conquest of Makkedah challenge us to obey God's commands in our own lives, even when they are difficult?

2. In what ways does the destruction of Makkedah reflect God's judgment, and how should this influence our understanding of sin and repentance?

3. How can Joshua's leadership and faith inspire us to lead with integrity and trust in God's promises today?

4. What parallels can we draw between the conquest of Makkedah and other biblical accounts of divine judgment, such as the destruction of Jericho or the Amalekites?

5. How does the account of Makkedah fit into the larger account of God's sovereignty and His plan for the Israelites, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 7:1-2
This passage outlines God's command to the Israelites to completely destroy the nations in Canaan, which provides the theological basis for the actions taken by Joshua in Makkedah.

Joshua 6:21
The destruction of Jericho is a parallel event, showing a pattern of obedience to God's command to devote certain cities to destruction.

1 Samuel 15:3
God's command to Saul to destroy the Amalekites echoes the command given to Joshua, highlighting the theme of divine judgment and obedience.

Hebrews 11:30
This verse references the faith that led to the fall of Jericho, which can be seen as a broader theme of faith and obedience in the conquest accounts.
Divine SovereigntySketches of SermonsJoshua 10:28-43
The Old Camp and the New FoeA. B. Mackay.Joshua 10:28-43
People
Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, Piram
Places
Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of Aijalon
Topics
Captured, Curse, Destroyed, Devoted, Edge, Jericho, Joshua, Makkedah, Makke'dah, Mercy, Mouth, None, Remaining, Remnant, Smiteth, Smote, Soul, Souls, Struck, Survivor, Survivors, Sword, Therein, Thereof, Thus, Totally, Utterly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 10:27

     4218   cave
     4354   rock
     5167   mouth
     5241   burial

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 Iscariot

Praying 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

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

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