Battle Stations; Part 3

Part III
C) Total, Authoritative Victory -
“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. 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. And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.”
(Joshua 10: 15-17, 20a, 22, 24-26)
What a barbaric display of inhumane terrorism! Kicking these men when they were down?! Killing noble, royal men in such a cold, cruel and utter humiliating way?! What would Jesus do? Would God have wanted that? Absolutely!
I say these things not to prove the violence of war, or to preach ‘kill or be killed.’ For us, it’s really not about the slaying of kings or the conquering of lands. It is the MANNER of ACCOMPLISHMENT - the ATTITUDE of VICTORY - the bold statement of “Total, Authoritative Victory” over the enemy. It is about facing opposition to God and His plans with the absence of fear and dismay - the forsaking of sin and committal to its downfall and not stopping until God comes;

2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 -> Ephesians 6: 12 -> Romans 12: 21 -> Revelation 21: 7

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”


Part 4 Coming Next......