From the occasion of that confederacy, we pro- ceed to notice,
II. The means by which it was defeated —
[Instantly, and with great importunity, did the Gibeonites make application to Joshua for timely succour'. They rightly judged, that, having once made a covenant with them, he would afford them his effectual aid. Nor were they disappointed of
a Isai. lix. 15. John xv. 19. Luke xii. 51 — 53.
b 1 Pet. iv. 4. c Eph. ii. 2. d Eph. vi. 11, 16. 1 Pet. v. 8.
e Ps. ii. 2. f Acts iv. 1—3. and v. 18, 40. and ix. 23.
e 2 Cor. iv. 4. 2 Tim. ii. 26.
'» Gal. iv. 29. 2 Tim. iii. 12. Eph. vi. 12. « ver. 6.
their hope : for Joshua, without delay, gave orders to his whole army, and marched all night to their deliverance.
Such is the way in which Christians also must obtain deli- verance. If they attempt to resist their enemies in their own strength, they will infallibly be vanquished : but if they betake themselves to prayer, they cannot but succeed. Prayer calls Omnipotence to their aid : and while it is yet offering, God will both hear and answer it k. Behold the Apostle Paul, how sorely he was beset, how grievously he was assaulted : yet scarcely had he been able thrice to repeat his cry for help, before the Lord answered him, " My grace is sufficient for thee:" and immediately you behold him triumphing, as if all his enemies were lying prostrate at his feet1. Thus the Christian, what- ever confederacy be formed against him, has only to cry unto the Lord for help, saying, " I have no might against this great company that cometh against me, neither know I what to do;" and the victory will be no longer doubtful™ : the devil himself could not stand before such a prayer as that, but would in- stantly be put to night". Joshua felt that there was danger of his coming too late : but no such danger exists in relation to the Christian ; for his Lord is always near, a present, " a very present help in the tune of trouble °. "]
Let us next contemplate,
III. The extent of that defeat —
[The confederate armies were discomfited in a moment, and the pursuit of them continued so long, that Joshua en- treated that the sun and moon might be arrested in their career, in order to afford him light to finish the work he had begun p. And because the slaughter of them by the hand of Israel was not sufficient, God himself cast down great hailstones upon them, and slew more than all the host of Israel had slain with the sword q. All the five kings also were taken, and, after the captains of Israel had put their feet upon their necks, were slain, and hanged up on trees, as accursed monuments of God's wrath and indignation. Thus complete was the destruction of Israel's enemies by Israel's God.
Thus shall the Christian also be enabled to say with the Apostle, " Thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ ! " When once he has entered into covenant with Christ, "sin shall no more have dominion over him:" " being Christ's, he shall be enabled to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts : " yea, God will so give him the vic- tory, that " Satan himself shall be bruised under his feet
k Isai. lxv. 24. > 2 Cor. xii. 7—9.
™ 2 Chron. xx. 12, 15 — 17. n Jam. iv. 7.
0 Ps. xlvi. 1. p ver. 12, 13. i ver. 10, 11.
253.1 Joshua's victory over the five kings. 5(J5
shortly1." See the victories granted to David in answer to his prayer : these were a counterpart of those recorded in the text, and of those also which every true Christian shall experience s.]
It was not for the purpose of insulting over a vanquished enemy that Joshua ordered his captains to trample on their necks, but in order to shew unto Israel, what sentiments this victory should inspire ; and to set before their eyes,