“So all the cities of those kings, and all their kings, Joshua took and struck with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded... they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did... So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war”.
The Lord teaches us obedience. We obey the Son of God because it is best for us, because He punishes rebellion, and because there is only rest in overcoming sin.
First, we obey the Son of God (Josh 11:12-15). It doesn't matter what people say or how strange the gospel is to them. It doesn't matter that we're counted as crazy, self-righteous, and narrow minded. He has said “obey”, and we do what He says, like Joshua, not fearing men. I see God killing men, women, and children in Canaan, and I can hear the cavils of men, how it is unfair, unrighteous, etc. But, if God has commanded us to be holy, then we walk holy in conduct, fearing Him. If God says that He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills, He hardens for destruction, then we obey the gospel, admit mercy is undeserved, and trust in Christ. If God declares the gospel of election and predestination in Christ, justification by faith, and good works to be the only way, we get in line. Scripture says, “they struck every man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, and they left none breathing. As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses”.
Secondly, if we don't obey, then we're punished (Josh 11:16-20). The Lord is MERCIFUL and hateful, both. He has wrath that lasts forever. We read, “He captured all their kings, and struck them down and killed them”, so that all who oppose Christ and the Church shall be destroyed. He is not a toothless god, all bark and no bite. He is the God that punishes rebellion, so I must obey. I must conquer sin, no matter how hard it is, because sin cannot conquer me, lest I suffer wrath.
In this life, sin works havoc, ruins consciences, separates from God, and brings misery and death. Sin is the enemy, and we must believe the gospel to deal with it. I can't have Christ and sin be my boss at the same time.
Thirdly, the only rest is conquering sin (Josh 11:23). We read, “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war”. It wasn't until the enemy was defeated that the land rested, and it isn't until sin is conquered that we enjoy peace.
It must be conquered by forgiveness, so that the sins I have done are gone, paid in full. It must be conquered by righteousness, so that trusting Christ establishes me permanently righteous before God. It must be the Holy Spirit who for Christ's sake fights for us and subdues the deeds of the body (Rom 8:1-4).
Sin won't be ultimately conquered in this life, only in heaven shall we enjoy perfect peace to sin no more. But, by faith, we get the victory over sin before we battle, and by faith, we stand amidst the temptations of life. Trials are hard and temptations are so troublesome and dangerous that we're to pray, “Lead us not into temptation”, but it is BETTER to obey when tempted than surrender to sin. Sin gives no peace, and while we like to coddle the babe of wickedness in our minds, we must not. The only peace is going back to Christ, bowing to His will, and submitting to Him for joy and peace in obedience.
Finally, we have God, so we can and will obey, we will escape wrath, and we will rest because the enmity of rebellion is subdued by God's grace and His GIFT of victory.
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