Yes, the Lord (miraculously) aided Israel in conquering the land of Canaan. The Lord worked supernaturally for His people, even to this extent: “And I (God Himself) will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.” Exodus 23:28, amazing!
Yet the battle indeed had to be engaged!
The fighting was a necessity.
So in a summary verse, Joshua 10:18 tells us, God Himself actually speaking: “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.”
The term “made war” involves two Hebrew words, a verb and a noun. The verb (“asah”) means “to construct, design, fashion, prepare, execute,” clearly indicating preponderance. The noun (“milchamah”) means “extended conflict, prolonged battle,” being translated “eat” five times in the King James Version!
Yes, there was an enemy (plural really, enemies, many) to be defeated.
So, again … “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.”
“Long time!”
The Hebrew here (“rab yom”) actually says “many days!”
God allowed the Jews, His “chosen” Nation, to fight and fight and fight … as if the battle would never be over, or so it must have seemed to them. “Long time.”
And this verse becomes today a parable to us.
We also are involved in conflict, warfare, as Christians.
But Paul preached: “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.” Ephesians 6:12
And … “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
And I might quickly add … we shall (also) be in our battle a “long time!”
I’m thinking … until we die!
It was only then, virtually on his deathbed, that Paul finally claimed: “The time of my departure (decease) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:6-7
Did you notice that?
“I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT!”
Battle over … Heaven is in view!
All those years as a saint of God … “Paul made war a long time” … against the devil and his minions.
So did Joshua.
So must we!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
But, good news … there’s Victory in Jesus!
He, our Saviour, is even more effective than a swarm of hornets!