Israel, her army, with the Hand of the Lord aiding them, has now conquered the southern half of Canaan, her “promised land” indeed!

But no sooner had that feat been negotiated, and … “And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, and to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, and to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.” Joshua 11:1-5

Yes, another coalition of Kings, ready to attack God’s people!

This is the largest enemy confederacy yet!

Talk about being in God’s perfect “Will” … “And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel.” Verse 6

And did God do what He promised? (Question asked; question answered! God ALWAYS does what He promises!) “So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.” Verses 7 and 8

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31, how “blessed” to be a believer in Jesus.

Now to today’s Lesson …

“And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.” Verses 10 and 11

Hazor was one of the largest cities in the whole area. In the entire “Fertile Crescent,” one Bible dictionary says. The Name of the city means “castle!” (Remember, the armed forces of Hazor have already been defeated.)

But I am interested today not merely in the fact that Joshua (again) obeyed God in what he did (100% … all the way) … but that he “burned” the city too. The end of verse 11 … “and he burnt Hazor with fire.”

I believe this because the Bible says so!

I need no further “proof.”

No corroborating evidence.

But, in this case, it’s available!

Archaeologists have located the site of ancient Hazor.

And visible, empirical data exists, validating the Bible account of this fire!

Around 1400 BC, exactly the time frame of Joshua’s battles here!

All I can say is, “WOW!”

I suspect a (trained) man with a shovel and pick could follow the entire itinerary of the Book of Joshua and discover place after place where these battles unfolded!

Why?

Because … God’s Word is Truth!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

But this too … if archaeology cannot find a certain “place” in the Bible, or located “evidence” of a miracle … that does not shake my faith a bit!

In such cases (particularly when the Bible is under attack), Romans 3:3 must apply, must prevail: “Let God be true, but every man a liar.”

Amen!