back to the camp safely

Joshua 10:16-21 (JDV)

Joshua 10:16 The five defeated kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
Joshua 10:17 It was reported to Joshua: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”
Joshua 10:18 Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and station men by it to guard the kings.
Joshua 10:19 But as for the rest of you, don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Don’t let them enter their cities, because Yahveh your God has handed them over to you.”
Joshua 10:20 So Joshua and the Israelites finished inflicting a terrible slaughter on them until they were destroyed, although a few survivors ran away to the fortified cities.
Joshua 10:21 The people returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. And no one dared to threaten the Israelites.

back to the camp safely

The enemy learned several things as a result of this battle with the Israelite army under Joshua. First, they learned that Joshua keeps his commitments. The Gibeonites could not be attacked without reprisal from Joshua’s army. Second, they learned that the Israelites have God on their side, so fighting them is fighting their God.

Whenever our Adversary, the devil seeks to attack us. We only need to stay true to our God and our commitments, and wait for the tide of battle to turn in our favor. We can confidently expect God to show up in some way, and make a difference. The battle will probably go on for a while, but we can expect to return safely to the camp in the end.

Lord, thank you for the fact that we need not fight our battles alone.