an unforgettable visual aid

Joshua 10:22-27 (JDV)

Joshua 10:22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there.”
Joshua 10:23 That is what they did. They brought the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to Joshua out of the cave.
Joshua 10:24 When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
Joshua 10:25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, because Yahveh will do this to all the enemies you fight.”
Joshua 10:26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees and they were there until evening.
Joshua 10:27 At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are still there today.

an unforgettable visual aid

Joshua provided an unforgettable visual aid for his military commanders. He had them step on the necks of these five kings. The neck is the primary symbol for the life of an individual. By stepping on the necks of these enemy kings, the commander learned that their lives were forfeit — they were about to die. Furthermore, Joshua explained that God would do this to all the enemies that they fought.

Fast-forward to the time of the Israelite monarchy, and God promises David and his seed something that harkens back to this event:

“The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet” (Psalm 110:1).

The same promise is applied to Jesus by himself (Luke 20:43) and Peter (Acts 2:35) and the author of Hebrews (1:13; 10:13).

God wants us to know that Jesus will survive all his enemies. the date of their destruction is set. Our Lord is sitting at his Father’s right hand, not fearing a single enemy. Their fate is sealed, and his destiny is sure.

Lord, thank you for the certainty of Christ’s victory over all his enemies.