the enemy’s escalation

Joshua 11:1-5 (JDV)

Joshua 11:1 When King Jabin of Hazor happened to hear this news, he sent a message to: King Jobab of Madon, the kings of Shimron and Achshaph,
Joshua 11:2 and the kings of the north in the hill country, the Arabah south of Chinnereth, the Judean foothills, and the Slopes of Dor to the west,
Joshua 11:3 the Canaanites in the east and west, the Amorites, Hethites, Perizzites, and Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites at the foot of Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
Joshua 11:4 They went out with all their armies – a crowd as numerous as the sand on the seashore – along with a vast number of horses and chariots.
Joshua 11:5 All these kings joined forces; they came and camped together at the Waters of Merom to attack Israel.

the enemy’s escalation

The conquest of the promised land is happening a bit differently than Joshua expected, because God is allowing the enemy kings to strike first. They are organizing vast, countless numbers in hopes of intimidating Israel into turning back and fleeing the fight. But it does not work. Instead, by organizing against Israel, those kings are stepping up the progress of the conquest.

When we face insurmountable odds, we need to keep in mind that the conflict will only serve to escalate God’s plan, which cannot be overturned.