no neutral territories

Joshua 11:16-20 (JDV)

Joshua 11:16 So Joshua took all this land – the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the foothills, the Arabah, and the hill country of Israel with its foothills –
Joshua 11:17 from Mount Halak, which ascends to Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.
Joshua 11:18 Joshua waged war with all these kings for a long time.
Joshua 11:19 No city made a peace treaty with the Israelites except the Hivites who inhabited Gibeon; all of them were taken in battle.
Joshua 11:20 You see, it was Yahveh’s intention to harden their hearts, so that they would engage Israel in battle, be completely destroyed without mercy, and be annihilated, just like Yahveh had commanded Moses.

no neutral territories

Just like Pharaoh, God hardened the hearts of kings of these peoples, so that they would not choose peace. Thus we have an example of the principle that those who will not fear God, will choose to hate him instead. There is no neutral ground. Either you join with God and his plan, or you will become an example of what happens to those who reject him.

Lord, show us how to bring people to you to be reconciled. Help us to make it clear that there are no neutral territories in your kingdom.