Joshua 11:21-23 "And at that time came
Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir,
from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of
Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. (22) There
was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in
Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. (23) So Joshua took
the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave
it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes.
And the land rested from war."
Joshua came and cut off the Anakims from the mountains. Joshua destroyed them utterly. We understand that it was not Joshua alone; rather, the army of Israel came up against the Anakims and destroyed them. Where have we heard about the Anakims? There is something about this name that stands out in memory. Oh yes, now we remember. It was some forty plus years before this. Remember the report of the twelve spies? Well more accurately, it was the report of ten of the twelve spies. Let's refresh our memory. "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:33) It was the Anakims which struck much fear in the hearts of the men of Israel and caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until that generation of men died. Now God is giving Israel the victory over the very ones who caused fear.
We remember it was Joshua and Caleb who stood strong those many years before saying, "We can take the land if God be with us." Now it is Joshua who is leading the charge against these giants, mighty men, who inhabited the land. Our text tells us that "Joshua took the whole land according to all that the LORD said unto Moses." Let's take just a moment now to be reminded that God is faithful to all His promises. Not one of His promises has ever failed, nor will they ever fail. He promised the land to the people of Israel and now the land is theirs. Joshua divided the land unto the various tribes of Israel. "And the land rested from war."
Yesterday, we saw that Joshua fought the enemy for a long time; but now God has given rest. Life does not have to be a continual struggle. I'm afraid that I make it to be that way sometimes, but it's usually because I want my own way or I become fearful in the way of the Lord. There is a rest for the people of God. That rest can be enjoyed even before we get to heaven. The Biblical term for that rest is the "kingdom of heaven." In Romans 14:17, Paul tells us it is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." When we do the thing God places on our hearts (righteousness), there is peace in our lives which brings joy in our hearts. That rest for the people of God in this life comes as a result of believing the promises of God and acting upon those promises. If you read Hebrews chapter 4, you will see that rest being spoken of and it comes from our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.
When you feel fear creeping into your mind, go boldly to the throne of Grace and there you will find mercy and grace to help in time of need.
Joshua came and cut off the Anakims from the mountains. Joshua destroyed them utterly. We understand that it was not Joshua alone; rather, the army of Israel came up against the Anakims and destroyed them. Where have we heard about the Anakims? There is something about this name that stands out in memory. Oh yes, now we remember. It was some forty plus years before this. Remember the report of the twelve spies? Well more accurately, it was the report of ten of the twelve spies. Let's refresh our memory. "And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:33) It was the Anakims which struck much fear in the hearts of the men of Israel and caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until that generation of men died. Now God is giving Israel the victory over the very ones who caused fear.
We remember it was Joshua and Caleb who stood strong those many years before saying, "We can take the land if God be with us." Now it is Joshua who is leading the charge against these giants, mighty men, who inhabited the land. Our text tells us that "Joshua took the whole land according to all that the LORD said unto Moses." Let's take just a moment now to be reminded that God is faithful to all His promises. Not one of His promises has ever failed, nor will they ever fail. He promised the land to the people of Israel and now the land is theirs. Joshua divided the land unto the various tribes of Israel. "And the land rested from war."
Yesterday, we saw that Joshua fought the enemy for a long time; but now God has given rest. Life does not have to be a continual struggle. I'm afraid that I make it to be that way sometimes, but it's usually because I want my own way or I become fearful in the way of the Lord. There is a rest for the people of God. That rest can be enjoyed even before we get to heaven. The Biblical term for that rest is the "kingdom of heaven." In Romans 14:17, Paul tells us it is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." When we do the thing God places on our hearts (righteousness), there is peace in our lives which brings joy in our hearts. That rest for the people of God in this life comes as a result of believing the promises of God and acting upon those promises. If you read Hebrews chapter 4, you will see that rest being spoken of and it comes from our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.
When you feel fear creeping into your mind, go boldly to the throne of Grace and there you will find mercy and grace to help in time of need.