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SURVEY OF BIBLE HISTORY
The Northern Campaign
Joshua Lesson 12; Works well with Jensen’s Chapter 7

Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1998
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

Joshua 11-12

I. After gaining control of the central and southern hiqhlands of Canaan, Joshua and the Israelis turned to the north, Joshua 11 tells how they conquered. the northern region of Canaan; and Joshua 12 is a sort of catalog of their successes in the land:

1. After a while, word of what Joshua and Israel did to the south reached the ears of the northern Canaanite nations. Hazor was the generally recognized leader, or head of these northern tribes, (Josh, 11:10), and Jabin was the king of Hazor, Joshua 11:1, (Locate Hazor on map). He initiated and led a united military campaign against Joshua and Israel. A vast army of Canaanites assembled at "The waters of Merom to fight against Israel", Josh. 11:5. Vs. 1-5 tell who the participants were, and something of their strength:

a. Jabin, king of Hazor, the leader.

b. Jobab, king of Madon. (map)

c. The king of Shimron. (map)

d. The king of Achshaph. (map)

e. The kings north of mountains (Jezreel valley)(map).

f. The kings of the plains south of Chinneroth (sea of Galilee) (map).

g. The kings in the borders of Dor on the west(map).

h. The Canaanites on the east & west borders of Canaan. (map).

i. The various pockets of tribes remaining in the mountains. (map)

j. The Hivites under Mt. Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. (map).

k. Josh. 11:4 says, "And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people., even as the sand that is upon the seashore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many."

2. In response to the advance of this united army against Israel, God said, "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

a. When God is in a matter, it matters not how imposing the odds are, for as Jonathan said, in I Sam. 14:6, "there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. David expressed it with unparalleled eloquence in his speech to Goliath in the valley of Elah, "The Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands", I Sam, 17:47, No wonder the Father says to you and I who know him, "Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom", Luke 12:32. He who could stop the sun and the moon for a whole day in the valley of Ajalon, would have no trouble with a united band of heathen kings.

b. Some have wondered why God allowed, and even demanded the total eradication and extermination of these Canaanite peoples. To many, it seems cold, cruel, and unjust. Remember from Deut. 7:1-5 that God specifically said these people were to be destroyed; and Joshua and Israel were the instruments of God to carry out this destruction. That command of God is reissued in Deut. 20:16-17. Why? you ask.

The reason is that these people were ripe and steeped in sinful idolatry. Homosexuality, child sacrifice, the worship of all sorts of idols was their lifestyle. They had experienced the mercy and forebearance of God for generations; but rather than repent, they degenerated more and more. So, now, God is using Joshua and Israel to punish this sinful people. Not only was it the intent of God to give Israel the promised land; but the two edged sword of God was bringing vengeance on sinners at the same time. The mercy of God is great; but sooner or later, he determines it is enough for rebellious, God rejecting sinners, as he did in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen. 19. God said in Prov.1 :, 24-31, "Because I have called and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nouqht all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also. will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anquish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me. but. I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD; They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." The Canaanites were experiencing divine judgment, which we shall see, Israel later experienced for similar reasons.

The Canaanites here become an excellent foreshadow of the world during the coming great tribulation. When God determines the degenerative conditions of mankind as described in Romans 1:20-32, have reached their fullness, and the world is ripe with sin like an overripe fruit, then he'll reach in as if with a sharp sickle, and harvest the degenerate peoples of earth in a great destruction. See Rev. 14 and other tribulation passages. Cruel? No! Men have time to repent. If they don't, God determines judgment without mercy, James 2: 13. And, as Heb. 10: 31 says, "It is a fearful thinq to fall into the hands of the living God", The Canaanites are a grim testimonial to that fact.

3. Joshua was a master at the element of surprise; and Joshua ll:7 says he and his Israeli army fell suddenly upon the Canaanites at Merom. The result was a great Israeli victory with the Israelis chasing the Canaanites to Zidon (map), Misrephoth-maim (map), and the east Mizpeh valley (map), Josh. 11:8-9. Joshua also burned their chariots and hamstrung (houghed) their horses as God commanded.

4. The city of Hazor being the capital city of the region, Joshua moved against it, destroyed it's population, and burned the city, Josh.. 11:10-11. He also moved against each of the cities that had joined the confederacy against him, killed the king, and destroyed the people. The people were allowed to take the spoils unto themselves, Vs. 14.

5. Over the next several weeks, Joshua moved against one Canaanite city and then another. Josh. 11:15 - 12:24 catalogues the victories. Chapter 11 ends with the statement, "and the land rested from war."

To give you a general look at some of the areas taken by Israel, and thus an overall perspective at the land now under their control, consider the following locations on your map:

a. Mt. Halak near Seir; and the river Arnon

b. Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon.

c. The country of Sihon of the Amorites.

d. The country of Og of Bashan.

e. Plain of Chinneroth. (Galilee)

f. Plain of Sharon.

 

 

QUESTIONS ON THE NORTHERN CAMPAIGN

1. What is the nature of Joshua 11?

2. What action turned Joshua's attention North?

3. Who, what, or where is Hazor?

4. Why is Hazor so important in this era of Israeli history?

5. Who was Jabin, and what did he do?

6. What happened at the waters of Merom?

7. Name 3 participants in the northern Canaanire alliance.

8. From where did the participants in the Canaanite alliance come?

9. How did God respond to the advance of the Canaanite army?

10. Explain how militarily the odds were against Israel.

11. Why did God demand the eradication of the Canaanite peoples?

12. What other purpose than bringing Israel into the promised land did God have in defeating the Canaanites?

13. How do the Canaanites become a foreshadow of men in the great tribulation?

14. Explain how wicked men can eventually run out of time with God.

15. Explain how Joshua often used the element of surprise in his military actions.

16. In the battle of Merom, how is it apparent that Israel was in solid control?

17. After the Merom battle, what did Joshua do to Hazor?

18. How did Joshua and Israel spend the next several weeks after Hazor?

19. On a map, trace the lands under Israeli control by the end of Joshua 12.

20. What is your frank opinion of "the promised land"?

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"