The Bible Recap: Day 084 (Joshua 9-11) - Year 7 Summary

Introduction

In Day 084 of The Bible Recap, host Tara-Leigh Cobble delves into Joshua chapters 9 through 11, exploring the complex narratives and theological themes that emerge during this period of Israelite history. This episode, released on March 25, 2025, provides listeners with a comprehensive analysis of Joshua's leadership, the interactions with the Gibeonites, and the broader implications of obedience and divine justice.

Understanding Deuteronomy 20: Guidelines for Warfare

Tara-Leigh begins by contextualizing the events of Joshua 9-11 within the framework of Deuteronomy 20. She emphasizes the distinct instructions God provided regarding the treatment of cities inside versus outside the Promised Land (Canaan).

• Cities Outside Canaan: Israelites were to offer peace, only killing the males of opposing forces if they resisted.
• Cities Inside Canaan: The principle of Cherem applied, where everything was to be dedicated to Yahweh and utterly destroyed to prevent idolatry and corruption.

“In that chapter, God gave very different instructions on how the Israelites were supposed to handle cities outside of the promised Land versus cities inside the promised Land.” [00:02]

The Deception of the Gibeonites

The episode transitions to the story of the Gibeonites, also referred to as the Hivites. Living within Canaan, they devised a strategy to deceive the Israelites into forming a protective covenant, thereby avoiding destruction.

• Gibeonites' Strategy: Pretended to be travelers from a distant land to receive the more lenient treatment designated for non-Canaanite cities.
• Joshua's Oversight: Despite previous lessons from battles like Jericho and Ai, Joshua failed to seek divine guidance before making a covenant with the Gibeonites, leading to Israel inadvertently breaking God's command.

“They lived in Canaan, but decided to pretend like they didn't so they could get the more lenient treatment and not be entirely destroyed. Pretty sneaky.” [00:02]

Consequences of the Covenant

Upon discovering the Gibeonites' deception, the Israelites were furious and sought to annihilate them. However, the Israelite leaders compelled the people to honor the covenant, resulting in the Gibeonites being assigned to manual labor serving the temple instead of being killed.

“One thing I find interesting about this is that even God's enemies who have deceived God's people end up serving God's purposes and glory.” [00:02]

Opposition from Local Kings and Divine Intervention

The Gibeonites' treaty with Israel drew the ire of surrounding kings, who united to wage war against them. The Gibeonites, fearing for their safety, appealed to Joshua for assistance.

• Joshua's Response: Demonstrated growth by consulting God, who assured him of victory (“I have given them into your hands.” [00:02]).
• Miraculous Victory: God employed miraculous tactics—confusion, hailstones, and cosmic events—to secure Israel's triumph over the invading forces.
• Subsequent Campaigns: Following this victory, Joshua led Israel to conquer six more cities in southern Canaan, further solidifying their presence.

“Good call. And God says, do not fear, for I have given them into your hands.” [00:02]

Joshua's Growing Obedience

Tara-Leigh highlights Joshua's evolving obedience to God's commands, contrasting his initial failures with his later successes.

• Past Mistakes: Losing the battle against Ai due to a lack of divine consultation.
• Learning from Failure: Subsequent victories when Joshua adhered strictly to God's instructions.
• Persistent Obedience: Over seven years, Joshua maintained consistent obedience, ensuring continued success in battles.

“Joshua is beginning to listen carefully to what God says. And because of God's unique covenant with this nation state, they continue to see victory in battle.” [00:02]

Defeating the Anakim and Theological Reflections

The defeat of the Anakim serves as a poignant reminder of the deeper, perhaps obscure, spiritual battles at play.

• Anakim's Significance: Represents formidable adversaries, potentially linked to ancient Jewish beliefs about the Messiah's lineage being targeted.
• Divine Sovereignty: Tara-Leigh reflects on God's role in hardening the hearts of opponents, emphasizing divine justice and mercy.

“There’s a lot of mystery in this that none of us will understand. On this side of eternity, it's okay to have a hard time with it, to wrestle and question, but keep holding it with an open hand and asking God to reveal Himself and His heart to you.” [00:02]

The Mystery of Hardened Hearts and Divine Justice

A central theme of the episode is the concept of "hardened hearts" as mentioned in Joshua 11:20.

• Scriptural Challenge: This phrase often puzzles believers, raising questions about God's fairness and justice.
• Tara-Leigh's Insight: Encourages listeners to acknowledge human limitations in understanding divine actions, urging trust in God's overarching plan despite apparent injustices.

“There’s obviously something in it that God wants us to notice about Himself. When God was talking to Moses... This has a way of chafing against our sense of justice and equity.” [00:02]

Reflections and Encouragement

Toward the conclusion, Tara-Leigh shares personal reflections and quotes to inspire and encourage listeners.

• Charles Spurgeon Quote: “Joshua set his heart to obey God and the days were not long enough for his battles. God did not hasten his victory, he lengthened his days.” [00:02]
• Prayer and Trust: Emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s guidance for "big things" and trusting His timing, even when outcomes are uncertain.
• Weekly Check-In: Reminds listeners of the value of consistent Bible reading and reassures them that their efforts are in alignment with God's purposes.

“I want to ask him for big things today and I want to trust him and praise him even when there are parts of him that you don't yet understand.” [00:02]

Conclusion

Day 084 of The Bible Recap offers a nuanced exploration of Joshua's leadership, the complex interactions with the Gibeonites, and the profound theological implications of divine justice and human obedience. Tara-Leigh Cobble adeptly navigates these narratives, providing listeners with both historical context and spiritual insights, thereby enriching their understanding of Joshua 9-11 and its lasting significance.

“Think about how much joy there is to gain every day just by carving out 20 minutes to read and recap.” [00:02]

Key Takeaways:

1. Obedience is Crucial: Joshua's successes and failures underscore the importance of adhering to divine instructions.
2. Divine Sovereignty: God's control over events, even through the actions of adversaries, highlights His ultimate authority.
3. Mystery of Divine Justice: The concept of "hardened hearts" invites believers to trust in God's wisdom beyond human understanding.
4. Consistent Engagement: Regular engagement with Scripture fosters spiritual growth and deeper trust in God's plans.

Notable Quotes:

• “They lived in Canaan, but decided to pretend like they didn't so they could get the more lenient treatment and not be entirely destroyed. Pretty sneaky.” – Tara-Leigh Cobble [00:02]
• “There’s obviously something in it that God wants us to notice about Himself... This has a way of chafing against our sense of justice and equity.” – Tara-Leigh Cobble [00:02]
• “Joshua set his heart to obey God and the days were not long enough for his battles. God did not hasten his victory, he lengthened his days.” – Attributed to Charles Spurgeon [00:02]

Final Encouragement:

Tara-Leigh closes with uplifting words, encouraging listeners to continue their Bible journey with dedication and trust in God's perfect timing.

“I believe God has great things in store for you and they're right on time, even if you're not.” [00:02]

This episode serves as both a historical recounting and a spiritual reflection, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Joshua's leadership and the enduring lessons from these biblical chapters.