This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

Joshua begins his final military
campaigns and destroys all God’s enemies.

The kings of Canaan are alarmed at Israel’s quick
advance and feel betrayed by Gibeon’s surrender.

They form a coalition and strike
Gibeon’s capital in retaliation.

The Gibeonites ask Joshua for help and he
immediately sends his entire army to their aid.

Israel marches through the night and
initiate a surprise attack at daybreak.

But before attacking, Joshua asks God
for the sun and moon to stand still,

and for the darkness before dawn to
continue until their enemies are defeated.

And God answers Joshua’s prayer.

He confuses the coalition’s army, sends hailstones, and
extends the cover of darkness until the battle is won.

The enemy kings are captured,
humiliated, and executed.

Joshua tells his men that this victory will not be their
last, but they must remain strong and courageous.

Quickly, they destroy seven major cities and take
control of strategic high ground in southern Cannan.

From this position, Joshua is
situated to take the rest of the land.

But before they do, Joshua reminds Israel that
all this  victory is because God fights for them.

Meanwhile, the tribes in the
north of Canaan prepare for battle.

God hardens their hearts and
leads them to their quick destruction.

Israel finally has rest from war.

We’re told that Joshua “left nothing undone”
that the Lord had commanded Moses.

Chapter 12 then lists every kingdom the Lord won
for Israel under both Moses and Joshua’s leadership.

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Four times we’re told that
the Lord fights for Israel:

once after darkness covers the battlefield
and gives Joshua the advantage at Gibeon.

Again, after the kings of the coalition
are humiliated and destroyed.

And a third and fourth time when the
cities in the south and north finally fall.

And just as constant as the Lord’s intervention, Joshua
is faithful to pray, converse with God, and praise Him.

When Joshua listens to God and obeys
Him, he’s victorious.

While Joshua’s victories are impressive
and his answered prayer seems to break the

laws of physics, Jesus accomplishes even
more unprecedented miracles and victories.

Like Joshua, Jesus listened
to and obeyed God perfectly.

All of Jesus’ prayers for miracles
and healing are answered.

And because of God’s love for his obedient son, God
promises to reveal an even greater miracle
than death to our enemies in battle—

even greater than the sun standing still.

Jesus promises that everyone who listens
to and obeys him will rise from the dead.

More pressing than the Canaanites, death is our
true enemy—and that foe is defeated at the cross.

On the cross, our battles with
death and our enemies are finished.

By Jesus giving up his
spirit, we can finally rest.

Like Joshua, Jesus left nothing
undone in his battle against death.

He has secured rest from any
enemy that dares stand against us.

He gives us a home in his land forever.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes
to see the God who fights for you.

And may you see Jesus as our obedient warrior
who destroys our enemies and gives us a home.