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In Joshua 10
● remember that the Amorites named in verse 5 were also previously named in reference to the timing of God’s promise about a land: “The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full “ (Genesis 15:16),
● notice the repeated cataloging of kings (1-5), who “gathered … went up … encamped …and made war” (5) against Gibeon,
● see how the “men of Gibeon” (6), not a king, appeal for help to their covenant partners, the people of God, and help comes,
● understand that in responding, Joshua, the “people of war, and all the mighty men of valor” (7), and the Lord himself show that covenants, however ill-chosen, matter,
● notice how the Lord, in addition to declaring that “I have given them into your hands” (8), also “threw down large stones from heaven” (11) - later referred to as “hailstones” (11),
● marvel that the account of the heavenly hurling is immediately matched by the astonishing account of Joshua commanding the sun and the moon to stand still (12, 13),
● register the reason for the command- to give time to complete the “vengeance” (13) and the reason that God “heeded” (14) - “for the Lord fought for Israel” (14),
● gather all of the parts of the handling of the five kings: bringing them from the cave, humiliating the (the feet on the necks- 25), killing them, hanging them “on” (26) trees, and throwing them back into the cave (22-27),
● trace the catalog of places “devoted to destruction” (28, 35, 37, 39, 40), and
● remember Joshua’s repeated exhortation, which had been God’s words to Joshua in chapter 1: “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous” (25).
Thank you,

Randy Tumlinson