“And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it, but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.”
Context: Joshua 10 records the conquest of the southern cities of Canaan by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. In the preceding verses, Joshua and the Israelite army defeated five Amorite kings who had gathered to fight against them. This verse specifically focuses on the conquest of the city of Libnah.
Historical background:
- Libnah was one of the cities located in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:42).
- The king of Libnah, along with the people living there, was delivered into the hand of Israel by the LORD.
- This victory followed the pattern set by the fall of Jericho, where all the inhabitants were destroyed except for Rahab and her family (Joshua 6:17, 21).
God’s deliverance and victory:
- The Israelites did not achieve these victories by their own strength alone but through the deliverance of the LORD. God fought on behalf of Israel and granted them victory.
- The conquest of Libnah was part of the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21).
- The people of Libnah were defeated by the Israelites, and the king was treated as an enemy combatant, just as the king of Jericho had been treated.
The fulfillment of God’s judgment:
- The complete destruction of the city and its inhabitants, as mentioned in the verse, was a result of God’s command to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations inhabiting the Promised Land.
- This judgment was based on the wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanites (Leviticus 18:24-25, Deuteronomy 9:4-5).
- God used the Israelites as instruments of judgment to carry out His divine purpose.
Lessons for us today: God is faithful to fulfill His promises. The victories of Israel demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and His commitment to giving them the Promised Land.
- We can trust in God’s deliverance and victory in our lives. Just as God fought for Israel, He fights on behalf of His people today, granting them victory over their spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:10-12).
- God’s judgment is just and righteous. The destruction of the Canaanite cities reminds us of the consequences of unrepentant sin. It serves as a reminder that God will judge all evil and wickedness one day (Revelation 20:11-15).
In conclusion, Joshua 10:30 recounts the conquest of the city of Libnah by the Israelites under Joshua’s leadership. It highlights God’s faithfulness, His deliverance, and the fulfillment of His judgment. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness, rely on His deliverance in our lives, and remember the importance of God’s righteous judgment.
