[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2026]
After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.
Joshua 10 v9 [NIVUK]
In 1405BC, the route from Gilgal (near Jericho in the Jordan River valley) to Gibeon (in the central Judean highlands) was a gruelling, uphill march of approximately 15 to 20 miles. So why did he do it? And who are ‘them’?
Joshua and the leaders of Israel had been tricked into an alliance with the neighbouring tribe of Gibeon, an ill-considered commitment that had been made without seeking God’s will in the matter. When the Israelites discovered the deceit they tried to take retribution against the Gibeonites but they were prevented by their leaders:
We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. This is what we will do to them: we will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.’
Joshua 9 v19-20 [NIVUK]
How often are we tempted to make commitments without properly considering the consequences?
When Gibeon itself came under attack from other surrounding tribes, Joshua was obliged to come to the aid of his allies.
The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: ‘Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.’
Joshua 10 v6 [NIVUK]
There is a difference in altitude of some 3,600 feet between Gilgal and Gibeon. The ancient road followed a severe and continuous incline and required navigating treacherous wadis and narrow, rocky passes. For fully equipped foot soldiers of that period the journey would entail roughly 8 to 12 hours of constant, arduous climbing.
Are we still willing to keep our promises when we find out the amount of effort required or the costs involved?
The Biblical account of the ensuing battle records how God intervened on behalf of the Israelite armies:
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
Joshua 10 v13-14 [NIVUK]
Keeping our promises gives glory to God; promises broken for no good reason detract from our witness as God’s people. Jesus recommended that we should keep our promises simple:
All you need to say is simply “Yes,” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5 v37 [NIVUK]
God makes promises too. Depending upon how they are classified, the number of God’s promises to mankind exceeds 7,000, covering subjects including Divine protection and provision, guidance, peace and eternal salvation. Despite their diversity, all these promises have one thing in common – they never fail.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail!
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God
Russell Kelso Carter (1886)
Where do you stand?
References:
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys