22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave.” 23 And they did so, and brought out those five kings to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. 25 Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” 26 And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. 27 So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day. Joshua 10:22-27 (NKJV)
Joshua took the five kings from the cave so that the new captains of the generation to follow his could experience victory over the enemy. He taught them by experience as well as with his words. Joshua’s teaching is clear to his young captains: Don’t be afraid or distressed, instead be confident (literally become strong) this is how the Lord will give you victory over all your enemies.
Joshua is recognized as a type of Christ and here he pictures how Christ has defeated the enemy and placed our feet on their necks. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:19-20 (NKJV)) After a short time of testing Satan himself will be crushed by God with our feet. As Joshua has demonstrated for us we need to demonstrate the Lord’s authority in a manner that involves the captains of the next generation. We the current leaders of our generation need to make sure that those who will follow us understand that they are part of the partnership between us and our God that defeats the enemy in our lives.
Lord Jesus, I pray for myself and the body I serve that we follow Your example set before us by Joshua. Let us not only defeat the enemy by Your power, let us involve those who will come after us. May they experience and understand their partnership with You that brings the triumph that You have promised to lead us in. I pray for my brothers and sisters throughout the world that leaders will emerge who will include the next generation in today’s success.
Soon To Stand On The Enemies’ Necks Next To You,
Pastor Jason
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