Enemies Are Destroyed

Enemies Are Destroyed

Q: What killed more of the five kings’ armies than the Israelites did?

• a. hail
• b. fire
• c. lightning

Do you think five against two is a very fair fight? No, it’s not really. But when God is part of the fight, numbers don’t matter. After hearing about the Israelites’ victories and how Gibeon had entered into a treaty with the Israelites, five kings joined their forces together—forming the Amorite army—to fight against the Gibeonites. They were angry Gibeon had made a treaty with Joshua.

The Gibeonites turned to Joshua for help fighting the Amorite army. Since Joshua was a man of integrity, he helped them even though he’d been tricked into entering into the treaty with them.

Joshua and his soldiers marched all night and caught the enemy troops by surprise. Even though the Israelites were doing a good job of defeating the enemy, God stepped in and threw hailstones at the enemy. God’s ice cubes killed more men than Joshua’s army did.

Even though Joshua was already fighting with God’s strength, God stepped in and did a miracle by sending hail. Perhaps this was to make sure the idol-worshiping kings and armies knew God was responsible for the victory. And it was just one more way God showed the Israelites he was with them.

For You

Sometimes God may ask you to wait and let him work. Other times he gives you the common sense to solve your own problems. And once in a while he may make his help known in a miraculous way. That’s what happened with the Israelites. Watch for God’s hand in your life too.

Answer: a

As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the LORD destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword.   Joshua 10:11

(The Whole Story: Joshua 10:1-15)