The Scriptures don’t give us a clear idea of exactly how much time passed between when Israel was attacked by the 5-king alliance, when the fighting stopped and when Joshua finally took care of the 5 enemy kings who were imprisoned in the cave at Makkedah.
At first reading, we get the impression that all of the action took place over a period of only a couple of days but it could have just as well occurred over a much longer period of several weeks.
Understand this was just the normal Biblical way of recording historical events.
Unless the precise timing and order of events is a key factor, Scripture just doesn’t go out of its way to be specific.
On the other hand, if the timing and sequence is important, you had best believe the Scripture will go out of its way to make things super crystal clear.
Onward.
Let’s now shift our attention to verse 15 where it says…
“Y’hoshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.”
There’s a marvelous God-principle being introduced to us here.
After Israel’s initial blunders when they first attacked the city of Ai and entered into a Godless treaty with the Gibeonites, the Lord enabled Joshua and his men to achieve a rapid victory over the 5-king coalition.
This victory was not only swift but according to verse 15, afterwards the Lord quickly escorted all the Hebrew soldiers back home to be with their families.
They returned to their homes filled with the rush of victory, their limbs intact, and shalom in their hearts.
And herein lies the lesson.
War was NOT to be the natural state the Lord intended for His People.
Peace (shalom) of mind and robust health is what God intends for those who are His.
And how is this acquired?
The answer to that question can be summed up in one simple word: OBEDIENCE.
It was obedience that enabled Israel to achieve a swift victory that resulted in them…
…being able to quickly return to the security and peace of their homes.
This was a gift from the Lord.
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