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When Jabin king of Hazor heard of this, he sent word to Jobab king of Madon, to the kings of Shimron and Akshaph, ² and to the northern kings who were in the mountains, in the Arabah south of Kinnereth, in the western foothills and in Naphoth Dor on the west; ³ to the Canaanites in the east and west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites and Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivitesbelow Hermon in the region of Mizpah. ⁴ They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. ⁵ All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom to fight against Israel.

⁶ The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them, slain, over to Israel. You are to hamstringtheir horses and burn their chariots.”

⁷ So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them, ⁸ and the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel. They defeated them and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon, to Misrephoth Maim, and to the Valley of Mizpah on the east, until no survivors were left. ⁹ Joshua did to them as the Lord had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.

¹⁰ At that time Joshua turned back and captured Hazor and put its king to the sword. (Hazor had been the head of all these kingdoms.) ¹¹ Everyone in it they put to the sword. They totally destroyed them, not sparing anyone that breathed, and he burned Hazor itself.

¹² Joshua took all these royal cities and their kings and put them to the sword. He totally destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. ¹³ Yet Israel did not burn any of the cities built on their mounds—except Hazor, which Joshua burned. ¹⁴ The Israelites carried off for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but all the people they put to the sword until they completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone that breathed. ¹⁵ As the Lord commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

¹⁶ So Joshua took this entire land: the hill country,all the Negev, the whole region of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah and the mountains of Israel with their foothills, ¹⁷ from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, to Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and put them to death. ¹⁸ Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long time. ¹⁹ Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. ²⁰ For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

²¹ At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debirand Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. ²² No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.

²³ So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war. (NIV)

Back to ‘Joshua’ today…

This victory marked a major milestone in the taking of the Promised Land. We also see that ‘the conquests were not instantaneous but part of a multi-year campaign.’

The David versus Goliath theme is repeated throughout the Bible. God’s people regularly find themselves up against overwhelming odds in this world, but ‘one with God’ is always ‘a majority’. It’s been said that this passage ‘Teaches reliance on God rather than trusting in technological or military superiority.’

‘It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.’ Psalm 118:8

For our purposes, let us note that obedience to God and His clear Word is the only pathway of blessing and ‘success’. It is not the route to an easy life, but it is the only true way to flourish in this world.

‘God assures us before the battle (11:6), fights for us during the battle (11:8), and commands us after the battle (11:9,15). How we follow orders after the victory is as important as what we do before the battle begins.’ Warren W. Wiersbe.

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. ⁵² Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple,praising God. (NIV)

Lord Jesus, we ask that you will lift up your hands over each one of us. We crave your blessing. We desire everything you want to give to us. We know we cannot live life alone; we cannot do without you. We cannot serve your mission in the world without the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, inspire in us a deeper worship, ever- increasing praise, and overflowing joy. Enable us to see you as you are: high and lifted up over everything. We are so small, but give us eyes to see your immeasurable bigness. Cause us to see your glory, for your glory. Amen.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (NIV)

Jesus seems to say, in effect:

• Look back and remember the Word: Remember the Word I spoke to you (see e.g.18:31-34), and remember the Word prophesied in every section of your Old Testament. See that the Word I spoke to you tallies with the Old Testament Scriptures. (Note that in order for disciples to ”understand the Scriptures” Jesus must do a work in their/our ”minds”). ‘ Christ’s scholars never learn above their bibles in this world; but they need to be learning still more and more out of their bibles, and to grow more ready and mighty in the scriptures. That we may have right thoughts of Christ, and have our mistakes concerning him rectified, there needs no more than to be made to understand the scriptures.’ Matthew Henry;
• Look forward and receive power. These men were going to be witnesses to Jesus all over the world, and ”in his name” they were going to preach forgiveness of sins through repentance. For this they would need help, and it would be given. They were going to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. These words prepares the way for the continuing story in ‘Acts’ (see Acts 1:4,5,8). The Holy Ghost gave them a holy go!

 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence. (NIV)

‘He had promised that after his resurrection he would see them in Galilee; but so desirous was he to see them, and satisfy them, that he anticipated the appointment and sees them at Jerusalem. Note, Christ is often better than his word, but never worse.‘ Matthew Henry

Henry also makes the important point that in Jesus’ greeting of peace, He was showing that He did not hold anything against Peter for his denials, nor against the disciples for their running away. They really could live in peace.

But what we think about Jesus will affect how we feel (37). The two on the Emmaus road, and the eleven disciples, had come to the conclusion that Jesus was alive (34,35). Yet here they all thought they were seeing ”a ghost” (37). Even though Jesus had said to them, ”Peace be with you” (36), they were ”startled and frightened” (37). This shows that we can live well below the level of our privileges; that we can fail to experience all that is possible for us. It makes us realise that the flowering of faith can be fragile. Although Jesus went on to show them His scars (40), we have the rather puzzling statement that ”they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement” (41). Jesus actually had to do the very physical act of eating to show them He was not some sort of spectre.

PRAYER: Lord, you have given me a Bible full of ‘exceeding great and precious promises’, yet I confess I so regularly live as though they have no bearing on my situation. Please forgive me; have mercy on my weakness. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (NIV)

‘ Thus do they not so much compare notes as compare hearts, in the review of the sermon Christ had preached to them. They found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. It made things very plain and clear to them; and, which was more, brought a divine heat with a divine light into their souls, such as put their hearts into a glow, and kindled a holy fire of pious and devout affections in them.’ Matthew Henry

Warren Wiersbe says that the mourners became missionaries. These two dejected people were revitalised by their fellowship with Jesus and His personal ministry of the Word. The burning heart gives a person the ‘get up and go’ they need to change their plans and follow the Lord in a new direction. These two had done the long walk from Jerusalem and, it seems, had no intention of travelling any further that night. But how different they were when they realised that Jesus was alive. On that return trip, my guess is they felt like they had wings on their heels. Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they received further confirmation of what they by now deeply knew. So the two, and the eleven, were able to strengthen each other in the faith. This mutual edifying should be a part of every Christian gathering.

PRAYER: Lord, whenever, wherever my heart may be cold, I ask that by your presence and truth you will set it ablaze with love for you

 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (NIV)

There was something in Jesus’ breaking of the bread that struck a chord with them (35). Perhaps they saw the marks of the nails in His Hands? I don’t know. But I was thinking, as I read these verses, that we have to receive what Jesus has done for us. He wants to ‘give’ to us the broken bread of His body; the benefits of His atoning sacrifice. Every time we take communion, eating the bread and drinking the wine, receiving it inside ourselves, we physically recognise our need of Jesus within. What He has done for us is objective fact outside of ourselves, but only when we take His gift inside ourselves do we receive the benefits.

I was also thinking that our own meal tables can be sacramental. When we share hospitality with others, prayerfully asking Jesus to be present – to bless our guests, and the food (however simple) and the conversation – who can say what He will do with this? The space of hospitality may also become the place of revelation

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. (NIV)

Be encouraged. The living Jesus responds to our pleas. He hears our requests. He regularly does what we ask, even though it may initially appear to be unlikely that He will. May we, then, as Jesus Himself taught, ”…always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).

”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16)

‘Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with Christ cannot but covet more of his company, and beg of him, not only to walk with them all day, but to abide with them at night. Christ yielded to their importunity: He went in, to tarry with them. He has promised that if any man open the door, to bid him welcome, he will come in to him, Rev.iii.20′ Matthew Henry.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, in those situations where it looks like you mean to ‘go farther‘, give me the faith to go on asking, seeking, knocking. Thank you that you do respond to the heartfelt pleas of your people, and you always give just what is right.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (NIV)

Oh the irony of verse 18. Jesus knew from first-hand painful experience ”the things” that had ”happened” in Jerusalem. He had lived, and died, and lived again through them all.

Oh the irony of the beginning of verse 21. The Hope of Israel was walking along with them, but they did not yet realise it.

Oh the irony of the ending of verse 21 (See Luke 18:31-34). God was giving them the biggest hint, but they could not yet receive it.

But what an eye-opening Bible Study this led to (25-27). The best Bible Study ever given. How we wish we could have been there.

‘This exquisite idyll of the Resurrection is too lifelike and natural to have been invented. The sorrowful walk; the reasonings; the wonder that anyone could have been for ever so short a time in Jerusalem without knowing of the events that filled their souls; the lingering hope; the despair that the third day was waning and He had not come; the clue of the morning announcement which had not been followed up; the burning heart-all these touches are full of natural pathos.

How swiftly the seven and a half miles must have sped in such company; and what new light illumined the pages of the Old Testament! All the Bible is full of Him, but we need to be shown its meaning.’ F.B.Meyer

 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked. (NIV)

You have to love this story don’t you? It is full of the most exquisite irony.

We know the name of only one of the two people who were travelling to Emmaus that day: ‘Cleopas’. But it has been suggested that the other person could have been his wife. This is conjecture, although it’s an interesting thought. However, the Bible doesn’t tell us, so I assume it’s not important for us to know.

But here’s the point I want to make today. Sometimes God/Jesus asks His people questions, not because He doesn’t know, but because they need to speak. These two on the Emmaus Road needed to let something out rather than hold it in: their sadness, disappointment and discouragement.

What do you need to pour out to Jesus today? Not because He is ignorant, but because He cares…cares deeply for you.

”Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Pe.5:7)