Joshua and Israel conquered the southern Canaan area. Then, Joshua and Israel battled the coalition of the northern kings and defeated them. 

Second United Force in Canaan

After hearing the southern area was conquered by the Israelites, the kings on the northern side decided to unite their force to fight against the Israelites (Joshua 11:5). The size of the army was as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and their forces looked formidable with very many horses and chariots (Joshua 11:4).

God’s Encouragement and Military Genius Joshua III

However, God personally spoke to Joshua and assured that He would deliver all of them before Israel (Joshua 11:6). Empowered by this encouragement, Joshua made a swift decision and translated into execution.

What I see is a full trust between God and Joshua – let me call this two-way trust. As shown in many previous chapters in Joshua, God usually did not provide details on what Joshua should do, but gave mostly a strategic direction only. God fully trusted Joshua’s military prowess to formulate a set of appropriate tactical decisions.

Similar to how Joshua launched a sudden attack on the cohort of the five Amorite kings in Chapter 10, Joshua spotted a great opportunity for a sudden attack when he heard that the coalition of northern kings gathered at the waters of Merom.

First, the distance from Gilgal to the waters of Merom was about 60 miles, which made the northern kings thought that a surprise attack by the Israelites was a low possibility. Second, the terrain of the water of Merom was mountainous, on which the use of horses and chariots would be very limited. They might have gathered in that place just to have a strategic discussion on how to repel Joshua and Israel, not to have actual battles.

While Joshua was contemplating these in his mind (this is my educated imagination), the LORD gave a message of assurance that He would deliver them slain before Israel by the next day (Joshua 11:6). With the assurance by the LORD, Joshua made an all night trip to make a quick, sudden attack on the coalition of northern kings (Joshua 11:7).

With God’s promise, Joshua was able to defeat the army with a sudden attack. The sudden attack must have confounded the coalition of five northern kings, and rendered horses and chariots useless on the mountainous terrain. Unlike the battle against the five kings in chapter 10, God did not directly intervene in this battle against the northern kings. However, this battle highlighted an upgraded version of military tactics by Joshua.

Long War

After defeating the united forces, Joshua took their land. Yet, verse 18 says that “Joshua waged war a long time with all these kings.” Then, how long did war continue? From a few references from Joshua chapter 14 and the book of Numbers, we can deduct that the total length of the Canaan war up to chapter 11 and 12 was about seven years. In chapter 14, Caleb stated that he was 40 years old when he was sent as a spy to scout out the land of Canaan for the first time, and he became 85 years old in Chapter 14. Since the dispatch of the first spies, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 38 years before crossing the Jordan River. Caleb must have been around 78 years old when the second-generation Israetlies just crossed the Jordan River. Since the crossing of the Jordan River, it had been about seven years of war. Given that each World War, both first and second, lasted four years, seven years was a long time.

The Role of Moses

Although Moses passed away right before entering the Canaan land, the name of Moses was mentioned often (Joshua 11:12,15, 20,and 23). In fact, it was not Moses, but the command given by the LORD through Moses was very important to Joshua and Israel. 

The main command given by Moses to the Israelite was not just to occupy the land, but also to utterly destroy all the inhabitants in Canaan. The reason for utter destruction was to ensure that Israel would not be influenced by their evil idol worship and unjust economic/political institutions that defy the very nature of God (Exodus 34:11-12, Duet 7:1-2). Joshua took this command seriously and fully implemented it. 

Finally, defeating Anakim – after 38 years!

In the first scout of the land of Canaan, about 38 years ago in reference to Joshua chapters 11 and 12, the entire first-generation Israelites succumbed to the fear at the report of the giant inhabitants in Canaan, especially Nephilim, the descendants of Anak (Numbers 13:33). Only Joshua and Caleb demonstrated their faith in the power of the LORD to conquer the land at that time. 38 years ago, because of the unfaithfulness of Israel, the LORD had forbidden them to enter the land of Canaan. However, 38 years later, finally, Joshua and Israel struck down the nation of Anakites, which placed a fear into the first-generation Israelites. With this statement, chapter 11 briefly concluded that the land had rested from war.

Faithfulness of God, Moses, and Joshua

Chapter 12 recaps all the victories under the leadership of Moses and Joshua. The author of the book wanted to ensure that the LORD worked wonders for Israel, and His work never stopped even in the midst of monumental transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. The work of the LORD never stopped, never stops, and will never stop.

This chapter reminds me of a verse in the letter to the Philippians by Paul, “He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6).” As God’s work continued through Moses to Joshua and beyond, I pray that His work in you through the Holy Spirit will never stop.